Imac making clicking noise that won't start

I have a 06 imac that will not start. When I turn it on it makes a clicking noise then the screen will turn white and a file with a question mark appears.  Any ideas of what is wrong?

Your hard drive has broken. I really hope you have some backups done by Time machine or something else.
You can try to get the hard drive back to working oder by inserting your osx install disc and restart computer by pressing alt key at the same time.. Then choose intall disc and from there choose disc utility and fix macintosh hd permissions.
But im pretty sure that your hard drive is dead. You can find instructions to change the drive by yourself but you need few tools and steady hands for that.

Similar Messages

  • HT1363 ipod making clicking noise and won't work

    Ipod making clicking noise and won't work. Display see apple store. We live in a rural area so one is not close!

    OK, I have the 30G w/video and it does that too. I've had it a year with no problems. My husband went on the treadmill with it a couple days ago and after a few songs it froze. I did the whole regime of toggling and pressing menu/select button, I put in on my Bose speaker/charger and it switched to very low battery warning. When I took it off to move to computer it said to connect to computer and use restore (in a few languages). I connected and it recognized it and I did restore and after a few minutes screen came up saying it could NOT restore. Then ipod was unrecognized and then ipod screen gave me the very sad little ipod picture with the support web site. At that point it began making the clicking nose - morris code does describe it but I was invisioning a little nano sprite in there with a chisel!!So, same as you, I go there and it's like a maze trying to find help!! Of course my warranty was up exactly 6 weeks ago!! I tried linking through all the stuff like finding a service provider in my area, contact the "knowledge base" etc., and I can't get anyone! Now what are we gonna do?

  • IMac making beeping noises. Not during start-up.

    My iMac is a 20'' Intel based. I got it early 2007, it was the generation right before they released the 24''.
    I am running all the latest updates that I can find/am aware of.
    My iMac is making beeping noises. The kind that come from inside the computer, alerting me about something bad happening to my hardware. It is NOT beeping at me during start up. It beeps 3 different tones at me. Not all 3 every time, but overall it will beep 3 different tones at me. There is no order as to how many beeps or what tones. The noise seems to be coming from the bottom left hand corner of the computer, if you were facing it like you were using it.
    While I understand that something in the computer is failing or flailing, I cannot find any documentation or even forum posts on this topic. Every single place I search always yields pages about the 3 beep RAM notification at start up. This is very frustrating and not helpful.
    Can anyone give me any more info about what is failing in my computer? Or at least stop my search and assure me that its something I will have to send it in for?
    It makes the beeps the whole time it is running. Anytime a new webpage is loading, anytime I bring up my dashboard, anytime I open up a new finder window. Pretty much anytime the computer has to do anything. It isn't beeping as I type this post, but as soon as I click 'Post Message' it will beep at me.
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    I am going crazy and need some help.
    Message was edited by: SubcutaneousPhat

    Run Apple Hardware Test (AHT) on your machine, it is on the original DVD that came with your computer or you can access it by holding down the "D" key when starting your Mac.

  • I have a OBS,iMac G5 (17-inch) that won't start. What is possibly wrong?

    My computer won't start.

    If it does not power on at all, the cause may be as simple as a corrupted parameter in your iMac's System Management Unit (SMU).
    Try resetting it according to the following instructions:
    iMac G5: How to Reset the SMU
    If that does not prove successful, carefully read and follow these instructions, which include the above procedure:
    iMac G5: Troubleshooting when your computer won't turn on
    Good luck, I hope you can get it working again!

  • My ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!my ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!

    my ipod nano 5th gen is still making the clicking noise but won't play music and the screen is black what's wrong?!

    Downloading past purchases from the App Store, iBookstore, and iTunes Storehttp://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
    Message was edited by: michael08081

  • Making weird noise and won't go into disc mode and all kinds of icons

    after having many problems, i managed to get my ipod into disc mode and format it. However, i'm still having similar problems. When i turn it on, it goes on normally but when i connect it to my computer it freezes it. When i try to restart the ipod while connected to the computer, i get the battery is discharged icon, or sometimes the sick icon first and then the discharged icon, and i'm not able to put it into disc mode. After i get the icons, the only way i can get it to start again is to toggle the hold switch many times (took me awhile to figure this out..). Also, the ipod makes a weird repeated disc noise sometimes when its connected or if i'm starting it. If i try to restart the ipod without it being connected to the computer, i get the sick icon until i toggle the hold switch. can anybody help? thanks!
    actually, i've managed to get it into disc mode, but it just makes the repeated weird noise nonstop and it doesn't let me open any programs on my computer so i can't format it.

