Overheating iMacs (Hacked Solution)

After 1 year and 4 months my hard drive failed. My Apple service center was full of iMacs for repair, especially the 24 inch model. The problem, I was told, was overheating. I have a new drive installed and have been investigating what solution there is available for this design problem. I buy macs because I want a computer that just works; not a science project like PCs. However, this one has turned into a bit of science project.
The IMac has 3 internal fans, ODD 700rpm, HDD 1200rpm and CPU 1200rpm. The specs on the hard drive are operating temp. up 60 degs. centigrade. The fans can operate faster than their default speeds but, in practice, they never increase in speed from the default. The nature of the enclosure means that temps build up over time, mainly from the heat generated by the screen. I have had my hard drive up to 60 degs. c and there is no increase in fan speed.
Unfortunately there is no solution to this problem from Apple; a firmware upgrade would be nice.
THE SOLUTION
This is a bit of a hack, but the best option I could find. First download software called temperature monitor
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19994
Then download smcFanControl
http://mac.softpedia.com/get/System-Utilities/smcFanControl.shtml
Put both of these programs to run on start-up. Go to preferences on Temperature Monitor and set an alert to play a sound. I've set mine to alert me when the hard drive reaches 57 degs. When the alarm goes off I go to smcFanControl and increase the speeds on all 3 fans. By experimentation I think speeds of 900 ODD, 2000 HDD and 1500 CPU are ok. This usually brings the hard drive temp. back down to 50-52 degs. It also cools the power supply which gets up to 82 degs. back down to 65-70 degs. (82 degs. is not a temp. to reliably run a power supply ).
I know this is a bit of hack, and hopefully Apple will take note and issue a firmware upgrade in due course.

+. I think the simplest solution is to not use too many processor hungry apps at one time???+
Actually I think the main causes are the combination of the time the screen is on and the room temperature. At a room temp. below about 24 degs. all is fine, but obviously in Madrid we get a bit of sun and a rise in room temp. of a few degrees sets the alarm bells ringing. Put the iMac in Sleep mode and all the internal temps come down. The 20" model may be less susceptible to this design flaw.
I'm wondering if the big box pc type solution is best. I'd like to get a mac Pro but it is too expensive for me. Is it possible to run Mac osx on a pc box?
It's a real shame that Apple can't step up to the plate and find a solution. The cool designs are all well and good but if the after sales support is crap it may be better to switch to a more responsive company.

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My experiences & solutions to new overheating iMac

I know there are many threads concerning these overheating problem with some new aluminum iMacs but it's kind of hard to decide which one to post my experience to so I'm just posting a new thread. This is not a question because I think I fixed the problem with mine. I just wanted to share this with people in hopes that it might correct your problem as well instead having to take it back to the store.
Well, I bought a new 20" 2.4 aluminum iMac on August 24th. I connected my previous iMac to it and started migrating my user account & files to it. During this process is when the new iMac completely shut off on me! I thought it was just a glitch or something. So I turned it back on and it started the migration again. Everything went well this time. But since then it has turned off on me at least 3-4 times. When I was backing up files to an external drive. And a few times while working in Photoshop and Aperture it would start freezing up & the graphics would become distorted and blocks all over the screen. And from my days of overclocking PCs I knew this was a heat related problem more than likely with the video card.
So I installed a program called smcfancontrol and was able to up the speed of the fans. This corrected the problem and I didn't get lock ups or freezes after that. But I knew you shouldn't have to do this so I was looking for a solution so I wouldn't have to take the iMac back to the local Apple Store. Because that would be a pain having to backup files and start over again.
I reset the fans back to normal speed and quit the smcfancontrol program. I installed iStat Menus so I could monitor the fans & temp. It would seem that when the GPU would reach 150 deg F then it would start having problems. Well, I reset the SMC, PRAM, and NVRAM to see if this would solve the problem. Because what it seemed like what was happening was that the part of the system that controls the fans & temp was not responding correctly when it got hot.
Since I did the reset to those areas of the system I have not had any shut downs or freezes. I ran the system through a number of tests. I worked in Photoshop & Aperture at the same time doing a number of different processes while playing music in iTunes. I did the Hardware Test a couple of times. Xbench. And I also ran an pretty intensive test called CPUTest where it got the whole computer pretty hot through repetition. The fan for the CPU was speeding up over the normal 1200 rpm like it should and it never shut off or gave any more errors.
So I'm crossing my fingers now that the issue with my new iMac was resolved with resetting the SMC, PRAM, and NVRAM. And it saves me a trip back to the Apple Store!
I hope this information is helpful to someone.
Following these links on how to reset the SMC, PRAM, & NVRAM:
Intel-based iMac, Intel-based Mac mini: How to reset the System Management Controller
Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
-Kevin
*I have owned quite a few Macs over the past six years and have technician certifications in both Macs & PCs.*

