Apple imac 17 inch late 2006 User Manual

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 151
Display
When displaying a single color over the screen area, the LCD panel shows one or more pixels 
that are not properly lit
Active-matrix LCD technology uses rows and columns of addressable locations (pixels) that 
render text and images on screen. Each pixel location has three separate subpixels (red, green, 
and blue) that allow the image to be rendered in full color. Each subpixel has a corresponding 
transistor responsible for turning the subpixel on or off.
There are typically millions of these subpixels on an LCD display. For example, the LCD panel used 
in the Apple Cinema HD display is made up of 2.3 million pixels and 6.9 million red, green, and 
blue subpixels. Occasionally, a transistor does not work perfectly, which may result in the affected 
subpixel being turned on (bright) or turned off (dark). With the millions of subpixels on a display, 
it is quite possible to have a low number of faulty transistors on an LCD. Therefore, a certain 
number of subpixel anomalies is considered acceptable. Rejecting all but perfect LCD panels 
would significantly increase the retail price for products using LCD displays. These factors apply 
to all manufacturers using LCD technology—not just Apple products.
To determine whether or not the display has an acceptable number of pixel anomalies, follow the 
steps below:Set the display image to one of the following colors: all-white display, all-red display, all-green 
1.  
display, or all-blue display.
Using a jeweler’s loupe, pocket microscope, or other magnifying device, identify and count 
2.  
each subpixel anomaly: 
• Bright subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always on 
• Dark subpixel anomaly = subpixel that is always off 
Important: 
3.  Check the number of subpixel anomalies with the following chart: 
 
LCD Size 
(inches) Acceptable Number of Subpixel 
Anomalies Replace the Display
Bright Dark  Both  Bright Dark  Both 
17 to 20 up to 4 up to 6 up to 8 5 or more 7 or more 9 or more
If the number of subpixel anomalies exceeds the acceptable number listed in the chart, 
4.  
replace the LCD panel.
If the number of subpixel anomalies is acceptable, explain to the customer that the pixel 
5. 
anomalies are within specifications, and no repair is necessary. 
Important:  Do not release the specifications to customers. Instead, inform them that a 
certain number of subpixel anomalies is considered acceptable, and these factors apply to all 
manufacturers using LCD technology—not just Apple products. 
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 2
Hard Drive
Flashing question mark, or an alternating question mark and Mac OS (face or a 
folder)
Note: When troubleshooting hard drive problems it is a good idea, if possible, to back up any 
important data. Some troubleshooting steps may require erasing the contents of the hard drive.Boot from the system CD that came with the computer, and open Disk Utility. Does the hard 
1.  
drive show in Disk Utility? 
Yes: Run Repair Disk and Repair Permissions to correct any directory and permissions issues. 
Go on to Step 2. 
No: Go to Step 3.
Did Disk Utility successfully repair directory or permissions? 
2.  
Yes: Restart the computer to the hard drive. Go on to Step 3. 
No: Go to Step 3.
Did the computer successfully start to the internal Hard Drive? 
3. 
Yes: Run Apple Hardware Test for this machine and return to the customer if it passes. 
No: Boot the machine to Apple Hardware Test or to Apple Service Diagnostic for iMac (17-
inch Late 2006), version 3S106 or later.
Did the machine successfully boot to the Diagnostic? 
4.  
Yes: Run the test suites.   
No:  Make sure you’re using the correct version of the Diagnostic, and that the disc is able to 
boot another machine that it supports. If so, then try booting from an external optical drive. 
If this is successful, you should replace the optical drive and retest the machine booting to 
the diagnostic disc.   
Did the tests pass? 
5. 
Yes: Reinstall the System Software that came with the computer and test.   
No: Replace the component (s) indicated by the test results.  
Hard Drive Issues
Note: The following information is for Intel-based and PPC Macintosh drive compatibility
Drives to be used in booting Intel-based Macintosh hardware should be formatted and 
• 
partitioned with an Intel-based Macintosh disk utility running on Intel-based Macintosh 
hardware. That should ensure you get the correct default partition map and structure for 
reliable booting.
Intel-based Macintosh CPUs in Target Disc Mode will only mount on PPC machines running 
• 
Mac OS X 10.4 or later, and may show one contiguous partition rather than separate 
partitions on the host machine.
Always make sure to use the OS that came with the machine if you need to reinstall software 
• 
(ask the customer for the discs if necessary), and the diagnostics specifically designated for 
that hardware. 
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 3
System hangs during normal startup process
Boot from the system CD that came with the computer. Use Disk Utility to verify the hard 
1.  
drive.
Using Disk Utility, reformat the hard drive.
2.  
Check all cable connections to and from the hard drive.
3. 
Replace the hard drive data cable.
4.  
Replace the hard drive.
5. 
Replace the logic board.
6.   
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 154
Optical Drive 
CDs or DVDs don’t show up on the Desktop.
Select Preferences from the Finder menu and make sure the option to show CDs, DVDs and 
1.  
iPods is checked: in the General window as shown below.  
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 5
Select System Preferences from the Apple menu and open the CDs & DVDs preferences 
2.  
window. Make sure that audio CDs are set to launch iTunes and movie DVDs set to launch 
DVD Player when those media are inserted, as shown below. 
Check that the drive can read discs normally. Insert an audio CD and check whether it shows 
3. 
up on your desktop or launches iTunes.  
Does the audio CD mount on the desktop or in iTunes? 
Yes: The drive seems to read CD discs okay. Go on to Step 4. 
No: Make sure the disc is readable by other computers. Try other CD discs. If none mount or 
no audio CDs launch iTunes, replace the optical drive.”
Eject the audio CD and insert the iMac Software Install and Restore DVDs that came with the 
4.  
customer’s computer, or insert a DVD movie.  
Does this disc show up on the desktop, or does the movie launch DVD Player?  
Yes: The computer is reading CD and DVD media. This may be related to a specific disc or 
discs the customer is using and you should examine those discs. 
No: The optical disc is reading CD media, but not DVD media. Try other DVD discs. If none 
mount or movie DVDs do not launch DVD Player, replace the optical drive adapter board
If after replacing the optical drive adapter board the drive still won’t mount any optical 
5. 
media, replace the optical drive. If the issue persists, then replace the logic board.  
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 156
The computer won’t burn discs.
Check whether the drive can read CDs and DVDs normally. Perform the steps above for “CDs 
1.  
or DVDs don’t show up on the Desktop.”
Try a test burn by creating a Burn Folder, as follows. 
2.  
• In the Finder, choose “New Burn Folder” from the File menu.  
 
