Hi,
Are there any iMac experts here that know about the early aluminium models? I have just acquired a 2009 C2D and a 2010 i3 iMac but they're in a mess. The part inside have been swapped and broken and properly messed around with. I think I've worked out what parts belong where from the manufacture date on the PCBs... Two fans have had their wires cut, and both have the power button wire cut... why would you do this?! I found a small 8 pin IC in the case that I can't find where it's come from too... The few screws that exist in either machine are generally the wrong type (machine thread with a self tapping plastic screw etc).

For the moment does anyone know if the LCD is disconnected/broken, should I get an image on an external monitor? Also, if the LCD panel is broken but the backlight works, should it at least light up?

The 2009 one needs a new mainboard as the LVDS connector has been ripped off and someone's tried supergluing the cable direct to the motherboard (!) and really made a mess of it. But when powering up I get the chime so wondered if it'll boot with an external screen.

The 2010 one also plays the chime, but I only get 2 diagnostic LEDs lighting up - this supposedly means faulty video, but could this be the LCD panel? The panel has had its LVDS connector ripped off too and I've tried soldering on a new one but it still doesn't work. This one has a replacement graphics card in it which I don't know if it works. The original graphics card came with the machine but it is obviously damaged - I can see missing SMD components and it's generally a bit manky! If this one just needs a screen then great.

It seems all I know works in both is the PSU as I get the chime and I assume that wouldn't play with a faulty PSU?

Any tips welcome!
Cheers,
Steve