How can I wipe a drive on an old iMac that won't stay on long enough to complete the task?

Do you have access to another Mac? If so contact the two via a Firewire cable, boot your problem Mac into Target Disk Mode, Transferring files between two computers using FireWire,, and try to use Disk Utiltiy from the second Mac to reformat and erase your hard drive.

Similar Messages

I have an old iMac that won't boot up anymore. I have the OS X install disks but I can't get it to boot from these disks. No need to save anything. Any suggestions?

I have an old iMac. Not sure of the operating system but the install disks say OS X. The computer will not boot anymore and all I keep getting is to restart and when I do I keep getting the same message. I do have the install disks but I can't get the computer to install, or for that matter, read the disks. I would like to rebuild the computer from these disks so that I can continue to use this computer. There is no need to save anything on the computer as I backed it up months ago. Any suggestions as to how I can save this computer and not have to recycle it?

Really need to know what version of OS X it is currently running, and what version you are trying to install.

How can I delete Apple ID from my old phone that it is not with me?

How can I delete Apple ID from my old phone?

You cannot delete Apple ID. You can change the password so the Apple ID without the correct password will be useless for others.
If you still have the old iPhone:
Wipe iPhone/iPad/iPod touch clean
There are a few steps to do:
Switch off iMessage in Settings > Messages
Switch off FaceTime in Settings > FaceTime (iPod touch 4th Generation or later, iPhone 4 or later and iPad 2 or later)
Delete iCloud in Settings > iCloud > Delete Account
Finally Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
If device is registered: Un-register your device: https://supportprofile.apple.com
Now you can sell/give.
Message was edited by: ckuan

How do I remove a disk from a 17" iMac that won't boot up?

I recently came across an old 1st Gen, 17" iMac. It starts and plays the startup chime, but then nothing happens. I managed to insert a startup disk and tried to get it to boot from that, but no luck. Now I can't get the disk out. I can't find a manual eject slot anywhere near the drive. Is there some secret to ejecting disks from a dead computer?

I recently came across an old 1st Gen, 17" iMac
To me, a 1Gen iMac is a G3 with a 15-inch CRT, 2Gen is the G4 with a half-dome base and articulated metal monitor arm, and the 3Gens were G5s with all the hardware behind the monitor. This may help:
How to identify your iMac
It would be nice to get a model clarification so one of us doesn't give your advice for the wrong model.
That said, here's something that works for all iMacs: If it gives the chime, try holding down the mouse button while to attempting to boot, That's a default for ejecting disks. Maybe the computer will run long enough to trigger the eject function before the nothingness returns.

HT1420 How can you get your iTunes music back when your iTunes Match expires & you no longer have access to the computer it ws stored on?

How can you get your iTunes music back when your iTunes Match expires & you no longer have access to the computer it ws stored on?

Try here:
iTunes: Error 13019 during sync

How can I stop those anoying pop-up ad's that pop-up as I move my cursor around the web-page?

How can I stop those annoying little ad's that pop up as I move my cursor around the web page, seems like anything that is highlighted in green will trigger it? Seems it just started happening with the new version of Firefox.

hello hamguy, this sounds like a problem possibly caused by adware/malware on your pc. please go to ''firefox > addons > extensions'' & remove any suspicious entries (toolbars, things that you have not installed intentionally, don't know what purpose they serve, etc). also go to the windows control panel / programs and remove all toolbars or potentially unwanted software from there and run a full scan of your system with the security software that you have in place and different other tools like the [http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free free version of malwarebytes] & [http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/ adwcleaner].
[[Remove a toolbar that has taken over your Firefox search or home page]]
[[Troubleshoot Firefox issues caused by malware]]

How can I wipe hard drive and do a clean install of Mavericks?

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro that is terrible sluggish, probably from upgrades and semi-deleted Symantec software. I want to wipe the hard drive and do a clean install of Mavericks. I have all files backed up, and can reinstall software.
I think there is a way to do this with Disc Utility? But don't know how. Advice welcome

If you have Yosemite installed and want to reinstall it, do a backup, preferable 2 separate ones on 2 drives. Boot to the Recovery Volume (command - R on a restart or hold down the option/alt key during a restart and select Recovery Volume). Run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions until you get no errors. Reformat the drive using Disk Utility/Erase Mac OS Extended (Journaled), then click the Option button and select GUID. Then re-install the OS.
OS X Recovery
OS X Recovery (2)
When you reboot, use Setup Assistant to restore your data.

