27-inch / 27" iMac Random Shut down

@MichelPm: I hope your post wasn't an attempt to gain more forum points? I have no points, but I can assure you, as a Mac user/owner of 25 years, and past, part time Mac consultant - I'm very aware of the hazards of the vicious "dust bunnies." However, this isn't a case of heat and I wouldn't want anyone reading this forum string to be mislead believing it is.

As in - blowing dust around inside of your Mac every six months. That's completely an environmental thing. Sure.. maybe... if you've got cats running around all over your Mac, or if you live in a dust bowl, but hardly every six months is necessary. Even so... only vacuum.

Further your assessment - in just my most recent post I had mentioned I had the video card replaced.... .just three weeks ago. When I had an onsite repair done, there were no "dust bunnies." ;-) Besides... it's never good to just "blow" dust and debris around further into the system - but rather vacuum, as you mentioned, but I would ONLY suggest vacuum.

I can appreciate your efforts to be helpful - but you'd be wrong on almost nearly all accounts of your assessment regarding heat, at least with this string and model, as if you would note: this sting is in regards to the 27" quad core, i7 (first revision) not the i5 nor dual core. I am aware of the various heat monitoring programs, and fan control programs. It's how I was able to ascertain the temperatures I did in the past, as I did with iStats.

As I've said continuously since I began this post two years ago ... just as @oilesrock99 mentioned... I've had the artifacting effect (just as you described) from nearly out of the box. I actually never made note of this issue to Apple until several months ago because I had first long believed it to be normal, possibly caused by some application startup extension or something.

Just as @oilersrock99 mentioned, I too,k had major issues only after 3 - 5 months, so although heat is associated with "whatever" issue there is - it's not the cause. This is something that Apple has already agreed on. Early on with my issue - "data capture" of my system showed kernel panic attacks, some of which, yes, resulted from heat, but NOT the cause.

I'm sure I when my video card was replaced I received the same video card, maybe possibly a different revision? I've not bothered to check because Apple will usually replaces with same part, but at any rate - I'm still running snow leopard, same OS that came on the machine. (well snow-leopard) There may be a hardware and software issue combo - but it is not due to any software, video card incompatibility. And I refuse to upgrade to whacky lion. Im' not even sure about Mt. Lion which just came out.

As for now... since the repairs, I've had misc. issues... the same I've had. The heat sometimes still persists, but is better with a wipe of the HD and clean install, but even then - it's still there, and doesn't seem to be for any particular reason. I might be doing some heavy photography editing and I might hear the fans kick up a notch (sometimes) but at the same time... I might be just doing a few things, not heavy processor intensive, and have the fans kick up.

So there's no rhyme nor reason, and why I've said I've had Apple techs tell me almost in the same breath, "it seems it's hardware, but it's not... it seems it's software - but it's not. Again... I seriously think Apple has no idea what the gremlin issues are about. I've had Apple engineers - not techs - the kind in the labs, working on my case, and I've not heard anything even definitive from them.

But at least and at best - I want to make sure to mention again in this string I began two years ago... there has been nothing difinitive from Apple tier 2 techs, and Apple engineers pointing to any kind of heat issues with these crazy acting iMacs.

@oilersrock - the only reason I've continued working with Apple phone support has been (1) convenient, (2) I've been only dealing with Tier 2 support for quite some time. HOWEVER... maybe that's why I've not gotten anywhere. I'm surprised with the number of your visits. That's just visits and not repairs though is it?

And yes, I'm a photog, and this issue caused me to be late on two client projects and made me completely lose another project! What's this (he he) "rental" program you're talking about? Buying a new iMac and returning it when yours is fixed? Does the Apple store have a 30 day return policy or something? I usually buy from Apple online direct or an AASP (reseller).

@Paul G.

Believe me, as the person who created/started this string - I WISH it were over. I can however, tell you, as I've also discussed in some depth with Tier 2 techs, that memory is also not the issue.

I've read all the posts on the "memory" aspect. One aspect has been people swearing that it's the type, that it's the amount, configuration, not possible with 16 gigs.

I've had issues come and go before I upgraded and I've had issues after I upgraded. I have 16 gigs, and memory has not been a factor causing issues. I realize that doesn't help. It confounds me as well, and the whole reason why I don't think Apple really knows of any solution either.

I hate to tell you @oilersrock99 - you've had only one repair... the logic board. Reinstalling OS isn't hardware, and even taking out memory (I'm assuming thats the GSkill sticks you're referring to?) not even that counts as a hardware repair.

I'll check store policies, but I may consider the "rental program" if Apple leaves me out on a lerch.

Im sorry my friend, but according to Apple's standards - you've got AT LEAST two more repairs before they'll even start considering replacement, and this comes from recent knowledge, but more so as a former Apple Customer Relations representative for nearly a year.

@tmolnar - bluntness is MUCH appreciated. I've been an Apple user/owner, right behind you, some 25 years.

I realize I've been going at this all wrong. I'm actually quite tired of it, and you've more inspired me to be more aggessive. I did try to go through CR channels (aggressively) as well, but actually working on that Apple team myself at one time - I should have known what to expect.

I got EVERY line FROM THE BOOK, literaly, or at least from my former CR training - and I was almost offended by getting the lines - although I should have been, because I SHOULD have realized it's what I would get. I did it to myself. I knew what I was getting myself into!

I just needed a BLUNT slap in the face. THANKS

I will ask @tmolnar: when you say you got on the phone... who are you referring to? Apple 800, or one of your local Apple stores?

@MichelPM: Although I can possibly appreciate your willingness to help - for the sake of misguided, misinformation, I'll respectfully disagree with you on the heat issue itself.

Unless you have something actual substantial to point to - showing info on this specifici issue - other than your "IMO"? Possible another apple forum thread, an Apple tech comment, a doc from Apple's support docs?

Yes... heat is an enemy of computer componenets. Heck it's an enemy to car parts, too, but I wouldn't accept a blanket statement based on assumption.

Again... a note as a reminder with this thread:

This issue involves the i7 quad core iMac.

Heat is an issue to any component, no matter what it involves, car tire, computer component, an egg in a frying pan, but just because the egg is fying - doesn't mean the heat is the cause. It's not - it's the affect.

Heat is a consequential affect of something else going on in the Mac. The heat is only there because the stoves turned on. Just turn off the burner thats burning your egg.