• Open the Burn Folder, drag an item inside for testing, and click “Burn” in the upper right 
corner of the window. 
  
• When prompted, insert a blank disc and follow the dialog instructions.  
Does the disc burn successfully (problem solved), fail with an error, or is the disc ejected?
If the disc fails to burn with an error, check for these error messages. 
3. 
Unknown Error -2147352480. See Knowledge Base article 25480 and 2575 0 for more 
information. 
Buffer	underrun	error. 	See Knowledge Base articles 25480 and 25750 for more information. 
Unknown Error. If you see “Unknown Error” without “-2147352480”, you will want to see 
Knowledge Base article 15222 4 for more information. 
If the blank disc is ejected, try another blank disc. If the issue persists, try another brand and 
4.  
speed of blank media; if you’re using blank CD media, see if this happens with blank DVD 
media. If the drive consistently rejects all blank media, or only rejects blank CD media while 
accepting blank DVD media or vice versa, replace the optical drive adapter board and test.  
Does the drive successfully burn to disc after replacing the optical drive adapter board? 
Yes: Problem solved.  
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 7
No: Replace the optical drive. Does it burn correctly now? 
 Yes: Problem solved. 
  No: Replace the logic board.
Discs won’t insert.
Is there a disc already in the drive? 
1.  
Yes: Eject the disc before inserting another. Refer to Knowledge Base article 51008 - “iMac: If 
You Can’t Eject a CD or DVD, or Open the Drive Tray”. If none of these options will eject the 
disc, you may have to disassemble the drive to recover the disc. See Knowledge Base article 
86382 - “Macintosh: How to Remove a Stuck Disc From a Slot-Loading Drive.” 
No: Reseat the optical drive. Perform the “Optical Drive” procedure in Take Apart to reseat the 
drive in the mounting aperture and reconnect the optical drive to the logic board.
After reinstalling the optical drive, can you now insert a disc? 
2.  
Yes: Issue resolved. Run diagnostics and return the system to the customer.   
No: Replace the optical drive adapter board.   
Yes: Problem solved. Run diagnostics and trying inserting a disc again.
After replacing the optical drive adapter board, can you insert a disc now? 
3. 
Yes: Issue resolved. Run diagnostics and return the system to the customer.   
No: Replace the optical drive. 
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 8
Optical disc constantly ejects
Disconnect all peripheral devices, especially the mouse in cases where the disc is constantly 
1.  
ejecting. Retest. If the issue is resolved, reconnect peripherals one-at-a-time until faulty 
peripheral is identified.
Try cleaning the disc. If the disc is dirty or scratched, it may not mount.  
2.  
Is the issue resolved? 
Yes: Problem solved. 
No: Try a different disc. If the issue persists, go on to the next step.
Boot from Apple Hardware Test (hold down the “D” key at startup). If you can boot to this 
3. 
volume, run the Quick and Extended tests.  
Does the unit pass the tests?  
Yes: Restart to the internal hard drive and test again. 
No: Replace the component (s) indicated by the test results. If you cannot boot to Apple 
Hardware Test because it ejects, go on to step 4. 
Boot from the system install DVD (use Startup Manager, hold down the Option key at 
4.  
startup). If you can boot from this volume, perform an Archive and Install with the Install 
DVD that came with the computer and test.  
Is the issue resolved?
Yes: 
5.  Problem solved. 
No: If you cannot boot to Apple Hardware Test or to the Install DVD because they eject, 
reseat the optical drive adapter board to the logic board and retest.
Replace the optical drive 
6.   adapter board.
Replace the optical drive.
7.  
Replace the logic board
8.   
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 15 9
Fan Sound
Fans running at full speed after the computer turns on
The customer may have entered a diagnostic mode that causes the fans to run at full speed.* 
Restarting the system will not restore normal fan operation. To solve the problem, the user or 
technician should do the following:Shut down the system.
1.  
Disconnect the power cord and wait 15 seconds.
2.  
Reconnect the power cord and wait 5 seconds.
3. 
Power on the system.
4.  
*Note:  Customers reporting this symptom should be told to press the power button AFTER the 
power cord has been fully inserted.  Inserting the power cord while pressing the power button 
will cause the fans to run at full speed.
Loud fan noise coming from inside the computer
The iMac (17-inch Late 2006) has a trio of fans that circulate air throughout the system. It also 
includes temperature sensors, and advanced thermal software that spins the fans fast or slow as 
needed. As the system usage increases, the fans will adjust their speed using advanced thermal 
software to meet the cooling needs of the system.
Under normal conditions, rotating fans will make a slight hum that varies in relationship with 
their rotational speed and the amount of air that they are moving. In addition, the normal 
functioning of the hard drive and optical drive will generate additional whirring and scratching 
sounds that may be audible. All of these sounds are normal and do not indicate a failure with 
your computer.
To begin troubleshooting a possible fan issue, we need to qualify the sound that you’re 
experiencing. Does the sound occur only under specific light/heavy usage conditions? 
1.  
 
