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User profile for user: i7iMacMan
i7iMacMan Author
User level: Level 1
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New iMac 27" i7 - Popping Noise

Hey all,

Got my new Quad Core 27" iMac yesterday. All looks good so far. No yellow screen tint, no flickering, and using YouTube/Hulu uses only 20%-50% of the CPU in the activity moniter. All-in-all, I love it!

There is only one problem. There is a faint, but audible popping noise in the upper left of the computer. It almost sounds like a drip. I really don't think it is a fan or the hard-drive as they both have distinct noises.

Here are a few facts:

• Popping noise happens constantly during use
• When the computer is put to sleep it keeps popping
• I shut the computer down and pulled the plug out of the back, and even still it popped a few more times (with NO power!!).

Any ideas or anyone else have any issues like this? I am thinking it is the power supply, but not sure. I hate to exchange it in fear of getting a worse machine, but I will call Apple tonight.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

2.8ghz Quad Core i7 27" Mac, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Nov 19, 2009 9:53 AM

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23 replies
User profile for user: Sir Cecil
Sir Cecil
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 21, 2009 1:13 AM in response to i7iMacMan

I have the i5. I have never experienced a noisier hard drive. Not clicking, but a grumbling, chugging sound. Perhaps it is similar to what you are experiencing. The drive is a Seagate and from other forums, it sounds like this is a common problem.I doubt it is worth replacing if the replacement also has a Seagate. The noise is regular and pretty constant, heard even when changing web pages. When emptying a reasonably large file in the trash, it is even more obvious. A nightmare actually.
I am really upset by this. It isn't a minor thing – it sounds horrible, almost as if it is an old decrepit drive.
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User profile for user: Edward Boghosian
Edward Boghosian
User level: Level 4
1,400 points

Dec 19, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Sir Cecil

Wrathbone:

Are you going to listen to this noise till the computer dies?
Return it, there is something wrong. If the second one doesn't work, return it again until it works. I believe if Apple can't fix the same problem after four tries you may get a new one. I don't understand you when you say it is making you very unhappy but you still hold on to it. It is only going to make you more unhappy. But it's your money.
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User profile for user: LOC SLC
LOC SLC
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 20, 2010 5:49 PM in response to i7iMacMan

I too purchased a new iMac 27" in November and am experiencing the same popping noise.
I took it to Apple to get it looked at. They asked me what I thought it was. I said I don't know but maybe a fan. Really if I knew I could tell them what to do to repair it. I don't think they really took time to listen and investigate it. They gave it back to me having replaced a fan, however the popping noise is still present. I would return it but since it now has a repair I was told it can not be returned. It's been frustrating. I guess I can keep taking it to Apple.
If anyone takes it in and they discover what it is let us know so we can advise other Apple outlets how to repair it.

Message was edited by: LOC SLC
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User profile for user: justinline
justinline
User level: Level 1
0 points

Jan 26, 2010 6:59 PM in response to i7iMacMan

Hello . . . I have a 27" i5 iMac and recently I just noticed a slight popping sound that happens intermittently from the lower left front speaker. It almost sounds like a phone is hanging up, like a minor click. It's driving me crazy because it's random and faint, but not so faint that I can't hear it. I just got past my 14 day window to return it, which I already did once for dead pixel issues.

If anyone has any insight on this, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
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User profile for user: James Shields
James Shields
User level: Level 1
0 points

Feb 8, 2010 1:22 AM in response to justinline

I'm having the same issue, the random pop from the upper left ventilation area. Very annoying. I bought two of these in late November, both have good screens, one has the random pops, sounds like dripping water, slow leak etc. Not sure if Apple takes a return more than two months out, but after I back everything up, I'll be considering the return/repair option. If anyone has also had this issue and gotten it resolved, please feel free to post your experience with Apple. Thanks!
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User profile for user: James Shields
James Shields
User level: Level 1
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Feb 9, 2010 1:22 AM in response to DCIFRTHS

I've not heard from an engineer what the source is, and I'm no engineer, but I suspect something with the heating/cooling of one of the display components. The pop noises will happen for a bit even after the machine is turned off. It also doesn't consistently make the popping noise. I've been working tonight for the last 4 hours and it was popping early on, but then stopped popping. Also, my wife has an identically set up machine and hers doesn't pop. It's odd for sure. The randomness of the pops is the annoying factor - if it was something steady, that might be better, who knows...
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New iMac 27" i7 - Popping Noise

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