Apple imac 21 5 inch late 2009 User Manual

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 31 2010-11-18
Won’t Start Up
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Won’t Start Up
•  No startup chime.
•  Error tones during startup.
•  Grey screen with fan noise, or 
other noise.
•  Will not progress beyond 
Apple logo or spinning gear.
1.  Isolate OS by starting up from original install 
media for this computer, from a same-model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, or from a 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 32 2010-11-18
3.  Wait 15 seconds after computer 
was powered down and 
disconnect AirPort cable from 
logic board. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. YesGo to AirPort Card Kernel 
Panic symptom flow.
No Go to step 4.
4.  Disconnect hard drive SATA 
cable and startup from Install 
DVD in the optical drive, or 
from an external bootable 
volume. Verify if computer 
starts up properly now. Yes
Go to Hard Drive Not 
Recognized symptom...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 33 2010-11-18
Intermittent Shutdown
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Intermittent Shutdown
•  Powers off during startup.
•  Powers off during desktop use.
•  Computer restarts 
spontaneously.
•  Powers off when waking from 
sleep.
1.  Make sure that power cord is securely attached 
to the back of computer, and is not hindered by a 
desk or other furniture.
2.  Plug computer directly into an AC outlet to test if 
a surge protector or UPS is...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 34 2010-11-18
2. With known-good AC power 
cord and AC outlet, Verify if 
system continues to restart or 
shutdown Yes
Go to step 3.
No AC power cord / outlet issue. 
Issue resolved. X03
3.   Disconnect hard drive power 
cable from hard drive and 
startup the computer from 
other bootable media (like 
Install DVD, a same model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, 
or a compatible known-good 
OS on an external drive). Verify 
if system continues to...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 35 2010-11-18
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Kernel Panic, System Crashes
•  Kernel Panic on startup or 
desktop use.
•  System freeze during use.
•  System freeze upon wake from 
sleep.
1.  Isolate OS by starting up from original install 
media for this computer, from a same model 
computer in Target Disk Mode, or from a 
compatible known-good OS on an external drive. 
Both AirPort and Bluetooth services are...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 36 2010-11-18
3.  Use known-good SDRAM in the 
system. Verify if system start 
without kernel panic now. Yes
Install user’s SDRAM one by 
one and test. If kernel panic 
repeats, replace affected 
SDRAM. Verify if correct 
SDRAM specification is being 
used. X01
No Go to step 4.
4.  Wait for 20 seconds after 
shutdown and disconnect 
AirPort cable on logic board. 
Verify if system starts without 
kernel panic now. Yes
Go to AirPort Card Kernel...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 37 2010-11-18
No Video
Unlikely cause: hard drive, optical drive, speakers, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
No Video
•  No image.
•  Backlight failure. 1.
  Check brightness setting.
2.  For no-video issues, connect an external display 
to Verify if iMac video circuitry is functioning. 
If image appears on external display go to 
Backlight Issue/No Backlight symptom flow.
3.   Reset SMC.
Deep Dive
Check ResultAction Code
1....

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 38 2010-11-18
4. Pivot enclosure to access 
lower intake vent, and locate 
diagnostic LEDs on edge of 
logic board. Verify if LED #3 
turns on shortly after system 
powers on. Yes
Logic board communicating 
with video card. Go to step 5.
No If LED #3 does not turn ON 
-If system has a separate 
video card, reseat video card 
and retest, then replace video 
card and repeat step 4. If issue 
persists, replace logic board.
-For a system without...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 39 2010-11-18
Corrupted Video
Unlikely cause: power supply, hard drive, optical drive, fans, speakers, camera, microphone
Quick Check
SymptomsQuick Check
Corrupted Video
•  Text and graphics appear fuzzy
•  Image corrupted
1.  Verify Mac OS X version installed is the build 
number supported on the hardware. Make sure 
customer didn’t migrate over their old version of 
Mac OS. See kBase #TS3101: iMac (Late 2009): 
Using the correct Mac OS X...

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Startup and Power 40 2010-11-18
3.  For systems without a separate 
video card, go to step 4. If a 
video card is present, remove 
video card, inspect connector 
for damage or corrosion. 
Reinstall video card and retest. 
Verify if issue still occurs. Yes
Replace video card.  
Go to step 4. M04
No Issue resolved by reseating 
video card.
4.  Verify if video corruption issue 
is still present. Yes
Replace logic board. If a video 
card was replaced, reinstall...