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User profile for user: Nic T
Nic T Author
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2009 Early iMac Freezing 2.93GHz,24", ATI 4850

I just took delivery of my new iMac 2 days ago.

It's a 2009 2.93GHz, 24" iMac, 4GB RAM with ATI Radeon 4850.

As usual when I take a new delivery, perform a hardware test using the test diagnostic DVD that came with it, checks out fine.

Next, erase the HD and reinstall 10.5.6 from the supplied DVD, applied the updates, then use Disk Utility to check the HD and repair permission, no problems, then after a couple of minutes, the iMac froze. I have nothing connected except for the keyboard and mouse.

Mouse does not move, keyboard does not respond to input. Pressed the power button for 5 secs to shutdown. Booted up in single user mode to repair HD, started up fine again, started to install my apps and move the files over from my previous iMac. Played movies on it, and it froze again. Mouse & keyboard does not respond to input, just a short 1 sec sound from the movie that kept looping.

This happens a few times a day.

Got fed up, reinstalled the OS again, zapped NVRAM, PRAM, Disk Utilities check, repaired permissions, started to play COD4, just a couple of mins into the game, the iMac froze again. Keyboard & mouse will not respond to input, sound stutters.

What's wrong? Any ideas?

2009 Early iMac 2.93GHz, 24" ATI 4850, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 15, 2009 11:16 AM

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163 replies
User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
140,550 points

Apr 15, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Nic T

I don't understand why you would go through all that with a brand new machine instead of following Apple's instructions for setting up a new machine.

I would recommend doing a SMC reset along with a PRAM reset and try that, the instructions are:

1. Turn off your iMac and unplug everything from it for 30 seconds.

2. Plug in the power cord, keyboard and mouse only.

3. Press the power button and immediately hold down the Option, Command, P & R keys until you hear the second gong then release the keys. Your machine will start up normally, then check for the issues you are having.

However because your machine is so new, if the SMC and PRAM reset don't work I would recommend calling Apple (the number is in the owners manual) remember you have a free 90 days of telephone support.

You don't mention what kind of mouse or keyboard you're using, wired or wireless and are they the ones that came with the machine or aftermarket products.
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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
82,941 points

Apr 15, 2009 11:54 AM in response to Nic T

Was your old iMac a PowerPC? PowerPC to Intel Macs can't migrate very well with the migration assistant. If that's what you did, that could explain your freezes.

Also your GPU is not rated for COD4 as listed on Apple's entry for Call of Duty 4, which is what I'm assuming your COD4 is referring to (never use acronyms unless you are 100% certain the people you are talking to know what you mean):

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR102LL/A

Aspyr does have an update to address some Radeon cards:

http://support.aspyr.com/index.php?x=&mod_id=2&root=237&id=622

Maybe yours is among them?

rkaufman's statement:

You don't mention what kind of mouse or keyboard you're using, wired or wireless and are they the ones that came with the machine or aftermarket products.


Is quite important too. Any non-Apple addons you put on your machine could contribute if the appropriate drivers are not there. Please be sure to indicate anything non-Apple you have added?

Thank you.

Message was edited by: a brody
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User profile for user: Nic T
Nic T Author
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Apr 15, 2009 12:49 PM in response to a brody

Thanks for the response guys. I did the SMC reset as well.

My KB and mouse are the stock wired ones that came with Apple. Also I did not use the Migration Assistant to move the files from my previous Alu iMac, everything was done manually with new preference files created. I do not have any other peripherals connected.

The first time it froze was when I was in the Finder, just browsing around after the OS was installed. 2nd time was when I was viewing an XVID movie with Perian 1.1.3 installed.

I did not use Perian after my 2nd OS reinstall, have been very careful with what I install now.

It's strange that the freezes does not exit gracefully, requires a hard reset everytime.

It's working fine now, probably will freeze again soon.

I'm gonna check if the RAM are properly seated and not loose, then run an Extended Test using the diagnostic test on the DVD.
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User profile for user: rkaufmann87
rkaufmann87
User level: Level 10
140,550 points

Apr 15, 2009 12:56 PM in response to Nic T

If it does freeze again document exactly what you did prior to it happening and call Apple. Providing as much detail as possible would be helpful, that helps give clues.

If your machine does require replacement I would strongly recommend with the new machine following Apple's instructions on how to set it up and using the Migration Assistant for migrating files and settings (not applications) to the new machine.

To check the ram, use the manual's instructions on how to install RAM. When you press in the memory use both of your thumbs and press very firmly to ensure it's well seated.

Regards,
Roger
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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
82,941 points

Apr 15, 2009 6:26 PM in response to mr.pierro

Welcome to Apple Discussions Mr. Pierro!

Despite similar symptoms without more information, we can't tell what is going wrong. You'll get a wider audience if you start your own topic thread here:

http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1110&start=0

and won't confuse the original poster with solutions that don't apply to them. Similar symptoms can have a variety of causes. We wouldn't want you trying something without clear communication of what the solutions are for your individual situation.

Message was edited by: a brody
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User profile for user: Nic T
Nic T Author
User level: Level 1
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Apr 15, 2009 6:25 PM in response to a brody

Hi Brody, both 1st and 2nd installs were Erase & Install.

I've ran the Apple Hardware Test in extended mode overnight, completed in over an hour, checks out fine.

I opened up the RAM compartment to check if the RAMs were seated properly, they were. Just to be sure, I took them out and slotted them in again. They are made in Singapore, that's where I am.

I'm gonna download some HD trailers from Quicktime Movie page and have 3 of them running concurrently and in loops and see if it freezes.
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User profile for user: Nic T
Nic T Author
User level: Level 1
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Apr 15, 2009 6:34 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Hi Roger, actually I'd prefer to move my files over manually and reinstall the applications, just to weed out the old preferences that may cause the freezes.

Just to be sure, I reset the SMC & NVRAM again this morning.

In fact, after my 2nd install, Call of Duty 4 (COD4) ran with some graphic issues the 1st time unitl I zapped the PRAM. Only saw some weird geometry shapes.
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User profile for user: Nic T
Nic T Author
User level: Level 1
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Apr 15, 2009 8:09 PM in response to Nic T

Just finished my call with Apple Support, looks like I've already done everything I could, I even checked the temperature, ambient, CPU, graphics card, everything seems to be operating within temperature.

They're gonna give me a replacement.

At this point, I do not know what the issue is, I'm suspecting it's the graphics card.
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2009 Early iMac Freezing 2.93GHz,24", ATI 4850

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