Having done some further research on my kernel panicing iMac I am wondering if it is getting too hot?
I had the hard disk replaced recently under Applecare and there are a few posts on the Apple Discussions Forums that show a few people are having a similar problem to me. Alas there is no simple or easy solution, which is frustrating.
I am now trying to work out what is causing the iMac to work too hard so it gets too hot and it appears that Flash may be part of the problem.
I am not sure what to do next, I think I might see if I can improve the airflow around the iMac, and also if there is a way to force the on board fans to start running at a lower temperature, ie before it gets too hot and then crashes.
Longer term I might replace the hard drive, 1TB is too small anyhow, so I would put in a bigger disk, tempted to put in a small SSD and then replace the DVD-R drive with a traditional hard drive. Might lengthen the life of the iMac for another couple of years. It is an i7 with 8GB of RAM so it is still very powerful.
I have the same iMac(end 2009, i7) and also permanently concerned with temps after the hard disk in my previous C2D extreme 2.8 burned up due to heat.
I think the first thing to do is install some temp measuring stuff, Temperature Monitor by Marcel Bresink I like best, but there is also iStat Pro.(a Widget) Then fan-control program smcFanControl (http://www.eidac.de) which I like best because it’s very non-intrusive(no extensions, no control panels in your system) Needless to say (but I will) use it with moderation, not all three fan full blast.
Now, I read that the new iMac with only one fan runs a lot cooler than all the previous ones(http://www.barefeats.com/imac12g5.html)
For me, it’s to late. Allready bought a Mini i7.
BTW: often it is the power supply that is the hottest, also Screenbrightness has a great influence.
Good Luck with cooling down your iMac. God only knows you’re going to need it. Wietdapp