Apple Intel Imac Help

[scrappysphinx]

Hi all, i was wondering if anyone round here is an apple techie?

My apple knowledge is very limited to say the least but I have a friends 20" Intel Core Duo Imac.

The screen was smashed so i purchased a brand new screen from ebay and proceeded to replace it after watching some youtube videos and reading some tutorials.
It seemed as easy as replacing a laptop screen.

When i connected the new screen i heard the startup chime but i got no video.

I plugged the old screen back in and that lit up and the machine started to boot.

I tried the new screen again but now i don't even get the startup chime.

I just get the fans spinning at full speed and the hard drive making noises but no chime and no video.

Even if i connect the old screen again i still get just the fans and no video or startup chime.

I have tried resetting the SMU as suggested on the apple support pages but this has no effect.

Is there anything else i can try or is the machine dead and in need of specialized repair?

Thanks

Mike

 

[salaxi54]

Just to make sure, did you verify you got the right model screen for the iMac you got there? I've read that for example, an Aluminum iMac screen will not work for a white iMac of the same screen size...
Other than that, the procedure i saw on a video seemed pretty simple to follow. http://www.5min.com/Video/How-to-Repair-Intel-iMac-LCD-Display-and-Logic-Board-214047817 A bunch of screws on the frame, a couple of cables just below the screen, and a set of 4 cables to disconnect from behind the screen.
If all else fails, can you give it a test with an external monitor connected and see if you get video there?

 

[scrappysphinx]

Hi Salaxi, i bought the exact same model number of screen from a white plastic intel imac, the same as the one i have here.
I don't have the ability to connect an external screen because the imac has that funny little mini dvi port on the back and i don't have a connector.

 

[salaxi54]

Do you get the chime if you have no screen connected at all?

 

[scrappysphinx]

No, no chime with no screen connected, no chime with old screen connected, no chime with new screen connected.

 

[salaxi54]

Do you still get the power light turned on? I'm trying to understand if the Mac is in sleep mode... If the fans spin and drive sounds, after you power it on, press the space bar. Any change??

---------- Post added at 15:15 ---------- Previous post was at 15:08 ----------

One more detail: sometimes it has to do with the RAM. Try removing and reseating your memory, see what happens. If you can, also try cleaning memory stick contacts using an eraser. If all fails and you still get no chime, it probably has gotten to logic board level, and service will be unavoidable...

 

[scrappysphinx]

The power light comes on and stays on and the hdd makes some clicking noises but doesn't sound like its booting, tried pressing buttons on the keyboard no difference.

Tried resetting the PRAM by holding the option, command, p, r keys on startup which should chime 2 more times to notify of success but no chimes at all.

Tried reseating the ram, no difference. Tried swapping the ram out with know working sticks, no difference.

When i hit the power button the fans instantly start spinning at full speed, if i hold the power button for 10 seconds to turn it off, it flicks off but it turns itself straight back on again and the fans continue.

I am currently waiting for an email reply from my local apple authorized repair center as its not that far away but i just know its not gonna be cheap!

 

[salaxi54]

wish i had more ideas, but can't think of much... Some other things you might wanna try, maybe a "safe mode" boot, see if you get something? (Press the Shift button at startup and keep it pressed for say, 10-15 seconds)
Or try connecting to the Mac through vnc just in case OSXvnc has been installed to see if you can communicate with the computer?

 

[scrappysphinx]

Thanks for the suggestions Salaxi but i think its beyond me.

My local repair center says to bring it in with the screen and they will have a look free of charge.

I've put it back together and sent it back to the owner.

Mike