Trying to fix an iMac

2blue4u

2blue4u

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,769
Name
John
Edit My Images
Yes
I'm trying to help fix someone's iMac4,1 2ghz Core Duo OSX 10.6.8

At boot time, you see the Apple logo and the twirling disc as usual - plus a progress bar that takes around seven minutes to complete.

Once completed, the machine completes the boot by presenting the log in screen and all appears quite normal after this.

Two questions for the experts, if I may:

1) What's with the progress bar for seven minutes?

2) Why will the machine not react to me holding down D, option, or even the pram reset?

Any help gratefully received.

John
 
It sounds as though the OS has corrupted (I have experienced this)

Which version is it running?

Best method is to use the original install discs and complete a repair of the OS
 
Now running 10.6.8

I thought this but the only disks I can find are 10.6.4 Now I would have thought I could install from this but it's having none of it. It says unable to install Snow Leopard on this computer??
 
I think I've tried everything that doesn't involve holding down keys at boot :(
 
it sounds like the there is a disc error on or after an update so what was the last thing that happened before it went wrong
 
neil_g said:
Have you tried a disk and permission check in disk util as a first off?
Click to expand...
Aye. First job.

I downloaded the combo updates. They all said I needed 10.6.* or earlier. Even when I tried 10.6.8!

I'll speak to the owner to find out what was the last update applied (probably won't help) and for permission to use the nuclear option.

Although I'm puzzled as to why I can't use any of the boot-time key hold-down options. This is trying to tell me something :shrug:
 
What keyboard are you using, I know that there were some issues with the bluetooth keyboard on boot up with the keyboard not being properly registered until OSX has booted.

Steve
 
you may need a wired keyboard or it may just be the battery has run out on the keyboard does the caps lock light up
 
The long delay suggests its waiting for something (Macs can wait a long time for stuff to come up...) - that would usually either mean faulty hardware or corrupt drivers. The lack of response to keyboard suggests it's either waiting for the keyboard (or USB/Bluetooth) or it's something before that in the boot sequence.

As a couple of people have said - if you're not using a wired keyboard then switch to one.

If you are then it's probably pretty bad news. Try all USB ports.
 
Using a wired keyboard.

How can I wipe the drive if I cannot use ANY startup hold-key options?
 
Can you boot from an install disk?

Problems with wired keyboard suggest you may have a USB issue. If that's a hardware issue it could be pretty bad.
 
Tried different wired keyboards - although all of the same type.

Unable to boot from internal or external install discs.

Unable to boot from a usb boot drive.

Unable to install from the install disc.

Ran disk utility - repair check and it found an issue on the hard drive. Fixable - if I can boot from anything other than the internal drive.
 
No genius bar anywhere near here :(

Took it into our local Apple techs yesterday. I should know more in a few days. These only idea offered by a non-tech counter-monkey was that it could have been trying to complete a firmware update and was looking for an Ethernet connection.

In the meantime...... The owner of the poorly machine, who was pleading poverty, went out on Monday and bought a 15" MBP. So my efforts, and no doubt expense, will be for nought.
 
You could always boot your imac with a Linux live boot disk and see if your able to access the macs hard drive, if you can see the data you will be able to back it up using the linux boot disk and a usb connected hard disk.
 
redsnappa said:
You could always boot your imac with a Linux live boot disk and see if your able to access the macs hard drive, if you can see the data you will be able to back it up using the linux boot disk and a usb connected hard disk.
Click to expand...
Nope - can't. As stated, I'm unable to boot from ANY external device due to the boot-time hold-down key functions not working. It doesn't matter what flavour of boot disc I use, the drive cannot be accessed.
 
My first thought was, jokingly seeing the thread title, that you'd need a hammer. Apparently I wasn't entirely wrong.

Can you pull the HDD and see if that fixes the lack of control over boot priority (assuming the guys you took it to haven't sorted it?). It could also be something failing on the mainboard, and that's why there's the long wait.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top