2009 21.5 imac

Hi all

I have the late 2009 21.5 imac 3.06Ghz, 1tb HD 4GB ram which started to show the folder with the question mark when booting up. I ran the hardware test which confirmed a hard disk failure but last night my imac was able to boot up dispite being a little bit slow.

my question is, i still have some cover left on my apple care but will they replace the hard drive if the imac loads up?

Thanks

specializedride said:

Hi all

I have the late 2009 21.5 imac 3.06Ghz, 1tb HD 4GB ram which started to show the folder with the question mark when booting up. I ran the hardware test which confirmed a hard disk failure but last night my imac was able to boot up dispite being a little bit slow.

Click to expand...

As you already know...this hard drive is very very close to completely dying. DEFINITELY back up anything that is important (if not backed up already).

specializedride said:

my question is, i still have some cover left on my apple care but will they replace the hard drive if the imac loads up?

Click to expand...

Technically speaking...Applecare only covers manufacturing defects. Since hard drives are mecanical devices (prone to wear just like tires/tyres on an automobile)...this would really not count as a manufacturing defect. Also..this hard drive has been in operation since 2009...so getting close to 4 years of use.

But with all that said...you never really know...Apple may replace it...you just have to check with Apple/your local Apple Store.

Good luck,

- Nick

specializedride said:

my question is, i still have some cover left on my apple care but will they replace the hard drive if the imac loads up?

Click to expand...

Describe your symptoms, and if any disk problem is detected the drive will be replaced if your AppleCare is still current. Also check your S/N here Apple - Support - iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program

techiesteve said:

Describe your symptoms, and if any disk problem is detected the drive will be replaced if your AppleCare is still current. Also check your S/N here Apple - Support - iMac 1TB Seagate Hard Drive Replacement Program

Click to expand...

Hey good one...I didn't realize that this hard drive replacement program covered iMac's all the way back to 2009. The OP's computer is definitely a "Late 2009" model (mentioned in the link)...so hopefully good news for the OP!

- Nick

I Had already check the replacement program and my iMac is not on of the ones with a Seagate drive. according to the Hardware info my mac says it is using a WDC WD1001FALs-40U9B0 which i gather is a Western Digital drive. It was making some unusual noises before the issue started. Currently it's backup and running but i think it's only a matter of time before it completely fails.

Think you are right about the time limitation. Download and use to diagnose the health of your drive and receive advance warning before it goes. Suggest getting an external drive and clone the drive with SuperDuper or CarbonCopyCloner.

http://www.corecode.at/smartreporter/

Hi have downloaded the Smart Reporter, also downloaded HD Tune pro as im running XP on bootcamp and it has given me some results.

Get ready to replace the drive. Got a reliable backup for transferring your information over? To have AppleCare the computer would have to be purchased in 2010. If so try Apple.