Repairing iMac OS X v 10.6.8 HD

I am trying to help my son who is the extreme opposite of a computer nurd! He was complaining that his iMac was running a bit slow so on my suggestion he ran Disc Utilities > Repair Disc Permissions & Verify Disc. The former went fine with quite a few repairs recorded but Verify Disc stopped withe the message 'HD was found corrupt and needs to be repaired. Start up your computer with another disc (such as your Mac OS X installation disc), and then use Disc Utility to repair this disc" The problem is that he claims he never got an installation disc and if he did he does not know where it is! What is the solution? To add to the problem he is not on iCloud and does not have an external hard drive back up. I am going to buy and install an external HD for him tomorrow and I guess he can put himself on iCloud by upgrading to Yosemite but perhaps he should sort out his HD first? Answers to these questions would be much appreciated asap as I am only staying with him for a few more days.
Alan

Hi Alan,
Depends what OSX version he is on...
If 10.7.0 or later...
Bootup holding CMD+r, or the Option/alt key to boot from the Restore partition & use Disk Utility from there to Repair the Disk, then Repair Permissions.
If 10.6.8 or less, 2 options...
Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive & clear caches.)
Or...
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
PS. I'd hold off on Yosemite until it get more fixes.

Similar Messages

I ma trying to install A Photoshop Elements 10 and A Premiere Elements 10 on to my repaired iMac (ne

I am trying to install A Photoshop Elements 10 and A Premiere Elements 10 on to my repaired iMac (new Hard drive). I am using disc 3 but get Exit code 7 Warning DW031 Payload and Camera Profiles update. i have tried restarting but the same happened.

Hi Jrwrennie
Please refer the below KB Doc for Exit Code 7 : http://helpx.adobe.com/creative-suite/kb/errors-exit-code-6-exit.html

Is it policy for Apple Store to ask for user password to repair iMac?

My father just took his iMac G5 into the Apple Store to get repaired. It seemingly is having a power supply issue (http://www.apple.com/support/imac/powersupply/repairextension/).
They said they needed his password. This sounded absurd to me. Is this common practice?
thanks,
Clint

..."and implied that if he didn't give it to them, that it wasn't their fault if the computer wasn't fixed."...
I find that appalling. Realistically, I doubt that Apple Stores are setting out to steal their customer's personal information, but there is no question from your account that that is the risk that people are being coerced to expose themselves to. Every organization will have its, ahem, bad apples, and it isn't unheard of for repair techs to go snooping in people's hard drives, eg.
http://consumerist.com/consumer/investigations/video-consumerist-catches-geek-sq uad-stealing-****-from-customers-computer-271963.php
Given this reality, there really should be a policy against asking for a user password which grants access beyond what can be read straight off of the hard drive. But three separate people have posted about being asked for their account passwords for a repair that should not require it. The specific stores haven't been mentioned, but I find it unlikely that all three of you are posting about the same store so it would seem the practice unfortunately seems to be common.
I don't know about the specifics, or merits of the case (IANAL), but a class action lawsuit has been launched against Apple for following unsafe practices with respect to the inclusion of too much personal information on receipts they issue for online purchases.
http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201311228
The picture I'm getting that somewhere in the chain of command, someone at Apple the corporation doesn't "get" the importance of protecting customers' personal information to prevent this sort of thing from happening.
Sorry, I don't know what to suggest about who to report this to, or what steps to take to ensure that any personal information that could potentially have been accessed is not misused.

Hard drive died on iMac and getting replacement. I have all photos backed up on my iPad 3, which was synced directly to the dead iMac's iTunes. How can I move them back to my laptop and eventually to the repaired iMac?

