2007 iMac won't boot from startup disc

My brother passed away and I inherited his Mid 2007 iMac. Works fine, but all accounts are still in his name and I do not have his passwords. Trying to wipe the hard drive and do a clean start, but unable to boot from startup disc. It was purchased with Snow Leopard, but has been updated to Lion 10.8.3. It appears that there may be a security feature that rejects any attempt to boot from startup disc. Is there another way to wipe hard drive and start clean?

Sorry for your loss ...
The original startup disc will not work on a Mac running v10.8.3.
The fact that you do not have the admin password is a problem because you will need it to repair the startup or restore OS X using OS X Recovery

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IMac won't boot from install disc

My iMac has been running a little slow the past two days and so I ran Disk Utility. DU reported that I had the incorrect number of thread records and an invalid volume count. It instructed me to repair the disk by booting from the install disc. The problem is that when I try to boot from the install disc (after I choose the disc from the options), I just get a gray screen with the apple logo on it. Nothing else happens, no disc activity, nothing.
Anyone have any ideas as to how to get my iMac to boot from the disc and, ultimately, to get Repair Disc running from DU?
Thanks,
Rich

It should only take a minute or so at most to boot from the DVD.
If your sure you have the correct Install Disk for that iMac, I'd start over. Then if it still doesn't work then perhaps a trip to your Local Apple Service Provider with the Disk or Disk and iMac is in order.
http://www.apple.com/buy/locator/service/
Alternately using the correct Disk as per the following article, see if you can run the Apple Hardware Test? > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

G5 freezes on boot up, won't boot from startup disc- freezes

Hello,
I'm looking for any clues as to what has apparently killed my much beloved G5. I was converting a very large video file and maxing out my RAM when computer froze and would not restart. I then did a very dumb thing and tried to start it up from my old Panther install disc b/c I couldn't locate my Tiger install disc. (I know- STUPID!)
Anyhow, Panther tried to fix the problem but was unable. I later located my Tiger disc and tried to boot from it but computer still froze about 1/2 way through the boot up process. If I let the computer sit for about 24 hours and try the install disc again, it gets further along in the boot up process but has never successfully completed a "repair disc" command without freezing up shortly after beginning. If I continue to try the install disc it freezes up earlier and earlier in the process.
Took my baby to the local Apple Store and after over a week in the shop, they explained that they didn't know what was causing the problem. (Although they still took my money for the 'diagnostic fee'. <g>) The logic board, the processor and the HD all passed the Apple diagnostic tests(ASD) but the unit still froze up during boot up. The tried replacing each part (MLB, CPU, HD) individually but unit still froze. The only way they were able to successfully boot up was when they replaced ALL 3 parts... about a $1,500 repair. They couldn't explain why this was the case, it was just the only thing that worked.
I did notice in the "repair" notes that when they replaced the processor the unit netbooted past the usual spot were it was freezing and worked but then in my OS it froze during the screen saver. They also noted that it failed the thermal calibration test the first time through but calibrated on the second try. Don't know if this infomation is of any use...
Does anyone have any idea what could possibly cause this? Why would the MLB, CPU, & HD each pass the ASD tests but still not allow boot up?? Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Frustrated teacher, missing her baby,
Tracey
Power Mac G5 1.8GHz Mac OS X (10.4)
Power Mac G5 1.8GHz Mac OS X (10.4)

tracey0808-
Greetings and welcome to the Apple boards.
Bummer about your machine. I have heard of service facilities using what we call "the shotgun approach" when repairing a G5. I am not convinced it is necessary.
The cheapest, easiest, and potentially good investment fix is to add a second internal hard drive and try to set that up as your boot drive. If it still doesn't work, you have a spare drive that you might be able to use again with another machine.
G5 repairs do tend to be very expensive. You an also try another service facility for a second opinion.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