How can I get firefox to open new tabs? It won't open new tabs if I click the plus button or press Control + T. I installed some add on that didn't help either.

Tabs cannot be created
Control + T doesn't work
Installing an add-on to make tabs work didn't help

Disable or un-install the Ask Toolbar. The Ask Toolbar seems to be incompatible with Firefox 3.6.13. Ask needs to fix the problem.
*http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Uninstalling%20add-ons
*http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Cannot%20uninstall%20an%20add-on
 
'''Other issues that need your attention'''
The information submitted with your question indicates that you have out of date plugins with known security and stability issues that should be updated. To see the plugins submitted with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question post. You can also see your plugins from the Firefox menu, Tools > Add-ons > Plugins.
*Adobe PDF Plug-In For Firefox and Netscape 8.2.4
**Very old version. You '''''MAY''''' need to un-install in Windows Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs before installing the new version.
**New Adobe Reader X (version 10) with Protected Mode was released 2010-11-19
**See: http://www.securityweek.com/adobe-releases-acrobat-reader-x-protected-mode
**'''''Security update for versions 9 and 10 released 2011-02-08'''''
*Shockwave Flash 10.0 r22
**Very old version
**'''''Security update released 2011-02-08'''''
*Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_20 for Mozilla browsers
**3 updates behind. Known security issues in your version
#'''Check your plugin versions''': http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions'''
#'''Update Adobe Reader (PDF plugin):'''
#*From within your existing Adobe Reader ('''if you have it already installed'''):
#**Open the Adobe Reader program from your Programs list
#**Click Help > Check for Updates
#**Follow the prompts for updating
#**If this method works for you, skip the "Download complete installer" section below and proceed to "After the installation" below
#*Download complete installer ('''if you do NOT have Adobe Reader installed'''):
#**Use the links below to avoid getting the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager and other "extras" you may not want
#**Use Firefox to download and SAVE the installer to your hard drive from the appropriate link below
#**Click "Save to File"; save to your Desktop (so you can find it)
#**After download completes, close Firefox
#**Click the installer you just downloaded and allow the install to continue
#***Note: Vista and Win7 users may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
#**'''Download link''': ftp://ftp.adobe.com/pub/adobe/reader/
#***Choose your OS
#***Choose the latest #.x version (example 9.x, for version 9)
#***Choose the highest number version listed
#****NOTE: 10.x is the new Adobe Reader X (Windows and Mac only as of this posting)
#***Choose your language
#***Download the file, SAVE it to your hard drive, when complete, close Firefox, click on the installer you just downloaded and let it install.
#***Windows: choose the .exe file; Mac: choose the .dmg file
#*Using either of the links below will force you to install the "getPlus" Adobe Download Manager. Also be sure to uncheck the McAfee Scanner if you do not want the link forcibly installed on your desktop
#**''Also see Download link''': http://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions/
#**Also see: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Adobe+Reader+plugin+with+Firefox (do not use the link on this page for downloading; you may get the troublesome "getplus" Adobe Download Manager (Adobe DLM) and other "extras")
#*After the installation, start Firefox and check your version again.
#'''Update the [[Managing the Flash plugin|Flash]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download and SAVE to your Desktop so you can find the installer later
#*If you do not have the current version, click on the "Player Download Center" link on the "'''Download and information'''" or "'''Download Manual installers'''" below
#*After download is complete, exit Firefox
#*Click on the installer you just downloaded and install
#**Windows 7 and Vista: may need to right-click the installer and choose "Run as Administrator"
#*Start Firefox and check your version again or test the installation by going back to the download link below
#*'''Download and information''': http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
#**Use Firefox to go to the above site to update the Firefox plugin (will also install plugin for most other browsers; except IE)
#**Use IE to go to the above site to update the IE ActiveX
#*'''Download Manual installers'''.
#**http://kb2.adobe.com/cps/191/tn_19166.html#main_ManualInstaller
#**Note separate links for:
#***Plugin for Firefox and most other browsers
#***ActiveX for IE
#'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE)
#**'''''NOTE: Be sure to un-check the Yahoo Toolbar option during install if you do not want that item.'''''
#*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates
#* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
#* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org
#*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

The FASFA.edu.gov website for my financial aid will not work with Firefox newer than 4.0. How can I downgrade long enough to complete the application?

