zmann1
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: I have a 1st gen apple TV that has a ? on the screen on boot up

When my apple tv boots up or is factory reset the front light flashes and on the screen it displays a ? over a picture of the device.  I'm thinking she may be dead, I don't hear the drive spin up like it used to.

Apple TV, Other OS

Posted on Apr 4, 2016 5:57 PM

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zmann1

Q: I have a 1st gen apple TV that has a ? on the screen on boot up

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Alley_Cat,Helpful

    Alley_Cat Alley_Cat Apr 6, 2016 8:53 AM in response to zmann1
    Level 6 (19,583 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 8:53 AM in response to zmann1

    Fairly certain that means it can't find the startup drive which has presumably failed (thoug hhow are you getting it to factory reset? Can you boot to diagnostics menu?)

  • by Smokerz,

    Smokerz Smokerz Apr 5, 2016 4:07 PM in response to zmann1
    Level 6 (9,699 points)
    Apr 5, 2016 4:07 PM in response to zmann1

    if you do a search you can replace that drive. I did it years ago but no longer use the first Gen ATV. I replaced a 160 gig with a 320 gig.

  • by zmann1,

    zmann1 zmann1 Apr 6, 2016 8:55 AM in response to zmann1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Apr 6, 2016 8:55 AM in response to zmann1

    I think the drive failed as well, I don't know how to boot into diag menu.  I may start looking for a drive to use and see if I can replace.  Does anyone know if there are instructions for removing the case?

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Apr 6, 2016 9:06 AM in response to zmann1
    Level 4 (1,745 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 9:06 AM in response to zmann1

    Looks pretty easy to get to the drive:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Apple+TV+1st+Generation+Hard+Drive+Replacement/4799

  • by Alley_Cat,

    Alley_Cat Alley_Cat Apr 6, 2016 9:42 AM in response to zmann1
    Level 6 (19,583 points)
    Apr 6, 2016 9:42 AM in response to zmann1

    zmann1 wrote:

     

    I think the drive failed as well, I don't know how to boot into diag menu.  I may start looking for a drive to use and see if I can replace.  Does anyone know if there are instructions for removing the case?

    You have to rip off the rubber base plate to access the screws, and there are bound to be online unofficial guides.

     

    The recovery/diagnostics menu is on a separate partition on the drive - you reboot to this using the remote holding menu and down keys for several seconds:

     

    Apple TV (1st generation): How to run diagnostics - Apple Support

     

    If that won't run then seems likely the drive is dead but could be other components on the logic board preventing drive access.

     

    Again it's a while ago but this is a PATA not a SATA drive so options may be limited though possible to use an adapter potentially (solid state replacement would make it faster and stop heat).

     

    Your main problem will be that you cannot officially download the software to install on a new drive and you'd ideally need either a disk image or a utility to generate one from official software.  Google may help but we cannot go into details.

  • by Vinceassociate,

    Vinceassociate Vinceassociate Apr 9, 2016 9:19 AM in response to zmann1
    Level 4 (1,745 points)
    Apr 9, 2016 9:19 AM in response to zmann1

    You might want to try some other tricks before buying a new drive:

    Unplug the unit overnight to get the power supply to cool down completely then plug it in and see if the drive spins up.  This might hint at a power supply problem.

    Unplug the drive cable from the drive and replug it to make sure you have a good connection then see if you get a response.

    If your drive is really dead, the problem you will run into next is getting the disk image off the old drive.  All the upgrade processes seem to rely on a working old drive which can be copied onto the new one...