eMac freezes randomly, open window turns into broken up jibber

For the record, I too have only ever purchased Apple computers since my first in 1991. I've never considered Applecare as I still have most of my Macs laying around - in perfect working order. And as best as I knew, when a problem common to a particular line has come up in past, I thought Apple looked after their customers.

I feel somewhat hypcritical saying that considering the fact that my machine has indeed been repaired, but I'm speaking for the majority of the rest of the eMac 1.25ghz owners who are encountering this problem.

Domvs: Buying a PC wouldn't prevent you from having the same capacitor problem. There have been reports of Dell, HP, and other computer companies struggling with the same thing. CNET has several reports on it, including this one.

One quote from that page: "Faulty capacitors have caused video failure and periodic system shutdowns in some Dell PCs, first-generation Apple iMac G5s and other computers." It sounds like all the faulty capacitors probably came from the same supplier.

eMac 1.25 GHz Superdrive Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I called tech support again and told them what happened at the Genius Bar and was connected to another department. I spoke to a woman named Jamie who asked me to email her pictures of the caps and Apple agreed to pay for parts and labor. I also emailed steve jobs and got a phone call from Apple Executive Relations shortly thereafter.
If you persevere, Apple will fix this problem.
Thanks for all on the list!

I having same problem with my eMac. Have read the thread and have contacted two Apple stores about resolution. Neither Apple nor the stores will admit knowledge of the problem or comment on the thread here or on other boards. Each said to bring it in for them to inspect. A tech at one of the stores acknowledged similar problems with iMac, but first they heard for eMac.

Hopefully Apple will deal with this in a quick manner, beneficial to all concerned.

eMac Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I also emailed Steve Jobs, and got a phone call from executive relations. I hope to have my emac fixed soon.

I submitted a post about my eMac with the same symptoms. I managed to get the email address of the Head of Apple South Africa. I mailed him with the URL of the discussion board and my sob story about the only computer for my business, i love apple etc. and..... They agreed to freight the mac up to them and fix it. ALL FOR FREE. Those of you with problems.. until Apple own up and fix the problem.. Try to get hold of someone in a position to help and hope you get them on a good day.

I just got off the phone with Mark at exec relations. He made me an appointment at the nearest apple store, where they will fix it for me. email s_jobs@apple.com and they will respond. I followed the above advice and submitted my trouble politely, and he was very nice in return. Apple wants this fixed also.

Absolutely, give them your phone number, and a work number, or cell number where they can reach you. I played phone tag, and he called me back a third time to take the info, and make my appointment. Have your serial number available.

Great to hear that people are getting thier emacs fixed. My only concern is if the new boards also have some of those bad caps that will give out in another 18 months. Stll, free is a very nice price.

emac 1.25Ghz G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9)

I agree about the concern of this problem resurfacing in another 18 months. I also have a concern with how long will it take to repair? those of you who got yours fixed, did it take 1 week? 2? a month? and did they have the part and then call you to bring it in or did it sit in the repair shop for the month while they ordered the part?
also has any one considered if apple would be willing to upgrade our machines at a discount price? I think this would help solve the concern of the problem resurfacing in 18 months and the time spent for repairs.
any opinions on this would be greatly appreciated.

I sent in a note (short, polite, to the point, no shouting, no screaming) to s_jobs@apple.com. I got a phone message from Apple Executive. I took the eMac to the local Apple Store Tuesday afternoon. They said they'd have a look and call me. So far they haven't called, but then I really didn't expect a call for at least a week to ten days. If they haven't called by next Friday, on Saturday I'll call them. Odds are that they'll tell me it'll take another week or so, 'cause odds are that they don't have motherboards hanging around the shop and would either have to ship the eMac to where the motherboards are or to ship in a motherboard, and that'll take a few days either way. I've budgeted 15-20 days as a reasonable turnaround time.

If the motherboard dies in another 18 months, well that's 3 years use out of it. I won't complain.

For me it was a week and a day from the time I called them and brought in my machine to getting it back.


iMac Core Duo 20" 2Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.6) also have a iMac Mini Core Duo 1.66GHz (Media Center) and a 17" eMac G4 1.25GHz

I called AppleCare and the nearest Apple authorized repair facility yesterday. The repair guy said it would probably take 2-3 days if Apple has the logic board in stock. (This store/repair shop has an excellent reputation.)

Without knowing more about how the supplier of the bad capacitors screwed up, it's difficult to predict the likelihood of a recurrence. I don't think it's feasible for Apple and other companies to test each shipment of capacitors. They may be able to avoid using the same supplier again, but I believe all capacitors come from just 3 or 4 manufacturers these days.

My eMac was with the repairer for 1 week only.

The story that is going around is that the badcaps are all from a particular manufacturer, who used a stolen formula which was flawed. The caps were sold pre2004, discovered to be bad, halted, the company sued, and then some of the caps resurfaced in 2004 when the eMac/iMac's were being produced.

The badcaps are all as previously described here - and thus easily identifyable. The problem is of course, Apple wouldn't want to discard x amount of eMac logic boards that they have lying around because they "may" fail after 18 months usage...

That said, the new logic board in my eMac - at least the 2 caps visible under the hatch - doesnt have any of the bad caps.

Add my eMac to the growing list of bad logic boards! I purchased my eMac in August, 2004 Serial #G84333SGQJ8. I spent one very frustrating hour on the phone yesterday with Apple Customer Service. They immediately offered to pay 1/2 the repair cost; however, I informed them that I wanted full payment of the repair cost, after all, I didn't put the bad logic board in my computer! And just why were other people getting full reimbursement? I was given 48 hours to accept this offer then it would be withdrawn. At this point, I have no choice but to accept this offer but I will inform them that I am accepting UNDER PROTEST. I plan to file a complaint with the NC Attorney General's office. (Anyone who has an unresolved issue with Apple should file a complaint with their State's AG office!)

I also sent an email to Steve Jobs yesterday and have not received a phone call or email from anyone at Apple.

Meanwhile, I hope I can get this message posted before my eMac freezes up!