iMac Pro - Hardware issue?

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Level 2

157 points

iMac Pro - Hardware issue?

Over the last week or so, my iMac Pro has been acting awfully odd.

Audio / video will not play and when it does it jerky. This happens whether it is a straight mp4 or say a video embedded in Twitter or on You Tube.

Browser like Chrome have to be quit constantly as they cannot load a page, etc.

While I have had no issues with say MS Office or Adobe CC, the other issue is hogging CPU, etc.

I was in touch with Apple Support and they think it maybe the video card.

I am on Mojave, can't update due to some of my software not being compatible with Catalina, but this is nuts.

I can't boot into Safemode, I have tried with the wireless keyboard connected as well as unconnected via the usb.

I try and Zap the PRAM, but I do not get a bong nor will allow me to zap more than 2x.

It is only after I zap it, can get a few minutes of video play then it back to this new crazy.

I have installed TG Pro to see what might be going on, but that has proven useless so far.

Any ideas?

1TB HD, 300 GB used.

64 GB RAM

3 GHz

Tough time to get it serviced, as Apple can't do it, but there is a local authorized dealer who can, but they were iffy on whether they could get parts.

Any advice on how to see myself what is wrong?

Thanks.

Posted on Apr 14, 2020 8:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Rysz

Level 8

44,421 points

Apr 14, 2020 9:13 PM in response to sam jones

Not a real hardware guru, but a few suggestions...

If you haven’t already, reset SMC. This often solves more hardware issues than zapping PRAM. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

Reinstalling macOS would eliminate OS corruption as a cause.

Not being able to boot into Safe Mode is the real puzzler. Suggest creating a new user account to eliminate possible .plist issues.

Download and run EtreCheck. If you need help interpreting the report results, post it per instructions (as a new post, with EtreCheck in the title and copy/paste your issues from here). https://etrecheck.com/

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Answer 2

sam jones Author

Level 2

157 points

Apr 14, 2020 9:30 PM in response to Rysz

I have done SMC (forgot to mention that), but unclear if it even worked (tried it multiple times yesterday).

Thinking I will have to wipe this iMac and reinstall as well as get everything back on via time machine.

I am clueless, it is a wireless keyboard that when the computer starts up, click on the user name, then go to type in my password the computer does not seem to recognize the keyboard right away.

I ran Etre, yesterday and just again now.

Major issues NONE

Minor Issues:

These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.

Heavy RAM usage - Apps are using a large amount of RAM.

Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. Apple has said that unsigned software will not run by default in a future version of the operating system.

System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.

Runaway user process - A user process is using a large percentage of your CPU.

32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps will not work on macOS 10.15 "Catalina".

Limited drive access - More information may be available with Full Drive Access.

Kernel extensions present - This machine has kernel extensions that may not work in the future.

Sharing enabled - This machine has sharing services enabled that could be a security risk.

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Answer 3

DonH49

Level 6

16,710 points

Apr 15, 2020 9:29 AM in response to sam jones

I would install only Mojave up to security 001 and no further then boot that iMac Pro from the external, any external. If things go well then I'd suspect all those third party programs you have installed. I never liked Chrome.

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Answer 4

sam jones Author

Level 2

157 points

Apr 23, 2020 1:04 PM in response to Rysz

Wiped the drive

reinstalled Mojave

I have nothing running on this machine other than what Apple installs.

1- tried zapping the PRAM, which usually bings each time as you hold the proper keys, nothing before reinstall, nothing now. AS I hold those keys it just does it twice. The only way I can get it to work is to hook up the wireless keyboard via USB, otherwise nothing.

2 - I was unable to get into safe mode before the wipe, I am currently in safe mode.

What has been happening was any video, audio after a restart along with an attempt to zap the PRAM the iMac would play video, as the day progresses, maybe a few hours, the audio, video no longer will play. So, so a mp4 clip will speed to the end, audio from it will not even be played. Tried this on youtube, the play bar goes straight to the end each time.

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Answer 5

sam jones Author

Level 2

157 points

Apr 24, 2020 7:33 AM in response to sam jones

So restored it back from my time machine back up, problem still persists.

Looks like it has to be the video card.

No choice but to have it serviced, unfortunately it will have to be an authorized dealer as Apple stores are not opened.

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iMac Pro - Hardware issue?

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