Imac 17" Blue screen

I have an imac, it starts up and just goes to a blue screen. this is once it has gone past the spinnng cog. no login screen appears. it works fine in safe boot. I think the graphics card is having a hard time initializing. rather it is faulty! hen I remove the nvidia drivers it boots B&W if I could get it to load the safe boot drivers it would atleast be useable. anyone know how to do this? btw it has a clean OS and a new Hd. memory has also been changed.

Does anything in Apple doc.#106464 help?
Also, try using Disk Utility to repair your startup disk (hard drive) as shown in Dr.Smokes Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption. His link will help walk you thru it.
Cheers!
DALE

Similar Messages

Imac Flashing blue screen

23" iMac from 08 or 09 suddenly started flashing a blue screen in early January. Took it into to the apple store they said they couldn't emulate the problem but they did some software updates "so hopefully that fixed the problem". It didn't. I ended taking it again, still they couldn't find the problem. I really frustrated now. Here are the things that I've tried on my own:
I updated all my software and reset permissions.
I used chrome, but at the apple store while running test they only used Safari. SO I thought Chrome might be the problem. I un-installed it. But still have the same issue.
I also noticed at the apple store they use their own power cord, I knew it might be a long shot but I bought a new power cord, didn't work.
Ive completely cleared and re-installed the operating system and didn't put any of my old file or programs on it thinking they might be the culprits, but no still flashing blue.
I've tried looking through post with other people that have the a similar issue, but they all seem to be connected to an external monitor which I do not have.

My Apple care just expired in February but I'm in contact with apple trying to figure something out since I took the computer to them twice before it expired but they couldn't figure it out.
I don't understand why at home it flashes like crazy but at the store it's fine. I downloaded the istat program, I'm not really sure what is normal but I feel like the room where I keep my computer is relativley cool and I don't think that's the problem. Here are the stats on my computer it has been running for about an hour with video running in the background while I browse the web (and yes it is currently flashing):
After doing some more research I also think It has to be the graphics cards, i'll talk to apple about it this weekend and see what I can do.
Thanks for the help guys! and sorry for all the typos in my first post, yikes!

Why is imac showing blue screen

I am in safemode now, but when I startup the imac as usual it just goes to a blue screen.
I am woondering if there I downloaded something or caught some kind of virus that is messing with the machine?

Did you ever get this resolved? I have the same issue.

21.5 iMac display blue screen after installing Win7 and boot camp

I installed Windows 7 on iMac, it reboot fine.
But after I installed the boot camp 3.0 from Mac OS X 10.6 disc and pressed the restart buttom, the computer restarted and displayed a blue screen before entering the Windows and then reboot again automatically.
Should I use the Windows 7 installation enabler before installing Windows 7?
Thanks

HI and Welcome to Apple Discussions...
Try posting in the BootCamp Forum
Carolyn

Imac g4 blue screen need help!!

hello,
i have an imac g4 1,250, 20" flatpanel, it power's up i hear a chime the screen lights up but seems dark blue, there is no operating system on it i have a cd mac osx 10.1.3 first of all will this install on the imac, and if so can you please tell me how, i have a wireless keyboard and mose from apple, i have a d-link bluetooth adapter, is this what i need??
thats it for now, please help
thank you
keyro35
imac g4 Mac OS X (10.1.x)

Mr Totes is quite right, the 10.1.3 disk will not work. Contact the original seller for the disks that came with the machine. Among other things, they can be used to troubleshoot problems with the machine should they arise (chances are they won't but they can be useful, especially in detecting if the RAM usable and other factors). They are not rightfully his when he sells the machine and ONLY licensed for use with that machine. If he lost the disks, he should call AppleCare for replacements.
Once you have identified which iMac you have from my FAQ:
http://www.macmaps.com/macosxnative.html#IDENTIFY
You’ll have the knowledge necessary to call AppleCare and request the disks yourself if you can’t reach the seller. This knowledge is also important later on.
If you can reach him, the number he should contact is one from his own country.
In Canada, the number for AppleCare is
1-800-263-3394
In the U.S. it is:
1-800-APLCARE
Overseas numbers are here:
http://www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html
Make sure you get the correct RAM according to the spec database based on the Mac model identified above:
http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.html
and update it to at least 512 MB if not 1 GB. The installation if necessary is best done by an authorized service technician, especially on the iMac G4 models since those RAM slots tend to be quite fragile. Run the hardware test that came with the restore disks. Some come with their own Hardware Test CD that is silver colored, while others come with a volume like the Powerbook, except labeled iMac restore disk. The restore disk instructions for the Powerbook apply to iMacs as well:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86287
If the hardware test appears OK, you’ll be ready to run the Tiger installation with an erase and install:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301270
And everything then should work.
Good luck, and let us know if you get stuck along the way!
In the future always be careful when buying used and refurbished Macs, by following these instructions in my FAQ:
http://www.macmaps.com/usedrefurbished.html

