My iMac has no sound & can't play video

[marzipanni]

It's like this model- running OS X 2.8
Is this something that can be fixed at a reasonable cost? I was told that it involved a large component of the processor, not just a card or something. As you can tell, I'm not well versed in computer lingo, so please use simple terminology if you answer! Thanks!

[bullimiami]

1. if the sound components which are integrated on the motherboard are

bad, you could get a usb audio interface. like a griffin imic or similar.

it depends what you mean by wont play video. wont play dvds? is the cd/dvd drive bad?
cant play movie files? the processing to playback video is software, i dont think the built in video hardware could allow you to operate the computer (ie display functions) but not playback video files.

by large component of the processor they could mean because everything is integrated onto the motherboard.


who did you have look at it? you may want to update the system software too 10.2.8 is pretty well back there in time.

[marzipanni]

3. I looked at System Preferences

In "Hardware", under "Sound", it said ,"no output devices were found", yet we had sound until a few weeks ago. Also the volume indicator/control in the menu bar keeps going back to no volume, where I used to be able to adjust it and it would stay where I left it
My husband and son use the computer more than I do, and I'm poking around now that they're asleep!
I just upgraded to Flash 9, so now at least we can view some video, as in YouTube, but not sure what else.
I haven't had anyone look at it yet, just asked someone about this problem at the repair shop at CompUSA, but the Mac guy wasn't there.
Thanks for the advice.

[onehandle]

2. 10.2.8 will handle sound and video fine.

It's not that old of a system or a computer. I'm betting it's a system glitch. You may need to reinstall your system, but you need to be able to back up your home folder. It's unlikely anyone here is going to be able to diagnose this.

Have you asked folks in the Apple Discussions forum?
http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

Do you happen to have an Apple Store in your area?
They all have a "Genius Bar" (tech support center).
http://www.apple.com/retail/

[marzipanni]

4. Thanks, I'll try the Apple discussions forum.

Too bad I live 3,000 miles from my "genius" nephew, who is a Mac repair person...I might have to call him once again !

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. And I second the suggestion to go to the nearest Apple Store

Their geeks in black T-shirts will look under the hood of your Mac and tell you what's wrong with it--for free.

[alfredo]

6. Isn't that handled by QuickTime? Will quickTime open?