I contacted the online help there and was told there is nothing they could do and that I should go find another computer with a less current version of Firefox or IE.!!!! UGH....Government!

Yes as a one off using IE is probably the easiest answer. Another solution is to use Firefox3.6 portable (http://portableapps.com/apps/internet/firefox_portable/localization#legacy36 ) . Whilst on Firefox 5 it is worth using the feedback button or link (http://input.mozilla.com/en-US/feedback#sad ) so that the problem is logged.

I have an old imac that won't upgrade to itunes ios5. Now i can't log my iphone 4s into it or access/ transfer anything from my previous iphone 3gs. Please advise

I have been told that my iMac jjust can not be upgraded to the software that supports ios5. Normally this is not a problem since its working just as well as the day I got it. However since it holds my itunes, now i have a problem of 1) can not access it with my ipad or my iphone 4s 2) i can not retrieve any of the pictures, songs etc that i had on my previous iphone 3gs and consequently 3) i can not use icloud. I have considered transferring my itunes to a pc but i hate the pc experience and if i would plug in my 3gs into that itunes it would format the phone and erase all content on it. So far i have been told that the only option is to buy a new mac. This is very frustrating because i don't really need one and i should not be excluded from apple services for my new products simply because macs become somehow "un-upgradeable" after a while. Not to mention, that i do not have the funds atm. I really hope the is another way out there for people like me and that i don't have to worry about my mac simply being inoperable (causing all my other apple devices to be crippled as well) after a few years.
Thank you,
Tina

Glenn,
I tried upgrading to leopard, even bought the software and brought it home but it wouldn't let me. So i went back to apple, gave them the specifications of the machine and been told my machine is simply too old for leopard. This is incredible to me because it really isn't THAT old (i think just a little over 6 years maybe) and yet i'm left out on the curb when it comes to using newer apple products. I understand technology moves on but the mindset that i am supposed to dump a perfectly working machine after a couple of years or face not being able to use any other apple product is counter to what thought apple was about.

How do I stop Firefox looping from crash to start when it won't stay up long enough to enter into?

Ever since the latest update Firefox hasn't worked properly. It has the MyPoints latest toolbar attached to it and allowed me to view it then suddenly vanished. After that it started this open/crash loop that is so fast I can't click into the browser to try safe mode or to even access the toolbar. I uninstalled Firefox and reinstalled. Everything got worse and the MyPoints toolbar suddenly reappeared. A lot of extraneous programs were downloaded without my permission and it's taken days to uninstall all of those. I'm on a refurbished Windows 7 HP and just finished ALL the newest Windows updates. Tried Firefox again, same problem. Unless I can actually access Firefox (the mouse is supper sluggish when trying to click in the Firefox browser as if the browser is preventing access) I can't do any of the "fixes" suggested in your support forum. I have uninstalled and re-install Firefox about 4 times now but nothing changes. Yes, I deleted the Mozilla file in "programs". I can't do a screen shot because of the inability to access the window in the time allowed before it crashes and there is nothing to see but the opening window - no error messages. No crash report comes up. Just an endless loop of open/close/open/close etc.

Are you sure you didn't get an unofficial installer? You may need to visit the Windows '''Control Panel''', Uninstall a Program. After the list loads, click the "Installed on" column heading to group the infections, I mean, additions, by date. This can help surface innocent sounding bundle items that snuck in with some software you agreed to install. Take out as much trash as possible here.
Then, to ensure that your program folder is not contaminated, I suggest:
'''Clean Reinstall'''
We use this name, but it's not about removing your settings, it's about making sure the program files are clean -- and do not contain alien code files. As described below, this process does not disturb your existing settings. Do NOT uninstall Firefox, that's not needed.
(1) Download a fresh installer for Firefox 37.0.1 from https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/all/ to a convenient location. (Scroll down to your preferred language.)
(2) Exit out of Firefox (if applicable).
(3) Rename the program folder
''(32-bit Windows folder names)''
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files\OldFirefox
''(64-bit Windows folder names)''
C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox
to
C:\Program Files (x86)\OldFirefox
(4) Run the installer you downloaded in #1. It should automatically connect to your existing settings.
Any improvement?
Note: Some plugins may exist only in that OldFirefox folder. If something essential is missing, look in these folders:
* \OldFirefox\Plugins
* \OldFirefox\browser\plugins