27" iMac won't boot from anything BUT the main drive

Hi all,
My lovely 27" iMac is in perfect working condition, but I thought I'd try to install a OS on a large SD card to see if I would gain any speed.
In the process of doing that (cause I never got that far) I discover that the iMac won't boot from the original install DVD. It simply spits out the DVD when I try to insert into the drive. I'v managed to make an image of the DVD (in a different mac) onto the SD card in order to try an boot from that. No luck. I've tried to insert a original install DVD from my Mac Pro into the iMac, which it reads fine and well, and when I tap the restart button it restarts, but stop with a white screen doing boot up.
If I try to hold down the option key during startup, the iMac WILL let me choose which OS to boot from, but if I choose anything else than the OS already installed it freezes.
I've even tried to boot my Mac Pro from the iMac install DVD - no problems.
I've even run a hardware test on the iMac - no problems.
I am running out of options fast! Please help a devoted Mac-friend.
Take care.
Peter

I WAS using the DVD that came with the machine, but I fear Apple may have sent me the wrong one?
In trying to solve the issues I'd tried other OS disc's (A Mac Pro install DVD and a OS X Leopard DVD) - but none of them would even boot, nor install of my iMac. I always end up with a white screen during boot up.
As I described, the original iMac install DVD would indeed boot my Mac Pro, do the disc seems ok?

HP Pavilion 15-n084ca Notebook PC won't boot from recovery discs .

HP Pavilion 15-n084ca product # F0Q63UAABL Notebook PC won't boot from recovery discs , it gets to 97% then satys there for an hour or so then comes up with an error code .
computer won't boot windows 8 .

Hi:
For PC's that came with Windows 8, In order to boot from a DVD you need to change some BIOS settings.
Please read the info at the link below for what settings to change.
http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c03736054

IMac won't boot from OS X install disc!

I'm needing to do some internal hard drive repairs but the system won't boot from the install disc! I've restarted it tons of times while holding down "C" and it just bypasses it and boots right into OS X. It restarts as normal with the chime (I am holding down "C") then the Apple logo comes up, then the spinning circle thing, but it just goes right into OS X. Help!

Let's be sure you are doing it properly.
First, you must use the OS X Installer Disc One that came with your computer. Carefully check both surfaces for scratches, dirt, fingerprints and if so clean it carefully with a very soft cleaning cloth that won't scratch the disc.
Second, insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer. After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when the spinning gear appears below the dark gray Apple logo.

IMac won't boot from OS install disc

Hello. I'm using a refurbished 2010 - 2011 iMac running Snow Leopard, which did not come with the original install disc. Just purchased from Apple, an OS (Snow Leopard) Install Disc specific for my model iMac but my machine will not boot from it.
I've tried booting from the disc holding down the "C" key and it tries to start up but all I see is the grey Apple logo, no spinning gear and it just hangs there. I've also tried holding down the Option key and selecting the Install disc from the start-up choices that display but the same thing happens. Any ideas, anyone?

Did you call Apple and ask for replacement disks (giving them your serial number)?
If not, and if you purchased the retail version at the Apple store online, then you may have a version that is older than what yours came with. And, macs cannot boot from an OS older than what they came with. I believe the latest retail version is 10.6.3 and yours might have had 10.6.4 or higher. You might want to check on your model to get the exact OS version; you may need to call Apple and request replacement disks.

IMac won't boot from Firewire?