    Hello,
    If a sad iPod icon or an exclamation point and folder icon appears on your iPod’s screen, or with sounds of clicking or HD whirring, it is usually the sign of a hard drive problem and you have the power to do something about it now. Your silver bullet of resolving your iPod issue – is to restore your iPod to factory settings.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60983
    If you're having trouble, try these steps at different levels one at a time until the issue is resolved. These steps will often whip your iPod back into shape.
    Make sure you do all the following “TRYs”
    A. Try to wait 30 minutes while iPod is charging.
    B. Try another FireWire or USB through Dock Connector cable.
    C. Try another FireWire or USB port on your computer .
    D. Try to disconnect all devices from your computer's FireWire and USB ports.
    E. Try to download and install the latest version of iPod software and iTunes
    http://www.apple.com/ipod/download/
    http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/
    F. Try these five steps (known as the five Rs) and it would conquer most iPod issues.
    http://www.apple.com/support/ipod/five_rs/
    G. Try to put the iPod into Disk Mode if it fails to appear on the desktop
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93651
    If none of these steps address the issue, you may need to go to Intermediate level listed below in logical order. Check from the top of the lists to see if that is what keeping iPod from appearing on your computer in order for doing the Restore.
    Intermediate Level
    A. Try to connect your iPod with another computer with the iPod updater pre-installed.
    B. Still can’t see your iPod, put it in Disk Mode and connect with a computer, instead of doing a Restore on iPod Updater. Go and format the iPod instead.
    For Mac computer
    1. Open the disk utility, hope your iPod appears there (left hand side), highlight it
    2. Go to Tab “Partition”, click either “Delete” or “Partition”, if fails, skip this step and go to 3
    3. Go to Tab “Erase” , choose Volume Format as “MAC OS Extended (Journaled), and click Erase, again if fails, skip it and go to 4
    4. Same as step 3, but open the “Security Options....” and choose “Zero Out Data” before click Erase. It will take 1 to 2 hours to complete.
    5. Eject your iPod and do a Reset
    6. Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
    For Window computer
    Go to folder “My Computer”
    Hope you can see your iPod there and right click on the iPod
    Choose “Format”. Ensure the settings are at “Default” and that “Quick Format” is not checked
    Now select “Format”
    Eject your iPod and do a Reset
    Open the iPod Updater and click “Restore”
    In case you do not manage to do a “Format” on a window computer, try to use some 3rd party disk utility software, e.g.“Partition Magic”.
    C. Windows users having trouble with their iPods should locate a Mac user. In many cases when an iPod won't show up on a PC that it will show up on the Mac. Then it can be restored. When the PC user returns to his computer the iPod will be recognized by the PC, reformatted for the PC, and usable again. By the way, it works in reverse too. A Mac user often can get his iPod back by connecting it to a PC and restoring it.
    Tips
    a. It does not matter whether the format is completed or not, the key is to erase (or partly) the corrupted firmware files on the Hard Drive of the iPod. After that, when the iPod re-connected with a computer, it will be recognized as an fresh external hard drive, it will show up on the iPod updater.
    b. It is not a difficult issue for a Mac user to find a window base computer, for a PC user, if they can’t find any Mac user, they can go to a nearest Apple Shop for a favor.
    c. You may need to switch around the PC and Mac, try to do several attempts between “Format” and “Restore”
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2364921&#2364921
    Advance Level
    A. Diagnostic mode solution
    If you have tried trouble shooting your iPod to no avail after all the steps above, chances are your iPod has a hardware problem. The iPod's built-in Diagnostic Mode is a quick and easy way to determine if you have a "bad" iPod.
    You need to restart your iPod before putting it into Diagnostic Mode. Check that your hold switch is off by sliding the switch away from the headphone jack. Toggle it on and off to be safe.
    Press and hold the following combination of buttons simultaneously for approximately 10 seconds to reset the iPod.
    iPod 1G to 3G: "Menu" and "Play/Pause"
    iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Menu" and "Select"
    The Apple logo will appear and you should feel the hard drive spinning up. Press and hold the following sequence of buttons:
    iPod 1G to 3G: "REW", "FFW" and "Select"
    iPod 4G+ (includes Photo, Nano, Video, and Mini): "Back" and "Select"
    You will hear an audible chirp sound (3G models and higher) and the Apple logo should appear backwards. You are now in Diagnostic Mode. Navigate the list of tests using "REW" and "FFW". The scroll wheel will not function while in diagnostic mode. For further details on Diagnostic mode can be found at http://www.methodshop.com/mp3/ipodsupport/diagnosticmode/
    Try to do the 5in1, HDD R/W and HDD scan tests. Some successful cases have been reported after the running the few tests under the Diagnostic mode. In case it does not work in your case, and the scan tests reports show some errors then it proves your iPod has a hardware problem and it needs a repairing service.
    B. Format your iPod with a start disk
    I have not tried this solution myself, I heard that there were few successful cases that the users managed to get their iPod (you must put your iPod in disk mode before connecting with a computer) mounted by the computer, which was booted by a system startup disk. For Mac, you can use the Disk Utility (on the Tiger OS system disk), for PC user, you can use the window OS system disk. Try to find a way to reformat your iPod, again it does not matter which format (FAT32, NTFS or HFS+) you choose, the key is to erase the corrupted system files on the iPod. Then eject your iPod and do a Reset to switch out from Disk Mode. Reboot your computer at the normal way, connect your iPod back with it, open the iPod updater, and hopefully your iPod will appear there for the Restore.
    If none of these steps address the issue, your iPod may need to be repaired.
    Consider setting up a mail-in repair for your iPod http://depot.info.apple.com/ipod/
    Or visit your local Apple Retail Store http://www.apple.com/retail/
    In case your iPod is no longer covered by the warranty and you want to find a second repairing company, you can try iPodResQ at your own risk
    http://www.ipodresq.com/index.php
    Just in case that you are at the following situation
    Your iPod warranty is expired
    You don’t want to pay any service charges
    You are prepared to buy a new one
    You can’t accept the re-sell value of your broken iPod
    Rather than leave your iPod as paper-weight or throw it away.
    You can try the following, but again, only do it as your last resort and at your own risk.
    Warning ! – It may or may not manage to solve your problem, and with a risk that you may further damage your iPod, which end up as an expensive paper weight or you need to pay more higher repairing cost. Therefore, please re-consider again whether you want to try the next level
    Last Resort Level
    1. . Disconnecting the Hard Drive and battery inside the iPod – Warning !! Your iPod warranty will be waived once you open the iPod.
    In Hong Kong there are some electronic shops offering an iPod service for Sad iPod, the first thing they do is to open up the iPod’s case and disconnecting the battery and the Hard Drive from the main board of the iPod. Wait for 5-10 minutes and reconnecting them back. The reason behind which I can think of is to do a fully reset of a processor of the iPod. In case you want do it itself and you believe that you are good on fixing the electronics devices and have experience to deal with small bits of electronic parts, then you can read the following of how to open the iPod case for battery and HDD replacement (with Quicktimes)
    http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/index.cfm?page=Video/directory.html
    2.Press the reset button on the Hard Drive inside the iPod – Suggestion from Kill8joy
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2438774#2438774
    Have I tried these myself? No, I am afraid to do it myself as I am squeamish about tinkering inside electronic devices, I have few experiences that either I broke the parts (which are normally tiny or fragile) or failed to put the parts back to the main case. Therefore, I agree with suggestion to have it fixed by a Pro.
    2. Do a search on Google and some topics on this discussion forum about “Sad iPod”
    What should I do with my iPod? Send it or keep it?
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=469080&tstart=0
    Strange error on iPod (probably death)
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=435160&start=0&tstart=0
    Sad Face on iPod for no apparent reason
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=336342&start=0&tstart=0
    Meeting the Sad iPod icon
    http://askpang.typepad.com/relevanthistory/2004/11/meeting_thesad.html#comment-10519524
    Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it?
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2236095#2236095
    iPod Photo: unhappy icon + warranty question
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2233746#2233746
    4th Gen iPod Users - are we all having the same problem?
    http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=2235623#2235623
    Low Battery, and clicking sounds
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2237714#2237714
    Sad faced iPod, but my computer won’t recognize it
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2242018#2242018
    Sad iPod solution
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=412033&tstart=0
    Re: try to restore ipod and it says "can't mount ipod"
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=443659&tstart=30
    iPod making clicking noise and is frozen
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2420150#2420150
    I am not suggesting that you should follow as well, but just read them as your reference. You are the person to make the call.

