Late 2006 iMac not booting

Hold the plastic for a second ...

Follow these instructions to verify the hard disk for errors:
Open Disk Utility, in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
Select your disk, and click First Aid.
Click Verify Disk.

If the disk needs repairs ...

Insert your Mac OS X Install disc in your computer’s optical drive or an optical drive connected to your computer, and then restart your computer. When you hear the startup tone, hold down the C key until you see the progress indicator, which looks like a spinning gear.

Follow the onscreen instructions until the menu bar appears with the Utilities menu in it, choose Utilities > Disk Utility, click First Aid, and then click Repair Disk. When Disk Utility is finished, from the Menu Bar select Utilities/Startup Disk. Select MacintoshHD 10.5 in the window and click: Restart

*If you don’t have a Mac OS X Install disc, restart your computer while holding down the Shift key. As your computer starts up, it performs a disk check similar to the one Disk Utility performs.* (Same as booting in Safe Mode).

Also, try resetting the System Management Controller: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543
Note.. if your iMac is pre-Intel try resetting PMU: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1712



Carolyn 🙂

You might be able to copy files if you have another Mac or a friend with a Mac that's compatible using Firewire Target Disk Mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

Check out Drive Savers, (data recovery)
http://www.drivesavers.com/recovery-services/raid-nas-san/?gclid=CO6xhMr0opgCFQ3 ZDAodPH-23Q

Driver Savers - MacWorld Recommendation: http://www.macworld.com/article/135297/2008/08/drivesavers.html



Carolyn 🙂

Sounds like completely and utter hard disk failure. Might be time to exercise that plastic.
But if you can, take it in to an Apple store or Apple reseller and get their advice about fixing the 06' iMac first just in case. Might save you some $$$ in this economy.



Carolyn 🙂

We're having the EXACT same problem with my husband's 2008 24" iMac. I've tried using my MacBook Pro as the Target source but no go. I don't know if it's because we have a wireless keyboard and since it won't get to the boot screen, it won't even recognize the keyboard. So then I tried my old keyboard from my lamp-stand iMac and that didn't work either.

We do have AppleCare (thankfully) and not to worried about the cost. But I am worried about loosing all of my husbands pictures.

Do you have any updates with your case?
Does anyone out there have any suggestions?

If your hard drive is bad you can ask Apple if they can get the data off it when they replace it. I believe they can do it but I don't know what they charge.

This is a good reason to always do backups. Hard drives can go bad at any time.

I was able to pin it down to the logic board and the Apple Genius confirmed it. The iMac would work better when it was cooled down but once it started up again and heated up a bit it started acting up and keep restarting until it was to hot to go any further. Just the fact that when it did get going again and worked fine until it overheated told me that it probably isn't the HD.

I took it to the Apple Store and fortunately it's still covered under the Apple Warranty (we also have AppleCare). The genius did say that this is the earliest he's seen this happening in an iMac. It's an early 2008 that we bought in late July.

gDavidson - DO you know the cost for a new logic board? I think I have the same probelm as you mentioned. I don't have apple care nor the money to get a new MacBook.