So, I bought the IMAC....and I'm not happy!

[pugilato]

I'm telling you... there's something wrong with that particular unit.  Apple would not be where its at selling defective equipment.

 

[djwong]

Bob, 

I don't think there is enough information about your problems to diagnosis the situation.  From your general descriptions, it would seem to me to be more likely a software problem and not bad RAM.  Unfortunately it takes a lot of effort and time to isolate a computer problem.  Since time is money, you may not be able to afford the time right now.

If you want to go through the exercise, you must isolate the problems by eliminating any add-on hardware or software on your machine.  Try to uninstall any applications you added and see if you are still having browser problems (jumpy screen).  Are you using Safari or something else?  If your log on problems are problems logging onto your iMac, then there is a system software problem and you should bring it back, or reinstall the system software from the system DVD's (WARNING - this will wipe out your data so don't do unless you have a certain backup).  I kind of assume your log on problems are logging onto web sites through the browser.  As another poster said, keyboard mapping may be playing a roll in the confusion.  Go to the apple menu and select "System Preferences", then click on the "Keyboard" icon.  There is a list of all system assigned keyboard shortcuts.

Expect to spend a few hour to isolate the issue.  I have never had a debugging session go quickly.  Of course you can schedule a session with an Apple help person to go through this under your warranty.  There are many of us on FOG who can also help.  Unfortunately for meaningful help, a lot more detail is necessary on what you installed and when problems started occurring.

-David

 

[NuggyBuggy]

Why would you say bad RAM?

Intermittent and impossible to predict lockups and freezing problems are often indicative of bad RAM.  In the build-your-own PC world, it could also be the result of things like overheating or a too-small power supply, but you probably don't have to worry about those issues. 

I'd probably run a memory test utility like memtest (Mac version available here: http://osxdaily.com/2011/05/03/memtest-mac-ram-test/) to check it.  Let us know or PM me if you have trouble figuring out how to run it.

It probably wouldn't explain your login issues, though. 

 

[Bob Marino]

Well, I will give Apple a call today or tomorrow and may even
bring my IMac into the store. But what I am not going to do,
is start running a bunch of tests or installing and reinstalling
discs and software and try to patch it up myself. I will see
what they have to say as they have been very helpful - but i learened
more here on the FOG than in 3 phone calls!
of this could be a learning curve too, but the freezing has me
concerned.

Thanks all again.

Bob

 

[pugilato]

good luck with that... let the experts do their thing.

 

[tbellemare]

like right here on the FOG; when I scroll down to the last post, the screens shoots right back up to the top of the page

I have a wrist pad in front of my keyboard for comfort. Sometimes I rest my coffee cup on it. Occasionally, when reading a thread, I can't get it to stop scrolling to the bottom of the thread. It's because my coffee cup is pressing the space bar.

Tom

 

[mouppe]

Bob,

I have the same 27" IMac as you and I remember when I first got it that the Nikon software I was running would freeze from time to time, unlike on my previous generation 24" IMac. In time, Nikon released a fix and now it runs fine.

I also have the Microsoft office software on my IMac and it generally runs fine. Updates are being released all the time, however, so run a "Check for Updates" and see if you have the latest version.

All the best
Richard.

 

[NuggyBuggy]

But what I am not going to do,
is start running a bunch of tests or installing and reinstalling
discs and software and try to patch it up myself.

Running memtest would not require you to open up your computer, it's dead simple and would allow you to simply walk into the store, tell them your memory is bad, and they'll fix it for you.  It might actually save you time. 

But if you're not willing to do that, you could also just pick up your computer, take it to the store, and ask them to check the RAM.

 

[djwong]

The mac ships with a hardware diagnostic you can run.  It should be on one of the install DVD's that came with your computer.  When you find it, insert the DVD and restart your computer.  Hold the 'D' key down on restart.  'D' stands for "diagnostics".  See this link for the Apple Support page for details.  An error code will be reported if there is a problem.

 

[justinmcf]

i bought the 20 inch mac last year and love it.
i cannot understand why you are having so many problems bob.
with regards to running tests.
i am very low tech and have no interest in spending time trying to fix something that should work out of the box.
it should be running smooth for you, the fact it is not, means something is wrong.
just bring it back and get a new computer.
problem solved, and you will be much happier once you get going properly.

justin.

