IMac just stops, turns off like the plug was pulled.

My iMac is a 17in G5, running 10.3.9, with 2MB of aftermarket RAM installed (by me over a year ago) and lately, it just turns off. It doesn't freeze, and it doesn't warn me. It just turns off like the plug was pulled. When I try to start it back up, no problem. Boots back up like normal....though if you look closely, a little "?" appears ever so quickly in the folder in the middle of the screen before I see the Mac happy face.
I bought it new new 3.5 years ago (no more apple care) and it has lived a pretty easy life, until my little one started walking and climbing. Since then, my little guy has turned the power strip off probably 20 or 30 times, thus killing power to the computer without shutting it down properly. Also, I am encountering a seeminly unrelated problem with my disc drive. It no longer runs or burns DVDs. CDs, no problem. DVDs, no comprendo.
Things I have tried.
I bought an external DVD drive. One problem fixed. For the random shut donw problem, the only thing I could think to do was to unplug everything, wait 15 minutes, and then plug everything back in. That made no difference.
Anybody have a suggestion? Is my computer nearing the end of its life? So soon? Right after apple care expired? Oh no!
thanks for any help,
Adam

Hi planafiddle:
Check this page - if your iMac serial number falls in the range, Apple will repair it free.
http://www.apple.com/support/exchange_repair/imac.html
Barry

Similar Messages

  • My iPod has just randomly turned off like it's died but it's in charge and still nothing! Any ideas?

    My iPod has just randomly turned off like it's died but it's in charge and still nothing! Any ideas?

    Try:                                               
    - iOS: Not responding or does not turn on           
    - Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
    How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
    - If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
    - Try another cable                                                       
    - Try on another computer                                                       
    - If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
    Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar                                     

  • HT3775 I recorded a video on photo booth - and my imac was accidentally turned off before the video was saved.  Am I able to recover it?

    I can find the video, but it's encrypted.  What do I do now?

    I can find the video, but it's encrypted.  What do I do now?

  • HT4061 Hey my Iphone just automatically turned off? Pleasse tell me what to do?

    I need help, my just turned itself off and now it won't turn on. I just don't know what to do? One moment it was on and then it just went dead. Please someone tell me what to do? I tried syncing it with Itune but my laptop won't recognise it. I haven't plugged with the charger but I doubt that will help. It was acting a bit weird before it turned off, like the applications kept on minimizing on there own and stuff. I had also accidently turned on guided assistence and forgot the passcode but after a bazillion tried I managed to put in the right code and I had hotspot on for a long period of time. Please anyone help me

    Hey thanks alot and I asked this question in yahoo as well and someone there solved my problem, he said to cintinously press the home and power button for 30 seconds, i did and it came on, i was practically jumping with joy.

  • When I play my Ipod shuffle 3rd gen there's a moment when I start hearing interference until it stops playing, when I turn it off and on again it starts playing from the first song all over again, and once it sounded like the music was slowing down.

    My Ipod shuffle 3rd gen starts playing songs with some kind of interference until it stops playing, when I turn it off and on again it starts playing from the first song all over again, and once it sounded like the music was slowing down.  First I thought it was the earphones, but I exchanged them for newer ones and so far its the same

    You may want to do a Restore on the shuffle in iTunes.  The Restore button is on the shuffle's Summary screen in iTunes.  This will erase the shuffle, re-install its software, and set it to default settings.  If it's a software or data corruption glitch, the Restore should fix it.  After the Restore, reload or resync your songs, and try it again.  As a test, you may want to initially select a small number of songs to put back on the shuffle.

  • My iphone5 will die or just turn off, when I plug in the charger the screen just keeps turning

    My iphone5 will die or just turn off, when I plug in the charger the screen just keeps turning off and on. It will do this for hours until it finally stays on and charges. I've gotten a new charger, but it didn't work. Help

    Hi there katygracie88,
    You may find the troubleshooting steps in the article below helpful.
    iPhone: Hardware troubleshooting
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2802
    Will not turn on, will not turn on unless connected to power, or unexpected power off
    Verify that the Sleep/Wake button functions. If it does not function, inspect it for signs of damage. If the button is damaged or is not functioning when pressed, seek service.
    Check if a Liquid Contact Indicator (LCI) is activated or there are signs of corrosion. Learn about LCIs and corrosion.
    Connect the iPhone to the iPhone's USB power adapter and let it charge for at least ten minutes.
    After at least 30 minutes, if:
    The home screen appears: The iPhone should be working. Update to the latest version of iOS if necessary. Continue charging it until it is completely charged and you see this battery icon in the upper-right corner of the screen . Then unplug the phone from power. If it immediately turns off, seek service.
    The low-battery image appears, even after the phone has charged for at least 20 minutes: See "iPhone displays the low-battery image and is unresponsive" symptom in this article.
    Something other than the Home screen or Low Battery image appears, continue with this article for further troubleshooting steps.
    If the iPhone did not turn on, reset it while connected to the iPhone USB power adapter.
    If the display turns on, go to step 4.
    If the display remains black, go to next step.
    Connect the iPhone to a computer and open iTunes. If iTunes recognizes the iPhone and indicates that it is in recovery mode, attempt to restore the iPhone. If the iPhone doesn't appear in iTunes or if you have difficulties in restoring the iPhone, see this article for further assistance.
    If restoring the iPhone resolved the issue, go to step 4. If restoring the iPhone did not solve the issue, seek service.
    Issue not resolved
    My issue is still not resolved. What do I do next?
    Contact Apple Support.
    -Griff W. 

