New Acquisition: Apple iMac Core 2 Duo 20" (Early 2008) - VMB293FWZE3

New Acquisition: Apple iMac Core 2 Duo 20" (Early 2008)

Make	Model	Serial Number
Apple Computer	iMac Core 2 Duo 20" (Early 2008) A1224 EMC2210	VMB293FWZE3

Overview

• Manufacturer: Apple Computer.
• Production Years: April 2008 – March 2009.
• Historical Significance: This model refined the aluminum iMac design introduced in 2007, featuring a faster 45nm “Penryn” processor, improved memory speed, and a sleeker internal layout. It was part of Apple’s transition toward more energy-efficient and performance-optimized Intel Macs.
• Architecture: Built on Intel’s Santa Rosa platform, this iMac featured a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, faster 1066 MHz frontside bus, and DDR2-800 memory, offering a notable performance bump over the previous generation.

Specification

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E8135 @ 2.4 GHz with 6MB L2 cache and 1066 MHz frontside bus.
• Memory: 1GB DDR2 SDRAM (800 MHz PC2-6400), expandable to 6GB unofficially (4GB officially supported).
• Storage: 250GB or 320GB 7200 RPM SATA hard drive.
• Optical Drive: Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW).
• Display: 20-inch glossy TFT LCD with native resolution of 1680×1050.
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB GDDR3 VRAM.
• Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, internal microphone, headphone and audio line-in jacks.
• Connectivity:
  • 3× USB 2.0 ports.
  • 1× FireWire 400 and 1× FireWire 800 port.
  • Mini-DVI output (supports extended desktop).
  • Gigabit Ethernet, AirPort Extreme (802.11a/b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.
• Operating System: Originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.5.2; supports up to OS X 10.11 El Capitan (with patching).
• Common Faults:
  • Hard drive failure due to age or thermal stress.
  • LCD backlight dimming or flickering.
  • Fan noise or dust buildup inside the enclosure.
  • PRAM battery degradation over time.

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How Did I Acquire It?

Where Did I Get It From?

I picked this up along with a slightly older version (See here for details) of the same model from a women down in Bournemouth via facebook.

How Was It Described to Me?

They were both described as non working.

It was said that this one appears to power on but has a black screen.

Stock Photo

Stock Photo

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Now That I Have It in My Hands

Initial Observations

It is a nice clean tidy machine , this one did not come with a keyboard and mouse.
On power on you can hear the drives start to wire, but the screen remains blank and you do not hear the boot chime.

 

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Next Steps

Repair and Restoration Plan

I have two potential plans in mind the exact route will depend on what we see when we investigate the other machine in more detail it currently has no video output.

Route 1

We try and fix and tehn upgrade this machine.

No chime suggests that it is failign the POST, this may be something simple such as the RAM needs reseating or repacing.
Through to something more complex like the logic board has failed.
A more in depth inestigation will suggest the best route forwards

Route 2

We use this as parts machine to get the 2007 model working.