iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) Randomly and constantly going to sleep mode and super slow
| Model Name: | iMac |
| Model Identifier: | iMac13,2 |
| Processor Name: | Intel Core i7 |
| Processor Speed: | 3.4 GHz |
| Number of Processors: | 1 |
| Total Number of Cores: | 4 |
| L2 Cache (per Core): | 256 KB |
| L3 Cache: | 8 MB |
| Memory: | 32 GB |
Brand new 27” iMac (Core i7 with 32GB of RAM) late 2012 model purchased in April of 2013 going to sleep mode out of the blue and super slow.
Yes, it's fixed now. But I am writing this post so in case some of you guys are experiencing the same thing because it drove me crazy for an entire month.
I googled everywhere and found a ton a people with the same problem. Well, here's what I tried and what finally was the problem (at least in my case):
- I thought it was a bug with Mountain Lion and ended up installing and running at startup an app called 'caffeine'. The app worked great, and fixed the problem for just a day (I thought). But, perhaps was only my perception, because it kept doing it after that.
- PRAM reset.
- Reset of SMC (only one that worked... for 20 minutes or so...).
- Disabled iTunes Helper from Login Items of my User.
- I uninstalled my Wacom Intuos 4 drivers (since these came from my old iMac's migration).
- I uninstalled my Drobo Dashboard (since this came from my old iMac's migration).
- Unplugged all external devices.
- System files removed (a few .plist is think, which broke my OSX installation and I had to do a restore!! [do NOT try this on yours!!]).
So, I finally downloaded an App called 'smcFanControl' which told me the speed of my fan in RPMs. And you can change the fan speed as well. But that showed 0 RPM all the time. I did not get it for a couple of days, until I got to this App called 'Temperature Gauge'.
I thought, well 'smcFanControl' was free, so maybe it is not compatible with Mountain Lion and that is why I see 0 RPM all the time. I did not want to pay $9.99 for 'Temperature Gauge' but I said, well; if it helps me determine my problem; it is worth the 10 bucks. So, I've got the App and immediate saw my iMac was super hot. I mean I have a screenshot showing 'Memory – TM1a' at 227F!!!
And also, showed my 'Average Fan Speed' at 0 RPM...
So, yep... I went to an Apple Service Center and in fact, my fan fail the software test; they opened it and it was actually no longer spinning.
I have it home now, and it works like it should. And I can see my temperatures way down to normal and my RPMs at 1205 (give or take).
As you know each case is different, but I wanted to share my experience in case it can save you plenty of time and maybe even some money.
Before my factory warranty expires, I will consider to purchase an extended warranty. Just in case, you never know...
That's all folks, I hope this helps!! 😉
Kindest Regards
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)
