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Model A1225 / Mid 2007 and Early 2008 / 2.4, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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videocard or LCD screen dead?

Hi,

I recently encountered a black screen and now my Imac won't work anymore. (I get the Apple sound at start-up, Without the RAM is gives the beeps, no weird noises, fans are running fine).

I checked the led's and only the 4th doesn't work (which indicates a problem with the LCD).

So I ordered a mini-dvi cable to 'attach' another screen to the computer, nothing..... While the 3rd led is working which indicates the videocard is working.

What could be my problem now? I'm a little confused. ;)

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Try shining a flashlight into the display at a sharp angle do you see your desktop? If you do you know your screen is working but the backlight services has a problem. If you don't see an image then your GPU board is having a problem and will need replacing.

While your test implies the GPU board is having problems, I've seen some setups not work. Do you have a working system to test the cable & monitor out?

Here's a better set of IFIXIT guides to work off of: 24" iMac

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3 Comments:

Whoohoooooo! My Imac is back online!! :) The flashlight trick didn't work. With the external screen trick failed I presumed it had to be the gpu.

Found the 'oven' trick on the net and decided I could loose nothing. 10 minutes 200 degr. C and new thermal paste. Everything back together and she's working again!!! I'm so happy! :D

Downloading SMC fancontrol for better cooling now.

Me happy happy happy!!!!!!

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Well at least you know the grahics board at some point will need replacing. While the oven trick worked for now it likely won't last :-( start saving your pennies for a new system or think about replacing the graphics board.

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I have a mid 2010 27' iMac that I use a lot, and last week my HD5750 GPU died : black screen, everything else working normally (I can access my iMac through shared screen with my MacBook Pro). Not a backlighting problem : no monitor on system preferences, "unknown GPU" on system report, Novabench can't run any graphics test.

I accepted that my GPU died, and searched eBay to buy another one, but it's much too expensive (400$) for a 6 year old computer. I was about to declare my iMac dead (it just got "vintage" on Mactracker), but wanted to "see" what went wrong.

So I ordered ifixit repair tools and opened my iMac yesterday : so much dust, just unbelievable. I removed the graphics card, inspected it, cleaned it (I also cleaned everything I could access in my iMac). Then I put everything back in place.

BINGO !!! My graphics card works again. And my fans don't spin fast anymore, I can't even hear them.

Just to let know a "dead" GPU may only need some dusting.

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michiel will be eternally grateful.
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