My Mid-2010 Intel iMac won't even turn on! Small clicking noise from inside

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My Mid-2010 Intel iMac won't even turn on! Small clicking noise from inside

A few weeks ago my aunt who is a big Mac fan gave me her Mid-2010 21.5" Intel iMac because it had a problem- it wouldn't start. I took it home and since she gave it to me to keep if I got it working, i took it apart for fun and put it back together... I somehow solved the problem and it booted up wihtout problem and everything worked.

Everyday since it started working I've been using it for various tasks. One day however, a few days ago I was busy for the entire day and wasn't able to even sit down and turn it on but when I came home from wherever... it wouldn't turn on. I proceeded to take it apart down to the logic board and put it back together... but that didn't work. I've tried various things I've found on the internet such as resseting the SMC or just simply holding the power button.

The weird thing is that none of the 4 LEDs are lit and the computer also makes a small clicking sound for about 1 second every 2 seconds when plugged in. It almost sounds as if electricity is flowing but I can't determine the location of the actual sound. It sounds like it is almost coming from the Power Supply.

If you would like more details on anything just ask. I just don't get what made it work last time and now it doesn't work.

iMac

Posted on Aug 19, 2013 12:18 AM

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Answer 1

originade Author

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Aug 19, 2013 3:22 AM in response to Klaus1

I should add that the clicking noise was there before I fixed it.. and when it actually worked, it wasn't there. If it really is the hard drive, is there anything I can do to test it or get it working? It was working a few days ago after I "fixed" it but now it's just the same problem over but I'm not sure what to do.

My aunt did say she took it to Best Buy to see what was wrong and see how much to fix, they said it was a logic board thing.. but she didn't buy. I don't really believe it's the logic board either.

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Answer 2

originade Author

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Aug 19, 2013 4:32 AM in response to originade

In a way it seems that the HDD isn't the problem although I'm not too sure. None of the LEDs would light up which the first one should at least to show the Logic Board is getting power. Apparently it's not.. so my two main concerns are possible the power supply and the logic board.

The computer doesn't turn on at all. The only noise is a small ticking noise which sounds like it's coming from the power supply but could be the HDD or below the power supply... it's hard to tell. It's more of a ticking than a clicking.

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Answer 3

Mar 21, 2014 3:05 PM in response to originade

I have the same problem with a imac 27 "mid-2010, suddenly trailed off, and I could not turn it back on. Power line is good, the service has told me it may be a collapse of memories, tomorrow they will review it and make a diagnosis. I hope he did not burn something like the processor, or mother, or anything, because I will not disappoint Apple.

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Answer 4

originade Author

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Mar 21, 2014 6:28 PM in response to rikfromarg

I did eventually fix my iMac. There was something wrong with the power supply inside the computer so I took my mac apart and installed a new one and it works perfectly now.

I bought my replacement from here http://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/iMac-Intel-21-5-Inch-Power-Supply/IF173-000

You're going to want to find the 27" power supply since this is probably your problem.

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Answer 5

Mar 25, 2014 7:23 PM in response to originade

The diagnosis is that I have done has been burned logic board really can not believe it ... if it is true there is a serious flaw in the quality of the components of the Imac, and if not is a major flaw in the seriousness technical service representative in my country (Argentina). Even I can not get out of my stupor, here are extraordinarily expensive Mac, and are supposed to last more than 3 years of moderate use. I can not believe what is happening to me

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