  • HT200197 My Apple TV just has a white blinking light.  Will not turn off.  The TV shows nothing but the Apple logo.  It worked fine yesterday.  PS - I am not an IT person.  :)

    My Apple TV just has a white blinking light.  Will not turn off.  The TV shows nothing but the Apple logo.  It worked fine yesterday.  PS - I am not an IT person. 

    pull the plug for 30sec and try reconnecting power
    if that don't help
    Apple TV (2nd and 3rd generation): Restoring your Apple TV - Apple Support

  • My iPhone just randomly turned off whilst in the midst of playing music, it won't turn back on and I've tried holding the sleep/wake button whilst holding the home button and still NOTHING.. Please HELPP!!!x

    my iphone 4 just randomly turned off whilst I was playing music. It wont turn back on. Ive plugged it into the computer and tried to charge it but nothing is happening. I have also tried this rest thing and it's not working. but I'm wondering if i was doing it right.. I was holding the power button at the top of my phone whilst pressing the home button (???) HELP ME PLEASE! x

    Only way is to bring it to the Apple Store and use the warranty if it hasn't expired

  • TS3700 why does my music stop playing when i press the sleep/wake buttom? it says the screen turns off but the music should be playing

    why does my music stop playing when i press the sleep wake button? it says that the screen should turn off bu the music should still keep playing

    This is usually a sign that your headphones are not plugged all the way in.  Make sure the white part of the headset is flush with the body of the Nano and no silver from the plug can still be seen.
    If you are 100% positive that the earbuds are all the way in, double check to make sure the headphone jack is clean and clear of debris and/or damage.
    B-rock

  • HT4528 my iphone 4 just turned off and the screen is black and it wont turn on . its in perfectly good condtion and ive had it since april , help please?

    my iphone 4 just turned off and the screen is black and it wont turn on . its in perfectly good condtion and ive had it since april , help please?

    I've tried that. It doesn't work. The only thing that happens is the apple comes up. I've tried holding the home as I'm plugging it in and keeping it held for a few minutes, but nothing happens. My iTunes doesn't even read that it's connected.

  • I just bought an iPhone 5s.  When I try to sync to itunes my iphone turns off in the middle of the sync. How do I fix it?

    I just bought an iPhone 5s.  When I try to sync to itunes my iphone turns off in the middle of the sync. How do I fix it?

    It should be telling you to download the latest iTunes on your computer... you can't install iTunes on your iPhone.

  • What should i do if my ipod turned off and the batterie isn't dead  and my computer wont respond when i plug my ipod in

    what should i do if my ipod turned off and the batterie isn't dead  and my computer wont respond when i plug my ipod in

    hey there...i have the same issue i turned off my ipod and not i cannot start the unit again. I bought this in Dec and know for sure my batterie is good....please help......

  • Im using iphone4. It suddenly turns off if not plugged in. It will only turn on once its plug in again.As pr tech, if its battery prob, then it would nt turn on completely. What do u think is the prob ?

    Im using iphone4. It suddenly turns off if not plugged in. It will only turn on once its plug in again.As per tech, if its battery prob, then it would not turn on completely. What do u think is the prob ?

    cutieliz wrote:
    What do u think is the prob ?
    The battery

  • My iMac keeps on losing internet connection. Webpages get stuck after a minute or so. If I check the internet connection via diagnostics it seems to work just fine. Others, like the iPad use the same wifi connection and never fail. What can I do?

    Running 10.6.8 on Intel dual core iMac, it keeps on losing internet connection. Webpages get stuck after a minute or so. If I check the internet connection via diagnostics it seems to work just fine. Others, like the iPad use the same wifi connection and never fail. What can I do?

    Greetings,
    I've never seen this issue, and I handle many iPads, of all versions. WiFi issues are generally local to the WiFi router - they are not all of the same quality, range, immunity to interference, etc. You have distance, building construction, and the biggie - interference.
    At home, I use Apple routers, and have no issues with any of my WiFi enabled devices, computers, mobile devices, etc - even the lowly PeeCees. I have locations where I have Juniper Networks, as well as Aruba, and a few Netgears - all of them work as they should.
    The cheaper routers, Linksys, D-Link, Seimens home units, and many other no name devices have caused issues of various kinds, and even connectivity.
    I have no idea what Starbucks uses, but I always have a good connection, and I go there nearly every morning and get some work done, as well as play.
    You could try changing channels, 2.4 to 5 Gigs, changing locations of the router. I have had to do all of these at one time or another over the many years that I have been a Network Engineer.
    Good Luck - Cheers,
    M.

  • My screen wont turn on, and the screen is black. It was working fine, but then it just turned off. The only way it will work is if I close my laptop, and pinch the two screens together

    My screen wont turn on, and the screen is black. It was working fine, but then it just turned off. The only way it will work is if I close my laptop, and pinch the two screens together

    You have a hardware problem and you should take it into a apple store to be looked at and fixed.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Is there a way to use dynamic built string in the "from" clause

    Hi all, im having one problem and now, im not sure how to solve it easily at all... :) Is there someone that would be so kind and put a eye on it? ..thx I have plsql proc, in which i have a list of table_names. For each of that table i need to run a

  • Video to 5G i-pod

    Hi All, I had managed to put "converted" Video on to the i-pod, it was muxed and so had no audio, I decided to remove all video from i-pod and then re update. I therefore removed the video from i-tunes and did a complete update successfully with all

  • When downloadinf itunes cannot get past 'service apple mobile device' failed to start

    service 'apple mobile device' failed to start

  • Pass parameter from Portlet to Form?

    Hi Frineds I created a plsql portlet in which i am displaying a combo box with the list of client id's I created a Form from locally built Provider which got a client ID as one of the column. My question is. If the user selects client id from combobo

  • Suggestions for new ultrabook for audio etc

    I'm shopping for a new 13" ultrabook and I wanted to see what others here are using. I am a bit unsure about whether I need to have a discrete video card in order to have the portable productivity workstation I need because I've been reading that the