i hate my imac - what do i do now?

Question

Level 1

1 points

i hate my imac - what do i do now?

every day is a new and frustrating adventure with my imac. i've only had it 8 months and every day it's nothing but problems.

1) ichat suddenly stopped working one day (after working just fine 5 or 6 times.

2) it no longer recognizes my external hard drive (i've tried it on other imacs and they recognize it just fine)

3) iTunes is a beast to use. it often takes as long as 45-60 seconds to click and listen to a new song.

4) i can only do one thing at a time or risk the spinning wheel of death.

5) performance is terrible. applications often don't quit and won't force quit, either. i have to unplug it from the wall constantly.

6) it's the SLOWEST computer i've ever used -- hands down. it takes about 3 minutes to load iphoto and i don't have that many pictures in it.

7) every time it goes to sleep it looses the wireless internet connection (and i have to go unplug the router and plug it in again -- as many as five times a night)

8) sometimes it won't restart or shut down--it just freezes on the blue screen. i have to unplug it.

9) sometimes iTunes won't burn a disc. i just get a 'checking media' message in the itunes window. i have to shut down iTunes and start over.

10) discs get stuck in the drive CONSTANTLY. i have had 7 or 8 discs get seriously stuck. once i had to take to the place i bought it from. the other times i had to shut it down and hold the mouse down over ten times before it ejected.

this is only the beginning. i'm furious because i spent a lot of money on this machine and it's HORRIBLE. i'm having serious buyers regret. has anyone else had so many problems? if so, what did you do? what does anyone suggest i do? i've absolutely reached the breaking point and i'm ready to throw it out the windows. i shouldn't have to hassle with it every single day--not for the money i paid for it.

intel imac Mac OS X (10.4.9)

intel imac, Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Apr 18, 2007 6:58 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Matt Clifton

Level 7

29,981 points

Apr 18, 2007 7:27 PM in response to matt_lohrke

1) ichat suddenly stopped working one day (after
working just fine 5 or 6 times.
2) it no longer recognizes my external hard drive
(i've tried it on other imacs and they recognize it
just fine)
5) performance is terrible. applications often don't
quit and won't force quit, either. i have to unplug
it from the wall constantly.
8) sometimes it won't restart or shut down--it just
freezes on the blue screen. i have to unplug it.
9) sometimes iTunes won't burn a disc. i just get a
'checking media' message in the itunes window. i have
to shut down iTunes and start over.

Have you tried:

- Repairing permissions?
- Trashing your iChat preference file (or that of any other app which consistently refuses to launch or crashes)? (home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.iChat.plist)

Are you saying you turn your computer off by unplugging it from the wall? That's an extremely damaging way to deal with problems, and it may well cause you a lot more problems. There are ways to power an unresponsive computer down that don't involve manhandling it. You can usually hold the power button down for about 10 seconds to force-shut down the computer if you absolutely have to - does this work for you?

3) iTunes is a beast to use. it often takes as long
as 45-60 seconds to click and listen to a new song.
4) i can only do one thing at a time or risk the
spinning wheel of death.
6) it's the SLOWEST computer i've ever used -- hands
down. it takes about 3 minutes to load iphoto and i
don't have that many pictures in it.

How much RAM do you have? You don't mention it in your profile.

7) every time it goes to sleep it looses the wireless
internet connection (and i have to go unplug the
router and plug it in again -- as many as five times
a night)

Yes, it will disconnect from the network when it sleeps - so don't let it sleep. Set the monitor to sleep, but the computer to never sleep (Energy Saver preferences in System Preferences). You shouldn't have to reset the router, though. What kind of router do you have?

10) discs get stuck in the drive CONSTANTLY. i have
had 7 or 8 discs get seriously stuck. once i had to
take to the place i bought it from. the other times i
had to shut it down and hold the mouse down over ten
times before it ejected.

This does sound like a physical problem. If the computer is still under warranty, this is definitely an issue that Apple should resolve.

Give the other remedies a try, and if you're low on RAM, add more, and let us know if it helps.

Matt

Reply

Answer 2

myhighway

Level 5

7,270 points

Apr 18, 2007 8:46 PM in response to matt_lohrke

Hi matt!
If you received your iMac in August, you have a Core Duo (early 2006) iMac.