I'd like to restore photos from my iPad3 to the iMac once I have a new drive. I had uploaded them directly from the iMac onto the IPad via iTunes. That iTunes was wiped out in the drive failure. In the meantime I wanted to move the photos to my MacBook Pro, but iTunes tells me they belong to another iTunes (mine also but was on the iMac) and syncing will erase the content on the iPad. Moved all photos (4000+) to an album in iPhoto on the iPad, but iPhoto on the MacBook doesn't see the album- It only see photos directly taken on the iPad. I seem to be caught in an owenership issue between my photos, my computers, and permissions due to the dirve failure.
Any ideas?
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Todd

Photos synced to an iDevice are different from ones taken by the device's camera.
Difference between camera roll, photo stream, and photo library - https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3846502
You will need to use a third party utility to try to recover them as it is assumed that if you transferred them from your computer you alredy have the original files on the computer and a backup of the computer itself (do not rely upon your iPad as a backup). Furthermore, the photos transferred to your iPad have reduced quality so they are not as good as the originals.
Here's my old list of utilities (this list was really done for music rescue so make sure they do photos too):
Note: The information below hasn't been updated since early 2013.
Some of the information below has subsequently appeared in a document by turingtest2: Recovering your iTunes library from your iPod or iOS device - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3991
Your i-device was not designed for unique storage of your media. It is not a backup device and media transfer was planned with you maintaining a master copy of your media on a computer which is itself properly backed up against loss. Syncing is one way, computer to device, updating the device content to the content on the computer, not updating or restoring content on a computer. The exception is iTunes Store purchases which can be transferred to a computer.
iTunes Store: Transferring purchases from your iOS device or iPod to a computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1848 - only purchases from iTunes Store
For transferring other items from an i-device to a computer you will have to use third party commercial software. Examples (check the web for others; this is not an exhaustive listing, nor do I have any idea if they are any good):
- Expod (free) - http://www.headlightsoft.com/expod/ - Mac, universal for 104.+ (newer machines try de-Tune)
- deTune (free) - http://www.headlightsoft.com/detune/ - Mac, 10.5+
- Senuti - http://www.fadingred.com/senuti/
- Phoneview - http://www.ecamm.com/mac/phoneview/
- MusicRescue - http://www.kennettnet.co.uk/products/musicrescue/
- Sharepod (free) - http://download.cnet.com/SharePod/3000-2141_4-10794489.html?tag=mncol;2 - Windows
- Snowfox/iMedia - http://www.mac-videoconverter.com/imedia-transfer-mac.html - Mac & PC
- iexplorer (free) - http://www.macroplant.com/iexplorer/ - Mac&PC
- Yamipod (free) - http://www.yamipod.com/main/modules/downloads/ - PC, Linux, Mac [Still updated for use on newer devices? No edits to site since 2010.]
- 2010 Post by Zevoneer: iPod media recovery options - https://discussions.apple.com/message/11624224 - this is an older post and many of the links are also for old posts, so bear this in mind when reading them.

Repaired imac has come back with lion. how do I restore backed up files

I had my iMac's hard disk replaced under warranty. I now need to restore my backed-up files from time machine.
The Apple store were nice and have upgraded my OS from Snow Leopard to Lion, so I'm now confused as to how I make sure I restore the right files for my applications etc.
How do I go about it? I'd like to keep Lion, but I also want to make sure I've got all my applications etc. from Snow Leopard running.

baltwo wrote:
Boot with the SL install disc, erase the new HD, install SL, and on first boot migrate from your TM backup.
It's easier than that.
Just do a full system restore, per Time Machine - Frequently Asked Question #14. No need to erase the disk or install Snow Leopard -- the restore will do all that for you, plus you'll have the exact same version of OSX as you did before.

Can't repair Imac hard drive

tried repairing my hard drive using the disk doctor utility. It said I needed to insert the OS disk and restart and run the Disk repair utility. I inserted the disc but cant seem to get to the repair utility. What am i missing?

Boot the machine holding down the option button, and you'll see a disc on the screen, try and boot to that. There you can and run the disk utility repair. As this point, your only option may be to erase the hard drive and try to reinstall the OS. Do you have a current backup of your data?

Imac hard drive died and was replaced by apple. Data lost but is remains on ipads. Computer address is different so can't sync without erasing ipad data (which I need back on repaired imac). How do I do this?

How do I transfer data from and Ipad/iphone to an imac with a different address then initally setup with? Our hard drive died and was replaced free of charge by Apple, our data was lost on the hard drive but exists on our small devices.

Since Apple replaced the hard drive does that mean you have AppleCare? If so, call them. If not, you must have paid pretty good to get it replaced and so I would think you have some possible right to ask a followup question at the store that did it.

