IMac in Recovery Mode

Here's what happened:
I was updating this iMac, Late 2009, to OS X Yosemite. During the update process, it said that "There was a problem installing OS X". Eventually, it went into recovery mode. I called Apple Support and the person said that the disk needed repair, but that option was greyed out. So she said you needed to recover the files by connecting the iMac to another Mac computer. I got the cable to do that, a FireWire, and I called Apple Support again. They talked me through it to the point after you connect the two computers, and up to where I restarted the messed-up iMac, while holding down the T-button. This made a big FireWire icon show up on the screen. However, nothing happened to the other computer. The messed-up iMac's hard drive never showed up, and nothing happened. I checked Disk Utility on the good Mac, and the options were the good Mac's HD, then six different options. They said AAPL FireWire HD Media. Underneath them was a Macintosh HD option. The Apple Support man said to take the messed-up iMac to a authorized support dealer for them to try. Is there any other option to do this that maybe we missed, besides ripping out the HD itself, physically? Thanks in advance.

1. Boot to your Recovery HD.
2. Open Disk Utility from the Main Menu.
3. Select the disk volume you need to erase.
4. Click on the Erase tab in Disk Utility's main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended, Journaled.
6. Click on the Erase button.
If you need to reinstall OS X from scratch:
Install or Reinstall Mavericks or Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
OS X Mavericks- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Erase and reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Erase and reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
because it is three times faster than wireless.

Similar Messages

How can I download lion from Mac app store in recovery mode on an imac?

I bought a mid-2007 imac from a friend, who the computer was working perfectly for. When I went to start up it wouldn't start up (past the gray screen) from the regular HD no matter how many tricks I tried (resetting SMC, PRAM, etc), so I went in to recovery mode. I verified and repaired the disc more than once (even though it said it was fine), and tried to reinstall lion from the online recovery function but it said "item temporarily unavailable." I basically tried every combo of things possible before erasing the HD but nothing worked, so then I decided to erase the HD.
SO that happened, and now I can still boot up in recovery mode and it -seems- like if I can find a way to reinstall lion (which was the last os running), I may be back in business.
however, see the problem with "item temporarily unavailable."
I decided to purchase it from the Mac store online on a different device and it says it will email me a link in 1-3 business days (really??! That long to save me with an EMAIL LINK???), and my thought is that maybe I can log in to my email from the safari window and download it that way. I'm just afraid that I won't be able to access the Mac app store if that is where it downloads from.
Ultimately, I'm trying to avoid a trip to the Apple Store because this thing will be a nightmare to lug on public transportation. My questions for you are as follows:
- how likely do you think it is that I'll be able to successfully download lion from the email link in recovery mode?
- Do actual discs with lion exist anywhere in the wide world? If so, how can I get one?
- would it be worth it to grab an old lion usb stick from amazon?
- is there ANY other way to reinstall lion or install a new os on this thing without physically taking the computer anywhere?

What a silly company , i have the same exact problem with my macbook pro and i've checked every topic that mention this problem and they didn't solve it .

4.2.1 update downloaded to my imac,but has put my iphone in recovery mode!!

Hi,as the title suggests yesterday I downloaded update 4.2 to my imac and when it finished downloading I got the message,"itunes detects an iphone in recovery mode.You must restore the iphone to be compatible with itunes." So I clicked on the restore icon and after a couple of minutes I get the same message about being in recovery mode.
I've been on the support site but nothing,checked out a couple other sites aswell,downloaded Recboot,iRecovery,tried on another computer to restore,but nothing is happening.
Love my apple products,but so p#####d off that when something goes wrong it's a nightmare.
Please can anyone give any advice that I haven't already tried.
Cheers

What happens when you try to restore, does it give you an error?
I had a similar problem. Went to update from 4.1 to 4.2(.1) and every time it failed and left my iPhone stuck in recovery mode. Usually it failed with the error 1013 or 1004 - which according to Apple are hardware issues. THEY ARE NOT.
There is a simple fix for this: If you are on a windows PC:
goto:
C:\windows\system32\drivers\ect\
and if there is a file called: hosts.umbrella (or something very similar) then delete it.
There should also be a file called: hosts (or something very similar) - Open that with your favorite text editor and remove any line which has: apple.com
Then save the file, restart your PC and begin the update again, all should work fine.

My iMac won't boot. I only get a white screen. Won't open in safe mode or recovery mode. Any suggestions?

Hey, any help? My 24" iMac won't boot. I only get a white screen when turning on. It won't open in safe or recovery mode. Any suggestions?

If you can't boot from your installer DVD, then take it in for service.

