NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 Kernel Panics/Freezes in Lion & late Snow Leopard

Early 2009 iMac running 10.6.8....was fine until I upgraded to 10.6.8 SL. Same problems as everyone else is having, random locks, more when doing multiple graphic intensive things. Seems to hate Flash more than anything. Tends to lock less often w/ fans rev'd up to 2500 or better, gee, what happened to the "Silent Computer" selling point?

Based on what I'm seeing here, no point in upgrading OS. Sounds like the problem is in the video card/chip and driver incompatibility, maybe worsened by heat. Certainly, it is not detectable during routing testing at a shop, which is amazingly frustrating (and why I haven't toted mine in.)

Macnn even picked up this thread on a 3/5/13 post and asked for Apple to solve the problem (good read for those who haven't seen it.) I've been following the thread since it's inception, and feel that Apple isn't going to do anything about this, which is unfortunate, and not something Steve Jobs would have put up with, I think.

They sold about 1M units per quarter, so there have to be more folks w/ similar problems.

So, since we're going to have to fix our computers ourselves:

Question: Can we put a different (non-NVIDIA) graphics card in these machines? They came w/ choices of several NVIDIA or an ATI Radeon HD 4670 card-has anyone tried that as a fix? They should be interchangeable. Can we pop the NVIDIA out and put in the ATI? Might actually fix the problem.

NVIDIA and Apple obviously consider this small potatoes, given all the cash they have banked it's turning into the old Lily Tomlin skit on Laugh In: "We're the phone company. We don't care, we don't have to."

Hey Apple, how about giving me $1100 credit on a new iMac, since this one has turned into a boat-anchor and has to be rebooted several times a day?

Sadly, I have to say figure the odds to the following:

But, if they did, I would buy one in the next 30 days.

Wish I would've found this thread sooner. I've had increasing frequency of screen freezes/pixelation events for the last couple of years. Always assumed software issues, but never got around to doing a full software dump until problem became so disruptive that I began to suspect something else. Took it in to my nearest Apple store, spoke with lovely young lady, I'll call her genius #1, who suspects a hardware problem, and patiently but unsuccessfully attempts to teach this computer tech novice all of the subtle aspects of the kernel panic. She then explains the likely repair bill will equal about one- quarter to one- fifth the cost of a new machine. I nearly choke. Not so much as a reaction to the repair bill, but to her matter-of-fact suggestion that I might decide to fork over another $2000 for a brand new machine to replace one that's only four years old!

I sign a repair consent, and three days later I get a call from a genius saying that my mac "passed all hardware tests", and "it must be software."

Back to my nearest Apple store(90 miles away) to pick up my computer, thinking 1 day of confirming backups (this event scared me into realizing that I had a pitiful backup plan for my files) and reinstalling OS from scratch would be well worth it (obviously, I'm by no means a computer tech, but I can follow directions) I set about doing so.

It took all of about 10 minutes of uploading photo files back into iPhoto in my fresh clean version of mountain lion for the problem to return, worse than ever.

Several weeks later, I speak with a very cordial apple phone support person at a cost to me of about $2.00 per minute. She suspects a hardware problem after I explain and update her on the situation. On her suggestion, it's back to the Apple store I go, mac in hand.

I'm early for my Genius Bar appointment, which I don't realize until I wait in line and talk to the guy who checks me in. Learning that I have about 45 minutes to kill, I grab a couple of fish tacos and a beer at the anchor restaurant in the mall. Back for my appointment on time, I wait 30 minutes for an available genius, who after greeting me, disappears into the back room to retrieve my 24" iMac. He returns from the back room empty handed, and asks me the name of the young man who offered to place my iMac behind the Genius Bar while I waited in line for check-in guy. I tell him I didn't catch his name, while I begin to realize that I may have just been ripped off. The next question he asks strangely seems to confirm my worst fear. "This May seem like a strange question," genius asks, "but, what kind of car did you drive here today? As I'm contemplating the weirdness of that question, my brain shifts to the conversation taking place 12" to my right between another genius/customer pair. This costumer is sounding frustrated that a password that he's provided to his genius is unsuccessfully gaining access to his machine. His genius has somehow finally bypassed this pesky security feature, and reset the admin password to the machine, and now, is checking the settings for his customers' home wireless network, named "..."

