eMac logic board failures, freezes and jumbled displays (#4): Turning off ATI extensions can temporarily resolve; Pictures

We continue to report on failure of the logic boards in some eMacs. eMac models introduced in 2004 appear to be the most commonly afflicted.

As previously reported problem generally starts with series of system-wide freezes -- not kernel panics or unexpected applications quits, but rather incidents where the cursor freezes and any operations grind to a halt; and/or visual distortion on the display.

The latest reader to experience this problem writes:

"In one of the schools I support, we have a lab of 35 eMacs that were purchased together in 2004. Of those, more than half have had the logic board replaced (some twice) due to freezing in the middle of an action. Some have had the logic board, hard drive, display-analog assembly all replaced in order to get them to work again. Apple just recently replaced one with a similar machine because it never could be repaired successfully. I have 190 eMacs in one school and over 200 in another to support and only this group of 35 have had this issue. All others were purchased at different times since the eMacs were introduced and have not been a problem. Apple needs to own up to the problem with these machines. We are fortunate, in that we have 3 year warranties on all of our computers. Apple is repairing them without question. In our opinion, there needs to be a recall on the 2004 eMac."

The issue may be very similar to a problem we reported in mid-2005 where iMac G5s were apparently overheating, and generating excessive fan noise in an apparent effort to cope with the heat.

Like that problem, users opening problematic eMacs have found several bad (leaking) capacitors.

Temporary fix for some -- safe booting/removing ATI driver Also as previously reported, Some users have reported that removing all the files (and, in particular, the file ATIRadeon8500GLDriver.bundle) in the following directory:

• /System/Extensions/ATI

can provide temporary relief for some symptoms. Note that in order to move these files (which are system extensions for the eMac's graphics subsystem) you must boot into Safe mode by holding down the Shift key while your Mac is starting up. Save them in a safe location if you need to retrieve them later.

Pictures of the problem A MacFixIt reader has posted a picture of the video distortion that occurs on afflicted eMacs' displays.

The same reader has also posted a picture of bulging capacitors -- indicative of this issue.

Feedback? Late-breakers@macfixit.com.

Previous coverage:

• eMac logic board failures (#3): More reports
• eMac logic board failures (#2): AppleCare reminder; Blown capacitors
• eMac logic board failures

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