I think it's a safe bet that you might not have one of the two items installed on your iMac that need to be installed. If I'm correct, it's the "iMac (Early 2006) SMC Firmware Update." Without having this installed, you won't be able to perform the SMC reset, which is a surprisingly simple thing that may be an important help to resolving some of your complaints. So, one thing you need to do before too much longer, is go here - to Apple's Intel-based iMac Support and click the "New Users" tab.

The fourth item in the "Get Started" area is " Be sure to install these updates" These are not software updates, and require some care and attention. They should be done separately, download and install, then again download and install. There are only two of them that apply to your early 2006 model iMac.

One thing that many forget is that AirPort is an application, so that once each update has been downloaded, and you are quitting all open applications prior to installing it, it's wise to turn off your iMac's AirPort, and only then proceed with the installation of a firmware update. The only two applications that should remain open in your Dock (with black triangles next to the icons) are "Finder" and "Dashboard."

Downloading and installing these very small updates is actually very simple. To avoid problems, just don't treat them as if they're more of the usual software updates. Best of luck in resolving your issues:) It'll be worth the effort. I love my iMac:))

Reply

Answer 3

elmac

Level 5

4,252 points

Apr 18, 2007 8:56 PM in response to matt_lohrke

Hi, worry no more, box everything up and ship to me, I will give you a gift card from Starbucks (^_^) and a website to get the best deal on a PC (^_^)
Seriously, spend a little time learning about and how to update your mac..They are GR8 computers, honest....L

Reply

Answer 4

Tim Yang

Level 2

425 points

Apr 19, 2007 6:51 PM in response to elmac

Sounds like you need a fresh install of OS X. If you have a local Apple store or authorized dealer, call them up and see if they can help you. Some of the problem you listed also sound like possible hardware issue.

Generally Macs require little to maintain compare to PC (anti virus/spyware, defrag...), but if you are switching from PC, you do need to know all the differences to properly use it.

Reply

Answer 5

Apr 20, 2007 4:55 AM in response to matt_lohrke

i used to hate sometimes my mac too.. when finally i have found the cause 😀

try not to fill up you main hardrive [usually macintosh HD] with so much data. give a 30 GB+ freespace, in order OSX to manage faster virtual memory.

also try repairing the permissions [search with spotlight the Disk Utility], click on the macintosh hd on the left , then check for the repair permissions tab

keep up with the updates

probably a best thing to do is to erase and install a fresh copy of OSX.

if you follow these steps, probably you'll get yourself a good working mac.

Reply

Answer 6

Apr 20, 2007 9:04 AM in response to matt_lohrke

Repairing disk permissions is a very good place to start, as Matt Clifton said. You should also click "Verify Disk" while you're in Disk Utility to make sure your hard drive is OK.

I've had my iMac for almost two years and I've never had any of the problems you are describing. For that matter I've never had any problems of any kind. Chaos sometimes throws you a curve ball. Something will always go wrong. One in a million people will have one giant ugly coincidence where everything goes wrong. My Aunt got one, and then the computer they sent her to replace it was another cosmic hiccup. What are the chances!? She has vowed to never try Mac again, even though they are so much better. Such a shame.

Have you tried taking your iMac to an Apple store to let an expert look at it? If they can't fix all of your problems, demand that they replace it. You are still under warranty, so it shouldn't be a problem. And don't let them tell you, to "try" this or that. Make them fix it or demand a replacement. Oh and make sure to bring that external hard drive so they can reproduce your problem.

And bring your wireless router too. I have an Airport Express. Before that I had a $40 Belkin wireless from WalMart. Both work flawlessly. My computer goes to sleep all the time and I've never had a problem. I never even noticed that it had to reconnect. So maybe it is a result of your computer being a lemon. But it could just be a crappy router. You should never have to resort to just turning off functionality to fix a problem. Please never do that.

In nearly two years I've never had to "maintain" anything to do with OS X.

