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Our early-2009 iMac has started acting wiggy. The display went slightly darker than normal a year or so ago and now it’s completely black (as in off, not just the color). If I’m able to get the display to show back up, it has a dark pink hue, only stays on for a second or so, and we can hear a hissing sound from the back of the unit. Is there anything I can do for it?
iMac, OS X 10.11
You have a mini Display port on the 2009 iMac.
There are a variety of adapters you can get to send your display to a VGA, DVI, or HDMI source of an external monitor or TV.
The iMac may still be useable with an external monitor even if the built-in display has failed. This will allow you to temporarily use it while backing up files to an external hard drive as you decide on your options for a replacement machine.
The hissing sound is very worrisome, that may be some electrical problem that could possibly start an electrical fire, or some component is on the verge of burning out and possibly may damage other components due to the excessive heat beyond what the heat dissipation system can handle, or which the cooling fans may actually make worse by supplying a steady stream of oxygen. You may notice some kind of electrical burning smell, in that case, don't use the machine and unplug it. You may be able to have a shop open the machine to remove the hard drive so that you can put it in an enclosure or use a bare-drive adapter cable to hook it up to a new computer to migrate your data.
You have a mini Display port on the 2009 iMac.
There are a variety of adapters you can get to send your display to a VGA, DVI, or HDMI source of an external monitor or TV.
The iMac may still be useable with an external monitor even if the built-in display has failed. This will allow you to temporarily use it while backing up files to an external hard drive as you decide on your options for a replacement machine.
The hissing sound is very worrisome, that may be some electrical problem that could possibly start an electrical fire, or some component is on the verge of burning out and possibly may damage other components due to the excessive heat beyond what the heat dissipation system can handle, or which the cooling fans may actually make worse by supplying a steady stream of oxygen. You may notice some kind of electrical burning smell, in that case, don't use the machine and unplug it. You may be able to have a shop open the machine to remove the hard drive so that you can put it in an enclosure or use a bare-drive adapter cable to hook it up to a new computer to migrate your data.
Hi, Bonniej88.
Sorry you're having this problem with your old iMac.
Unfortunately it sounds like your display has finally failed. As you noted it started last year. You were lucky to get another year of service out of it.
Technically, yes, you could have the iMac repaired, but it probably is not worth the time, effort and $.
Time to retire that old workhorse.
Sorry.
+1 I would recommend NOT spending any money on it as it's 11 years old. I would spend money towards it's replacement and if money is a problem then look into an Apple refurbished iMac.
Thanks, everyone. 👍
Your welcome and good luck.
You’re welcome.
iMac display failing
