In addition to giving our dogs baths, there is a lot of stuff going on at home these days, not the least of which is the possibility of adopting baking as part of my computer hobbyist endeavors.
I can almost hear all of the confusion by way of heads exploding from reading my lead sentence.
There is a problem with 2009-2011 iMacs concerning their graphics cards. Anyone who knows me and/or has read my pieces on Apple and the computer industry in general, understands the dirty little secret of heat being the enemy of computer components.
I’ve related on numerous occasions that Apple either knowingly or unknowingly (can they really not know?) builds in obsolescence for their Macintosh computers. Their iMacs generate a lot of heat due to computer components being stuffed into an ultra-thin case.
The ones from 2009-2011 had problems and were for a time included as computers identified for free replacements by Apple for graphics cards as well as hard drives that had failed prematurely.
Having not researched the specifics of all of this, I can tell you Apple’s hardware replacement program for these computers has long since expired. This fact has not prevented other iMacs from this era from having their graphics cards go belly up recently. Symptoms include vertical banding of varying colors (yellow, pink, and 50 shades of gray have been some of the reported ones).
Solid State Drives (SSDs) are a sexy upgrade for these old iMacs. But an SSD is not something practical to install when the graphics card does not work.
People love their Macs, have great loyalty to them, and want to get every last ounce of use from them they can. Musicians also can run software on these older iMacs that are not compatible with Apple’s latest macOS. So, there is a need to make these old iMacs keep running for very many starving artists out there.
Planned obsolescence
I understand Apple needs its customers to buy new computers as often as possible to remain in the business of selling them. Not having a viable path to updating and/or upgrading hardware to keep it running much like a favorite old car, however, is where I very much sympathize with customers.
New Macs are not an inexpensive purchase, so baking is now where I find myself regarding one of these old iMacs that have come across my workbench (actually work coffee table if I’m being honest).
Not one to ever bore you with minutia (you can google “baking iMac graphic cards” if you’re interested in the details), I will undertake one of these upcoming weekends the journey that is removing the graphics card from a behemoth 27 inch iMac that has fallen on hard times. Actually, down and out would be a more apt characterization.
Once removed from the iMac, the process involves taking the graphics card out and heating it for 10 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius or 397 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s so crazy it’s funny, and that’s why I’m preparing to tackle the project as soon as my Arctic MX-4 thermal paste arrives.
My dogs received baths today, but once I embark on the iMac graphic card baking odyssey, I’m pretty sure our boy and girl bow wow wows will take a back seat to this project–whatever weekend coming up that I get around to baking. This will not be bad news for either of them, though, as their disdain for bathing is omnipresent.
Getting some further life from a very much still useful Apple computer, and keeping it from otherwise becoming a humongous doorstop, is my motivation.
No Covid reference no problem
I know this tale of still being largely confined to the great indoors is not appealing to some readers who could give a rat’s arse about old technology. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to use a new computer.
Our readership here is comprised of mixed demographics including folks of various means and the ability to afford new tech kit.
I’m considering creating a video while I’m doing it, but will probably not do so as it will make the time needed for me to complete the graphic card extrication, baking and reinstallation that much greater.
I will report back with results once eventually completed–video or no video. I’ve heard from techs that even if the project is successful, the graphics card will only work temporarily. The fact that some people have reported their cards as working for three years after doing this, does make me hopeful.
Until the time I begin this repair, and if you’re not interested in baking computer parts or computers in general, please just read about something else here. We’ve got a pretty good-sized library of stuff!
No matter what you might bake or do next, please stay safe and be well.