Can power surges corrupt files?

I have a 2 Ghz rev. B iMac that every month or so, gets corrupted files that cause it to hang, both during use, and in start-up. It's worse when the computer wakes from sleep (hangs if I try to even move the cursor too soon after waking) and not as often if I set the computer to never sleep. It rarely boots up completely after an unexpected shutdown. Disk Warrior has kept it running, but it has to rebuild the directory every time, and sometimes I have to do an archive and install before the computer will run normally again. Once I had to do a clean install because the partition was corrupted. Running the extended hardware test reveals nothing. It doesn't run hot at all, and I have plenty of RAM.
I posted this problem before, and was advised it might be the hard drive, but since this has been more of an annoyance than any real threat, I haven't looked into a replacement yet. So I have three questions:
1. Does this indeed sound like a typical hard drive problem?
2. If I change the hard drive myself, does that invalidate the Applecare warranty?
3. Could small power surges have caused this corruption over time? Because I notice room lights sometimes dim when I turn on the TV or ceiling fan. I have since started using a Backup battery supply for the iMac.
Thanks in advance for any help, and sorry for its length.
G5 iMac 2.0 Ghz Rev.B Mac OS X (10.4)

Thanks for the input. I do have one further question regarding the logic board.
After fixing the directory with DiskWarrior and doing an archive and install, the iMac will run perfectly for about a month before suddenly slowing down and hanging with the spinning beach ball if I even move the cursor. Do logic board problems pop up this way, after an extended time of running normally, or are they more constant? I'm trying to narrow the possible causes as much as possible before talking to Apple.
Thanks again.

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Hi guys,
most likely I've found a way to partly solve the corrupt file
problems with Freehand for FREE!
6 months ago I found a version control software
recommendation in a Flash 8 programmers guide and thought why not
see if it works on other files than Actionscript files? I installed
the TortoiseSVN system and gave it a try.
http://tortoisesvn.net/downloads
(just be sure to download the right version - 32 or 64 bit)
It works like a dream! It works if you have a server or not,
but seems to be at its best in a server based system.
Any way: work locally and keep Repository on server or
(different folder locally)
All changes to FH file is stored in a database and you are
able to
- Commit changes to database and add comments to each version
and view log files any time
- add tags or branches and merge at a later stage
- move, rename, add and delete files to the project from a
context right-click menu in Explorer
- icons overlay in Explorer show status on all version
controlled files
- At any time you can revert to an older version of FH file
- checkout and lock files if you're working in a workgroup
... and loads of other features
So when a FH file gets corrupted you can just revert to last
version and go from there. You can safely delete corrupted file and
Checkout a new working copy from last uncorrupted version.
Seems it is available for Mac as well using the SCPlugin to
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http://scplugin.tigris.org/
This is with no doubt the best piece of freeware I've ever
installed and has saved my sorry *** twice during a 100 page guide
book project!

Try going here to report your problem http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1933

Power Surge Fried It- Can I save my files?

My iBook was fried by a power surge yesterday. Wont turn on.
I was wondering if its still possible to save my files if I take it somewhere?? Or even to get the computer running again. I mostly just want my files as I was planning on buying an iMac soon anyways.
Thanks!

Oh, bad luck! If the iBook won't turn on I doubt that anything can be done re saving the computer. Wait for a few more replies before taking that as gospel though...
In the meantime you can try a PMU reset:
1. If the computer is on, turn it off.
2. Reset the power manager by simultaneously pressing and then releasing Shift-Control-Option-Power on the keyboard. Do not press the fn (Function) key while using this combination of keystrokes.
3. Wait 5 seconds.
4. Press the Power button to restart the iBook
What you can do is to remove the HD and put it into an external enclosure. Once you have your new iMac you can connect the two and transfer what files you want.
For instructions on removing the HD select your model Here then Hard Drive on the next page.
If you're planning to sell the remains as a 'spares or repair', perhaps on eBay, you need to be fairly careful and put it all back together again. Otherwise you can be as destructive as you like until you get to the HD.

Power surge file recovery

I was working on a file n flash that had recently been saved
when the power surged and the power was lost briefly. We had to
restart teh servers that the file was locaed on. After doing that,
I see the file on the servr and it looks like it has the
appropriate file size (similar to earlier versions of the file) so
it is there, but flash (8) says "failed to open document" when I
try to open it. It will only open an earlier named version from
that morning. Is there any way to get that file to open? Or is ther
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really fry a file that was saved because it was pen during the
surge?
Help.

We see this same issue almost weekly here - it is always with
people working/saving to a network
drive - it has always been not the best practice - for any
kind of file and program. Simply put -
never work/save to a network if you can help it - any hiccup
in connection or power loss will result
in a loss of work and potential file corruption.
Always save locally and *copy* to a network drive for sharing
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I know this doesnt help but your file is lost forever.
next time, if this happens - *do not close the file in flash*
- copy all frames and paste into a
*new* fla and save it locally.
--> **Adobe Certified Expert**
--> www.mudbubble.com
--> www.keyframer.com
deanmac wrote:
> I was working on a file n flash that had recently been
saved when the power
> surged and the power was lost briefly. We had to restart
teh servers that the
> file was locaed on. After doing that, I see the file on
the servr and it looks
> like it has the appropriate file size (similar to
earlier versions of the
> file) so it is there, but flash (8) says "failed to open
document" when I try
> to open it. It will only open an earlier named version
from that morning. Is
> there any way to get that file to open? Or is ther
another progam that might
> check it for something damaged? Could it really fry a
file that was saved
> because it was pen during the surge?
> Help.
>
>

Can iMac not waking from sleep be caused be a corrupt file

I have had my 27" iMac from July of 2011 (running Montain Lion, 8 GB RAM, 2TB hardrive, 3.4 GHz,Intel i7) for over a year and a half and ever since I bought it, it has had a problem waking from sleep. I can hear the computer running, but when I click the mouse, keyboard, or power button, it stays asleep and I am forced to do a hard shut down. Apple has been trying to fix the issue, but to no success. They have replaced the hard drive, logic board, usb ports, RAM, mouse and keyboard, but it still happens. They finally threw in the towel and are replacing the machine. They offered to transfer all of our files (jpgs, mp3s, docs, videos, etc), but one thought occurred to me... what if the sleep issue is caused by a corrupt file? I highly doubt that is the case, but wonder if any of the experts out here would know better than I.
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Chris

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether your problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
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The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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Can power surges corrupt files?

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