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27-inch / 27" iMac Random Shut down

SPECS:____________________________________________________________________________
• 27" 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7 / 8gig / 1TB
• OS 10.6.3 (about to update to 10.6.4)
• All firmware updates have been applied according to software update
• 3 external drives: 1-320 gig 800fw / 1-TB USB 2.0 / 1-500gig USB 2.0

INFORMATION:____________________________________________________________________

I've been running with this configuration ( 3 extra drives) since approximately December with no issues. Out of the blue... only running Aperture and Safari - my iMac JUST SHUTS off- WITHOUTwarning. It acted as though I was running a MacBook and the battery going dead/asleep. That's how random and sudden it shut down - NO WARNING. I did have the iMac asleep for about three hours before coming back to it to start working again when it shut down, but it should have even been cool.

I only started reading around on the web to see of other incidents after this random shut down this evening, but I can't find anything specific. I've found A LOT of similar things - all seemingly related to "HEAT."

And heat seems to be a certain issue recently - in the last day or two. Today I noticed my top back side to be hot, which isn't uncommon, however, it became so hot I really wasn't able to keep my hand on the top back. I've also noticed A LOT of spinning beach balls, and lots of processor delay! Heat??

There are NO energy saver pref's set to automatically shut it down. The power was and is firmly set. There are no network settings, nor access to the iMac to have it shut down. It is not shared with anyone on the network.

SUMMARY:___________________________________________________________________________

• Today, I grabbed a couple temp / monitor widgets and am trying to watch the data. All components seem to be at/around/below 140 degrees F with ambient air at 77 degrees. I don't know numbers, but that all seems reasonable.
• Going to update to OS 10.6.4 (doubt that's it!!)
• I'm going to run the hardware test from my disc to see if ANYTHING. 8-p
• AND... I'm going to call Apple to set up a case. It's still full under warranty, and I have 2 more years of AppleCare on it. But there's been too many things pointing to hardware to call this a software issue.

I've dodged all the display issues with my iMac, but now.. I'm a bit hacked knowing how much I spent on this thing, with the initial DELAYS I went through, ordering it before it had even been released!

?? QUESTION ??_____________________________________________________________________

So, has anyone else been having this issue, heard of a solution, seen anything on Apple's website of known issues ??

Barry
( Grumbling bout my Mac)

Which one of twelve??, Mac OS X (10.5.6), ever hear Newton?!! ;-) One of those, too!

Posted on Jun 22, 2010 8:59 PM

534 replies

Dec 7, 2010 8:10 AM in response to The hatter

@the hatter

The Mac Pro 2009 suffered from spikes in temperature when using any audio type applications, >going from 35*C all the way into 80's.

Thx, but I doubt this is a heat related problem. When I was using 16 G ram and had problems my iMacs temps never got over 60 º C, and now when using 12 G the temps stay the same without problems.And I have been using audio apps like I Tunes or Eye TV and graphics like aperture. This temp. issue has been discussed before and most people have the same opinion as myself. But of course one never knows!
But so far nobody has been able to proof this one way or the other.

peterwillem

Dec 7, 2010 5:25 PM in response to iridium77

Dec-2-2010 I receive my iMac with a new power supply.
Dec-7-2010 My iMac shut down.

Dec 11, 2010 2:16 PM in response to Berry with an A

I just experienced a random shutdown today with my 27" iMac and it was really hard to get it to start back up. I just purchased it in August 2010. It's a totally stock setup...2.8 GHz i5, 4 GB RAM, 1333 MHz DDR 3. I changed out my surge protector a few days ago. I went from an APS w/ battery backup to a Belkin surge protector w/o battery backup. I don't know if the new surge protector would have anything to do with it.

Sketcm

Level 1

15 points

Dec 13, 2010 7:01 AM in response to Berry with an A

Hi. On Monday last week I ordered a refurb 27 inch iMac i3. Stock spec, £200 off list price.

Within an hour of opening it and migrating my stuff the screen went white while trying out new X-Plane settings and I had to reboot. Then I had two kernel panics. I put it down to maybe being a new OS instal. Maybe it was updating itself or something...

Next day it had two more. Then it wouldn't wake from sleep, forcing me to hard re-boot. This happened twice. I closed the machine down and left it.

The next morning I booted the machine and it immediately had a kernel panic. Later when I booted the machine the screen flickered. I ran tech tool deluxe: it showed up a VRAM problem.

I phoned Apple and told them I wanted to replace it but they said that their policy is only to give refunds on refurb units.

I have since read lots of threads about kernel panics on newer Macs following use of migration assistant, and of 27-inchers refusing to wake.

I tried reinstalling OS X just to see if it was something I'd migrated. It seemed stable for a while and I thought I might just have to migrate my stuff manually. I ran Tech Tool Deluxe again out of curiosity and it showed up a directory failure. Then it had another kernel panic.

So back it's going.

They offered me a goodwill gesture, but I'm disappointed, and the things I've read about 27-inchers make me wary of buying another one. (X-Plane looked fantastic when it was running, though...!)

For the time being I think I'll leave it and buy again when some of the issues have been addressed, probably from my local Apple store.

