Imac problem! help!

Carlo

Carlo

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Carl
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So, I bought a used imac just under 2 weeks ago, had no internet until today, so haven't really spent much time on it, but it worked fine (put Ps elements on it from disc, put some photos on it, and had a general play).
Finally connected to net today (BT issue) to download CC and it told me it wasn't supported on the OS (had OSX mountain lion), so i started to install El Capitan.
Got past the stage where it asked you to choose where to save installer to, it shut down, then re-started with the white screen with the apple logo, and the progress bar.
It gets to about 3/4 of the way across the progress bar, then shuts down...


...As it said it may re-start a few times i wait...and wait...and wait!!... nothing!
I press the on button and it starts up to show the exact same screen with the progress bar (at the same position, ie 3/4 done), then after about 10-20 seconds shuts down again!!
I now dont know what to do!!!:( every time i turn it on, the same! shuts down!

anyone any ideas other than an expensive trip to an Apple repairer?

ps, its a 2011, 21.5" i5, 2.7GH 16GB RAM, 1TB hdd, bought from ebay
ph, and stupid me, didn't back anything up!
 
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Update;
got into recovery drive and reinstalled El capitan, toolbar said about 2 hrs to download so left computer watched film and when i came back, there was just a blank white screen!!!
rebooting just brought up the white screen (after start up), so follwed some advice i found on macworld, and opened in safe mode.
In safe mode all booted up fine, and El capitan was in fact installed!!
Now downloading all updates, as well as adobe CC apps, so hopefully when I restart everything (fingers crossed!) will work!!!!!
 
Carlo said:
Update;
got into recovery drive and reinstalled El capitan, toolbar said about 2 hrs to download so left computer watched film and when i came back, there was just a blank white screen!!!
rebooting just brought up the white screen (after start up), so follwed some advice i found on macworld, and opened in safe mode.
In safe mode all booted up fine, and El capitan was in fact installed!!
Now downloading all updates, as well as adobe CC apps, so hopefully when I restart everything (fingers crossed!) will work!!!!!
Click to expand...
Are you up and running now :)
 
Hi, my advice as I had this issue once my solution was internet recovery

: If the recovery partition itself is damaged and you cannot use Recovery Mode, enter Internet Recovery Mode by pressing Command (⌘) – Option (⌥) – R at boot time.


Link

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/24/how-to-start-mac-recovery-mode/

This removes all damaged files on the recovery disk and installs new OS X I would highly recommend using an Ethernet cable instead of wifi, and during wipe stage use the second option is write 1's incedently if you want it's a great time to add a ssd externally and put you OS X on that

Once your Mac is started and you have logged in Ie Apple ID I would add noting until you install all Apple updates

Hope that helps
 
border_all said:
Hi, my advice as I had this issue once my solution was internet recovery

: If the recovery partition itself is damaged and you cannot use Recovery Mode, enter Internet Recovery Mode by pressing Command (⌘) – Option (⌥) – R at boot time.


Link

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/02/24/how-to-start-mac-recovery-mode/

This removes all damaged files on the recovery disk and installs new OS X I would highly recommend using an Ethernet cable instead of wifi, and during wipe stage use the second option is write 1's incedently if you want it's a great time to add a ssd externally and put you OS X on that

Once your Mac is started and you have logged in Ie Apple ID I would add noting until you install all Apple updates

Hope that helps
Click to expand...
i think i did your first option already, but don't see any harm in trying it again!
Thanks
 
Hi you will know if it's Internet recovery a globe spins during the download as far as I know that's the only time you see that on iMac reinstallation it's also why Ethernet cable is far better when I used wifi I lost signal and had to restart over

Hope it gets you going :)
 
Step one:
Unplug iMac

Step two:
book a genius bar appointment at the apple store

Step 3:
drive to the apple store

Step 4:
let the genius bar fix it.

Step 5:
be surprised when they're really helpful and fix your computer for free. It's their software which is causing the problem, so they won't ask you to pay to fix it.
 
I've now tried every availablr 'fix' i found on the net, and none have worked!
I can't even go back to the original OSX installed (Mountain Lion) !!!
Took, Mark G's advice and have booked it in next Monday evening at Apple.
I'll keep the thread updated.
 
Mark G said:
be surprised when they're really helpful and fix your computer for free. It's their software which is causing the problem, so they won't ask you to pay to fix it.
Click to expand...
maybe. some of us have had poorer experiences of apples customer service after a fault.

it is a used unit too, that could be a sticking point on getting a free result.

however apple CS swings both ways, it could be an excellent experience or a complete head ache.
 
neil_g said:
it is a used unit too, that could be a sticking point on getting a free result.
Click to expand...

If it's a software issue, then it's always free. The Geniuses can run a full diagnostic, hard drive test and do a clean install in a few minutes from a local network recovery server.
 
All fixed!!!!!
Explained the problem, the guy runs a full diagnostic, (everything working fine), then does a complete install, all in all took about 20 minutes!
And yes, you were right...no charge! (y)
He told me the install they do wipes everything, which is why they tell you to back up, unlike if you do an install yourself from the website.
Everyone there really, really helpful (Trafford Centre, Manchester), and the guy that worked on it was a really nice bloke too!
Extremely happy chap now!
Thanks for all your replies, was genuinely helpful,
Carlo
:):):):):):):):)
 
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I'm glad I bought an iMac, this is my first ever Apple computer, the 5k current highest spec model. Well worth it.
 
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