Dead Hard Drive?

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Level 1

35 points

Dead Hard Drive?

My trusty iMac has hit serious problems. The CD/DVD drive has for a long time been dodgy. Recently the iMac began to freeze for no reason. Having backed up all my data I decided to do a clean install, but because of the faulty drive I bought an external CD/DVD burner with firewire.
I am now trying to complete an erase disc & clean install. However the process starts OK, but then freezes half way through the first disc. I have had no joy with either my 10.3 discs or the original 10.1 discs.
Am I looking at a failed hard drive?

iMac (Flat Panel) 700MHz G4 15", Mac OS X (10.3.x), Netgear DG834G wireless router

Posted on Jul 31, 2008 5:48 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jul 31, 2008 6:35 AM in response to Robin Morton

Has the clock battery been replaced in the past 4 years? That could replace the optical drive issues at bare minimum.

Message was edited by: a brody

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Answer 2

Robin Morton Author

Level 1

35 points

Jul 31, 2008 6:54 AM in response to a brody

I have never replaced the clock battery since I bought it. Is this a DIY task or a repair centre job?

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jul 31, 2008 7:16 AM in response to Robin Morton

Better to be done by the repair center since an accidental press of the reset button can force the logic board to freeze up permanently.

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Answer 4

Robin Morton Author

Level 1

35 points

Jul 31, 2008 9:11 AM in response to a brody

Thanks for the advice on the battery?

Any suggestions regarding the failure to re-install the operationg system? It recognises the external drive as I get the opening requests as to what I want to do (install / upgrade etc, then licence agreement), the install process runs for a few minutes, then it freezes and will not complete?

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Answer 5

a brody

Level 10

85,314 points

Jul 31, 2008 12:03 PM in response to Robin Morton

A system with an old clock battery can have a whole litany of symptoms, not the least of which an installation of an operating system not working. Get the first problem fixed first, then we'll look and see if anything else is wrong.

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Answer 6

Robin Morton Author

Level 1

35 points

Aug 10, 2008 3:39 PM in response to a brody

Purchased new clock battery, but still no joy. Come to conclusion that the 7 year old hard drive has reached end of life - so problem solved....I've purchased a new Intel iMac.
The old flat panel is now a project for my son to repair. He is awaiting an Ebay purchased replacement drive.
Thanks for your help, by the way.

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