Repaired iMac no longer recognises my iPhone library

Hi all, hope you can help.
My iMac killed its hard rive and has dad it repalced under Apple Care. Now when I plug in my iPhone it says it belongs to a separate iTunes library and the only option it gives me is to re-synch losing everything on my iPhone.
How can I make iTunes recognise my iPhone again?
Cheers
Andrew C

Make sure the iPhone is directly connected to the computer, not plugged into a hub.
If that doesn't do it, try running through this Apple doc -> iOS: Device not recognized in iTunes for Windows

My iMac sorrows... #1, #2, #3, #4 and now maybe #5

Well, for those who have read my other posts regarding my horrific experiences of iMac terror, I do truly hope this is the last.
iMac #1: 24" Aluminum iMac 2.4Ghz had original and common freezing problem, was replaced on day #88 after 11 days of sitting in AppleCare where replacing the logic board did not resolve the issue. (Bad timing, 2 days later the patch came out that fixed it)
iMac #2: They replaced my first iMac with a 2.8Ghz at my request and with my credit card for the difference. Unfortunately, I was back in the Apple Store the next morning because the backlight within the screen was bleeding bright light whenever the screen was black (screen savers, front row, image editing).
iMac #3: The second iMac was replaced without hesitation and I confirmed everything was functioning fine and operating well before I left the store. I gave it a full run through. Was very happy.
iMac #4: Yesterday, I returned to the Apple Store with my broken iMac in it's poor little box because after 3 weeks of use the hard drive fan was apparently going out and sounded like a playing card in bicycle spokes. Horrible, but what am I suppose to do. They offered to repair, but didn't have the part in stock so they replaced it AGAIN.
At this point I am really losing my sense of humor and tolerance here, if you can imagine.
NOW: You'd think that iMac #4 is the end... Well not necessarily. I am heading in to the Apple Store in a little less than 3 hours to bring in iMac #4 because the right internal speaker is blown (or at least sounds this way) and you cannot bring the volume up past 1/2 way or all sound from the right speaker is garbled.
Apple Care this morning confirmed that it is in-fact a bad speaker and it will need to be repaired, or in my case replaced.
I am not happy with what has happened, although I can see that reality suggests I have extremely bad luck or the rest of this planets iMac owners have bad eye sight and bad hearing. I know there are working iMac's out there. I just can't find one.
I really don't think I am being picky at the least. I haven't had an iMac that is working as intended for 110 days. Just simply rough.
Anyway, I am going to shut this audible distortion mechanism down and box it up and hopefully I can get a solution real quick as I haven't slept at all while reloading, troubleshooting, AppleCar'ing, etc.
-- Oh, and my aversion to repairing and preference for replacements stems from them damaging the case of the first Aluminum iMac on 3 corners when I took it in the very first time. I don't want a Brand New "Repaired" iMac...

Update:
I walked in within just hours of the posts below, asked for the local Apple Store manager and explained the entire scenario. She was already aware of me as exchanges apparently require her signature.
She was absolutely wonderful, apologetic and empathetic to my situation as a small business owner and having such a bad run with these iMac's.
She didn't even want to check the iMac I brought in, she simply had it replaced, my memory swapped and allowed me to sit for 20 to 30 minutes checking everything to make sure it was good to go.
They even reassured me once again, that if this in fact happen to be bad as well, they would replace it again.
For my troubles (not necessary at all), they also offered me a nice price break on anything Apple the next time I come in.
Thanks Apple, and note this machine is running perfectly.

