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10/03/2007, 4:55pm, EDT

Wednesday, October 3rd

iMacs suffering from widescale freezes

Widespread anecdotes, including those of MacNN's own staff, indicate that many owners of Apple's new aluminum iMacs are experiencing severe interface lockups. Multiple discussion threads in Apple's own support forums suggest that many iMacs are occasionally ceasing to accept input, despite programs and Mac OS X itself continuing to run in the background. Some users are reporting that cursors and some keyboard commands may remain functional, but that interaction is extremely limited. In all cases, the only firm solution has been a manual reboot.

Users who have spoken with Apple technical support say that the company is aware of the issue, and that the problem has been narrowed to the ATI Radeon HD cards that power the new iMacs' graphics. Despite this, only some owners are reporting more crashes with graphics-intensive programs (e.g. games), while the rest say it is random or connected to extended periods of use.

Apple did release a v1.1 update for iMacs in mid-September, but although it contains bug fixes targeted at video drivers, it does not appear to solve the problem, and may in some circumstances increase lockups or bring them on when they did not occur before. Some accounts suggest that reverting to earlier video drivers may fix the lockups; this is an unofficial solution however, and it has not been successful for all users.

Replies in Apple's forums point to some people now holding out on buying on iMac, or becoming so frustrated by the freezes that they have decided to return their computers to the store. "So I took it to Best Buy where I bought it," writes one poster. "Since I am past the 14 day return policy for them and for Apple, they or Apple are going to try and fix it."


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iMac freezes
0
10/03, 6:38pm, EDT
I have been getting random freezes and I thought it was just me. I am glad to hear Apple is working on it.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Oct 2007
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Ummmm-sometimes...
0
10/03, 6:43pm, EDT
This has happened on my 2.8 Ghz 24" model. Whilst a reboot solves the problem, it is a drag. I find it happens when programs like firefox are used. Oddly, my C2D ibook seems snappier. Odd indeed.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jan 2004
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met it once
0
10/03, 6:51pm, EDT
I met this freeze once in the past 3 weeks since my new imac 24" 2.4ghz arrived.

I was using Aperture processing photos when the freeze happened. Had to press & hold the power button on the back to force shutdown and reboot.

So far it doesn't seem to be a critical issue to me yet. But happy to hear someone is working on it. If a driver update is sufficient to fix this issue, I can wait. I don't want to bring the computer to stores, because I need it for everyday work, and it's heavy to carry!
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Oct 2007
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This is a huge problem
0
10/03, 7:04pm, EDT
My wife and I purchased two 20-inch iMacs within the last month, and they have been plagued with near daily crashes. My first-generation iMac G4 was more stable. What a horrible disappointment, but I just hope Apple addresses this soon.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Oct 2007
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firmware
0
10/03, 9:11pm, EDT
I had a PowerMac G5 1.8GHz (late 2004) that had the same symptoms. Apple released a firmware update that took care of the issue. Hopefully they don't take months to release it for the iMac as they did with the G5.
Mac Elite
Joined Oct 2003
User is offline
this is too often
0
10/03, 10:38pm, EDT
Apple has this problem too often, on too many different models of machines, for too many years. They really need to work on quality control. It is worse than other computer companies.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
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re: this is too often
0
10/03, 11:27pm, EDT
based on what? Where are your figures? Apple is in no way worse, they just get more press when there is an issue. If you are basing your opinion here on Anecdotal evidence I can assure you, The shear numbers of computers I've worked with both Macs AND PCs would contradict that statement.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Aug 2001
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24" with 1 TB, 2.8
0
10/04, 12:07am, EDT
Random freezing, unplugged all cables and reseating RAM seemed to help for a few days but its back now....VERY DISCONCERTING for a longtime power user.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Apr 2002
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lol MS employees
0
10/04, 12:25am, EDT
FUD and astroturfing by MS employees is a real drag on these posts. Check out the zune story for a bunch. Even though I've had this issue with my aforementioned iMac, there is no way a Windows bugfest would be an alternative. Apple should get on this-quickly-so that a G3 ibook meltdown doesn't rear it's ugly head. So far the freezes are few and far between and only after hours of trouble free up time. It's a risk you know you're taking when you get a 1st generation upgrade. I've got 3 years of Apple care, and I'm not afraid to use it. So far, for in warranty coverage, Apple has always come through. Dollars to dough-nuts, there is a firmware upgrade coming down the pike.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined Jan 2004
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second thoughts
0
10/04, 3:39am, EDT
I just ordered a 2.8 24 and it still hasn't shipped, I hope they fix it soon, I'd rather not return it.
Forum Regular
Joined Nov 2000
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