iMac 21.5" Screen Flicker and Crash

Hannah,

Welcome to Apple Discussions.

It sounds like you might have a hardware problem. You are covered by a warranty so you can take it into an Apple Store however before you do let's try some things.

Start the computer from the install disc it came with and run Disk Utilities, Repair Disk. Here are some instructions on how to do that:

http://kb.wisc.edu/helpdesk/page.php?id=3810

You can also try doing a SMC Reset by doing this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

and also a PRAM reste by:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

If all of these fail then make an appointment a your local Apple Store and bring it in. Clearly a new machine should not have this kind of problem.

Regards,

Roger

Hi Hannah,

Try booting from the install disc that came with your iMac and run Disk Utility to check the startup disk for errors.

Insert your install disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
*(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)*
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart

If the startup disk appears to be ok try running the Apple Hardware Test

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

If for some reason you can't boot from your install disc, try booting in Safe Mode

What is Safe Mode

*I totally agree with Roger*. A new iMac should not give you any problems. If you try the trouble shooting and can't resolve the problem, take it to an Apple store or an Apple certified repair provider.








Carolyn 🙂

Keep us posted.


🙂

Well I think it's time to make an appointment with your local Apple Store and bring it in however you can also call Apple using the phone number in your manual. Your new iMac is covered by a 1 year warranty and 90 days of free telephone support. If you haven't already I would also recommend you get AppleCare which extends your warranty to 3 years and includes the phone support.

Let them know what you have done so far so they have a good starting point however I suspect they will recommend you take it in too.

Let us know how it turns out.

Roger

Roger

Hannah,

If you get a chance try resetting the PRAM and SMC ... see the links that Roger posted. Very easy to do and not time consuming.

You never know...







🙂

Sorry those things did not work out, after you take it in please let us know how things turned out, it closes the loop on the thread.

Roger