IMac 24" Aluminium - No way to boot from DVD

Dear all:
Thank you for having this forum fully working.
My iMac 24" Aluminium (november 2008) can't boot, completely frozen, although all HW are perfectly working.
I'll try to explain the issue best I can.
SYMPTOMS
- Grey screen of death without Apple's logo.
- No bootable devices detected (either HDD or DVD) by EFI, when you hold ALT (Option) while booting.
- No way to force boot from DVD.
CAUSE OF PROBLEMS
a) HDD has 3 partitions created by DiskUtils:
/dev/disk0s2= Mac OS(HFS+)
/dev/disk0s3= Linux DVD Installer (FAT32)
/dev/disk0s4= User Data(HFS+).
b) rEFIt installed and fully working on the system ( http://refit.sourceforge.net/ )
c) Linux DVD installer partition was filled this way:
dd if=/path/to/linux.iso of=/dev/disk0s3
As you can see, there are no HW errors at all, everything was perfectly working before dumping the Linux iso into FAT partition.
TRIALS FOLLOWED (and all its combinations).
TRIAL 1 - Erasing EFI values on memory.
Leave the iMac disconnected from power cord a whole night for memories to loose their values.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JId524890zc.
TRIAL 2 - Force empty memories during boot.
CMD+ALT+P+R -> Result OK (reboot)
CMD+ALT+N+V -> No effect
CMD+ALT+O+F -> No effect
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
TRIAL 3 - Force boot from DVD.
C while boot -> Read DVD first, but can't boot.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
TRIAL 4 - From Startup Manager, try to boot from DVD.
ALT (Option) while boot -> See cursor arrow on screen, can't see DVD as boot option.
a) Try with DVD already inside the unit.
b) Try to insert DVD once I see the cursor arrow on screen.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/1383424?start=0&tstart=0
TRIAL 5 - Remove RAM memories to reset EFI to factory defaults.
- Remove all RAM from unit.
- Boot from DVD (C key hold) -> Unit beeps.
- Shutdown and fill one bank with memory.
- Wait 15 minutes for EFI memories values to be deleted.
- Boot from DVD (C key hold) -> Access DVD first, but no boot.
TRIAL 6 - Boot from external Mac (Firewire + PC fully working).
This is the only trial missing before replacing the HDD of the unit... finger crossed.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=271975
IDEAS AND CONCLUSIONS
- Any more ideas?
- How is it possible that a SW problem affects the HW in a way that can't be booted from DVD? Somethings is terribly wrong on iMac EFI design... terribly poor stability.