  • Ipod makes clicking noise and won't be recognized by itunes.

    I've had this ipod for about 2-3 years (5th generation 30 GB) and all of a sudden it started making clicking noises when i started it. So i connected it to my computer and all it does is (1). Start up with the Apple Logo (2). Make that clicking noise where it sounds a ticking clock. (3.) Please wait, very low battery. (then it goes forward after) (4). Shows some icon with an ipod with dead eyes ( x.x ), emergency icon and it says www.apple.com/support/ipod. Please answer because i have over thousands of songs and i dont have them on my itunes ( i transfer the songs to my itunes. then my ipod but then i had to reformat it and so the songs on itunes are gone and i have only my ipod)

    ive got excatly the same problem, my pod (also had it 3yrs 30gb 5th generation) has started making the clicking noise, i get the apple symbol appear or the sad looking face, im unable to restore it and i think the sad face may mean its a hardware problem from wot ive read on the online support. but i dont know what to do or where to send it to be fixed or if it can be fixed, if you find out how it can be fixed please let me know its doin me head in.

  • Computer freezing and making clicking noise

    Hi,
    Every time click Safari, iMovie, or iDvd my computer freezes and starts to make this weird clicking noise (that i think is coming from the top right corner, but I'm not completely sure). Has anyone experience this problem before.
    thanks

    Just these applications? Typically, a clicking noise comes from a failing hard drive. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but you should check this out.

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    I bought my droid incredible a little less than a week ago and it has suddenly started making clicking noises when i open the camera. It clicks when the camera is opened, when i take a picture and even when i delete a picture. is this normal

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