Diagnosis by ear only: Possible to figure out iMac's problem solely by the strange sound it makes?

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Level 2

306 points

Diagnosis by ear only: Possible to figure out iMac's problem solely by the strange sound it makes?

Have an early-2006 20" iMac Core Duo 2.0 Model # A1174.

Worked perfectly fine for 19 years, then suddenly died the other day. While operating normally, the screen suddenly went black, and the computer shut down (or more accurately, just turned itself off and went dead). Many many subsequent attempts to restart it by pressing the start button produced no results -- would not turn on. (And yes, it is plugged in.)

I realize the computer is probably toast, but I'd like to know: Is the problem with the logic board, or with the hard drive, or something else?

The only diagnostic clue I have is this:

When the computer is unplugged, it is silent (obviously).

But when I plug it in, and listen very carefully to the vent-slot and the top of the back side, I can hear a very faint high-pitched whine. This sound occurs continuously simply by the fact of the computer being plugged in.

When I press the power button on the back while still listening to the vent, the high-pitched whine is interrupted for about half a second but then immediately afterward continues as before. This happens every time I press the power button. The computer does not restart, the hard drive does not seem to engage (unless the high-pitched whine is the hard drive), and nothing happens except a brief interruption of the whine.

Any clues/ideas/suggestions as to what the problem is, based on what I have described and the existence of the sound? Any help, no matter how incomplete, greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Feb 13, 2025 1:39 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

KiltedTim

Level 10

228,312 points

Feb 13, 2025 1:47 PM in response to Tuffy Nicolas

Not with any degree of accuracy...

My first guess would be a blown power supply or main logic board.

Either way, it's not worth the time out trouble to figure out what, exactly is wrong.

That machine is long obsolete. Parts haven't been available for it for a very long time.

Unless you had the inclination to attempt repairing it yourself and the skills necessary to do so, (which you obviously do not or you wouldn't be asking the question here, especially worded the way it is), the most practical solution is to toss it in the electronics recycling bin at your local Apple Store or other electronics retailer.

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Answer 2

Feb 13, 2025 1:50 PM in response to Tuffy Nicolas

There are really only two things that are likely to be the problem here; power supply or logic board.

The 2006 models were notorious for capacitor failures on the logic board and/or the PSU.

Your iMac has decided that it's time to retire. You should let it. 😉

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Answer 3

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

306 points

Feb 13, 2025 2:08 PM in response to KiltedTim

Well, the problem is that the hard drive contains sensitive financial data, so that, assuming the hard drive is still viable, a. I would like to recover it (hadn't backed it up for a few months so recent data is lost), and/or b. I would need to extract and destroy the hard drive, to prevent the data falling into someone else's hands.

Hence my question of trying to figure out if the hard drive is kaput.

Your reply, that the problem is likely with the power supply or logic board, is actually great news for me, because that means it might be possible to extract the hard drive and recover recent data then physically destroy it, then recycle the now-useless computer case, then transfer the backed-up new files to a new computer.

So, I guess my follow-up question would be: Assuming I can (either myself or some outside expert) disassemble the case and extract the hard drive intact, what kind of drive adapter cable or external enclosure could/should I use to be able to read the hard drive from this model of iMac?

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Answer 4

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

306 points

Feb 13, 2025 2:11 PM in response to D.I. Johnson

I have no illusions that the iMac can be revived. I'm merely trying to figure out a way to recover some recent data from the hard drive if possible (see my previous reply), then physically destroy the drive (don't want to take the chance that someone would later try to rescue/read the drive, if I just recycle the computer intact).

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Answer 5

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

306 points

Feb 13, 2025 4:33 PM in response to KiltedTim

OK, carefully following online instructions and videos, I have now successfully and non-destructively disassembled the iMac, with the case and display removed, and the interior guts exposed.

I can see that the hard drive is a

Maxtor DiamondMax 10, 250 GB SATA 150 HDD Serial ATA.

Seems to be original the drive that came with the computer.

What exact cable/adapter/enclosure would be best for attempting to read/access this specific drive, once removed from the iMac?

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Answer 6

Tuffy Nicolas Author

Level 2

306 points

Feb 13, 2025 4:40 PM in response to Tuffy Nicolas

Also:

Now that I've disassembled the iMac, I can see that it was choked with dust inside. I have carefully and delicately vacuumed away most of the dust, and could remove essentially all of it with some additional effort.

Aside from the dust, I see no other damage or obvious problems with the computer.

Question:

Now that I've cleaned out the dust, should I attempt to re-assemble to computer to see if it now works, once it has been cleaned? Or is there basically zero chance of that being successful, presuming that the overheating/whatever has already fried out the logic board or power supply?

What's the wisest/safest course of action at this point: Remove the drive, and try to get the data off it externally; or instead re-assemble the computer first and try to restart it again, and only if that fails then move on to disassembling it again and removing the drive?

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