I only have a dial up connection, that will not stay online long enough for me to load the firefox update, can I order it on CD?

I would like to order the latest firefox upgrade on CD since I cannot get it loaded with my dial up connection.

Hi,
Firefox can usually resume from interrupted downloads as long as Firefox is not closed or exited. If you are already using Firefox to download the latest version full installer, then most likely there wouldn't be a problem between the dial-up interruptions. Also you can make sure by going to '''Tools''' ('''Alt''' + '''T''') > '''Downloads''' (or '''Ctrl''' + '''J''') and right-click the entry and try to resume if it's not automatically picked up.
If this is not working as expected, then you may have to look for alternate ways.

How can I get a refund for an unwanted app that I just purchased?

How can I get a refund for an unwanted app that I just purchased?

Click here and ask the iTunes Store staff for a refund. Consider whether or not you want to do this now carefully first; if they grant one, you'll need a very good reason to get another from them.
(111524)

How can I obtain a version of Print Studio Pro that works with Photoshop Elements 13 (64 bit)?

How can I obtain a version of Print Studio Pro that works with Photoshop Elements 13 (64 bit)? The advertising refers to Print Studio Pro 2 but all I find available to download is version 1.35.

Thanks - I did notice that the 2 was a superscript on one site but on another (I think the one for the Pro-10 printer) it was definitely a 2 in line with the rest of the text and separated by a space (at least on my browser). At any rate, I suspected something of the kind and will simply use Photoshop Elements 11 when I want a pattern print until the change is made.
If you have an inside line to Canon you might also suggest some changes to their Image Garden program, specifically its handling of DVD label projects. It has several themes and within each theme several layouts. As far as they go these are fine but they do not give nearly enough flexibility. The boxes for insertion of images are useful as is the simple procedure for rescaling the image so it is cropped in varying ways while staying within the fixed box. However, it should be possible (a) to relocate the boxes on the page and (b) to resize and reshape the boxes - probably by a control which would become available by right-clicking on the box. For example, there are times when the user might want to include a full 16 x 9 frame shot as one of the images, and in general the aspect ratios of the provided boxes do not permit this.
I have over the years preferred to use Word for this purpose after setting up masks to expose just the printable area of the DVD or Blu-ray disc, setting up the margins so that the center of the disc is in the horizontal center of the page, and finally introducing text and pictures and adjusting the font size of blank lines above the disc to line everything up properly in the vertical direction. A typical layout might involve one large picture, located so the center hole and the curved outer edge do not block anything important, or two pictures side by side, or four pictures centered vertically (to minimize the effect of the outer edge of the disc) but possibly of different widths (so as to make both close-ups and wide scenes optimal on the same disc label). The text then goes above and below the pictures. All of this works perfectly so I probably wouldn't use Image Garden very often for this purpose, but the inability to resize and relocate the boxes must be very limiting for others as well.
Some of the layouts have image locations severely reduced by the edge of the disc.
As I said ... if you have an inside line to Canon .. but if not, please excuse the length of this post!

When insert my lexar USB flash drive I get the message that the disk was not readable by this computer. It has worked previous to this and I do not want to lose the data by reformatting the drive. How can I reformat this drive and not lose my data?

When insert my lexar USB flash drive I get the message that the disk was not readable by this computer. It has worked previous to this and I do not want to lose the data by reformatting the drive. How can I reformat this drive and not lose my data?

You can't reformat it and not wipe everything on it.
Have you tried a different USB port?
Only other option, back it up on a different computer.

How can I wipe a drive on an old iMac that won't stay on long enough to complete the task?

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