Hey gang-
I wanted to post this to save anyone else pulling out their hair if they have a Mac that won't boot from a Western Digital (WD) external Firewire drive. I recently purchased a Western Digital My Book Studio 2 TB FireWire 800 External Hard Drive.
I bought this drive intending to partition it into two 1TB partitions- one for a bootable backup and one for a Time Machine backup. I do my bootable backups with the application SuperDuper, which is outstanding for this purpose. I have used it to create bootable backups on 3 different Maxtor external Firewire drives, and they have all flawlessly booted all my Macs. I expected no different from this new Western Digital (WD) 2TB drive.
Unfortunately, the WD would not boot 2 out of my 3 Macs when connected via Firewire. It would NOT boot an Intel MacBook (Late 2007 edition) or an Intel iMac (Mid 2007 edition). It does boot our Intel iMac (Mid-2010 edition). Strangely, the WD booted all 3 Macs when connected via USB, though needless to say very slowly in all cases. If you need additional technical information, read on.
Technical Info: The following tests were done with the WD connected via Firewire. The WD is correctly formatted for booting Intel Macs with GPT GUID formatting. Note that the WD appears as a bootable drive in System Preferences->Startup Disk on all 3 of my Macs. But when attempting to boot via Firewire, I get only a grey screen on the Intel MacBook (Late 2007 edition) and the Intel iMac (Mid 2007 edition). The Intel iMac (Mid-2010 edition) boots normally. When booting with the Option Key held down, Startup Manager does NOT see the WD as a bootable drive on the Intel MacBook (Late 2007 edition) and the Intel iMac (Mid 2007 edition). It does appear as a bootable drive on the Intel iMac (Mid-2010 edition).
When connected via USB, the WD boots all three of my Macs, but very slowly compared to the internal drive.
It's probably worth noting that the Late-2007 MacBook and the Mid-2007 iMac all share the then-new Santa Rosa architecture. So I'm guessing that they may share the same Firewire chipset. And for whatever reason, that chipset does not play nice with the WD chipset.
So, bottom line is that if you need a Firewire bootable backup, be sure to test the drive right away so that you don't think you have a bootable backup when in fact you don't.
On the good side, the drive is amazingly quiet. At this point, I need to decide whether to keep the drive, knowing that I have only USB as a bootable option on 2 out my 3 Macs, or return it. But in any case, wanted to pass this on to anyone else having problems booting from an external Firewire drive.

baltwo wrote:
FWIW, many WD HDs won't boot Macs and booting Macs isn't supported. Details at their site. That's the main reason I never recommend their crappy HDs.
Actually I'm very familiar with that list- spent a lot of time looking at this past week!
Ironically, the majority of that page is a list of drives which they claim WILL boot Macs. In fact, the list is entitled "List of Mac-bootable WD external drives..."
And yep, mine is on there...on the list that reads "The following external hard drives should be bootable on Intel-based Mac computers systems through FireWire (1394a/b)" is "MyBook Studio" as well as my drive model number.
But that's all beside the point. Like you, I couldn't recommend their drives at this point. At least make sure if you buy one that the vendor has a good return policy.
Dave

Mac Pro 2008 won't boot from install disc - black screen

Hello,
I recently purchased a new hard drive to replace the original that came with my Mac Pro 2008. I was able to format the new drive using Disk Utility. I am now at the point where I need to install OS X onto the new drive, but the computer refuses to boot from the disc. The disc is recognized by the computer (I can access the disc and am able to use the BootCamp applications, etc.) but I just get a black screen when trying to boot directly from the disc. The computer boots fine otherwise.
I have tried the following:
I have tried using both the gray install disc that came with the computer and the Snow Leopard Install DVD disc.
I have tried booting using the "C" key and the "option" key but still receive a black screen following the chime (I've held these down for several minutes).
I have tried restarting from either install disc using the Bootcamp Assistant.
I have tried running the installation software to get it to restart from the disc.
I have tried a combination of the drives, i.e. trying to boot from the discs with just the new drive installed, just the original drive installed, and with both in bay1 and 2.
Everything results in the computer starting up, hearing the chime, and then nothing..just black screen. I have the original drive partitioned with BootCamp with OSX Snow Leopard and Windows 7 installed (I don't know that that matters).
I am at a loss as to what to try next. It doesn't seem like the superdrive because it is recognizing the disc, it just won't boot from it.
Any help is appreciated, thank you.