Yes: CPU intensive applications such as iTunes, Garage Band, DVD Player, etc., or two or more 
applications open at once will cause the fans to run at an increased rate making them more 
noticeable. If the sound only occurs when one or more of these applications is running, this 
is normal. 
 
No: If the sound isn’t affected by CPU intensive application it may be due to other factors. Go 
on to the next step. 
Is the sound always present, or does the sound vary? 
2.  
  
						

							iMac (17-inch Late 2006) Troubleshooting — Symptom Charts 160
The sound is always present: The normal functioning of the hard drive and optical drive will 
generate additional whirring and scratching noises that may be audible. Check whether this 
sound is related to one of the components. Go to step 4. 
 
The sound varies: Under normal conditions rotating blowers will make a slight hum that 
varies in relationship with their rotational speed and the amount of air that they are moving. 
Let’s see if this is indeed the case. Go to Next Step. 
Are the fans making a normal humming sound that increases/decreases in relation to 
3. 
processor usage? As the fans increase their speed to cool the system the sound level will 
increase. 
 
Launch the Activity Monitor application included with Mac OS X in the Utilities folder to 
determine whether the noise corresponds with heavy usage of the CPU. Does fan activity 
increase / decrease with the CPU Usage graph in Activity Monitor? Check by running CPU 
intensive applications such as iTunes. 
 
Yes: This is normal operation and none of the fans require replacement. 
No: If the fan activity does not coincide with CPU usage, the sound you’re hearing may not 
be fan activity. Go to the Next Step.
The normal functioning of the hard drive and optical drive will generate additional whirring 
4.  
and scratching noises that may be audible. We can isolate these noises by booting the 
computer to the iMac Install Mac OS X Install Disc 1. 
 
- Place the disc in the drive, and restart your machine while holding down the “C” key as the 
machine starts up. 
 
- Once at the Installer window, choose Open Disk Utility from the Installer Menu. 
 
- Once Disk Utility is open, select the system’s hard drive and on the toolbar choose 
Unmount. Note: if the drive has multiple partitions, unmount each of these partitions. 
This will spin down the hard drive. The optical drive will also be busy at this time; wait a 
moment for the optical drive to spin down also and then listen to the machine. 
 
Is the sound still present? 
 
Yes: With the hard drive and optical drive inactive, all you should be hearing are the fans 
in the machine. While booted to the CD, these fans should be running at a lower level 
since CPU activity is low with both drives inactive. Fan sound that includes objectionable 
ticking, whistling, or squealing may require further investigation and/or replacement of the 
particular fan. Go on to the next step. 
 
No: The normal functioning of the hard drive and optical drive will generate additional 
whirring and scratching sounds that may be audible. All of these sounds are normal and do 
not indicate a failure with the machine. If you wish to check the health of the hard drive, see