Well, I've been wrestling with my iMac for the past week in trying to solve my freeze & shutdown problem so I wouldn't have to take it back to the Apple Store and also if I did then I would like to know what the problem is first so I can tell them if it is definitely a hardware problem. The freezes & shutdowns would happen at random times and I don't think it is a overheating problem now because of this. It did seem like it would happen more often when I would work in Aperture & Photoshop. I would get through editing 3 or 4 photos and it would lock up completing. Then I would have to do a hard reset.
Anyway, yesterday morning I reinstalled the OS via Archive & Install. It seemed to be running better. So I started working on some projects but again after doing some work for about an hour, it froze on me. I took a break because I was fed up with it at the time and came back to it later.
I decided to reset the SMC and PRAM again since I had not done that after the OS reinstall. Then I removed all extra cables except the extra display, keyboard, mouse, & speakers. I skimmed through 2000 photos in Aperture and I monitored the temp & fan speeds. The whole computer got pretty hot especially the CPU and video card (GPU). The CPU fan sped up to 1500rpm at one point like it should. And after getting through all those photos, it did not freeze or shut down on me at all. Woohoo!
And this morning I noticed that the computer went to sleep like it was supposed to. It never did that before. So I'm thinking maybe the OS reinstall and the second time of resetting the SMC & PRAM might have solved my problem. I'm crossing my fingers! I will be gradually plugging in my extra devices to make sure one of those is not the problem.
Anyway, I hope sharing my experiences have helped. I definitely know the AppleCare & "Genius" Bar hasn't been much help to me. Seems like all they know how to do is turn it on! I hate having the feeling that I know more than the people who are supposed to be qualified to be in that position. And as for AppleCare I got some guy from another country who had bad English and was obviously reading through a step by step handbook and wasn't listening to what I was saying very much.
Side note: It's obvious that Apple moved the power supply from below the screen to the upper left corner of the iMac. That's the reason it is warmer in that area. I wouldn't be concerned about that. These power supplies have always run that warm in the flat iMacs. Easier to feel on these new models though because they are thinner.
-Kevin

Hours per day, iMac Help solution doesn't work

My weekly view in iCal shows 24 hour days. I need only 8 am to 10 pm, 14 hr days. I went to iCal>Prefs>general and changed it to those hours and to show only 14 hour days. This affected NO change in iCal though iCal Help says;
"To change the days of the week or the number of hours that appear in the main calendar view, choose iCal > Preferences, and make your choices from the Week and Day pop-up menus in the General pane. For example, you can choose to only see the hours from 9AM to 5PM on Monday through Friday."
iCal>Preferences>general pane does not offer me week and day pop up menus as the help item suggests.
I'm trying to switch from Now Up-To-Date to iCal. Surely apple hasn't released a calendar program that can't be adjusted as desired. (I found one thread on these discussion forums but it was 34 pages long: I found no solution in the first 3 pages and figured i'd post here, as it doesn't seem reasonable to have to read 34 pages x 15 posts/page to get an answer to such a simple question.
I hope someone will be nice enough to point out the solution i'm overlooking.
thanks

Hi Dan,
Thanks. I agree that provides a hack of sorts to achieve my goal. But can we also agree that it's a workaround unworthy of apple (or anyone's) quality software? I mean, a calendar program that by default shows all 24 hours and CAN'T have that changed, only the portion of it that shows at first?
And if this is the only solution, what, then, is the usefulness of the preference i've changed to read: "Show 14 hours at a time" ?
thanks
terry

DVD Studio Pro no longer works with the new iMac. Solutions?

