Apple has extended the warranty period for all first-generation iMac G5 desktops to two years.

Alas, it's not a sign of the company's faith in the machines' manufacturing quality, but a response to problems with their video and power sub-systems and unnamed components within them.

The warranty extension, which provides for the free-of-charge repair of faulty kit, only applies to iMac G5s that have experienced "scrambled or distorted video", or no video at all. Machines that won't start up due to an apparent lack of power are covered by the extension too.

However, Apple notes that "it is possible that your iMac G5 may exhibit video or power issues that are unrelated to the component failure identified by Apple as part of this program and are not covered under this program".

The extension covers machines sold worldwide. The serial numbers of machines that may be susceptible to the problem are:

• W8435xxxxxx - W8522xxxxxx
• QP435xxxxxx - QP522xxxxxx
• CK435xxxxxx - CK522xxxxxx
• YD435xxxxxx - YD522xxxxxx

All these systems were sold between September 2004 and June 2005. ®