Martin

Dec 13, 2010 7:41 AM in response to The hatter

What I have been thinking of lately is why this problem only on an iMac?
I checked the forums of the MBP and Mac Pro. They appear not to have the exact same shutdown problems . Some kernel panics or frozen screens but not like here with the iMac.
The Mac Pro (single processor) is using up to max 16 GB of ECC sdram in 4 slots, see below.

2.8GHz and 3.2GHz systems: 1066MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM
3.33GHz system: 1333MHz DDR3 ECC SDRAM
Four memory slots supporting up to 16GB of main memory using 1GB, 2GB, or 4GB DIMMs

Could this mean something that Apple could look into?

peterwillem

Dec 13, 2010 10:52 AM in response to Berry with an A

My new iMac is only 1 week old and it has shut down on me 7 times. The phone techs at Apple Support keep telling me to un-plug, bla, bla, bla. I thought it was me, cause I'm old "but awfully tuff". But after reading these discussions, I realized it's the iMac with the glitch. Has anyone gotten the lemons out of their iMacs ? Is this something a user has to live with? Do the apple techs know how to resolve this random shut down problem ? Can a tech fix it ? Help me out here, I have a Hubbie of 47 years that shuts down randomly, I sure don't want a computer that does the same.

Satoneko

Level 1

15 points

Dec 13, 2010 4:47 PM in response to mountainlady

As of now, the Apple techs don't know how to resolve the problem. At least, the guy looking at my iMac has absolutely no clue. I've talked to him about RAM compatibility and things discussed in this forum, but since the shutdown NEVER happens when it is in the repair shop, he can't do anything about it. I've made sure it's not my house or me: I've had an electrician come in and check the power outlet and wiring; and I am a Mac user for 20 years.

I do suggest taking your computer in for the Apple tech to look at, just to make sure it isn't the power supply unit or logic board failure. The home remedy that seems to work for a lot of people is to change the RAM to high grade ones manufactured by Samsung or other reputable companies.

tod1212

Level 1

11 points

Dec 14, 2010 4:09 AM in response to Satoneko

my imac 27 (2009), i7, 8GB Ram freezes every couple of days during sleep with a black screen or during wake up (mac os 10.6.5).
only solution is to press the power button.
i have no other bluetooth device than apple trackpad, mouse an keyboard.
no usb hub just one canon printer connected via usb. nothing else.
this is really annoying.

Dec 14, 2010 4:26 AM in response to tod1212

Looks like the same symptoms. But from a different (earlier) type of iMac.
Judging from the 2009 you probably have this iMac for a year maybe longer?
Is this the first time you have these problems? If so the cause might not be the ram.
Do all the tests and tricks described in several threads/posts of this forum, like AppleHardware, Render
from OWC, Pram etc.
Look at this site : http://www.thexlab.com/book/troubleshootingmacosx.html

It says for Macbooks, but you can use it for iMac as well.

peterwillem

tod1212

Level 1

11 points

Dec 14, 2010 4:33 AM in response to peterwillem

@ peterwillem: thanks for your advice.

but i allready did all the common "tricks" (smc, pram, etc.).
no success.
i bought the imac in march 2010. it is a late 2009 modell.
problem started a couple of months ago.

Dec 14, 2010 4:42 AM in response to tod1212

@ tod1212,

i bought the imac in march 2010. it is a late 2009 modell.
problem started a couple of months ago.

Maybe it is caused by one of the latest updates. 10.6.4 or 10.6.5 ?

Maybe a complete new system install will clear things up. ( Ja I know , a lot of work but as a last resort ?)

peterwillem

Dec 15, 2010 8:19 AM in response to tod1212

Maybe it is a good idea to summarize your problem and the steps you have taken.
Use the following link for it, if you have not done so already.
http://www.apple.com/feedback/

peterwillem

Dec 30, 2010 8:09 PM in response to iridium77

Happy Ending.

Apple replaced my narcoleptic iMac. I didn't have a random shut down (since a week) with the new iMac. I believe it was an electronic issue on the mainboard.

Jan 5, 2011 8:42 AM in response to Berry with an A

Same thing happening since my 27 inch Intel Core i7 was purchased in October for graphic design work. It shuts down while it's idling and then to restart it I have to unplug the power cord from the surge protector, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in. I've spent plenty of time on the phone with apple care, done all the same stuff we've all tried, then I hauled the gigantic thing onto the subway to bring it to the Apple store. Of course, like others have experienced, the technicians weren't able to reproduce the problem, and sent me on my way with a new power cord. It's still happening just about every time I let it go to sleep for a while. Today I argued for a replacement as I have wasted so much time dealing with this problem and very little time using it for graphic design. Despite having all my troubles, they're reluctant to replace the computer, and their best offer was to send someone to repair it at my home in a few days. I'm so frustrated. Any suggestions on how to skip all this b.s and convince them to just send me a replacement or refund my money?

coolfonz

Level 1

0 points

Jan 6, 2011 9:50 PM in response to Berry with an A

I'm having the same problem here. It shuts down whether I'm on the Windows or Mac side. I spent too much money on this piece of junk to be having these problems. I've had it for a month. Is there any word on any way to get this fixed???

27-inch / 27" iMac Random Shut down