Disc installations in general don't exist anymore and DVD Studio Pro is no longer supported in the new iMac that we have at our office. I used to have Roxio's Toast Titanium as a backup burner, but even that is not supported past mac OS 10.7. Final Cut X has the option to export straight to DVD but the menu options it gives you is so basic it doesn't even look professional. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this problem and what they are using now to burn a professional looking DVD. Many thanks

On-Site Video wrote:
mlaughbaum,
It seems as though you and I are on the same page struggling. Were you able to find any alternatives to DVDSP or any way to continue using it?
On-Site Video
I'm considering myself lucky... Though I was unable to install either DVDSP and FCP v.6 on my new iMac, they are both still working on my older iMac even though it too is running ML. I believe this is because I upgraded to ML from Leopard with both already installed.
My only suggestion would be to install Leopard (or the OS on which they were working for you), install FCP, DVDSP and compressor, and then upgrade to ML. Seems like a silly solution but I have a feeling it would work. I'm not doing it because it's working on the iMac that's closest to my DVD duplicator. That said, if I had to, I believe that's what I'd try.
Really infuriates me. My business depends on DVD sales and there really isn't another cost effective DVD authoring solution for the mac out there.
I do wish you the best of luck and would love to hear if you come up with a better solution.

I am unable to load the newest itunes update to my 10.5.8 osx. The update requires 10.6 so this makes me unable to sync my updated phone and ipad with my imac. Solutions?

I am looking for suggestions and possibly a solution to the following problem: The new itunes update requires at least a 10.6 os.x. My imac is a 10.5.8. I am unable to sync my iphone or ipad, which both have the update, with my imac. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need to buy a Mac OS X 10.6 DVD and run the 10.6.8 combo updater.
(93826)

Apple TV not listing rented movies purchased from iMac - Temp solution !

Fastest and easiest solution that has been working for me.
Simply restart your iMac while your Apple TV is is powered OFF. Once iMac is restarted and powered on , power on Apple TV. Your rentals should then show up in the computers section.

I don't recall rentals made on an iPad ever also being available on AppleTV direct - they're not supposed to be:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1657?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
It's a long time since I rented on an iPad so that's not to say it never happened I just don't recall that you werer supposed to be able do to this.
Airplay however should work.
Funnily enough I tried Airplaying a movie my kids had started to watch on teh AppleTV2 yesterday and got audio only. This was from a local iTunes library so easy to do direct on the unit - I'd only tried Airplay as it should have continued from where they were watching rather than ahving to manually naviagte to there.
AC

Imac hacked? Is there a fix?

Do I need software to prevent malware on my Imac?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
We don't recommend any antivirus because OS X has got its own security systems. See > http://www.reedcorner.net/mmg
Why do you think that your Macintosh was hacked?

Imac hacked

I was recently the victim of an attempted credit card fraud. I believe it was perpetrated by someone connected to a Asian run hotel I stayed at where I was asked to state my e-mail address at registration. I was clearing cookies from my imac today and was shocked to find cookies to a site "asianbookies.com". No-one who has access to my imac visited this site. Have I been hacked? How is this possible and how can I prevent this happening again?

I was recently the victim of an attempted credit card
fraud. I believe it was perpetrated by someone
connected to a Asian run hotel I stayed at where I
was asked to state my e-mail address at registration.
You do know that the vast majority of credit card frauds are perpetuated using information obtained when the user uses the actual, physical, card? You can't get credit card info based on an email address.
I was clearing cookies from my imac today and was
shocked to find cookies to a site
"asianbookies.com".
What was in the cookie? What date did it have as having been created, when did it expire? A cookie is, no matter what some may say, NOT an attack system.
No-one who has access to my
imac visited this site.
Depending on your browser and how cookies are set up on it, either someone visited the site and can't remember it, or someone visited a site on which that site has an ad, and got the cookie there.
Have I been hacked?
Extremely unlikely.
How is
this possible and how can I prevent this happening
again?
Set up cookies in your browser. In Safari, go to Preferences/Security and select the level of cookie acceptance you like.
If you have .Mac you can have up to 7 email aliases. If you set those up, you can use them for online business and not reveal your actual account. Any cookies set up using those aliases are useless because, well, those accounts are not real.
You could also use one of the free webmail systems (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) and hand out those addresses to people you don't trust.