 

[pugilato]

i bought the 20 inch mac last year and love it.
i cannot understand why you are having so many problems bob.
with regards to running tests.
i am very low tech and have no interest in spending time trying to fix something that should work out of the box.
it should be running smooth for you, the fact it is not, means something is wrong.
just bring it back and get a new computer.
problem solved, and you will be much happier once you get going properly.

justin.

What he said... life is so much simpler when you dont feel compelled to personally repair every little thing.  It takes too much time, and costs more money than letting the guy who knows how to do it, do it.

 

[dltflt]

Why would you say bad RAM?

I just may bring this into the store next week. Lots of quirky things - like right here on the FOG; when I scroll down to the last post, the screens shoots right back up to the top of the page, I mean like ?
I will give it more time as I see some of the beauty of the beast, but right now, there's more beast than beauty.

Bob

Bob did you buy it from an Apple store or online?  I bought mine online and the seller put crappy RAM it and I had all sorts of problems.  Bring your computer to Apple and they will take care of the problem, I got a whole new computer before they found the problem.

 

[Bob Marino]

Why would you say bad RAM?

I just may bring this into the store next week. Lots of quirky things - like right here on the FOG; when I scroll down to the last post, the screens shoots right back up to the top of the page, I mean like ?
I will give it more time as I see some of the beauty of the beast, but right now, there's more beast than beauty.

Bob

Bob did you buy it from an Apple store or online?  I bought mine online and the seller put crappy RAM it and I had all sorts of problems.  Bring your computer to Apple and they will take care of the problem, I got a whole new computer before they found the problem.

  No, I bought it at the Apple Store; and  am bringing it in today.
It froze up again last night and I had to restart it.

Bob

 

[Bob Marino]

like right here on the FOG; when I scroll down to the last post, the screens shoots right back up to the top of the page

I have a wrist pad in front of my keyboard for comfort. Sometimes I rest my coffee cup on it. Occasionally, when reading a thread, I can't get it to stop scrolling to the bottom of the thread. It's because my coffee cup is pressing the space bar.

Tom
[/quote

Tom,

Nope, nothing on the keyboard  - I only wish that was the answer.

Equally as concerning is the fact that it seems to be random - as in it isn't doing it  right now  and I didn't do anything different.

Bob

 

[fdengel]

If you have the so-called "magic mouse", the whole finger-swipe thing evidently takes some practice.  I'm using one right now because it came with my Mac Pro and I'm still in the process of getting things switched over from my iMac, but my Wacom tablet will eventually replace it.

I find that it can be tricky to manage the scrolling and such with that mouse, particularly when just getting started with it.

I suspect there are some other gestures involved too, because I occasionally find that I jump back a web page (as if hitting the "back" button on the browser) depending on how my finger manages to swipe the mouse (often by accident), though I haven't been able to nail down the actual gesture yet.

I'm not taking time to work it out though; like I said, the Wacom will be replacing it soon anyway...

 

[peter halle]

Good luck Bob!

Ironically yesterday Apple released a fix for imacs locking up.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20070210-263.html?tag=mncol;1n

Peter

 

[Bob Marino]

Good luck Bob!

Ironically yesterday Apple released a fix for imacs locking up.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20070210-263.html?tag=mncol;1n

Peter

Thanks Peter,

I'm going in at 11 am today and will let them see what's up
I just did a diagnostic test with the disk and it shows no
problems with the hard drive.  No more testing or playing
with the disks, keys or programs; I'll let the guys at Apple
take over.

Bob

 

[Ken Nagrod]

Bob,

If everything is fixed today, does the title of this thread change?   [big grin]

I'm happy

I'm somewhat happy

screw it, I'm a PC

 

[BlueMaxx]

Bummer Bob...

Bought my big iMac three years ago to get away from PC and have never had an iota of trouble from it...so I am betting it's just an unfortunate lemon....

I think once you get past the slight learning curve you will really like it...

Either way do tell what the resolution is..

Cheers,

Mike

 

[Frank-Jan]

...
Either way do tell what the resolution is..

Since it's a 27" imac, my guess is 2560 x 1440.  [wink]