2006 iMac - salvageable?

[5M177Y]

I have an old (early 2006) iMac, that I have been occasionally using as essentially a print server. Today I booted it up and found that it would freeze up upon trying to do anything for longer than a few seconds (even opening Finder windows). Should I consider it a right-off?

 

[lclev]

It depends on how valuable it is to you as a print server. It may be nothing more than a dying hard drive. It is a bit of a trick to replace the drive. You did not say what model it is but here is an idea of what you are looking at if you choose to replace the hard drive:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+20-Inch+EMC+2133+and+2210+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1008

If it were mine and I had a use for it, I would try it but I like to take things apart! But it is old and I believe Snow Leopard is the newest OS it can run which means no security updates.

Lisa

 

[Raz0rEdge]

That vintage Mac is limited in what version of OS X it can run and unless you've been upgrading it all along, you'll have to go find that version of OS X somewhere. It is sufficiently old such that investing any money in replacing parts is likely not the best course of action. If it was only an occasional machine and has served you well for 12+ years, it's time to send it out to pasture.

 

[Slydude]

@SM177Y I see that you are using that Mac as a print server. What printer are you using with it? Depending upon the caliber of printer you need it might be cheaper / more practical to purchase a printer with networking capabilities built in.

The opther possiblity is that some routers allow you to attach a printer and use the router as a print server. I did it for a while with an Apple Time Capsule though there are cheaper devices with similar capability. There was one issue using the Time Capsule as a print server: I couldn't use the Utlity that allowed me to check ink levels from the computer.

 

[5M177Y]

A bunch of printers, don't really want to replace them. I have connected directly to router before, but sometimes it's not practical. I'm sure fixing the iMac is not the best solution at this point. Would be nice to make it useful for something if possible. The only way I can think that might happen at this point is if there are any alternative (maintained) OSs that run on this old hardware. Anyone know? I think this is the model https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_cd_1.83_17.html

 

[Slydude]

Anyone know? I think this is the model https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac_cd_1.83_17.html

If that is the right Mac it cannot go above OS X 10.6.8. That's what's listed as the maximum OS near the bottom of the page. To get something that runs an OS that is being maintained you'll probably need something from at least about 2012 or so. Here's the list of Macs that will support the next OS (Mojave) due out later this year.

Also be aware that Mojave will be the last OS that supports older 32-bit software. It may not be an issue now but may become an issue depending upon what software you need to run.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Being an Intel-based machine, it should definitely run the latest version of a Linux distro and likely provide similar functionality.

 

[Slydude]

Being an Intel-based machine, it should definitely run the latest version of a Linux distro and likely provide similar functionality.

I never thoght of that. Must be why you get the big bucks dude.

 

[5M177Y]

Yeah, Linux is what I was thinking. I know there are versions designed to be lightweight, like Lubuntu, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes.

 

[Slydude]

Yeah, Linux is what I was thinking. I know there are versions designed to be lightweight, like Lubuntu, but that's about as far as my knowledge goes.

The extent of your Knowledge is better than mine on that score.

I've been thinking about putting some version of Linux on a Machine since the old iBook became obsolete. I might put something on my '08 MacBook Pro. I was looking at running a High Sierra Mojave patch anyway.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

I would definitely stick with the Ubuntu distribution (been playing with Linux since 94, so ultra familiar with that stuff). There are multiple variations of it, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Xubuntu..each of those basically switches the desktop manager from Ubuntu's default Gnome to KDE to XFCE to whatever else.

So start with any of these and if you find that the window manager (WM) is limiting, you can always switch back to the console for speed.

I would suggest https://ubuntuforums.org for Linux specific questions.

 

[Slydude]

Need I remind you that I have a severe allergy to the console. A certain Canadiam member of this very forum tried numerous times to convert me to some form of CLI.

I've still got SL on one drive in the laptop so I think I'm going to give Ubuntu a try. Should have done it at the beginning of Summer break but I spent many hours trying to get a Windows 10 Bootcamp setup going on my MB Pro.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If the machine is just a conduit to printers or something, running a resource intensive GUI seems like a waste. The CLI has it's uses, I wouldn't recommend it for normal use. As a Linux Kernel developer for 10+ years early in my career, it's hard not to play with with the low level stuff.

 

[5M177Y]

As an experiment I booted into Ubuntu (desktop) from a flash drive. Seems to run great (though I couldn't get the WiFi working), and no crashes. Leads me to believe the issue probably is the HDD, right? I kinda want to get it fully working now, not to meet any particular need, just to finish the job.

 

[pm-r]

Today I booted it up and found that it would freeze up upon trying to do anything for longer than a few seconds (even opening Finder windows).

I was just wondering if it did the same thing booting up in safe boot mode?

PS: How clear are its air vents????





- Patrick
======

 

[pm-r]

@Sly

Need I remind you that I have a severe allergy to the console. A certain Canadiam member of this very forum tried numerous times to convert me to some form of CLI.

I can certainly guarantee that it was not me!!!




- Patrick
======

 

[5M177Y]

Yes, did the same in safe mode. Haven't checked the vents. You think it might be over heating? The difference between booting from the default OSX drive and the Ubuntu flash drive was dramatic. In OSX it crashes after about 30 seconds without fail. In Ubuntu it ran without issue (I guess for an hour or two).

 

[pm-r]

Haven't checked the vents. You think it might be over heating?

I'd think all vents would have to be plugged solid for it to quit due to heat that fast, and then, why not the same when using Ubuntu????




- Patrick
======

 

[Slydude]

@Sly

I can certainly guarantee that it was not me!!!


- Patrick
======

The particular Canadian in question seems to have gone into hiding, Rumor has it that he has been extremely busy recently. Hopefully hi is not attempting to send an army of minions my way. lol

 

[5M177Y]

I'd think all vents would have to be plugged solid for it to quit due to heat that fast, and then, why not the same when using Ubuntu????

My thoughts exactly.