Hard drive: Macintosh temp range?

Can anyone tell me the safe, 'normal to max' temp range for the iMac G5 HD: Macintosh? Mine runs at 157-160 F and whenever I run the Disk Warrior Hardware Test Device, it says that the temp (right now 158 F) is above normal and may indicate failure or pending failure. I wrote to Disk Warrior and the Tech who responded said "There is no set "normal range". However, anything over 140 F is probably too hot." How can there not be a posted "normal temp range"?

It's been running this way for months. I've uninstalled BOINC/SETI because that had the fans running too high and I thought the temp would come down w/o it, but it hasn't.

This is the Rev. A and I had both the Power Supply and the Motherboard replaced a long time ago. Is it looking that way again?

iMac G5, 20 (Rev. A); 1.8 GHz; 233 GB, Mac OS X (10.5.5), iBook G4, 10.5.5; AEBS; iPhone G3

Posted on Oct 6, 2008 11:52 PM

38 replies

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Oct 10, 2008 10:09 AM in response to Dedo

Hi Dedo,

Might be something on this page that would interest you:
http://www.macproonline.com/Shop/Control/fp/cat/179523/SFV/32645

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Oct 10, 2008 10:15 AM in response to Dedo

or here...
http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.255/.f

Dedo Author

Level 2

235 points

Oct 10, 2008 2:16 PM in response to Samsara

I might think about a new temp sensor. However, Mac Pro seems kind of greedy. They charge almost $25. for the sensor and then say "Instructions for installation are available for $14.99." NOT!

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Oct 10, 2008 3:18 PM in response to Dedo

Actually I was thinking more about another hard drive, but there is a package kind of thing there that includes the sensor and some other things. Good thing with Mac Pro is their 90 day warranty. If you put another HD in and your temps don't fall into line and DW doesn't stop giving you an imminent failure warning... you can send it back.
There's a few places that charge you for instructions. Mac Pro is one of the better used Mac and Mac part places around.

Dedo Author

Level 2

235 points

Oct 10, 2008 5:31 PM in response to Samsara

Actually, I'd rather look at the iMac G5 20" 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. 🙂

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Oct 10, 2008 6:48 PM in response to Dedo

I thought you were looking for help for your G5. You can talk and test all you want but until you make some physical change you're not going to know if you have a problem or not. It sounds like you do, at least with your HD, but if you want to get another Mac then that's what you should do. I'd recommend a tower though as they are more expandable.

Dedo Author

Level 2

235 points

Oct 10, 2008 8:47 PM in response to Samsara

In a sense I am, but this thing has had so many parts replaced already .... motherboard, then the PSU, then the HD, oh, and I forgot to mention the Optical Drive. This computer ought to run like new. If I have to replace the HD again ........ where will it end? And what is it that's making everything fail? It seems to be the nature of the Rev A! I'm certainly not the only one. You get things replaced and there's no guarantee how long they'll stay fixed. And my AppleCare was up in Jan. Guess I could replace the HD myself, if that's what it is. That's next for the learning curve. For all I know, the sensor is unreliable.

Guess you can tell I'm tired and a bit annoyed with it tonight. 🙂

Samsara

Level 4

1,327 points

Oct 10, 2008 9:41 PM in response to Dedo

Missed that you had already replaced the HD.

My Dual 2.7 tired and annoyed me for 2 years so I can relate. I was cured completely though when I bought this for around 1600 bucks. In fact it renewed a friendship with Apple again.

I like still having a G5 and I don't need an intel. But if you're really fed up, used Macintels can be a bargain and used G5s a better bargain still. I'm not flush with money either but sooner or later you have to call it a day. I wish you luck, Dedo, you'll get it worked out. 😉

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Hard drive: Macintosh temp range?