Dear all:
Thank you for having this forum fully working.
My iMac 24" Aluminium (november 2008) can't boot, completely frozen, although all HW are perfectly working.
I'll try to explain the issue best I can.
SYMPTOMS
- After a chime... grey screen of death without Apple's logo.
- No bootable devices detected (either HDD or DVD), when you hold ALT (Option) while booting.
- No way to force boot from DVD.
CAUSE OF PROBLEMS
a) HDD has 3 partitions created by DiskUtils:
/dev/disk0s2= Mac OS(HFS+)
/dev/disk0s3= Linux DVD Installer (FAT32)
/dev/disk0s4= User Data(HFS+).
b) rEFIt installed and fully working on the system ( http://refit.sourceforge.net/ )
c) Linux DVD installer partition was filled this way:
dd if=/path/to/linux.iso of=/dev/disk0s3
As you can see, there are no HW errors at all, everything was perfectly working before dumping the Linux iso into FAT partition.
TEST BED
In the process of dealing with iMac booting problems I organized a test bed which allow to detect where the booting is failing:
STAGE 0 - Setting initial boot memory conditions.
STAGE 1 - Reset NVRAM memory to factory defaults.
STAGE 2 - Booting from external device.
STAGE 3 - Reinstall iMac firmware.
STAGE 4 - Hardware intervention.
Before running the test bed:
a) Unplug all devices except USB keyboard (no wireless keyboard, no mouse... you can plug an USB mouse once you see the graphical user interface up and running).
b) Combination of keys available on booting:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
STAGE 0 - Setting initial boot memory conditions
This bundle of tests must be executed before any test of next stages.
TEST 0.1 - Erasing booting memory values.
Leave the iMac disconnected from all wires (especially power cord) for 15 minutes for memories to loose their values.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JId524890....
TEST 0.2- Resetting PRAM memory.
a) Press Power button
b) Press CMD+ALT+P+R keys while black screen, before you hear the chime.
c) Hold these keys until you hear 3 chimes (3 reboots).
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379.
STAGE 1 - Reset NVRAM memories to factory defaults.
TEST 1.1 - Validate machine with Apple's Hardware Test.
=> Detect Hardware errors with Apple's Hardware Test
a) Original Apple's Installation DVD on the machine
Installation DVD should show something like this
DISC 1
Mac OS version 10.5.4
AHT version 3A152
Disc version 1.1
2Z691-6304-A
To use Apple Hardware Test, hold down the D key as the computer starts up.
b) Holding Down D key as the computer starts up
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509.
=> Hardware OK: continue with Stages 1, 2 and 3
=> Hardware Failure: jump to Stage 4 (skip Stages 1, 2 and 3)
=> Unable to run Apple's Hardware Test: jump to Stage 3, firmware restoration
TEST 1.2 - Change RAM Configuration: amount or disposition.
a) Open RAM Slot
b) Extract RAM stick from Slot.
c) If you only have one RAM stick, reintroduce it in the unused empty slot of memory.
TEST 1.3 - Resetting PRAM memory.
Please check TEST 0.2
STAGE 2 - Booting from external device
TEST 2.1 - Boot from DVD.
a) Introduce Apple's Mac OS original DVD on the unit.
b) Run Test 0.1 and Test 0.2
=> Force DVD as Booting Device.
c) Press power button.
d) Press C key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
e) Keep hold the C key until you see the MacOS installer window.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
=> If still no boot from DVD: StartUp Manager with DVD inside the machine.
c) Keep hold Power Button 10 seconds to reboot the machine.
d) Press ALT key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
e) Keep hold the ALT key until you see the StartUp Manager.
f) From StartUp Manager, choose DVD as booting option.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/138...
=> If still no boot from DVD: StartUp Manager without DVD inside the machine.
c) Keep hold Power Button 10 seconds to reboot the machine.
d) Press F12 key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
e) Keep hold the F12 key until DVD is spelled from the iMac.
f) Run StartUp Manager again (see steps above) .
g) Insert Apple's Mac OS DVD on machine while StarUp Manager is running.
h) From StartUp Manager, choose DVD as booting option.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/138...
TEST 2.2 - Firewire cable and Target Mode: run installer from external Mac.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.p...
TEST 2.3 - Remote Installation.
You can run this test twice: remote installation from PC and MAC.
=> Remote Installation Server on PC/MAC:
a) Mac OS DVD on PC/MAC optical drive
b) Install Network Client (just run setup.exe from DVD and follow the steps until everything is installed).
c) Keep open a window saying... machine is ready for Remote Install.
=> Physical Direct Network Connection between Remote Installation Server and iMac
a) Unplug power cord from iMac for 15 minutes.
b) Connect to the Server Machine this way:
Option 1.- Crossover Ethernet wire direct connection,
Option 2.- Using an Ethernet switch with no additional devices plugged to the switch.
=> StartUp Manager on Client
a) Run Test 0.1 and Test 0.2
b) Press power button.
c) Press ALT key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
d) Keep hold the ALT key until you see the StartUp Manager.
e) From StartUp Manager, choose NetInstall as booting option.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH6450
TEST 2.4 - NetInstall.
=> Prepare NetInstall Mac OS NetBoot Server
Option 1 - Using Mac OS X Server
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4178
Option 2 - Using Linux Server
https://docs.math.osu.edu/linux/how-tos/...
=> Force Boot from the Network
a) Run Test 0.1 and Test 0.2
b) Press Power Button.
c) Press N key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
d) Keep hold the N key until you see the Mac OS X Installation screen.
=> If no NetBoot after 15 minutes: NetBoot from StartUp Manager
a) Keep hold Power Button 10 seconds to reboot the machine.
b) Press ALT key while black screen, before you hear the chime.
c) Keep hold the ALT key until you see the StartUp Manager.
d) From StartUp Manager, choose NetInstall as booting option.
TEST 2.5 - Apple's Mac OS Installer/Reparation from External USB HardDrive.
Very unlikely to work.
=> Create Bootable OS X USB device
a) Format HDD with GUID partition.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7247
b) Fill the partition with the Mac OS X installer (only the version your iMac came with, no newer, no older).
=> Boot iMac from USB device
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1948
STAGE 3 - Reinstall/Repair iMac Firmware
TEST 3.1 - Using Firmware Reinstallation CD.
a) Download and burn Firmware Restoration CD for your iMac
iMac 8,1: http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24012
b) From power off state, press the power button and continue to hold it down until the "Sleep" LED blinks rapidly three times, then slowly three times, then rapidly three more times... this could be chimes, instead of LED blinks! Keep the power button pressed down.
c) Insert the Firmware Restoration CD you have burned into the iMac's CD drive, then release the power button.
d) Monitor the "Progress Bar" beneath the Apple logo as the restoration process updates your iMac's firmware, taking care not to disconnect the power, shut down your computer or restart your computer (otherwise, you will have to start over). The iMac will restart automatically once the firmware restoration is complete.
TEST 3.2 - Using Apple's Propietary Software.
Contact Apple's Technical Support to know the price.
STAGE 4 - Hardware Intervention
TEST 4.1 - Replace the faulty Hardware on your own.
a) To detect faulty Hardware, please run Test 1.1
b) Replace the Hardware following those instructions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3w6E2_Xqa...
TEST 4.2 - Contact Apple's Technical Support.