Clone should be a must and easy to do and learn (learn by doing! 2)
6800 would 'qualify' as 5x70 series flashed etc and same rule: 10.6.5
In the past there was 10.4.6, 10.5.6, but not 10.6.6 - even though strong need for such a DVD.
10.6.8 DVD would be excellent
Lion or ML - buy, download, make an installer flash card would be what I would do at this point.
Then keep both - dual boot as you learn and test and see what ML does and waht you had that required Rosetta to support PowerPC. See www.roaringapps.com about that.
With Carbon Coyp Cloner - was share, now commercial, great utility been around since 10.2.2 at least - this time 2003. 10 yrs.
You can clone the system folders, you can even selectively choose. You can skip copy of most of your home account and do that separately to another drive if you want.
Clone Windows with Paragon or WinClone and use Windows 7 or 8 DVD to do a system repair (automatic) or to edit the BCD file. It can and should - and all you do is boot Windows 7 DVD w/ only the one drive present and go at it. Piece of cake. But yes, Windows gets fussy if you change or remove or move. BCD to the rescue. A proper program for cloning like Paragon's "Clone OS" meant for going from disk drives to SSDs, knows that and how to do it.
Back to how to clone etc:
Clone
Disk utility has RESTORE which will also clone your system but not the Lion Recovery partition. Oddly Apple did not 'endorse' making bootable clone of the system which works too but most choose Carbon Copy Cloner - it works more consistently; it allows for smart update of the backup volume. Both can backup to a sparse disk image if desired.
Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.bombich.com/software/updates/ccc-3.5.html
OS X Lion Install to Different Drive
How to create an OS X Lion installation disc MacFixIt
Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard
http://www.apple.com/support/lion/installrecovery/
Create an OS X Lion Install disc
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20080989-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-lion-ins tallation-disc
How to clone your system:
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone-backup.html
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone.html
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.macperformanceguide.com/blog/2012/20120711_2-MacPro-internal-clone-ba ckup.html
The DVD is dependent on your hardware. And your hardware changed. The drivers for the 5780 and 6xxx are bundled in the OS and lacking. Minimum build thing.
Put the new drive anywhere you want. Does not matter. Can move it later. Can be drive bay 0-3 or a Firewire external or under the DVD drive.
When you clone pull the old drive and boot from the newly cloned.
After that keep a backup clone around all the time. Takes less than 10 minutes to do a smart update to copy just the changes to keep it current. So you have working copy of the system. I keep Clone "A" that I keep "as was" the system as of last month or whatever (like 10.7.4 before upgrade to 7.5).
Comes easier after doing it once and have all your ducks in a row.

G5 won't boot from Install Disc or Hard Drive

After 2.5 years of perfect service my G5 2.0 suddenly won't boot from the HD or Install Disc that came with it. My G5 only shows the grey screen with the apple logo, the spinning gears and the circle with the line through it.
I haven't added any hardware since day one. I've done pram,nvram and smu resets. I've selected a start up disk by holding the option key, removed and re-seated the ram one by one.
The Apple Hardware test CD shows everything passing. I ran Disc Utility from Target Mode from my MacBook Pro and it showed the G5 hard drive is in working order.
I think I have a hardware issue.
Is it worth it to get this model repaired if its something major?

I was having a similar problem, except I only saw the grey apple logo, no spinning. Finally got it figured out, ended up being one of my processors (dual 1.8) was bad, took the bad one out and it works fine now. Now Im working on getting processor replaced.

G4 Won't start. Won't boot from any disc (OS 9 or Linux).

I recently acquired a Power Mac G4 from my school, as they did not need it. The computer was a donation to the school, so the hard drive was removed and destroyed.
I found a hard drive for it, and hooked it in and it seems to be running fine. However no matter what I do, it will not boot from the disc drive. I have tried holding "C" while it's booting, and the screen goes white for a little while,and then it switches to the flashing Finder icon and question mark. I have also tried the Startup Manager, but it doesn't show that there are any discs whatsoever. I looked around and found that the Open Firemware may help. But I can't get into it using the CommandShift+OF command. In fact, the only time i got into it, was when I mashed a bunch of keys at once, and it came up. But that hasn't worked again.
Also (I dont know if this matters) but when I press the Power button, I don't hear that ever so wonderful, startup sound. And Ive tried to boot from the internal disc drive, and an external Sony drive.

The Mirrored Drive Doors G4 models (and possibly the quicksilver 2002 models) are unable to boot OS 9 from ANY "Full Retail" CD. These Macs came out after the last versions of "Full Retail" 9.2.1 were issued, and if you bought one of these advanced G4s new, it came with a set of discs that contained a customized 9.2.1, so no new "Full Retail" OS 9 CDs were needed.
If you could post the CPU speed (check the label on the back), readers can figure out exactly which Mac you have and determine how much trouble you are in.
Can you get a Mac OS X 10.2 or 10.3 "Full Retail" CD from the school? They should have trunks full, and think of them as antiques.
Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