In my own head, I hear "Hey- THAT guy named HIS network the same as... Wait just a doggone minute here!... How does he know my..."

Another 5 minutes to prove that these two strangers have indeed hacked into my computer, and another 10 minutes while genius gets his boss to be present while they sheepishly apologize and return settings and passwords to former glory. After updating my issue, summarizing my conversation with $2.00 per minute girl, and giving him the case number that she assigned, I (somewhat apprehensively) leave my computer and await a phone call.

After a few days, I get a phone call from apple store genius saying that my iMac passed the hardware test, and that it must be software, because it quotes me in the notes saying that I restored from a Time Machine backup. Huh?

"Yes, I know it sounds like software- no, I didn't restore OS from time machine- yes, I did do a clean restore from Disk Utility, yes, I know it passed your hardware test, but the person on the other end of the $20 phone call I made to apple, seemed to think it was a hardware issue, and to bring it back to you for more "rigorous testing"."

After eventually being able to talk to the tech that tested my machine, I was able to describe the issue to him and convince him that I restored to a clean OS. He assured me that he would do a more rigorous hardware test and try to recreate the problem. He received my pre-approval to authorize a nvidia graphics card replacement, since he seemed confident at the time that it would prove to be the culprit, and would be a worst-case scenario. Sounded good to me.

One week later, I get a call that my machine is ready to be picked up.

One week ago, I find this thread.

This morning, October 28th, I pick my machine up, and pay a $340 repair bill for a new graphics card. Haven't plugged it in yet, but I have a sneaking suspicion that I think I know where this is headed.

I can't even express my level of frustration over now likely having a $2000- something + $340 + $2.00/min doorstop. My financial situation is no longer that I can just fork out another $2000- something for a new computer every 3-4 years. THIS is why I switched from PC four years ago.

There are more of us out here. Thanks for keeping this thread current. I will update my situation as it progresses.

2009 24" iMac

Nvidia GT 120

Expired AppleCare extended warranty

I uncovered an internal memo about Apple's recognition of European consumer law. Looking for anything more specific to our cases but thought this would be useful for anybody in the EU who is in dispute with Apple.

Hopefully you can all see this: http://www.scribd.com/doc/179542219/Indirect-Reseller-Consumer-Laws-June-2013-co mmunication-L525186A-en-GB-pdf

I find the sentence: "Under these national laws, consumers have a minimum of 24 months from the date of delivery of the product to claim against theseller if a non-conformity arises....The Apple One Year Limited Warranty and AppleCare Protection Plan are offered byApple on Apple branded products separately from, and not instead of, the rights ofconsumers to claim for lack of conformity with the contract of sale. It is thereforeimportant that the customer's rights under the Apple One Year Limited Warranty,AppleCare Protection Plan (where applicable) and the relevant consumer law areconsidered when assisting customers."

This is a memo for wider distributors of Apple products so I'd hope that the stores abide from the same rules, and it can be argued I think that at over £1500 this machine should be expected to last longer than 4 years.

Hey Apple, how about giving me $1100 credit on a new iMac, since this one has turned into a boat-anchor and has to be rebooted several times a day?

Yes Apple, this is ridiculous, come with an update / fix or credit us (and I would get a new one the next day!!)

hmm or maybe I should install windows on my iMac..

Anyone know if there are similar crashes when booting into windows via bootcamp ??

And is there no way to install an older driver from Lion ??

I would prefer a less faster but stable system..

I love that the post about the class action has been removed. Thats ok, I still got the info. I emailed the lawyer and included this thread. hopefully this assists him in their case, and mayne he will expand to enclude us as well. I totally agree that the 1 year warranty in the US is so sub standard. I dont forsee the criminals in the White House changing that any time soon.

We are still having issues--updated to maverick no improvement--only thing that works is cranking up the SMC fan to 2500, and that only works for a bit.. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have always been an avid Mac user but this experience makes me want to puke! About ready to buy a DELL, that's right I said it!

