27 iMac (2012) crashes and requires smc reset to turn on

Hi All, I've also got the same problem. Crash can happen anytime without warning - incredibly annoying. Like mentioned about the restart requires the SMC to be reset. It's really upsetting that I've spent nearly £2,000 on a machine to try and get my freelance off the ground only for all these problems to occur. I can't help but think it's a software compatibility issue with the GPU rather then a hardware fault, as diagnosis tests come back clean and the crashes are so random. Plus the

SPEC:

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), 3.4 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2048 MB

I've tried all the following things so far with no real luck as yet...

1. Reinstalled OS.

2. Formatted Everything and started over.

3. Installed Cuda driver to cover the GPU errors people are talking about.

4. Installed Java to cover even more errors.

5. Ran Apple diagnostics test - came back clean.

I use Dreamweaver and Illustrator and I've been reading that there are a lot of problems with the GPU and adobe's creative cloud...

Our Genius bar appointment is tomorrow (27 May).

>>>I've tried all the following things so far with no real luck as yet...

Have you tried resetting the NVRAM? Does that cause your computer to crash?

I am having the same issue for almost one month now. I opened a case with AppleCare and it has been escalated to AppleCare Engineering. This issue is perplexing because it behaves like a software problem and a hardware problem. Having to reset the SMC obviously points to hardware but it did not act up in a clean partition, which would point to software.

Interestingly, the 27-inch Late 2012 never had an SMC/EFI firmware update but the 21.5-inch Late 2012 did. This may have nothing to do with the issue but I find it very unusual as Apple typically updates firmware on a system at least once within the first year or so from its original release.

Please keep us updated on the escalated AppleCare case! Apple must give free repair for this issue.

Hi, thanks for the suggestion, yeah I've tried the NVRAM but sadly no improvement. however since installing CUDA as mentioned in my previous post things have been a little more stable.

- I'm going to add the NVRAM to my list, as forgot it when originally posting.

Thanks, Dave

Hi All, Just a little update for you all...

Since installing CUDA as mentioned in my previous post things have actually been a little more stable (should have probably given it more time) - I'm on my 3rd day without a crash - http://www.nvidia.com/object/mac-driver-archive.html - if this works, it would point to a GPU issue. I know GPU support is an issue currently with Adobe CC apps - but in all honesty I'm really clutching at straws and still have other issues listed below...

The only things I would add, to my crash issues are:

1. Wake up - from a sleep, takes much much longer, on a similar model (lower spec) at my place of work wake up is instant where as on my mac it takes sometimes minutes.

2. And that this ALL (including the crashes) has only become an issue since upgrading the OS to Yosemite.

Has anybody else experienced these alongside the random crashes?

Thanks, Dave

Re 2: My random crashes started with Snow Leopard. Now on 10.10.3 .. still crashes. Crashes occur mostly when using Adobe lightroom - resizing crops and tone / color control brushes. Very annoying in the middle of a project.

Btw, My Graphics is the standard NVIDA GeForce GTX 675MX 1024 MB. Did you upgrade your card?

Also, am considering installing CUDA as well .. a little hesitant though. Are there any dangers?

Hi Vanstar,

Yeah interestingly for me too, the crashes mostly happened when Dreamweaver and Illustrator are open - however using those programs the majority of the time could mean its mere coincidence.

Yeah I upgrade my mac at point of sale.

As far as CUDA is concerned I'm not going to pretend I know for sure, as everything I've learned so far has been in desperation, reports in various forums show that for some it settled crashes and others it actually makes them worse - But looking at Adobe forums its one of the first things they suggest to try. CUDA runs like an app, so if it does make things worse it can be removed pretty easily. - But please do you own research on it first.

I have exactly the same problem 27 inch iMac late 2012. Apple should do something!

Count me in as one more. Same late 2012, i7, 27" iMac.

About three months ago it started shutting down at random. After a shutdown, like others, it requires unplugging before it will reboot. I cannot associate the shutdowns with any software or activity, it's completely random as far as I can tell.

I took it in to the Apple Store and they kept it for about 9 or 10 days. They tell me they did all the tests but could find nothing. They finally reinstalled the OS (I'm still using Mavericks BTW) and sent me home with it. No luck, still shutting down without warning.

Wish I could offer some insight. Just another person stuck with a computer that may or may not work from one moment to the next.

Right! What can be done to notify Apple Inc?

Can anyone offer those affected with the random shutdown syndrome a path with which to alert Apple?

i'm having the same issue as well.

I am also having the same frustrating random black outs that require unplugging to restart.

I am still running Mountain Lion (10.8.5) and have only the original 8GB RAM.

iMac 27in Late 2012

3.4 GHz i7

Power supply sounded logical, but after reading that some have the same issue after replacing it and reading all the different remedies and repairs - I don't know what to think. I wish Apple would chime in with some help or answers.

Hi guys i'm having the same problems since last 3 days.

My iMac shut down with no apparently reason at random.

iMac

27-inch, Late 2012

3.4 GHz Intel Core i7

16 Go 1600 MHz DDR3

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680MX 2048 Mo

I install iStat to check the performance. Don't know if it's normal but my temps of my GPU Diode is near 50°c without activity and can reach till more than 70°c with graphics softwares. Maybe this could be the reason : overheating and then shutdown to prevent any damage?

Did someone have an answer to this problem? I read all the comments above however nobody seems to have the solution.