IMac cannot erase partition in recovery mode

Hi,
I bought an iMac Retina 5K in Dec. 2014. I am using OS X 10.10.1, 3T fusion drive. Now I want to erase and re-install OS X. However, when I enter the recovery mode, the os does not let me erase the partition. After first attempt of erase, all the selection and button became gray and un-selectable.
I want do know if it is normal that I cannot erase for the new model. How can I erase and re-install, or restore to factory state.
Thank you so much!

I just returned a new iMac with a fusion drive after one week (many power related problems) - I also had a problem erasing, but finally managed by choosing the actual drive, not the top most entry in the Disk Utility window. I no longer have it now to do a screenshot, but I am referring to the actual hard drive like this one:
As to not being able to choose the top entry - I believe this is the behavior because of the fusion drive/SSD which you have no control over.

What does it mean when my ipad is in Recovery mode? It's connected to my imac for software update and it says I must "restore" the ipad before itunes can be used. Will I lose everything on my ipad?

What does it mean when my ipad is in Recovery mode? It's connected to my imac for software update and it says I must "restore" the ipad before itunes can be used. Will I lose everything on my ipad?

Unless you have a backup from which you can restore, yes you will lose all of your data and settings.
You should be able to sync your content back to the iPad if you have been syncing with iTunes all along. If you don't sync with iTunes, you can download much of your paid content again for free as long as you use the same Apple ID. This explains downloading past purchases.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht2519
Unfortunately, at this point, you must restore the device before you can move on. There is nothing you can do to avoid it now.

No windows involved- recovery mode in ipod using only imac

hi, i see multiple questions re recovery mode and ipods but all with windows- i can't find anything about it happening when using OSX. i have tried to restore multiple times but keep getting the "recovery" message. i have updated the software, tried it on my imac and my macbook. thanks for any ideas.

So, you can't reassign the drive letter as mentioned here?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304503

IMac 7,1 running 10.5.8 can not access recovery mode, during update to 10.6.8 kernel panic

Good day everybody.
I'm facing next issue. Having iMac v.7,1 running 10.5.8. EFI and SMC firmware update is done.
Trying to update to 10.6.8 thru bootable USB drive. After rebooting showing kernel panic. Made Apple Hardware Test (long one, took around 90 mins) no issues found. Trying booting in Single User Mode, showing "0x7" error.
My attempts to boot in Recovery Mode (cmd+r) completely ignored. Im not sure if there is one.
I tried to Boot in Recovery Mode via Bootable USB with 10.6.8 on it, holding "option" (alt) button, two scenarios, other complete ignore and keep booting to login screen OR again same Kernel Panic.
Guys need some help.
Im ready to change parts, but no idea was that HD or RAM or whatever else.
Some photos attached.
Thanks to everybody in advance.

Recovery mode is only available in Lion (10.7) and later OSs. You can only upgrade to Snow Leopard by booting with an SL disc. You can get it from http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/Leopard, 9.2.2

On imac running10.6 I reset factory settings and start up only got logo andspinning wheel. I've tried safe mode w no luck. Tried recovery mode. Just tried shift command and v and the last three lines say dubious permission on file skipping. It stops ther.

On imac running10.6 I reset factory settings and start up only got logo andspinning wheel. I've tried safe mode w no luck. Tried recovery mode. Just tried shift command and v and the last three lines say dubious permission on file skipping. It stops there.

I also started in single user mode. Typed in the sbin fsck fy command. Said appears to be ok but also files were modified. When I type reboot it goes back to logo and spinning wheel

IMac will not boot in recovery mode

I have tried to boot into recovery mode (CMD-R) in Mavericks. I tried with my hard drive and a Mac Install disk. Disk utility has grayed out the erase option except for unused space. Can't partition either. I am attempting to donate to my church. They will use their Apple ID to load their current OSX. Help

If you still have the Install OS X Mavericks.app file from the App Store or can download it again, you can recreate your Mavericks Recovery HD using the Recovery Partition Creator 3.7 utility and the Install OS X Mavericks.app.

Cant connect to OSX server over network in recovery mode

Hi guys.
First of all, thanks for any help you can give me.
I am running osx server on a mavericks mac mini on a home network. Attached to it I have a 1tb hard drive to which all the macs in my house use time machine to back up over my network and they are stored there.
I have just formatted one of my macs and want to restore it from these time machine backups that are on the osx server on my network.
When i enter recovery mode from boot (COMMAND R), it can see the "backups" on networks "Matts-Mac-Mini" but when i then click "CONNECT" it says "Enter your name and password for the server "Matts-Mac-Mini/local" so that Time Machine can access it.
It gives me a box with NAME and PASSWORD and a CONNECT button.
By DEFAULT the "NAME" it starts with is "root".......which I dont understand.
I have tried every single iteration of names and passwords I can think of but it still wont connect, it either shakes the box or gives an error saying "There was a problem connecting to the server "Matts-Mac-mini.local". Check the server name of IP address and then try again".
I have tried the log in details for the osx server, the login details for the mac im trying to connect from, used root as the username, tried capitals, no capitals, spaces no spaces etc. I am at a total loss and about to tear my hair out!!
Is there anyone able to give me any help with this please, I would be SO grateful!
Many thanks,
hardtofin