My iMac booting blue screen after Java update

Hi:
I installed the latest java update and after that my iMac can't boot normally or even start in safe mode. I tried some of the fixes in the forums but nothing really seems to work. Appreciate any help you can give me on this.

Reset the NVRAM/PRAM and Reset the SMC.
BTW, which OS X? iOS info is useless.

BLUE SCREEN WON"T GO AWAY ON STARTUP

When I turn on my iMac, the blue screen won't go away so I can't enter my login. Does anybody knows what's happening? What can I do to fix it?

Uninstall Windows.
Seriously though, how long has it been on? I had the blue screen take 30 minutes once. Usually when it doesn't happen quick" though, I just force it to power off then back on. So far, that always works. Can't comment about whether I'm doing any damage though (though I've been doing it with PC's for over a decade )

Temporary blue screen right before my desktop loads?

When I restart my imac, a blue screen appears for about 1-2 seconds before my normal desktop image loads. Is this normal?

Yup, no problem.

HELP! iMac G5 hangs at blue screen, but boots in Safe Mode

Please can anyone guide me to recover my iMac G5 PowerMac 8,2 running OS X 10.4.11.
Problem; Mac hangs on start-up at blue screen after grey Apple screen. Mouse pointer eventually appears but that is all.
Actions taken so far without success:
1. Disconnected the printer and rebooted - no success.
2. Booted in Safe Mode - first time the screen was completely scrambled but with safe mode log on screen showing through.
2.1 Rebooted in Safe Mode OK This has not occurred again and I have entered Safe Mode twice more without problems. But worrying!
2.2 In Safe Mode I ran disk Utility and verified and repaired Permissions, mostly old EpsonPrinter files.
2.3 I also verified the Disk, which was reported OK.
2.4 I was able to save critical documents to USB............ Phew!
2.5 Reboot in Normal Mode - no success
3. Reset PRAM
3.1 Reboot in Normal Mode - no success
4. Reboot in Safe mode - works fine. NOTE: time and date appear to be correct and dont need resetting.
4.1 Run Disk Utility again and Verify Permissions - OK. Nothing needed fixing.
4.2 Run Disk Verify - Passed OK
4.3 Reboot in Normal Mode - no success. Hangs at blue screen with mouse pointer visible and working. Then pointer vanishes.
I would be most grateful for your help in moving this forward

Got to figure out which which of the things dropped when you boot in safe mode is causing the problem.
see this link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564?viewlocale=en_US

