iMac freezes constantly in Leopard

Same thing here - installed Leopard on two machines: the MBP I´m currently typing on (works flawlessly) and a new 24 Alu iMac which is simply unusable now, freezing every couple of minutes ⚠ doing even the simplest tasks.I´ve had this problem before, but all worked well with Tiger after removing the iMac 1.1 Update (the freezing pretty much stopped at that point), but I´m right back where i started with Leopard, except, it´s seems actually worse this time.

I even tried installing the graphic card drivers from the iMac 1.0 Update using Pacifist, but that (of course) killed leopard altogether forcing me to re-install. I´m pretty much stuck now until Apple or ATI fix the drivers.

My guess is that it won´t help. The freezing iMac problem will probably be solved in 10.4.11 or 10.5.1. As stated, that´s just a logical guess.

I ad the same problem but I was able to fix it entirely.

Press and Hold: Command + Option + P + R when booting the iMac. You must do this before you see the blue screen. You will hear the ring and the iMac will restart. Let go of the keys and let it boot normally. This will basically default the values in the RAM. It may not be a permenant fix, but it definately helps!

I haven't had a single freeze since I did this.

You are describing is a PRAM reset. To actually do it correctly Apple instructions say to simultaneously hold the four keys down until you hear the second startup chime, and then release the keys.

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

I've just got my copy of Leopard home and installed it on the aluminium iMac, and it's throwing up all the problems of the 1.1 update - video artifacts, crashes etc. Resetting the PRAM as suggested above fixes the problems for nothing more than a couple of minutes. Challenge the video with anything complex - like Cover Flow - and boom! it's all over, just a useless pointer that can't click on anything.

Truly disappoiniting - I was hoping for a weekend of getting used to Leopard, not a weekend of cursing. I think I heard Apple promised a fix by the end of the month. Five days and counting...

Given Apple's track record of late, I had already planned to give Leopard a few weeks before buying it, just to see what problems might develop. It's starting to look like I've made the right decision.

lakeshore wrote:
Given Apple's track record of late, I had already planned to give Leopard a few weeks before buying it, just to see what problems might develop. It's starting to look like I've made the right decision.

Technically, this is not a problem with Leopard. Its the identical same problems people had before when their iMacs had the 1.1 update in Tiger
Its just that Leopard essentially has the 1.1 update built in now. So now the problems are built in too.

For the record however, my alu iMac seems ok with Leopard. But its a raw install (On an external hd, to test). No extra apps or anything installed yet. And i'll bet money that it will still freeze with UT2004, just as it always did before.

And yes.. 5 days and counting for the proper fix. Or this thing is going back for a full refund. Nigh on 3 months for a fix is starting to take the p!ss.

Hi Pop, How are you going to get a full refund at this point? Demand it? or did you have something worked out with them already? I know your on your second computer like myself well beyond the return date. Personally I just want a machine that works correctly without feeling like I need to worry about every little thing I put or download onto it, especially when that stuff comes from Apple themselves.

docjhr3 wrote:
Hi Pop, How are you going to get a full refund at this point? Demand it? or did you have something worked out with them already? I know your on your second computer like myself well beyond the return date. Personally I just want a machine that works correctly without feeling like I need to worry about every little thing I put or download onto it, especially when that stuff comes from Apple themselves.

Hey 🙂
When I last spoke to a lady in executive relations about this problem, I had mentioned to her that I wanted a refund (even then I was outside of the 14 day return window). But then, just like the Apple statement to MacWorld magazine, she mentioned a fix would be out by the end of the month. So she said I was welcome to wait, if not then she would allow me to have a full refund. Even if I wanted to wait another month or two.
Reasonably reasonable!? I think..

I didn't want to mention this here initially however, because I didn't want to get peoples hopes up, thinking they all had the option do this if they wanted to.
Obviously its not usual Apple policy to do this. And it was something that I had agreed with them nearly a month ago.

However, if other users get even half as disgruntled about the problem as I have, then it certainly wont hurt to push them for the same deal.

The thing is, its the only new Mac I want right now. So what would I buy with the money from a refund? PowerMacs are too big and ugly (and costly) and i just don't need another laptop, so thats out too. All I want is an iMac that works as it should.

It sounds like we might have talk to the same woman. I myself never asked for a refund just a computer that works properly which I didn't get but from the sound of recent posts people are getting them replaced with the problems solved. Which I guess is a positive sign, to bad at this point It seems like that is only way solve the issue. Hate the idea of going thru another exchange. Hope a fix comes soon or the leopard release will reveal just how many computers are having problems out there and forces Apple to fix it quicker.

Of coarse there is the graphic card replacement, which sounds like it works too.

Message was edited by: docjhr3

Message was edited by: docjhr3

Exactly the same situation here. I did the downgrade to 1.0 when I was still running Tiger, and I was able to hold off the freezing (provided I kept my scanner and printer unplugged). But now in Leopard, freezing every five minutes. It's definitely worse than before.

Oh, and my MacBook Pro also works flawlessly with Leopard. I really want a fix for this.

I'm so disappointed with the iMac since the 1.1 update issues. I too have had this nasty issue and had to re-install Tiger. As long as I ignored the 1.1 iMac update I was fine. Now I installed Leopard and the problem has returned worse than ever. I'm using Firefox because since the 10.5 update Safari quits on launch. And I'm typing quickly to get this written before my next freeze-up. I normally get about 5-10 mins. I wish I could return this system.

PRAM reset... no diff..

Rick

To quote two lines from "Gumball Rally" (1976):
"It's a handsome design..."
"... I wish it ran."

Another "satisfied" user. Leopard makes a good coaster if you have an imac, other than that not much use for it. Installed Leopard for all of about 5 minutes, then immediately reinstalled Tiger and refused 1.1 update. Runs just fine on Tiger w/o 1.1 update, no freezes with that version with any applications.

I have to say, this is my first mac. Have used Sun workstations and Windows machines and I have NEVER had a machine with so many problems. Maybe this is meant to be a work of art admired from afar ... just don't plug it into the wall.

Same here. Leopard causes my AL iMac to freeze up - playing WoW (well, just sitting at the login prompt locks it), Time Machine, random websites, etc. It even locked up on the intro movie.

Reverted back to 10.4.10 update 1.0 and no issues. Here's adding another wish Apple would issue that driver update.

From what I used of it, Leopard looks and performs great.