I think I have isolated the password, with a certain username and password the box never shakes and instead gives the error: "There was a problem connecting to the server "Matts-Mac-mini.local". Check the server name of IP address and then try again".
Are you able to offer any help with this? I dont see why i can't connect to it, if the imac can already see it?
Many thanks again,
hardtofin

- Recovery Mode Loop... - iTunes Error (9) -

- Hi -
- my iPhone 3GS is Stuck on this Recovery Mode Loop... - i Have Never JailBroken nor Unlocked my Device - It was Purchased Unlocked - but 2 Days ago Whilst Trying to Send an SMS the iPhone Crashed & Now Continually Enters Recovery Mode -
- When i Switch the Device on or Plug it in to a PC or my iMac via USB It Seems to Enter Recovery Mode (Connect to iTunes Icon) Somewhat Slower than Any Similarly Troubled Devices that i Have seen in Video on the Internet - it stays on the Apple Boot Logo for a Longer Time than Any of the Other Devices i Have Seen -
- i am Not Able to Restore the Device via iTunes... -
- i Attempt the Restore... - Go Through the Process of Verifying the iPhone with Apple - Download & Extract the Software - All Seems to Be Going Well... - then Repeatedly it Get's to a Stage Where it Says - Waiting for iPhone - then the iPhone Crashes - Returns to Apple Logo - & then the Recovery Mode Loop Continues -
- Following the iPhone Crash - iTunes Presents an Error Message (9) - Which i've Found to Mean There is Something Wrong with a USB Connection... - but i've Tried All the Suggestions from the Apple Support Page - http://support.apple.com/kb/TS127... -
- Switching USB Ports - Switching Cables - Even Tried it on a PC Running Windows 7 as Opposed to my iMac... -
- but No Matter Where i attempt the Restore... - Unknown Error (9) -
- i Tried Using - iRecovery - & was Able to Run that Application... - but it Did Not Fix this Problem -
- However - iRecovery - Did Give me the Following Feedback - Through the - TERMINAL - Application on my iMac... -
=======================================
:: iBoot for n88ap, Copyright 2009, Apple Inc.
:: BUILD_TAG: iBoot-636.66.33
:: BUILD_STYLE: RELEASE
:: USBSERIALNUMBER: CPID:8920 CPRV:14 CPFM:03 SCEP:03 BDID:00 ECID:000000F20A06E38D IBFL:01 SRNM:[879229FD3NR]
=======================================
[FTL:MSG] Apple NAND Driver (AND) RO
[NAND] Found Chip ID 0x3295DE987A on FMI0:CE0
[NAND] Found Chip ID 0x3295DE987A on FMI0:CE1
[NAND] Found Chip ID 0x3295DE987A on FMI:CE8
[NAND] Found Chip ID 0x3295DE987A on FMI1:CE9
[FTL:MSG] FIL_Init [OK]
[FTL:MSG] BUF_Init [OK]
[FTL:MSG] FPart Init [OK]
read new style signature 0x43313133 (line:375)
[FTL:MSG] VSVFL Register [OK]
[FTL:MSG] VFL Init [OK]
[FTL:MSG] VFL_Open [OK]
[FTL:MSG] YAFTL Register [OK]
yaFTL::YAFTL_Open(l:2630): CXT is not valid . Performing full NAND R/O restore ...
[FTL:MSG] FTL_Open [OK]
Boot Failure Count: 0 Panic Fail ount: 15
Entering recovery mode, starting command prompt
setenv auto-boot true
] saveenv
] /exit
Closing USB connection...
- Please Note that it says... -
CXT is not valid. Performing full NAND R/O restore
- & Also -
Boot Failure Count: 0 Panic Fail ount: 15
- i Live in the UK... - & the Nearest Apple Store is Quite a Distance Away from me - so this is a Real Nuisance - !
- Do the Errors Uncovered through - iRecovery - that i Detailed Make Any Sense to You... - What's a - Panic Fail - What's - CXT - (?)
- i'm Bamboozled - !
- It may be Related... - as Previously i Had an Issue Where my 3Gs Would Not Make Any Backups through iTunes... - It Would Sync OK - but the Backup Procedure Continually Failed... - & i Was Repeatedly Presented with an Error Message that Told me that... -
- iTunes could not backup the iphone because the iphone disconnected -
- i Was Unable to Find a Fix for this Problem... - but Eventually after a Couple of New Firmware Releases from Apple that i Installed via iTunes this Problem Seemed to Resolve Itself... - & i Was Able to Start Making Successful Backups -
- They Seem to Be Related in that the Errors both Suggest that there is a Problem in Establishing a Connection between the iPhone & iTunes -
- Any Help Would Be Appreciated... -
- Thanks -
D.

