Replacing 2007 iMac Hardrive

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Hello. The hardrive failed on beloved 2007 iMac. About a week before it failed the top of the aluminum casing kept getting very hot. I'm thinking this was caused by the failing hardrive- but should I consider replacing any fans or anything else while I am inside of there? Any ideas would be helpful.

I've got my video tutorial from ifixit and instructions and my tools from OWC...I'm ready to go!
 

pigoo3

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I'm thinking this was caused by the failing hardrive- but should I consider replacing any fans or anything else while I am inside of there? Any ideas would be helpful.

Probably not. But you won't know until you open things up. If the fan(s) are currently working & not making a lot of noise...then they're probably fine.

FYI...replacing parts like fans is not a simple matter with Apple computers. In the sense that these are not "off the shelf" parts. If these parts need to be replaced...you need to plan wayyyy ahead of time...and start looking for them.

But like I said...if the fans are currently working & not noisy (by noisy I mean loud mechanical noises...bad bearings...not loud noise from the fans running at high rpm).

It's also possible that your iMac us very very dirty inside...and needs to be cleaned.

Blocked fans = less cooling air = hot iMac.

HTH,

- Nick
 
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If you have the expertise go for it but cracking an iMac is not a task for beginners. Whilst in there use a very fine paint brush and remove any dust. Canned compressed air will also help.
 
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I took it on and was successful! Wasn't actually that hard. I was hoping the heat issue would be taken care of after I cleaned everything out inside- but that doesn't seem to be the case. After just a couple hours of use the top and back casing get very hot. Any ideas?
 

pigoo3

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Also with what Harry mentioned with iStatPro...take note of the fan rpm's. The rpm's should be pretty high (4000-6000rpm) when the computer is getting hot. If the rpm's are very low...then the fan may not be operating properly.

- Nick
 
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To give some idea of temperatures on a 2012 iMac 2.7Ghz. Winter Down under, Ambient 17ºC and all settings are less than 30ºC. Fans running 1100-1398rpm.
 

pigoo3

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To give some idea of temperatures on a 2012 iMac 2.7Ghz. Winter Down under, Ambient 17ºC and all settings are less than 30ºC. Fans running 1100-1398rpm.

Great info Harry...thanks for posting!:)

- Nick

p.s. BTW...ambient temp. of 17°C...that's only 62.6°F! Sell some of that Apple stock...and turn up the heat! Brrrr.;)
 
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chas_m

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I'm surprised that nobody else has pointed out that the top back of an iMac is *supposed* to get hot -- that is where the heat is being vented!

This is all perfectly normal and routine operation for the iMac, which uses convection cooling to keep the fan noise at a minimum.
 

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My home office is air conditioned.... but right now my 2011 iMac is showing a CPU temperature of 42 degrees Celsius and CPU fan RPM of 1198. Outside air temperature is currently 92 degrees F. with an expected afternoon high of close to 100 degrees. (Typical for this time of year here in Texas.)

But chas is right about how an iMac dispels heat. Cooler air is drawn in through the bottom vents and warmer air expelled out the top vents. Very efficient. And by the way, an iMac has three fans.
 

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