Short circuit and fried? Or fixable

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Short circuit and fried? Or fixable

Hey - my imac, probably 3.5 years old, won't turn on. i lifted my keyboard to readjust some wires and the aluminum must have touched the socket to my antique goose neck lamp, as i blew a fuse. i immediately noticed a real bad smell from the top of my computer - smelled like exploded batteries. now it'll power up, but by the time it should be at the blue screen it's still just black and the fan and hard drive stop making noise.

i've read some other discussions on this topic - this happened about 5 hours ago - and i've heard suggestions to take he cover off and switch something on the motherboard - a little nervous about doing this myself.

you pros have any suggestions?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.1)

Posted on Jan 13, 2010 9:11 PM

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Answer 1

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 13, 2010 9:51 PM in response to HotelDanger

Hey HotelDanger,

the aluminum must have touched the socket to my antique goose neck lamp, as i blew a fuse

Which part of the socket did it touch? If it's an externally accessible point you should immediately measure the AC voltage from where it touched to ground (water pipe, verified ground pin of a grounded outlet).

i blew a fuse

So 15 to 20 Amps at 117 VAC passed through your keyboard through the USB's external shell to the ground plane in your iMac and to the ground lug on your AC plug. Was it plugged into a grounded outlet? I hope so.
So try resetting the SMU:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1767
If you're lucky that will fix it.
I'm more worried about that antique lamp and your safety. Check it out.
Richard

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Answer 2

HotelDanger Author

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Jan 14, 2010 8:26 AM in response to HotelDanger

hey there - thanks for the reply.

i honestly don't understand any of that electrical stuff you wrote - ha.

i already did the first step (command,alt, P, R). the instructions say to repeat it until i hear the computer go throuh its cycle the second time - i tried about 6 or 7 times and after its initial boot-up sounds it goes as silent as it is when turned off. any ideas?

also, the computer was plugged into a grounded, ridiculously expenisve surge protector. as for the lamp, it will never see the light of day again. alway thought it was good luck, kinda, just because it was my grandma's. thanks for ruining my life, grandma! i'm just kidding.

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Answer 3

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 14, 2010 8:49 AM in response to HotelDanger

Hey Hotel,
Well that procedure you did will reset the PRAM.
Do this:
"1. Turn off the computer by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu, or by holding the power button until the computer turns off.
2. Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Plug in the power cord while simultaneously pressing and holding the power button on the back of the computer.
5. Let go of the power button.
6. Press the power button once more to start up your iMac."

That will reset the SMU which controls all the power functions for the Mac.

alway thought it was good luck, kinda, just because it was my grandma's. thanks for ruining my life, grandma!

Well I'm sure grandma is somewhere saying "Take it to a lamp repair shop" which is what I say too. Often your local hardware store (pick a good old fashioned one with a lot of old guys that know what they're doing) will do the repair for you. Probably it just needs a new cord and maybe a new socket. It won't cost much. Grandma will be happy, me too.
Richard

Message was edited by: spudnuty

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Answer 4

HotelDanger Author

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Jan 14, 2010 8:57 AM in response to HotelDanger

spudnuty - or anyone else who may want to chime in -

i did that last thing immediately. that was about 8 minutes ago. when i turned the computer on it just started making - and still is making - the loudest fan "whir" i've heard to date, only this time little power light isn't on. should turn it off or is this part of the process?

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Answer 5

HotelDanger Author

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Jan 14, 2010 9:19 AM in response to HotelDanger

Okay, I let the fan go for about 25 minutes then just forced it to shut down. Thanks for your assistance, I do appreciate it.

My final question is this: is there a chance that the compuer is salvagable (or even worth it)? And is there a chance that the geek squad or something would be able to get my stuff off of my HD?

As for the lamp: i'll rewire it - i actually do know how to do that.

As for my grandma: she's still alive, so i'm going to tell her all about it.

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Answer 6

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 14, 2010 12:26 PM in response to HotelDanger

Hotel,
Well try booting into "target" mode:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
Also try booting into open formware. Boot holding down the option-Apple-o-f keys.
If it won't go into either of those modes then open the computer and pull the hard drive. If you need info on how to do this email me.
Go to Micro Systems, 3710 Highway 100 South, St. Louis Park, MN 55416 and buy a universal USB to SATA/IDE Adapter. I bought one there for $14 but I think it's an in store special.

the geek squad or something would be able to get my stuff off of my HD?

I'm sure they can but using that adapter would be the cheapest way.

My final question is this: is there a chance that the compuer is salvagable (or even worth it)?

It's looking pretty dim that it can be saved.
Richard

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Answer 7

HotelDanger Author

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Jan 14, 2010 8:50 PM in response to spudnuty

spud,
you're a good man - not sure if it's a faux pas to post just a thank you - we'll find out. i'm in the midst of completing the work i was in the middle of when this all went down - running finaldraft in "trial" mode on a f'ing Sony Vaio... but i'm going to do a step-by-step tomorrow. thanks for the patient assistance, and i most certainly will email you if it comes to that. g'night. -hotel

Message was edited by: HotelDanger

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Answer 8

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jan 14, 2010 9:46 PM in response to HotelDanger

H'Danger,
Thanks for the stars.

Vaio...

Been there done that!
So no open firmware eh? Too bad.
Yah email me anyway.
Richard

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