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1.83 GHz Core Duo or 1.83, 2, or 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo A1208 (EMC 2104/2110/2114/2124)

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iMac won't start, diagnostic LED's checked, what it mean?

A friend gave me an iMac 17" (Late 2006 CD) EMC: 2114 and it can't start. I connected the power adapter and something sounds inside (like a clicking sound), then I pressed the power button and nothing happened. I opened it to check the diagnostics LEDs (It have 3 LEDs). When I connect the power adapter the #1 LED was on, when I pressed the power button the #2 LED turned on, but the #3 LED just blinked once. Up to here, nothing seemed to be turned on. Then I kept pressing the power button (force shut down) and the #2 LED turned off.

I tried once again. I quitted the power adapter, waited 15 seconds and then reconnected it while pressing the power button and the same clicking sound appeared. The #1 LED turned on. I pressed the power button and the LEDs did the same (#2 was on and #3 just blinked once), and this time the fans turned on, but neither the HDD nor the CD nor the screen seemed to be turned on. Neither sound was heard.

Someone told me is both the power supply and the logic board which are the ones to be replace. I quit the power supply and it looks good, the computer doesn't smell burnt. What do you think?

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Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.0 17-Inch Specs

Identifiers: Late 2006 - MA590LL - iMac5,1 - A1208 - 2114

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HI there Jordan Cortes:

Just wondering if after replacing the Caps in your PSU, if you managed to get your iMac working again?,

I know that it was a while ago, =p

- Sylph

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Sylph, if you are having problems, it might be best if you ask your own question. Maybe someone might be able to help you.

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Granted. ^_^,

I simply wanted to contact the user directly re: his experiences, and couldn't see any option to do it through clicking on his name, so replied using this form. I understand that it is called "Add your answer", and so isn't the correct place to contact the user, but could you point me in the direction of how to get in contact in a different form to ask a follow up question?

Thanks again. =)

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ask it right here.

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Chosen Solution

LED 1 indicates that trickle voltage from the power supply has been detected. This LED will be ON when the computer is turned off and your power supply is working correctly.

LED 2 indicates that the main logic board has detected proper power from the power supply when the computer is turned on. This LED will be ON when the computer is turned on and the power supply is working correctly.

LED 3 indicates that the computer and the LCD display are communicating. This LED will be ON when the computer is turned on and video signal is being generated.

LED 4 lights only if the computer detects an over-temperature condition. This LED will be OFF when the computer is turned on and running at the correct temperature.

Inspect the 24 capacitors for bulging and/or corrosion. There was also a GPU problem on this one. The solder joint failed as the machine heated up and this can sometimes be repaired with a solder reflow. Take a look and let us know what you find.

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I inspected the capacitors from the logic board and from the power supply but everything seems to be fine, anyway I'm will take those with someone to have a second opinion.

Another thing is that the logic board just have 3 LEDs, not 4. So, does the third LED keep meaning the same? Because this is the LED that does not stay on, so it may be something with the GPU (which I can't distinguish if the joint failed or not)

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I checked your EMC number and you have a Intel machine not a G5, so I changed your description.

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The LED's indicate a bad GPU (video card). This machine also has integrated video. The first thing I would check is the RAM to see that they are a matched pair and seated properly: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3246

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I already finished checking the parts and I realized that the biggest capacitor in the power supply and other two capacitors are not working properly. This may explain why the fans were the only turning on.

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