IMac G5 – Won't startup except in Safe Mode (10.5.5). Otherwise Blue Screen

I’ve had my iMac (pre-iSight) for about 3 years now and up until recently never had any major problems with it, despite using it for about 12 hours per day, every day.. A couple of minor problems however had developed, but several months ago and didn’t seem to affect the system:
(1) Software update stopped working (had to download & install updates manually) &
(2) Couldn’t verify or repair permissions (even pre 10.5.5. Even when I tried to repair them from another startup disk, the message I got was ‘no package receipts’ – although I could see that they were there in the “receipts” library folder)
A couple of days ago I decided to try and fix the problems by erasing my startup disk (after backing up all my data of course) and re-installing 10.5 from the installation DVD and then bringing the system up to date. At the time I did this I hadn’t upgraded or installed any new software for several weeks.
For about one day after that it worked fine. The only ‘alarming’ thing that I noticed during that day was that whilst playing a movie the CPU temperature rose to about 89 C. (I use Temperature Monitor). I read somewhere that the CPU temperature should not exceed 85 for this model and that if it did the system would either shutdown or go to sleep, so I was surprised to see it go as high as 89 (assuming that the right temperature was being reported) before it went to sleep. However, even after that it, it started up correctly a couple of times.
Since then it will only boot in Safe mode, and when it does it carries on working indefinitely without any problems. The only thing that I lose in safe mode which seems odd – in addition to all the things that I know I should lose – is Audio. The preferences panel says: no input, output devices attached (ie not even the ones built-in).
If I try a normal start up, the system will go through the grey screen, apple logo, spinning ‘cog’ etc and then almost always go to a blue screen where it stays put. There is a black cursor in the top left corner which, when I try to move it, duplicates itself so that I end up with 2 cursors – one which moves and one which stays in the top left corner.
On very rare occasions (about 1 time in 20) during a normal startup the system will get past the blue screen and to my desktop (in fact this happened several times consecutively before I got to the point where I could only startup in Safe Mode). However, moving the cursor into the menu bar or into the dock would result in the whole screen freezing – the cursor would move, but nothing else would happen). Also I would see that several pixels were ‘missing’ from the desktop. The desktop is normally solid green, but I would see 3 or 4 red and black pixels.
I’ve studied all the forum topics that even remotely resemble my problem and tried just about everything I can think of including:
1. Resetting SMU & PRAM (repetitively)
2. Running the Apple Hardware Test – All tests passed
3. Replacing the PRAM battery
4. Check that the fans are working (I can hear them and when I take the back off, both fans spin)
5. Erased the disk again, installed the OS from the installation DVD, so that there is no third party software on the system. (and then tried a normal boot both with the original 10.5.1 and 10.5.5 after applying the combo update).
6. I have several external disks with several copies of the OS on various partitions, including a 10.4.11, but trying to boot from any of those ends with the same result. I can only boot in safe mode, other wise I get a blue screen (or very rarely it will squeak through to the desktop & then immediately freeze).
Always the same result – safe boot only.
From reading through the various topics, I get the feeling that my problem may be related to the graphics card, but if that is the case I don’t understand why the system will always boot in safe mode and then run without any problems all day. It even allows me to play movies: very jerky (and no sound), both when I move the QT window and the images themselves, but it still plays.
Any thoughts on what the problem might be (other than fatal) would be greatly appreciated. Or an explanation why, if it is the graphics card, the system will continue working after safe boot.
I’ve copied out the system details from Profiler that I think are relevant below.
All the ‘x’’s in the the ROM revision for the ATI Radeon card look a little odd – never seen that before and I don’t know how long its been there.
Model Name: iMac G5
Model Identifier: PowerMac8,2
Processor Name: PowerPC G5 (3.0)
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of CPUs: 1
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.5f1
Serial Number: W8539……
ATI Radeon 9600:
Chipset Model: ATY,RV351
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: AGP
VRAM (Total): 128 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4150
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-xxxxx-117
Displays:
iMac:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1440 x 900
Depth: 32-bit Color
Built-In: Yes
Core Image: Software
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Not Supported
Display Connector:
Status: No display connected
Many thanks for your help

I had a very similar problem with my 20" iMac G5 ALS running 10.4.11. It began with random freezing inside the OS and intermittent slow booting, but quickly progressed (over a matter of days) to hanging at the blue screen before the logon window, just as you described.
I too, found that booting in Safe Mode was successful. I ruled out the airport card by manually installing that kernel extension in Safe Mode. A check of the logs pointed to "ATY" which I've since found out is a reference to the ATI drivers, which brought me to this post.
At least on my system--and I have tested this on Tiger (10.4 and 10.4.11) and Leopard (10.5 and 10.5.6), the only .kext that needs to be removed / renamed is ATIRadeon9700.kext. My preferred method of doing this is to drop to the terminal and type:
sudo mv /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon.kext /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon.kext.disabled
This preserves the relevant permissions and ownership, which you'd otherwise have to reset manually if you copy the file elsewhere and then delete the original in the Finder, and then want to restore it to its original condition, BTW:
sudo chmod -R 755 /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon.kext
sudo chown -R 0:0 /System/Library/Extensions/ATIRadeon.kext
Any OS X update will replenish the file, so you should be at the ready to reboot into Safe Mode the first time and rename the file again.
The downside to all this is that the video acceleration doesn't work, so graphics operations are slow and jerky, but at least everything else seems to be okay, in my case anyway.
Popping open the case did indeed reveal four bulging capacitors. I bit the bullet and purchased some replacements, part number 647-UHN0J182MPD from Mouser:
http://mouser.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?qs=pjJ%252bhmlZec6zHXGt6EoiHw%3d%3d
Although I wasn't looking forward to desoldering my logic board, I wasn't real hopeful that I'd have success getting the local Apple shop to replace it under warranty either. I did find some helpful information on performing the fix yourself:
http://jimwarholic.com/2008/07/how-to-repair-apple-imac-g5.php
And I do want to be able to sell this thing for at least a little cash to help offset the cost of a new quad-core iMac, whenever they're released.
Fortunately, for me, the service tech at the Genius Bar at the local Apple store agreed to fix it under the power and video extended warranty, even though it was slightly outside of the warranty period, due to the fact that I had brought it in about a year ago and had the power supply replaced under the same warranty.
I almost didn't bother to bring the machine in because it's a real nasty day here today, and I figured they'd just tell me "That'll be $800 to fix it," and I'd end up doing surgery on the logic board anyway in addition to carrying the thing up and down the steps to my condo. Boy am I glad I did, though. Apple customer service rocks.

