Fan suddenly runs loudly for no reason

OK this is a weird one. I was running my iMac this evening, doing just general stuff (running Google Earth, actually), when suddenly the fan kicked in and started roaring loudly for about a minute, before subsiding back to its usual near-silence.
It actually sounded at first as my drive had started to spin, but I had no disk in the drive. I've had the computer since December and it has never made this sound before.
Any idea what might have caused this? It's concerned me enough that I'm performing an emergency backup of vital documents, just in case. This actually spooked me more than the loss of Windows XP access that resulted from updating to 10.4.9 last night (but that's another thread).
Cheers
Alex

Hi Alex
As it returned to "normal" I doubt if anything is wrong but it would be worth having a temperature moniture app to monitor things - either of these are good products.
iStat Pro which is a widget and gives temperature and fan speeds as well as other monitors
http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/status/istatpro.html
Temperature Monitor which is just for temperatures and displays on the desktop
http://www.bresink.de/osx/TemperatureMonitor.html
chris
iMac 20" Intel Core Duo 2GB RAM Mac OS X (10.4.9) G3 600 iBook 640MB OS X (10.2.8) Lacie d2 60GB & 250GB Firewire Windows XP

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Message was edited by: armhold

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Message was edited by: crease_up

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I am having the same problem.
Now before you start taking advice to back up all your data, reformat your hard drive, and reinstall all the software; please take note of a few things:
first off, I'm disappointed/frustrated/melancholy that this is happening to me. I spend $5000+ for a "reliable" Apple computer. Then it doesn't want to turn on because its not safe. Sorry if I drown this post with bitter sarcasm but I am coming to the end of the line with my patience.
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I like that feature. Good thinking Apple. Protecting my investment from bad electrical grids. But I don't like the fact my computer has a mind of its own where it decides when it wants to boot or when it wants to sit there and run its fans all loud.
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A recall to change the power supply, Is it something on the logic board?, are they going to reimburse me for lost income (Ha, yeah right)
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From what I've heard, it is a common problem.
So I think we need a common solution.
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I can't spend more than five grand on a super duper computer and have it wuss out on some power issues.
Its a loss of income and productivity to me.
I can't have that anymore.
Sometimes my computer turns on, sometimes it doesn't.
I bought my PowerMac G5 in April 2006, its been about a month and a half and I'm having these problems.
Thank you for your time.
If anyone else has been having this problem, I feel for you.
It was been very difficult for me not to curse in this post, but I have tried to extend the same respect to all that use these discussion boards to create dialogue, find help, and create solutions.
LETS FIX IT!
Peace,
Swami G
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) 4.5 Gb RAM
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6) Dual 2.3 GHz / 4.5 Gb RAM
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Check Activity Monitor
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1473?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
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1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
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as per > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
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