Error: 2STH/1/2:CPU T-Diode
The problem I was having with my 20-inch iMac G5 2.1Ghz (iSight) where the computer would just suddenly ‘fall asleep’ is still happening. I finally had the time to run the hardware test DVD just now and the following error was returned:
Logic Board Error
Code: 2STH/1/2:CPU T-Diode
After googling 2STH/1/2:CPU T-Diode (not the best of keywords) and snooping around on Apple’s very own support forums, I found out that it has something to do with the logical board (and power unit?) overheating. To top it off, I am far from being alone and that this problem has been going on since the first generation iMac G5s! And it is so typical for Apple to not give a damn and continue to let known problems plague future releases. As much as I love the looks of Apple designs, they just don’t work when it comes to engineering! The current iMacs house the flat panel display, the CPU, the power unit, etc., all in a 2-inch thin case. Basically, with all those heat generating components in an awfully thin case, no wonder the unit overheats!
I’ve had this iMac for 1 year and 5 months now and my warranty expired after the year and I didn’t get the Apple Care Protection Plan. So if I was to get this thing repaired, and being an Apple product, I’d probably have to at the very least shell out close to ¥50,000!! And no, my iMac’s serial number does not fall within the ones that are officially recognised as having problems (which are entitled to a free repair)!
And the computer is not even hot - it’s been hotter than this before! I guess now that the logic board is damaged, any amount of heat will trigger the unit to fall into protection mode (switch off/standby)…
Like said, I’m an Apple fanatic and I always will be (what do you expect, I’m a designer). But I have not been very happy with Apple’s quality for the last half decade! Everything they have made looks great but the quality sucks!! Especially considering their prices!! Yes, I am really p*ssed right now!!
I’m gonna head off to Apple in Ginza tomorrow to find out how much it would cost to get the darn thing repaired and how long it would take (probably at least a week, knowing Apple).
(ps. noticed that I haven’t blogged about new Apple hardware in recent months despite updated PowerMacs and MacBooks?)
UPDATE: 18:30 - The Apple genius tells me it is indeed a logic board problem and the cost to replace it would be approx. ¥55,000! Repair time: approx. 1 week. For that ridiculous price, I’m debating if I should even bother with getting it repaired…
I hear and read “T-Diode” in many places. Don’t understand why we don’t all call it what it is, a temperature sensor. Maybe you might want to try this program. http://www.bresink.com/osx/0TemperatureMonitor/history.html It’s fee and a good way to keep an eye on heat levels.
I can’t remember what max. levels are for a G5 processor, but Intel rates the Core Duo around 100 Celsius. Over the last week, my 20″ iMac had a max. in the low 50’s Celsius range. Usually both cores run in the mid. 30’s Celsius range.
Heat has always been a problem for Macs. Sorry for stating the obvious. If I hadn’t found myself without a computer when I bought this iMac; I would have bought a Mac Pro. Small cases equal poor air flow.
Hoping all will come out well for you. It’s impossible to live without a computer.
I had the same problem with my 20″ iMac G5 earlier this year. Unlike you, I spent the additional money and got the applecare plan. I went to the local apple store and had it repaired. It worked fine for two weeks, then the same thing started happening. I went back to the apple store, and the genius (using the term loosely here) told me that it was probably a software conflict. what?
Anyhow, I work on a university campus, and we have an apple certified licensed repair guy working in our campus computer store. I told him about the problem, and he said that he had done the repair on several of the iMac G5s on campus. I brought mine to him the next day, and it was ready to be picked up a day later. Since I have the applecare plan, and he’s a certified apple technician, there was no charge to me. It’s worked perfectly fine ever since then (knocking on wood). Moral of the story — always get the applecare plan. It saved me here, and it saved me when the DVD drive fell out of my iBook.
–Brian
Ok, idea! Don’t buy a Mac in the first place and there will be no problems. Mac sucks.
Have you ran the test more than once? I had a similar issue with my MBP but the test result was never consistent. Nonetheless, Apple ended up replacing the MLB under warranty.
Can’t you still opt in for Apple Care? Sure it will only last until 3 years from purchase, but maybe it help?
I always, always, always buy AppleCare with any Apple computer. Steve Jobs’ engineering design does not match his product design (my G4 Powerbook had the “white spots” on the LCD which took 2 replacements to fix.)
Edward
I have a PowerBook G4 too so it’s not a problem that the iMac won’t be a round for a while. Just dunno if its worth spending that kinda money on repairing it…
Brian
Yeah, Apple Care is a must! My PowerBook’s HD broke down 3 months after the warranty ran out too! Before these 2 machines, I’ve never had a problem with a Mac even after 2 years (never kept a mac for longer than that).
Kevin
Hahahahaha… Mr. Microsoft…
Moshe
Yep, ran it a few times. Same results. Still switches to sleep mode. Maybe I should try a complete re-format and OS installation?
TMK
Nope, have to do so within the first year of purchasing the Mac.
Gen
Yeah, I remember reading about your ordeal on your blog. And you were rather peeved too cuz the Apple guys wouldn’t give you a temporary loan machine. Hahahaha… I remember that. Definitely will get Apple Care for every future Mac I get from now, period!!
You are not alone. I have the same problem with my 20′ inch iSight iMac G5. I am very dissapointed about quality of those “bright” products. They sucks. Period.
yap. me too.
I have the same problem, and don`t know what to do, my mac (20′ inch iSight iMac G5.) gets a little crazy, suddenly it goes black, as in a sleep mode like a 100 times a day. did the test and the 2STH/1/2 CPUT-DIODE error appeared.
any suggestions???
ooo. and I dont have a warranty nor apple care.
I have an imac G5 17′ and i have the same problem and no one knows what 2STH/1/2:CPU T-Diode means.
Got the same thing, Painful!! As long as i’m doing moderate web browsing its fine, any more and it sleeps. system keeps shutting off at around 84 degrees. no video encoding on this system. only way around it is to make your machine half as fast as it was when you bought it buy changing the performance in the power saving settings in system preferences
hope that helps some one