Start UP problems, blue screen, Imac (intel) 1.83 17"

I posted this Saturday in a different area. So forgive me if I did this incorrectly.
Imac DuoCore 1.83 (originall with 10.4 Tiger)
Upgraded to Leopard several months ago without problems.
Have the lastest updates.
Two days ago the following started:
1. Starts up-no chime
2. Apple logo is seen (grey)
3. light blue screen with progress wheel-not the pinwheel)
4. screen dims a bit, progress wheel dissappears then comes back and it does
the same thing.
I ran the Disk First Aide from the CD, performed verify and repair disc.
Came back with repaired completed. Everything seemed ok.
Restarted...but the problem persisted.
Next I reset the PRAM...
Chime came back on start up.
Ran the CD a few again. Said it was all ok.
Restarted....and back to blue
I ran hardware test from the original CD
all came back fine. Two items were repaired.
Restarted and back to the blue screen.
Tried Single user interface and ran /sbin/fsck -fy
Again 2 items were found and repaired.
Restarted.
Hardware and software seems to be fine acccording to this.
SO it seems it's the PRAM battery. I think. ANy other ideaS???
ALSO...this machine is out of warranty. Not afraid of cracking it open.
But, where is the praam batter located? Like to know what the part number is to have it on hand when I open it.
Any help appreciated.
RLM

I opened up my iMac and replaced the PRAM battery. No change.
I then took out the Hard drive and placed it in my G5 destop.
When i restarted it I could see the hardrive and it's contents. Both HD have
10.5.7 installed so I thought I could restart with the Imac HD
and then back it up. But it wouldn't start up and jumped to the
G5's HD. My question is:
1. Is the reason it would not recognize the iMac HD as a start up disk because
it's from a duo core intel mac?
2.Is it because the iMacs HD has some problems in booting up?
(as I wrote before I have run every test available with positive results
yet continue getting the blue screen)
And since I can read and see the imac drive in my G5, how can I back it up short of dragging everything to a new drive since I can't log into the individual users. Of primary importance are the pictures in iphoto in different user accounts.
Thanks for any help
Richard
Message was edited by: Richard Mora

IMac G4 OS 10.5.8 booting issues, blue screen

I'm trying to remotely help my mom to solve a big problem with her iMac G4 (2007 vintage.) It's running Mac OS 10.5.8. Everything was fine until a couple of weeks ago when it started refusing to boot. It starts to boot, you get the Apple and then it continues on to the blue screen, and never progresses from there.
It WILL safe boot, and I've tried all the things I can think of... disabled login items, reset PRAM, used Disk Utility to check the HDD and repair permissions. But it won't boot in normal (non-safe) mode.
So I decided the only solution would be to archive and install Leopard again. I figured the hardware was mostly likely okay, since it would safe boot. She couldn't find her Leopard install disks so I sent her mine.
But the system won't successfully start up from the install DVD. It does read from the DVD and starts the boot process, but again it hangs at the blue screen and does not continue beyond that.
I am not sure what to try next... I suppose it's possible that there some bad RAM or something which isn't accessed during the more limited safe boot but is used during a regular boot and causes the hang. It seems like the HDD is probably okay since it consistently safe boots without a problem. What else can I try?
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