I'm sorry you're having a bad experience with Macintosh. Know that you are one of very few. It shouldn't be that way. I'm confident that the Apple store will solve everything, somehow.

iMac G5 w/iSight Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Reply

Answer 7

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Apr 20, 2007 10:01 AM in response to thinkdunson

I am going to assume that you mean to actually be giving positive, good advice in your post. But much of what you offer isn't useful at all and could end up costing a considerable amount of money. The manufacturer's 1 year limited warranty covers hardware, the iMac itself, as it came from the factory. It does not cover software issues, including any from Mac OS X or the Apple applications that came pre-installed on the Mac. It also doesn't cover any peripherals that a user adds, including; external hard drives or wireless routers. So bringing along most of the things you mention to be checked by an expert are things for which one is likely to be charged, as the warranty states.
Regarding the warranty, one doesn't demand anything. There are set policies that Apple Stores and authorized service providers follow regarding repairing/replacing under warranty, at their option, not the buyer's. One does try what they suggest, because if the problems are software related, which usually means poor maintenance, it isn't their responsibility and isn't covered by warranty.
The best advice you offered was regarding repairing permissions and verifying the HDD with Disk Utility. Educating oneself about maintaining Mac OS X, which entails a lot more than repairing permissions and HDDs, is the much better route.
But it is all moot, at this point, because the OP hasn't returned, since his first point, to respond to anyone's advice or give any feedback.

Reply

Answer 8

Apr 20, 2007 11:58 AM in response to Dah•veed

Maybe my thoughts didn't come across as I had intended. I'm sorry, allow me to clarify.

I didn't tell him to have them check his peripherals. I said to bring them along so that they could reproduce the problem. If they cannot reproduce his problem, they cannot diagnose the problem. How could you misinterpret that to mean, have them fix your external drive and wireless router too? I never said that.

I've never had to "maintain" my operating system. I've never had a problem of any kind, and it isn't because I babysit the OS. Figuring out how to do something is one thing. There is something wrong with that guy's computer. Sometimes it isn't the software. It's not always user error. The guy says he has been having these problems the whole time. Which would suggest that it is not "poor maintenance".

Reading back over my post, "demand that they replace it" does sound a little strong. I simply meant, enforce your rights. Sometimes people have to be made to work for one.

iMac G5 w/iSight Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Reply

Answer 9

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Apr 20, 2007 1:06 PM in response to thinkdunson

Congratulations! You certainly are one of the lucky ones. I doubt that most who have responded to this post, or who regularly participate here in the Apple Discussions, would state that they believe that a Mac & Mac OS X does not require regular maintenance.
And, although, some of the issues mentioned by the OP could be related to HDD issues, they mostly strike me as Mac OS X maintenance issues. Unfortunately we don't know when they started or what, if anything, the OP has done to troubleshoot and resolve the issues. We just have someone who finally got so frustrated that they have lashed out here in the forum, saying that they hate their Mac. Which I don't believe reflects the experience of most folks with Macs.
One suggestion to the OP about reproducing the issues, instead of dragging all that computer hardware to an Apple Store, of which there is only one in the state, or an authorized repair service, perhaps Apple Care can arrange for a technician to come to the home. Many folks report that they have been given this option.

Reply

Answer 10

Apr 20, 2007 5:08 PM in response to Dah•veed

I had a technician visit my home once. The hard drive on my Performa 6400 broke a couple weeks after we bought it, and they brought me a new one. Ever since then, nothing at all has gone wrong with any of my subsequent Macs.

iMac G5 w/iSight Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Reply

Answer 11

Carl Bach

Level 2

264 points

Apr 21, 2007 1:40 PM in response to matt_lohrke

Start over. Insert the system disk, hold the c key and erase the drive and install a new system. I would erase and do the one pass that writes zeros. This will remap any bad blocks that may be on the HD. It sounds to me like your hard drive is damaged.
It also sounds like you are 5 minutes away from a total crash, so I would backup the important stuff and get going.

Also, don't bother repairing permissions. That has absolutely nothing to do with this. Although called "repairing", it doesn't actually repair anything. It is a step that was useful prior to Tiger--sometimes.

I don't find OSX needs much maintenance, but when it goes bad, it really goes bad. Diskwarrior is probably the best overall utility to keep handy.

Reply

Answer 12

Apr 21, 2007 1:55 PM in response to matt_lohrke

I would recommend backing up all of your important data and then doing a clean install of OSX. This is the best way o fix all of those problems. If you do this, make sure from now on you maintain your mac with the latest software update etc.

Reply

Answer 13

Dah•veed

Level 9

66,541 points

Apr 18, 2007 8:20 PM in response to matt_lohrke

Do you know how to actually maintain Mac OS X? It doesn't totally maintain itself. If you don't a good place to start learning is the X Lab. The site also includes good troubleshooting information.

Reply