HP Pavilion DV 5 Overheating & OFF ( No Solution Yet )

I Purchased Pavilion DV-5 In July,2009 Since then It is having Overheating Problem & it;s Get Off , I Twice Reported this Problem In Service Centre & Third Time on Sep,2010 ( After Warranty Over) they have Promptly Quoted me for the Same & I Informed them to Go Ahead .......
[text removed for privacy]
Same Problem Again & Again that Means Either They Have Not Address In Warranty Period or It;s Must Be Mfg/Design Defect.
Now HP Should Guide me in this Situation............. What I Do if the Problem Occurs Again ?
I Hope HP have Experties to Solve this Small Problem very Soon .........

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If you have other questions and concerns, please feel free to send me a private message
Wendy M - HP Support Forums Moderator
Click the Kudos star as a way to say "thank you" for helpful posts.
Be sure to come back and click the 'Accept as Solution' button on the post that solved your issue - it may help someone else.
Rules of Participation

Overheating iMac

I'm running a 24" iMac with 2.8 GHz and 4 GB SDRAM.
After installing Snow Leopard a few weeks ago, I noticed the back of the machine (upper left hand corner and below) is much hotter than it used to be. Heat is also noticeable while sitting in front of it, at the left hand side. I have no idea what the heat limits are, and not sure if this is even a problem, but it sure feels hot to the touch. I've even installed a fan behind the machine to try and cool it down.
Last but not least, when I use a solid color desktop background, on the left side of the screen, it looks like a phosphor burn in the screen.
Any information or advise is appreciated.
Thanks Much,
Tom --Mac addict since 1985, 7 machines in the house and this is the only one I've had issues with.

+I noticed the back of the machine (upper left hand corner and below) is much hotter than it used to be.+
+But what bothers me is that I cannot even touch the back of the unit due to the heat it puts out.+
Your aluminum iMac may become hot, but will not "overheat" to the point of danger, or relative to its specifications. The heat you can feel is proof that its cooling system is more efficient and more sophisticated than the brute forced air cooling system of older white iMacs. To avoid defeating this design, users must prevent the iMac from being operated in direct sunlight, and from being physically enclosed.
The aluminum iMac was designed to include its aluminum case (used as a heat sink) as part of the cooling system in an effort (appears successful) to limit the need for the internal fans to increase speed to exhaust hot air.
As a part of the design, it was possible (and preferable) to slim down the case to enhance the aluminum's absorption of heat from internal components. Thus a lessening in volume of hot air needing to be exhausted quickly, resulting in smaller, quieter fans operating at slower average speeds. This means less dust and hair drawn into the system from the worktop.
In my opinion the evolution has been hugely successful as my Mid 2007 model can do far more with a relatively lesser energy input than could my several previous plastic iMacs.
With all past Macs I think users have noticed that software conflicts have caused processors to work harder, with a typical increase in heat generation. There is no reason to believe things will be different this time.
Message was edited by: myhighway

Bluetooth Unavailable in 10.8.4 on 2011 iMac, any solutions?

I did a restart on my iMac today and upon restart I had the squiggly line through the bluetooth icon and no bluetooth in the system preferences. Tried SMC reset, PRAM reset. Nothing works. If it's a hardware issue, can i replace the bluetooth componet myself?

So I solved it by reinstalling Mountain Lion.

IMac Wifi Solution

After a few days of Wifi not connecting automatically after waking or startup, even after the 10.7.4 update via Software Update, the 10.7.4 Combo Update solved the problem for me.
I tested it for more than 30 minutes with numerous cycles of shutdown, sleep and restart. So far the wifi connects everytime.
Even if you updated to 10.7.4, reinstall 10.7.4 here to fix the wifi issues >>> http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1524

Did not fix the problem on my iMac (Mid 2011)
APPLE PLEASE HELP, THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!
OSX 10.7.4 Made WiFi to fail on iMac's

IS my Imac hacked?