Won't boot from installation disc

I'd like to reinstall Tiger. The installation disc mounts on the desktop and opens. I click on the install icon to restart the computer and boot from the disc and the computer crashes. I have two Tiger installation discs, crashes using either one. I tried it with a Panther installation disc but same thing--crashes. I've tried booting by holding down the C key--crashes. The drive burns successfully and reads successfully. There was no hint of a problem before this.
thoughts anyone
mark

Hi-
If the proper version of the OS software, have you disconnected any third party peripherals, especially USB devices?
Could also try a Single user boot (command + s on startup) , and run fsck to see if there is something amiss on the harddrive.
One other thought, from Safe Mode boot (hold "Shift" on startup), try the OS X install disc.
Yet, one more thought, a simple PRAM reset may be all that's needed.

Intel iMac won't boot from disc or in safe mode - cannot repair disk

I have an early Intel iMac 20" (2GHz core duo) that generally works fine. I recently ran Onyx and it reported a startup disk error, suggesting I insert the install disk, hold 'c', and use disk utility to repair the disk.
NOTE: I have performed this operation successfully in the past and know how to do it.
On this occasion, the iMac simply booted up to the normal desktop each time after multiple attempts at booting from both the original OSX 10.4.4 install disc and the OSX 10.5.1 install disc (current os is 10.5.8).
I then attempted to start holding 'shift' to start in safe mode but again, repeated attempts all landed me on my normal desktop.
I then attempted to hold 'option' to be given the choice of startup disc but again was ignored and went straight to my normal desktop after multiple attempts.
Note that my iMac appears to be running fine otherwise. I was just trying to perform some routine maintenance and have run across this problem.
Any ideas? This mac will be 5 years old soon and I would like to keep it running for a while longer.

Hello Devoidarex
You'll want to use the Leopard Install DVD to Repair your Startup Volume and may want to try a USB keyboard if your using a wireless.
Another option is to insert the DVD and go to: System Preferences > Startup Disk > select the Install DVD > then Restart.
Dennis

IMac won't boot from any HDD or install disc

Hi everybody.
This morning my iMac just didn't wanna boot up, it powers on and the start sound plays but nothing more, all white screen.
Tried holding OPT at start, my mouse cursor becomes visible and active but none of my startup drives show. Also tried booting from both SL and leopard install DVD, it reads the disc for a minute or two then spits it out, nothing on the screen, all white.
Tried resetting PRAM, holding down CMDOPT+PR, it reboots but same thing after that.
My internal HDD crashed recently so I've been booting from my external drive which has SL installed. This has worked fine unitl now, last night I shut the machine down it did take an extra two minutes to power off which was out of the ordinary.
All help appreciated which can avoid me from sending it in for repair.

Thanks for the reply.
Since my internal drive had been failing I guessed it had to be the culprit and right I was. After I swapped the HDD (plus swiped the interior clean) my iMac was like new again plus I didn't have to send it away.
But what I can't quite understand is why a bad internal drive which was not in use would hinder the mac from booting from the install DVD all of a sudden.

IMac won´t boot from MacBook in target mode?

Hello, everyone!
I am trying to restore the whole system of my iMac G5, from a Time Machine backup on a Time Capsule. The G5 ran OS 10.5 Leopard, but is now back to 10.3 Panther. I am told I need the original Leopard installation disk in order to restore the system from Time Machine through Utilities. That disc I do not have.
However, I do have a MacBook Pro (intel) running Leopard 10.5.8, and have also been told that I can use this as a startup-disk, and that it will work more or less the same way. Problem is, the iMac will not identify the MacBook (in target disc mode) as a startup disc (although it works as an external harddrive).
So my questions are:
1. Is it really worthwhile trying to boot the good ole´ Panther G5 from the MacBook Pro in order to fully restore it as a Leopard?
2. Why doesn´t the target moded MacBook show as a startupdisk for the iMac?
Would be thrilled with any answers!

You cannot boot a PPC Mac from an Intel Mac. The OS versions are incompatible. You also cannot clone the OS on the Intel Mac to the PPC Mac. You cannot use TM on the PPC Mac unless you install Leopard on it (the PPC version.)

2007 iMac won't boot from startup disc

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