27'' iMac making noises :(

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 11:01

My new iMac has started making funny intermittent noises. The only way I can describe it is a sort of metallic crinkling sound or you know those drinks that kids have, with a little straw in a packet

The noise the packet makes if touched.

it mainly seems to happen when using Lightroom and editing images. I think it is a pending HDD failure maybe? it is like .5 of a second and random.

im just out of my 14 day return so not happy

sbi5ar · 17 Mar 2013 at 11:43

Something similar happened to my dads iMac (i think)... Turned out to be one of the fans had gone/was on it's way to going.

Easy repair for the apple guys!

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 11:47

I dont think it is the fan. it such an odd noise, and so short. Going to try to record it with voice memo app see if i can catch it.

dont fancy a repair either I want replacement if it is a fault

philstanbridge · 17 Mar 2013 at 20:11

Could it be a capacitor whine? Something from the power supply when put under pressure?

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 20:17

philstanbridge said:
Could it be a capacitor whine? Something from the power supply when put under pressure?

Im not sure to be honest :confused:

I'm still trying to get a good recording of it.
The sound is like a cellophane wrapper from a sweet; be crinkled (is that a word ) I would agree it is when under pressure though or working hard.

lamboman · 17 Mar 2013 at 20:20

Strange, 2012 model yes? Mine has C-state whine while in Windows, but that's going to be when the system is idling.

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 21:00

lamboman said:
Strange, 2012 model yes? Mine has C-state whine while in Windows, but that's going to be when the system is idling.

Yeah 2012 model with standard 1TB drive. All I'm really worried about is the drive giving up on me. if it is normal then thats fine although a little irritating!

what do Apple do in these circumstances? I cant see them be able to hear it in store. and Im not keen on the idea of repair: how do they even get these things apart ?

lamboman · 17 Mar 2013 at 21:13

I'd call AppleCare first, explain the situation. They'll likely offer a replacement due to the age of the machine.

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 21:33

lamboman said:
I'd call AppleCare first, explain the situation. They'll likely offer a replacement due to the age of the machine.

Going to call them in the morning see what they say. They don't replace with refurb do they like iPhone ?

p_r_i_m_e · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:31

there were a bunch of 27" imacs recalled for hdd probs

Invasion · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:40

p_r_i_m_e said:
there were a bunch of 27" imacs recalled for hdd probs

I remember something about that was that the 2012 model ?

lamboman · 18 Mar 2013 at 00:11

Invasion said:
Going to call them in the morning see what they say. They don't replace with refurb do they like iPhone ?

Apple will typically repair three times, then replace with a brand new machine on the fourth.

EDIT: Should mention that, as stated above, they will likely replace as the machine is so new.

p_r_i_m_e said:
there were a bunch of 27" imacs recalled for hdd probs

Not to do with 2012 machines. Seagate had a recall with their 3.5" drives, which affected iMacs.

Invasion said:
I remember something about that was that the 2012 model ?

As above, nope!

Roughneck · 18 Mar 2013 at 14:56

Why dont you just pop it down to your local apple store

Invasion · 18 Mar 2013 at 15:15

Roughneck said:
Why dont you just pop it down to your local apple store

Have an appointment on thursday

Just hope they will just replace it on the spot, as it is only about 23days old. Don't think I should have to wait for it to be repaired.

slinxy · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:20

I'd setup one with a fusion drive for the first time, and I did notice an electric buzzing sound from the machine when the hdd was on high usage. Seems fine on normal access levels. Odd..

Invasion · 20 Mar 2013 at 16:51

slinxy said:
I'd setup one with a fusion drive for the first time, and I did notice an electric buzzing sound from the machine when the hdd was on high usage. Seems fine on normal access levels. Odd..

Like an electrical arcing/ static discharge sound ??

slinxy · 21 Mar 2013 at 19:45

yes mate... I'm sure its the new fusion drives, but it shouldn't sound like there's a small fusion arc reactor in there lol.

I'm not sure if its normal, we ain't planning to get anymore new imacs in at the moment, and I'm trying to state that if we are they should be with the normal drives and not the fusion drives, as there's a big compatibility with them and the mac infrastructure I've setup at the moment.

EDIT: some other people are moaning about the buzzing sound from there fusion drives too on different forums.. some say its normal some say they had repairs.

Invasion · 22 Mar 2013 at 16:28

just a quick update on this. went back to apple store and told them what the problem was. they did a quick diagnostics and it reported back fine.

Then they guy mentioned something about the power supply, which I wasn't buying, and was about to go into a long speech

then all of a sudden said he would just give me a new iMac

This one seems ok so far so fingers crossed