Hi
For some reason, I am now getting the following links on my history without my knowledge. Have I been hacked?
Any support re this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
http://oryte.com/content/calendar/notifier.php
http://www.akaqa.com/gadget/oneliner
https://bday.conduitapps.com/v5/component.html
http://app.mam.conduit.com/getapp/CT3297964/mam.html?ctid=CT3297964&smv=EB_SMV
http://flvrunner.com/like_special.html
Ask a Question Birthday Reminder MAM v1.12.0.5

I'd guess that you installed a Conduit toolbar.
Try locating/removing the fies mentioned at Removing search conduit: Apple Support Communities
or Adware Removal Guide : Conduit
although note that the 2nd one may be incomplete, and that you should check for the others listed in any case.
If somebody knows your password(s) or they're simple or easily guessed : 1password won't stop them.

IMac internet solution

I had a MBP and a couple of Windows all using the robust Airport Extreme router. Then I decided to get the 24" intel iMac last Thursday but I was so frustrated when my sweet iMac couldn't connect to the internet. I tried all I knew but it just getting worse. I checked this forum and realized I wasn't the only one on the brink of breaking the iMac. Well I tried the suggestions posted by those who suggest the Open DNS and still zero was achieved. I didn't sleep out of frustration and early this morning I called support and it appears the guy was also confused about the problem and he forwarded me to the guys who take care of routers.
This guy suggested that I use the MBP to change the channel of my AE from Automatic to a specific number. This can be done via "Airport Utility" in the "Utility" folder. I didn't have to "manually" configure IPv4 from the Airport preferences. Since I got connected this morning my lovely babe is flying so fast you won't even see me when I come past you!

**** that's a shame, I really thought this would work for some people. My friend's connection has been rock solid for months since he did this (After having the same issues) and mine hasn't dropped signal strength for 2 days since doing it (I've only recently had the issues).
Don't know if it's just coincidence or not but mine seemed to start dropping signal strength and slowing down after downloading RealPlayer. RealPlayer downloader started running the next time I openened Safari and my connection went totally erratic from then on. Deleting it did not rectify it, using the Open DNS servers (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.222.220) didn't work but since entering the 4.2.2.1 & 4.2.2.2 I have had no issues.

Directv HD signal via component into a 24" iMac help?

Greetings,
PC user here who is attempting to convert to Mac. I currently have a Dell 17" Media Monitor and an XPS tower. I have both an office and home theater in my basement. So I ran a component cable from my Directv reciever 30' or so into my Dell monitor via component in. This allows me to watch an HD Directv signal in picture in picture while I work on my home office PC. I also have a VGA cable going out of the Dell Monitor about 40' or so to my Marantz projector so that I can watch my PC source on my 10' home theater fixed screen.
Now to my problem. I need to use some Mac apps for work, prefer the OS and want to switch to Mac in my home office. I am very interested in buying the 24" iMac. After a discussion with Mac Sales it seems clear that I can use an Apple mini DVI to VGA adapter to send the iMac source via VGA cable to my home theater projecter. What is unclear to me is how in the world to convert my Directv signal via component cable into the iMac for display? Mind you I don't want to edit the video or store it or burn it or send it to friends or pirate it in any way - so I don't think I need a video capture card. I just want to be able to view the signal and turn the iMac into a dumb monitor in this instance.
Second question. If I can somehow display an HD Directv signal on the iMac ( I know there is a solution for standard def and terrestrial HD signals) via component, surely the video card that comes standard in the iMac - the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory will allow me to view not just the iMac desktop, but any Directv signal that is now viewable on the iMac (presumably in a window or picture in picture)???
I spoke with sales reps at both AJA and Black Majic. they both offer costly solutions or cheaper video card solutions that would allow component in, but only cards that would install in a tower such as the Mac Pro. I would strongly prefer an iMac based solution as it is the perfect Mac for my home office needs and the Mac Pro is overkill.
Any and all suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Illiniwin

The iMac does not have a Video Input Port.
http://support.apple.com/specs/imac/iMacMid2007.html
There are a couple of input devices in the following link that may be what your looking for, Digital video input/output via FireWire.
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?nnmm=br owse&mco=891A2863&node=home/shopmac/mac_accessories/videodevices
Message was edited by: den.thed

Overheating iMacs (Hacked Solution)

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