- i Booked an Appointment at the - Genius Bar... - Where it was Determined that my - iPhone 3Gs - In Fact had a Hard-Ware Fault -
- the - 3Gs - was Subsequently Swapped for a New Handset With the Device Still Being Covered by It's Warranty -
- It was assumed that All the Previous Problems i Experienced Before Entering the - Recovery Mode Loop... - i.e. - Unsuccessful Backups... - Unsuccessful Application Installations - & Frequent Crashes & Stability Issues Were Due to this Hard-Ware Issue -
- the Hard-Ware Issue was Determined to Be a Problem With the Memory -
- i Recommend Making an Appointment at the - Genius Bar... - though i Understand that this Can Be an Issue in itself as Certainly for me Being Resident in the UK there is a Lack of Apple Stores in Close Proximity & It Requires Something of a Day-Trip & Planning to Make an Appointment & Be Seen -
- It Did However Seem to Resolve my Problem... - as the New Hand-Set Seems to Be Running Well so Far... - though i Have Experienced Some Problems with the Volume of the Device During Calls - though that may be a Fault Other than the - 3Gs - Itself - i.e a Bad Connection/Line -
D.

How can I save files from disc recovery mode?

My Imac wont boot - disc recovery wants me to save files before reloading OSX - how can I save them?. I have a new external hard drive to plug in.
I have tried safe start and resetting PRAM, neither work . I am in disc recovery mode and disc repair cannot fix my hard drive and is telling me to back up my files. How can I do this from this situation?

If you have another mac available start your imac in Target Disk Mode and backup your files that way. OS X Mountain Lion: Transfer files between two computers using target disk mode

IPhone 4s went into recovery mode while updating to newest IOS

While I was updating my iPhone 4 tonight to the newest IOS, it stopped and gave me the 'this iphone is in recovery mode' messagae and the only option was to restore it to factory settings. I am running the newest OS on my imac 10.9.2 and my iphone is not jacked. I bought it from Apple/AT&T and it has only been backed up to itunes via my iMac since I bought it. I am frustrated but at this point, I'll never know what caused this.
When I clicked restore, the screen said it would erase all data and load the newest IOS. Assuming it is a successful restore, can I sync my iPhone to my last back up to get all my data back? If not, what are my options?
thanks for any help.
Michelle

BellaMichelle wrote:
Assuming it is a successful restore, can I sync my iPhone to my last back up to get all my data back?
Yes.
See the iTunes Section here...
Restore from Backup > http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1766

Ipod Touch Keeps Going Into Recovery Mode

Hi, I've had an Ipod touch for about 6 months now and haven't really had any problems with it to date. Recently (around the time I installed the 1.1.3 firmware), it seems to be randomly going into recovery mode.
When I plug it into my imac, Itunes says it detected an ipod in recovery mode, and I have to restore it. During the restore process the screen lights up with apple logo and spinning wheel, it says successful restore. But the ipod doesn't restart... just goes straight back into recovery mode. It usually takes about 2 or 3 restore attempts before it works properly. I resync and everything goes back to normal for a few uses. Then I go to turn it on and nothing... itunes just tells me to restore again.
Anyone else seen this issue before? I'm pretty sure the batteries aren't flat (since when it finally does restore, they usually start around half full... and I've tried leaving it on the charger for a few hours to no avail). And I only turn wifi on when I need it (usually turned off). I've tried pretty much everything I can find in the help files (hold button, hold+power, hold while connecting to itunes, nothing seems to wake it up... just black screen until a successful restore happens)...
Thanks in advance...

I had the same problem with my Touch but it started the first day. It was also doing weird things like telling me the battery was full then half an hour later warn me there was only 10% left. It got better for a while but long syncs with iTunes usually threw it into restore mode again.
I finally brought it to the Apple store nearby and they were able to recreate the problem when they tried a sync on their machine. They told me it was a hardware issue and did an exchange right there. I have heard bringing it to an Apple Store will increase your chances of an exchange. Sending it in may or may not get you a new one. Good luck.
Message was edited by: sdutcher

IMac in Recovery Mode

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