Graphics failure in my G5 iMac

Today my G5 iMac (serial #QP5160FQPNY) would boot up but the screen is reticulated with no Finder screen detail - screen is a solid color with a small checkerboard pattern throughout. I tried shutting it off, disconnecting all peripherals and the rebooting with no success. I also tried plugging in the keyboard and zapping the PRAM. No luck. I also tried booting off an external FW drive. Again no luck. I cannot run the Apple Hardware Test since there is no screen detail. Is there any thing else I can do? My AppleCare Plan expired 6 months ago (sigh!). Am I screwed or has Apple extended their repair iMac G5 Repair Extension Program for Video and Power Issues past the 3 year limit?
Please reply.

Thanks for the reply.
I thought an adapter came with my iMac but I can't find it. In any event, I took the back off my iMac and went through the steps as outlined at http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2094?viewlocale=en_US According to this article, if the computer doesn't respond to troubleshooting steps it needs to go in for repair. I spoke to the Apple certified repair tech where I bought the computer and he felt it was a hardware problem and repair costs might be about half the cost of a new iMac. I think I'll buy a new iMac instead of trying to repair this one. This model (a 1st generation iMac G5) has been plagued with problems and, while under warranty, I had the power supply and motherboard replaced as well as the Superdrive replaced twice. Even if I repaired this one, no telling when something else will break. I think it's best to buy a new iMac and the Applecare warranty and accept that this iMac is a lemon.

HT2173 iMac G5 2005. It lights up when the power is pressed but then goes off again with a second or two and then nothing happens . Any body knows whats happening? Please help.

Please can any help me. My iMac G5 2005 version has just pack up on me. When I press the start button the front light comes on and then disappears within a second and it then goes quiet and nothing happens. Can any body help on what to do or explain what's going on. Many thanks for your anticipation to help but reading my message hopefully you can get in touch if you know anything about what's going on.
Regards
Johnshaw168

The most obvious suspect is the PRAM battery.
Depending on precisely which G5 iMac you have:
How to replace the PRAM battery:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/iMac-G5-20-Inch-Model-A1145-PRAM-Battery/1153 /1#top
You could also try a SMU reset:
iMac G5: How to Reset the SMU
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1767

IMac DV G3 Lime shuts down by itself and buzzes

Not sure why this keeps happening. It starts up and runs for about 20 minutes and then shuts down but the light on the front stays on and buzzes. Can't start up again until I unplug it from the wall for a long time. When it's running everything works fine. I LOVE this Mac and want to keep using it. I've had it since brand new oh 2000 something. I have an iBook G4 with 10.4 that I use for everything and everywhere but this iMac is the family computer. Can anyone offer advice? Should I take it to a Genius Bar? Thanks!

