Lagoiski

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

My late 2012 iMac, i7 16gig RAM 27 inches keeps shutting down. It looks like as if it was unplugged. Happens randomly. Sometimes while playing Diablo 3, surfing facebook or using iphotos or other apps. Seems to not crash if just left on overnight and not been used.

 

In order to turn it on again I have to unplug it from the power line for like 30 seconds, only then it starts.

 

I have the settings set to restart on power failure, but it does not.

 

Happened a few times a few months back. I have installed a surge protector and it worked fine for like a month or two. However last 2 days it has shut down like 10 times...

 

Help would be greatly appreciated. I suspect hardware failure.

iMac (27-inch, Late 2012), iOS 7.1.1

Posted on May 5, 2014 9:44 PM

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

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  • by Hank K,

    Hank K Hank K Sep 20, 2016 10:36 AM in response to Hank K
    Level 2 (254 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 20, 2016 10:36 AM in response to Hank K

    By the way, I have replaced the RAM and hard drives on two AirBooks and replaced the screen on an iPhone, but this looks more complicated. 

  • by ngrant,

    ngrant ngrant Sep 21, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Hank K
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 21, 2016 6:35 AM in response to Hank K

    hi Hank,

     

    yes it is more complex, i followed the ifixit guide. Be careful not to touch anything on the PSU ! Also the power cables have clips on them. You'll need to press them in order to disconnect the PSU.

     

    If you don't feel confident, get a IT tech to do it for ya.

     

    cheers

     

    almost 2 weeks, no shutdown !!

  • by Hank K,

    Hank K Hank K Sep 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to ngrant
    Level 2 (254 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 21, 2016 10:16 AM in response to ngrant

    Thanks ngrant,

     

    I'm more concerned about opening and removing (and replacing) the screen than the components.  I feel good about that part.

     

    In the meantime, we pull the plug every night and that seems to help.   Also upgraded to Sierra (10.12) yesterday.

     

    Hank

     

    PS wish that PSU would get here.

  • by Joshua A Johnson,

    Joshua A Johnson Joshua A Johnson Sep 24, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Lagoiski
    Level 1 (18 points)
    Sep 24, 2016 5:26 AM in response to Lagoiski

    Bought a Late 2012 Refurbished iMac in 2013 and it was working great until a couple months ago this problem started happening. Seemed to be at random times (even in sleep mode). Took it to the Apple Store out of warranty three times... The first time they replaced the power supply (~$120). It worked fine for about a week, then the problem started again. Took it back in a second time and they replaced the logic board (~$325 - they credited me $200 for the power supply repair). It was fine again, for about a week...

     

    Yesterday I dragged it back in to the Apple Store, got a manager instead of getting in line for a Genius... He talked to the techs in the back and we agreed that they would try changing the casing of the iMac (at no charge). He had me wait a couple minutes for the iMac Genius to check it in for the repair. He came over and asked me what was going on (like this was the first time I was in), so I told him about this experience (pleasantly, though I'm sure he could tell I was ******). He read the repair history, went in the back to talk to the techs, then came back and offered me a brand new Late 2015 iMac - with slightly upgraded specs (including 5k retina!!!) - at no additional charge (other than what I've already paid). They even offered to upgrade it more, if I wanted to pay the difference in cost.

     

    I instantly went from extremely frustrated to Christmas morning. I hate the process of having to wait in the genius line when returning a repair, and especially dragging a 27" iMac through the mall several times, but they do back up what they do.

  • by Just it,

    Just it Just it Sep 26, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Just it
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 26, 2016 12:13 PM in response to Just it

    'Safe mode' works, but refreshing rate is very low, programs like browser refresh all the time. Programs without many GUI elements are ok such as iTerm.

    'shutdown iMac during the night' doesn't work for me. The next morning, after using for 1 hour, iMac turns off by itself. 

  • by lune-cheung,

    lune-cheung lune-cheung Sep 26, 2016 11:57 PM in response to ngrant
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Sep 26, 2016 11:57 PM in response to ngrant

    Hi Guys,

     

    Finally, I have got the PSU and installed it yesterday. The process is very straight forward. I would considered it is just medium level installation. I have got the OWC kit, for special torx screw drive(T9, and T10), some adhesive tape and a guitar pick. I also have bought thermal sensor from OWC for the SSD Hard Disk. The turnaround time for the process around an hour.

     

    I have found out the defected PSU is Delta brand. I have replaced the Liteon one. It works quite well, but need to observe it a bit more . I will do a further report about it.  In addition, I have also installed the Samsung SSD as the hard drive. I need to create a fusion drive with the default factory SSD. It shouldn't be too hard.

     

    These are the photos taken last night.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/146342873@N02/sets/72157674444595115/

  • by FalseAlbie134,

    FalseAlbie134 FalseAlbie134 Sep 27, 2016 5:40 AM in response to lune-cheung
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Sep 27, 2016 5:40 AM in response to lune-cheung

    lune-cheung,

    Awesome work on this. I have been following this for a long time and still have the issue but was hoping to see someone take the leap and do it right I agree replacing parts with bad parts was always my take on it too. Hey can you email me the correct items/tools please striper134@gm**l.com I would like to order all parts today and get this finally finished so I can use this expensive paperweight for anything other then surfing the web for 15 minutes.

  • by lune-cheung,

    lune-cheung lune-cheung Sep 27, 2016 6:00 AM in response to FalseAlbie134
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iLife
    Sep 27, 2016 6:00 AM in response to FalseAlbie134

    Hi FalseAlbie,

     

    Thanks for your compliments. I better share the parts we should need for the fix and upgrade.

     

    Removing the the Screen tools (if you are NOT upgrade with SSD)

    • OWC General Servicing Kit

         https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMACGEN/

     

     

     


     

     

     

    Power Supply Unit

     

     

     


     

     

     

    SSD (Optional)

    • Samsung SSD or Whatever SSD you want



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