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Model A1224 / Mid 2007 and Early 2008 / 2, 2.4, or 2.66 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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2008 iMac Resurrection - freezing after booting - fans error (4MOT)

So, I have an early 2008 iMac that I'd like to get going again. This is more for my own learning purposes as it is not my primary machine. I'm at a loss. Here are the details:

iMac was working fine prior to a recent move. After unpacking, the computer started-up and then subsequently froze (spinning pinwheel). Force quitting didn't work. Had to power off. After some research, I decided to replace the HD and followed the ifixit guide and put in a Seagate 1 TB SSD Hybrid 3.5" Hard Drive. Installed OS X Snow Leopard (which was the previous OS).

Everything seemed fine on the install, but when I was creating an account it kept freezing (spinning pinwheel - had to power off). Finally got through the account setup. But again it keeps freezing after 1-2 minutes of booting up. Before it freezes I can open apps and go online, but after a few minutes it freezes - like clockwork. It also does this in Safemode.

I ran the Apple Hardware Test on extended mode and got this error: 4MOT / 1 / 400000003: HDD - 1356. Some kind of issue with the fans? This error could have been there before I replaced the HD or I could have messed something up when I was inside. Since I only have 1-2 minutes to do anything when I'm logged in I don't know how to test the fans as described in this ifixit guide: iMac Hardware Error 4MOT/4/40000003: HDD-1316.

Any ideas? Some other hardware to replace? Perhaps it is time to just let it be...

Thanks

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I'd like you to verify your exact model. This sounds like a problem that didn't emerge until the 2009 model.

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iMac Core 2 Duo 2.66 20" Early 2008 A1224

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This model has a Storage Interface: Serial ATA (3 Gb/s)

First check and see if the drive you got is fully backward compatible

The FireCudas may have a problem

What is your drives model number?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im...

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11 Comments:

Thanks, Mayer! IFIXIT recommends the Seagate FireCuda (ST1000DX002). Also compatibility with my iMac is suggested here: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Seagate/...

Am I missing something on the compatibility?

Thanks!

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No. Your link clearly states: SATA Revision 3.0 6.0Gb/s (3.0Gb/s & 1.5Gb/s backwards compatible)

That was my error because I use a lot of the 2.5" FireCudas and we have had a very hard time getting compatibility reports on it.

I did install a 2.5" FireCuda in a 20" 2008 iMac and had a difficult time getting 10.6 retail installed from the DVD. Let me think on this a bit and see if I can remember just what I did to get it running. I did finally get it and took it up to El Capitan. That was a month ago.

Did you remember to firmly seat the thermal sensor on the drive and insert it into the logic board?

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I did seat the thermal sensor on the drive, though I was unsure of this step. Since the case on the FireCuda was a bit different, I couldn't put it in the same spot. Is it possible that something else could be failing? Thanks so much!

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It could be giving you a high temp reading thus turning on the fans. Let it get hot then use a thermal IR gun to measure the temps. IR Thermometer

I use this thing at least a couple of times a day, especially in the kitchen.

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Ha, I'll try this out! I'm still having the problem of freezing about 5-6 minutes after booting. I've tried waiting for it to come out of the freeze for 45 minutes, but it never does. No other hardware errors show up on the AHT. Very strange. Is there anything else it could be? Directions to investigate? Thanks.

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