I have finally forked out for a new imac. This means I have moved all my data across and at least saved it. Next time i am near a Apple store I will take my GT130 graphic card imac in for replacement & repair. But I guess from the above I may be wasting my money. I still think it's an Apple software issue, that increases the load above normal on the GT130 card. This then weakens the hardware. I have installed mavericks on the faulty imac. Just using the BCC games site (very basic) for my children causes the screen to go wacky. I would like to use my GT130 imac for my oldest daughter to do here homework on. But can I make it stable enough? Guess I will have to pay out for new card and see if the problem persists! Still no new card drivers, or a offical staement from Apple. Come on guys this thread alone is nearing 30K worth of visits.

Your also not even factoring in that we were the only ones tech savvy enough to find THIS thread. How many others out there with the same problem, probably everyone with this model. His many other blogs discussions this same problem, how many didn't know it was APPLES fault and trashed, sold, or replaced with a new iMac. Come on Apple, probability here, we are only a small fraction of the actual problem base.

You guys all realize that Apple does not read these forums. If you want them to know about the issue you have to contact them directly through the "Contact" process or through the AppleCare process.

They have "moderators" to monitor the forums, but I think most of that is automated using AI software. So...it does not matter how many people post here or what you say, Apple is never going to fix the problem from posts on this forum.

The posts do serve as backup for documentation purposes. The "genius" at my local store said that they have so many trolls posting on forums that they really can't tell if the problems are real or not so they are not a reliable source. Based on other types of forums, I can understand that.

Use the Contact screen and tell Apple your issues...use a link to the forum for backup.

BTW, replacing tha card fixed my issue. Last week, my 2009 Macbook pro had the video card go out...uggh...it's on the motherboard and much more costly to replace. :-( I think it was a bad year for video card. I have a 2008 iMac working perfectly and a 2004 PowerBook that is still chugging along.

Hi Ramona, just to be clear in Sept you said that you had had the graphics card replaced, but noted that it had then crashed 'once' with pixelation (https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3938355?answerId=19525643022#19525643022). With respect, I got from your message that whilst the new card made it usable for you, the new graphics card was not a fix. I think that would be worth spelling out to others considering a change to the graphics card (which I also did, but also found that the problem re-emerged under Mountain Lion)

It did crash once, but not repeatedly like before. And...my problem started with the last update to Snow Leopard. Initially, I thought it was related to the update to Parallels.

Before the card was updated, I could make my computer crash by running two Safari windows with YouTube videos at the same time. It would crash every time with the same error. Even if nothing else was running. When I took it in to the Apple store and they ran hardware tests (which were perfect), I showed that to the "genius". He then talked to a tech and they offered to replace the card for $180. It now will run both YouTube videos concurrently...even three of them. To me, spending $180 to have a working computer was better than just letting it sit unusable.

I no longer use the computer for heavy graphics work. I gave it to my daughter and it works fine for her for browsing the internet, watching movies, etc. It is running the latest version of Mountain Lion. I have not updated to Mavericks, but I would not think that would "fix" anything that any of the prior OSX versions did.

It's really hard to know how many computers had the problem. I know that Apple had an recall for the 27inch models with the same card, but not the 24 inch. Many people may have had them repaired under AppleCare, but I chose not to purchase it. I know it is frustrating and don't like the fact that I had to spend the money to have it repaired. I do think it is a software/hardware incompatibility issue but never found the proper channels to get it addressed.

If you had read more Romona, you would see that Apple is aware of this thread. Quite aware. I contacted the Better Business Bureau a few months back. My issue was reviewed by one of their executives to include information on this thread. I posted traffic from my correspondence with the third party BBB, and it was promptly removed. Now anything that is TOO informative gets deleted off this thread, every time. Yes they monitor to protect their own interests, but they are very much aware.

OH geez! another thread about late 2009 iMac Feeze-out. Hey that reminds me of a great Springsteen song!

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5526010?answerId=23692399022#23692399022&tstart=0#23692399

Has anyone gone back to OS X 10.5 and verified that the video crashing ends?

I'm willing to do this but it will take a lot of effort putting my files back into previous formats such as Final Cut, Motion, Lightroom, etc.

Of course all the latest browsers need 10.6.8 to run, so I will still need to get another computer, but I won't have to buy another iMac, which I can't afford to do.