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Jules05

Q: left side of iMac got dark

Hi dear Apple Users,

for 1 day now, I have the problem that the left side of my iMac's display (27", late 2009) got dark. It happens regularly after 15 minutes of use. After a restart it disappers but appears again after 15 minutes.
I bought this iMac new in the end of 2009.
In my opinion, this problem shouldn't and can't appear..
Do you have any solutions?

Thanks to all of you,
Jules

iMac G6, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Dec 21, 2010 10:34 AM

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Q: left side of iMac got dark

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  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Dec 21, 2010 10:38 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 21, 2010 10:38 AM in response to Jules05
    Have you run the hardware test that came with your machine?
    Are you sure your power that you are getting it is reliable? A good UPS might help prevent issues in the future. If it does, then you might want to consult an electrician.
  • by J.K. ROFLing,

    J.K. ROFLing J.K. ROFLing Dec 21, 2010 10:46 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 4 (1,220 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 10:46 AM in response to Jules05
    With respect to a brody and his 4 blue squares, this sounds like a problem with your display. I don't see a power mains issue causing a display getting dark on only one side. Apple Hardware Test might show something, but seeing as you said you got it "in the end of 2009", you will be getting close to the end of your 1 yr warranty. So, unless you have the protection plan, you should call Apple ASAP to get the issue documented, just in case your warranty runs out before the repairs happen.
  • by Jules05,

    Jules05 Jules05 Dec 21, 2010 10:50 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 10:50 AM in response to a brody
    I ran the TechTool Deluxe (ver. 3.1.3., there was everything okay, except the VIDEO RAM test, there is a red exclamation point and a message next to it "failure". Is there a way to let the TechTool Deluxe fix this issue? Yes, I think it's reliable. Why should this be an problem? It's a normal power outlet as it's common in germany. What is "a good ->UPS<-" ? If what does?
  • by Jules05,

    Jules05 Jules05 Dec 21, 2010 10:51 AM in response to J.K. ROFLing
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 10:51 AM in response to J.K. ROFLing
    It does not, it is protected till march 2013.
    Thank you anyway
  • by rab236,

    rab236 rab236 Dec 21, 2010 11:02 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 11:02 AM in response to Jules05
    Hi. I'm not sure if this would work, but you could try resetting the PRAM and NVRAM. It's worth a shot. Follow these instructions to do so:

    Shut down the computer.

    Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these
    keys down simultaneously in step 4.

    Turn on the computer.

    Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.

    Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
    Release the keys.

    or you could go here to read more about what you are doing: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
  • by Paul_31,

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Dec 21, 2010 11:04 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 6 (13,825 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 11:04 AM in response to Jules05
    Jules05 wrote:
    What is "a good ->UPS<-" ?</div>

    One of these: http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=29
    I don't think it'll solve your particular problem but it will provide clean power and offer some protection against power cuts, brown outs, etc.
    Here's a link to the German site: http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=29&ISOCountryCode=de
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Dec 21, 2010 11:13 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 21, 2010 11:13 AM in response to Jules05
    there is a red exclamation point and a message next to it "failure".

    The iMac can only be fixed by an authorized service technician when it comes to VRAM. And yes, that's not generally a power issue, but it could be prevented in the future by good clean power. Once your test says there is an issue, it is one Apple can usually believe.
  • by Jules05,

    Jules05 Jules05 Dec 21, 2010 11:20 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 11:20 AM in response to a brody
    There was no error found in the hardware test I've made just 3 minutes before.
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Dec 21, 2010 11:22 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 21, 2010 11:22 AM in response to Jules05
    The fact there was one once is believable enough. Just let them know that.
  • by Jules05,

    Jules05 Jules05 Dec 21, 2010 11:25 AM in response to a brody
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 11:25 AM in response to a brody
    So I have to bring the iMac to my next Apple Store or Reseller? they will repair or replace my iMac without any cost, because I have the Apple Care Protection Plan?
  • by a brody,

    a brody a brody Dec 21, 2010 11:31 AM in response to Jules05
    Level 9 (66,781 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Dec 21, 2010 11:31 AM in response to Jules05
    they will repair or replace my iMac without any cost, because I have the Apple Care Protection Plan?


    As long as they determine you couldn't have caused the issue yourself. So just go in there calmly and explain the test revealed what it did that one time.

    Backup your data first*:

    http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html

    - * Links to my pages may give me compensation.
  • by J.K. ROFLing,

    J.K. ROFLing J.K. ROFLing Dec 21, 2010 12:31 PM in response to Jules05
    Level 4 (1,220 points)
    Dec 21, 2010 12:31 PM in response to Jules05
    Cool, didn't know if you had AppleCare or not. All of the other suggestions are good things to try, but I still think you have a bad display. Specifically a backlight problem.

    If there was a video card problem, you would loose the image, not just part of it. Seeing as TechTools is indicating a problem with the video RAM also, I would take it to a service provider or contact Apple for warranty service.