The test as run from the original install-restore disc #1 should be accessible
when booted per instructions on the label. Usually, there's the method on how
to use the Installer (C key on boot) and also the other is there, on how to use
the same DVD to boot the Apple Hardware Test (perhaps Opt key.)
With an older computer, there is the chance the hard disk drive may be fading;
due to use and age factors. However, one could still (maybe) find information
on what else may be going on, IF the error and crash logs in the Console utility
could be accessed, then read through, by someone with technical knowledge.
The Console logs may be accessed if the computer can be started in SafeBoot.
And there are several, in there; some would not apply. Also, they're rather cryptic.
Sometimes, a section of a hard disk drive where the boot information is stored
could be damaged; or the Directory may be corrupted, so a third-party disk
utility on its own DVD or bootable volume can be helpful to correct that aspect.
Or to totally erase, zero, partition map and reformat the hard disk drive may do
to attempt to restore function of the computer to normal; while wiping user content.
A backup of content could be made; even a clone copy to an external, then that
could be transferred (via another clone, using Carbon Copy Cloner, etc) and if
the computer were wiped, that bootable clone could be moved back. Or, should
the internal drive be bad, the content of the computer can be put into a new HDD.
{The 'pizza box' iMac with the G5 PPC processor, had a few known issues in
certain models, some due to heat and other component failures; so the hard-
ware test may be helpful. So would an inspection of the power & logic circuits.}
Anyway, sounds like 10x the trouble at a distance, helping someone figure out how.
Good luck & happy computing!

IMac taking ten minutes to start up and sits at a blue screen for the most of the time. Also, when it goes into sleep mode I am unable to wake it up from it.

For the past few days now whenever I go to turn on my iMac it takes roughly ten or more minutes to boot up. For the portion of this time it sits on a blank blue screen. At first it comes up to a plain white screen which after about 30 seconds has the apple logo on it and the spinning circle for about a minute then to the blue screen, every time. Then, to top it off right when this started happening another problem began occurring. The computer is set to go into sleep mode after 15 minutes of no use. But, if it is in sleep mode for too long I am unable to get it out and I have to restart the entire computer, but if it is just for a few seconds into sleep or a minute I am able to get the screen to come back. I can still here the fan running and such so I don't know what is going on. I have searched through discussion after discussion. I have tried: repairing disks, repairing permissions, starting up in safe mode, and such. There has been no luck so far. I was wondering if anyone could offer insight into fixing at least one of these problems since my schooling relies on the computer.
By the way I this is an iMac 10.6.4 refurbished which we just bought about two weeks ago.
Thanks for any suggestions!

My iMac i7 quad was having the same symptoms with the blue screen and long startup times a couple of months ago. Apple Care told me to bring it in to the local Apple Store, and after some diagnostics, the hard drive required replacing. It took one day to replace the hard drive and my iMac is running great. I only had the iMac for about 12 months when the drive needed to be replaced. Not sure if that is your Mac's problem, but it was for mine.

Blue screen of death with HDD Hardware Test error on iMac HELP!!

My iMac is not starting up. It just get the blue screen of death during startup. It is a 2.66 mghz duo with 2gb 800 ram. I was able to get the Hardware test to run and got an error of 4M0T/2/40000004: HDD-1560. I am assuming it is an error with the internal hard drive since I have nothing else hooked up to the mac other than the keyboard and mouse right now. Does this code mean my hard drive is completely shot? Any help would be appreciated.

4M0T/2/40000004: HDD-1560.
Either failing or failed
You can have Apple replace the drive at a nearby Apple store or an Apple certified repair shop.
Apple - Support - Check Your Service and Support Coverage

IMAC Intel Core 2 Duo -- from Blue Screen to Shut Down -- Need Assistance

I have the iMac 20-inch Intel Core 2 Duo.
Was on the internet last night and the computer completely locked up, got he spinning pinwheel, waited for about 5 minutes and tried a force quit with no luck. I shut it down and then powered it back up and only got to the blue screen. Shut it down again, same problem. Let it sit for a couple of hours to see if it would fully boot but nothing. Searched a bit on the apple support site and went with the reccomendation of trying to start in safe mode, got to the grey apple screen, then it went black and shut down on its own and has done that every time since.
I have unplugged everything several times, reset the PRAM and still nothing.
I have been getting the spinning pinwheel off and on over the past few weeks but a force quit would usually clear the application. I have been experiencing problems accessing hotmail lately so I have been clearing the history and deleting cookies, this has been the only way I have been able to access hotmail. Don't know if that has anything to do with this or not.
Additionally the computer has been gradually getting slower over the past few months. Didn't really think much of it at the time.
My biggest concern is losing the data I have saved on the hard drive right now. Getting the computer to work again would be nice too as I only bought it about a year and a half ago.
Any assistance or info greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Take a look at these two articles: Startup issues http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
Gray screen at startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570

Imac 17" Blue screen

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