Hi,
I dumpster dive, gather, restore, upgrade and repair iMacs near Chicago.
These are typically high needs schools. Many have no computers at all!
The iMac is particularly well suited to this application.
A. It has a small foot print and is self contained.
B. Mac software is intuitive and easy for teachers and students to use
right away.
C. The kids think they're cute! I've seen kids hug iMacs! I don't see
that with any other computer.
So I can see why you're so attached to your Lime iMac. My 9 year old daughter calls her's "Pinky" (Strawberry iMac).
Generally the symptoms you're describing are due to a failing PAV board. This is the brown board that you can see under the clear top with all the big parts on it. The most likely culprit is the flyback transformer. The insulation breaks down with long usage when it heats up and starts to fail. Usually shorts out probably the buzzing you hear. Sometimes this will fail but the computer will still run with an external monitor. (spigot is under the perforated grill under toward the back.)
My general repair procedure with these is to pull the logic board and put it into a working 350.
An alternative in your case would be to find a working 400 - 700 used, buy it ($20 - $70 around here in Chicago) and swap the colored parts on your Lime onto that machine.
Richard

IMac 5K won't turn on after 3 weeks.

I have used only for 3 weeks.
Suddenly, iMac screen turned to black.
There are no clue of turn on.
I brought it to apple store on 4/16 and it is still in repair.
About 1 week ago, they were waiting for logic board and on Tuesday I got an call saying they will receive it shortly and still in process.
I used 3 weeks and I am waiting more than 3 weeks to get the product and be repaired.
Does any one have similar issue? How long does apple store normal take for repair iMac?
Am I just bad luck?

I have been having exactly the same problem as Mhuntet11.
My 2010 i3 iMac will not turn on after losing power, which includes being unplugged or the power being turned off.
It has happened to me 4 times now. In each case - nothing will get it started. But on each occasion - about 2 days after the power cut - the iMac will start up again, good as new.
I have also experienced the other thing that Mhuntet11 said:
"when it won't turn on I plug it into a different outlet and if it does turn on I can unplug it and put it back in the original outlet and it works fine"
Yep - once, after 2 days of trying every power point in the house, I finally started up in the kitchen. Not very practical, so I bit the bullet and powered it down again and moved it back to the office. It stared fine.
Does this sound like a fault that should be serviced? Or is there some re-set technique I do not know about.
I have followed the SMC reset procedure and it does nothing

Big iMac problems, even after full reinstall

I am so frustrated!
A week or so ago I had my Mac taken in for repair through Applecare for a display issue. In replacing the LCD the repair teams informed me there was a problem with the hard drive fan, and that they had replaced this too.
Background
When I received my repaired iMac back and powered it on, it wouldn't load past the initial grey screen/spinning gear. I tried absolutely everything I could think of or find online:
- Resetting the PRAM
- Performing a SMC reset
- Booting into single user mode and running fsck
In doing this I identified numerous little niggles and decided a clean install would be necessary. I found it was near impossible to boot from the iMac's restore disks (Snow Leopard 10.6.2), because it kept ejecting the disk on boot. Eventually, after about 4 hours I managed to get the disk to stay in the drive (not sure how) and boot from it. From selecting the install DVD from the boot launcher I had to wait about 10 minutes to see the installer. From then, it worked as expected and at the speed it always did work at.
From there, in Disk Utility I performmed Permission and Disk verifications and repairs, then erased the hard drive (I have a backup) and installed again from scratch. This install did not succeed - an error was thrown up about not being able to copy over support files or something and it demanded I restarted and tried again. This time, it worked and installed in 20 minutes or so.
I performed full software updates and am in the process of re-downloading Lion.
Current issues
The issue I'm experiencing now involves the length of time it is taking to boot the Mac. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes to get to the desktop, but once it does, performance is completely normal.
The second issue is that the computer is still spitting out DVDs. I am unable to get either the install disk or the applications disk with iLife on it to stay in the drive. I haven't tested this with other CDs/DVDs but it's certainly not working with these two. When I insert a disk, it spins for a while before giving up and spitting the disk back out.
Questions
1) Do these issues strike people as being hardware or software faults?
2) Are there any diagnostics/troubleshooting steps I can take before sending the Mac off for repair again or is it simply a matter of replacing faulty components?
System information
Model: Mid-2010 27" iMac
Processor: 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4GB

Sounds like you've had your fair share of aggro with this.
Reading through your list of woes you might try one thing to improve the start-up time, although 10-20mins is an exceptionally long time. Some users on here have reported startup times in the 5mins region and doing the following has often helped: System Preferences>Startup Disk and click on 'Macintosh HD, Mac OS X 10.6.8' and then click on restart.

Repairing iMac OS X v 10.6.8 HD

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for