iMac Blank Screen on Startup, No Chime

Question

Level 1

8 points

iMac Blank Screen on Startup, No Chime

Hi,

I have a 2.0 Ghz Intel iMac (20") that had a crash during a game of Age of Empires (just about to win as well.... 😟 ). I tried to turn it back on again after a force shutdown and the hard drive whirred but there was no chime and the screen remained as black as it is when its off. The white power light on the front stays on solidly but after leaving it a few minutes, nothing happens! (Ive tried taking out all USB/Firewire devices except from the mouse and keyboard too)

Any suggestions before I take it to the nearest Genius Bar would be greatly appreciated.

--Lee

iMac Intel Core Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Sep 17, 2008 7:46 AM

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Answer 1

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Sep 17, 2008 8:19 AM in response to Lee_Head

The lack of the chime means that the Mac is not passing the Power On Self Test. This means that the Mac is not encountering good/usable RAM during the test.
Is this the original RAM? Have you installed RAM?
First try reseating the RAM.

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Answer 2

Lee_Head Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 18, 2008 1:11 AM in response to Dah•veed

Thanks David, made an appointment at Genius Bar for tomorrow. Will post up how I get on.

I think I'm just trying to avoid the inevitable and that it is the logic board 😟

Times like this I wish I had Applecare lol. At least Time Machine has made everything safe n sound!

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Answer 3

Sep 18, 2008 1:38 AM in response to Lee_Head

David, I notice that the article you linked to is the same as the info in the iMac user instruction booklet.

There is no mention of precautions to avoid damage by static electricity.

These warnings were common a few years ago.

Is there little or no danger of this when changing modern RAM modules ?

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Answer 4

Lee_Head Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 18, 2008 1:51 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

I'm used to opening up macs and changing bits and bobs and always take the necessary steps to avoid damaging components through static or other means regardless of if manuals have the warnings or not.

Edit: I haven't opened up my iMac though (nor will I). I can guarantee I was not the cause of the problem 😉 I was referring to the old G3's and such I have lying about the house.

Message was edited by: Lee_Head

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Answer 5

Lee_Head Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 20, 2008 5:00 AM in response to Lee_Head

Ok, taken it to the Genius Bar. They pretty much came to the conclusion it was the Logic board right away. They did try exchanging the RAM for some they knew was good but yeah... turns out it was the logic board.
Good news for me though. I was covered without even realising it! Cover runs out in just 2 weeks from now. I think when i get it back ill be investing in some applecare 😀

Thanks for the help!

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Answer 6

Lee_Head Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 17, 2008 8:35 AM in response to Dah•veed

Hi David,

Thanks for the reply. I do have extra RAM installed. I just tried reseating the RAM and even taking out the 3rd party RAM and starting up. Neither seemed to work.

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Answer 7

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Sep 17, 2008 8:38 AM in response to Lee_Head

Then it may be more serious. Off to the Genius Bar with you. Remember, you usually need an appointment first or folks with appointments will get served first.

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