iMac won't boot up past Grey Screen.

Question

Level 1

0 points

iMac won't boot up past Grey Screen.

Hello All,

I just got my 24" iMac back from being repair of a Video Card problem. All was well until i thought of installing Windows XP on my computer via Boot camp, I partitioned the hard drive and gave the XP 15 Gigs worth. I inserted the Disc, the computer then shut down ( Which i believe was normal ) and then came on with a blue screen titled, "Windows XP Setup". It continued to install a bunch of things until it came to the part where i was to choose the hard drive to save all this too. I was becoming scared of the idea of this so i pressed the cancel key (I think it was Esc)thinking i would just do it later when i got more info on it. The computer then restarted and when it turned on it made the Mac osx sound then the grey screen comes up. Thats it! No Apple logo', no kernal panic, nothing.

Now i managed to get the XP disc out but when i inserted the "install disc 1" to run disk utility while holding C when booting i get nothing. I hear the cd drive make some noise but i get nothing but a grey screen. I have tried to put it in target disc mode, Safe mode, Single user mode, Verbose, and i tried to hold down the Option key as well.

I'm Willing to try anything to solve this. Anyone have an answer to what could be wrong? I thought it might have been the HD but why wont it let me boot from the CD? If its the Firmware then i don't know where to go from here. (I also tried to take out the Power Plug, the mouse and the Keyboard for 15 secs then to plug it all in and try again... nothing but the grey screen)

Thanks for taking the time to read this.

-Josh

iMac 24' Intel, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 8, 2009 4:24 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Splitusa Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2009 8:44 PM in response to Splitusa

Update: I just unplugged everything and tried to boot the computer holding down the "Option" key. The icons/drives don't pop up but the mouse does. it moves for about 5-10 secs before it freezes. Not sure it that helps narrow the issue down.

Also I tend to be as specific as i can. if you need more info just let me know

-Josh

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 8, 2009 9:57 PM in response to Splitusa

HI Josh,

Is your mouse USB or wireless?

And you need to boot from your restore disk and check for errors as soon as possible. Anytime you partition a drive, you need to make sure everything is ok first before you install anything.

Restart your Mac while holding down the C key, pressing the power button and inserting your restore disk all at the same time. An Installer window will open, but do not proceed with any installations. Instead, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities > Disk Utility. In the Disk Utility window click First Aid, and then click Verify. If Disk Utility reports errors, click Repair. When Disk Utility is finished, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Disk. Select MacintoshHD 10.x.x and click Restart.

Post back with the results from Disk Utility... then we can go from there.

Carolyn 🙂

Reply

Answer 3

Splitusa Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2009 10:16 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

My Mouse is usb wired.

"Restart your Mac while holding down the C key, pressing the power button and inserting your restore disk all at the same time."

I did that part exactly like that, The disc starts to load making that noise as if its reading it. but then shortly goes it a idling stage. i can hear the disc spinning inside but very very quietly. I helded the C key for a good 5 mins before i stopped.

Reply

Answer 4

Mar 8, 2009 10:28 PM in response to Splitusa

See if you can boot in Safe Mode.

Starting up in “safe mode” may help you to diagnose problems you’re having with your computer.

Shut down your computer and wait 10 seconds.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold down the Shift key.
You should press the Shift key as soon as possible after your hear the startup tone, but not before.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple logo and progress indicator (spinning gear).
To leave safe mode, restart the computer normally without holding down any keys during startup.

What is Safe Mode

Start up key combinations for Intel-based Macs Following the instructions at this link you could try holding down the D key to run the Apple Hardware Test from your restore disk.

Carolyn 🙂

Reply

Answer 5

Splitusa Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2009 10:35 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Safe mode didn't load/Boot, I even tried it a couple of times just in case i wasn't pressing it at the right time.

-Josh

Reply

Answer 6

Mar 8, 2009 10:37 PM in response to Splitusa

Hi Josh,

You need to take the iMac in for service.

Carolyn

Reply

Answer 7

Splitusa Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 8, 2009 10:38 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Thanks for all the help ill call them first thing tomorrow. Once i get info back on whats wrong with it ill post back on what apple said.

-Josh

Reply

Answer 8

Mar 8, 2009 10:43 PM in response to Splitusa

You're welcome Josh. If you take it in for service, when you pick it up, try to boot it right there to make sure it boots to the Desktop before you get it all the way home. If everything appears to be ok, when you get it home boot from the restore disk and run Disk Utility to make sure the disk is free of errors.

Thank you for the stars and keep us posted.

Carolyn 🙂

Reply

Answer 9

Splitusa Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 20, 2009 11:32 PM in response to Splitusa

Hello All,
For those of you who wanted to know the out come of my problem here it is.

I took it to the apple service center and after a couple of days of looking at it, they found that the logic board was the problem. It seems that my ram slots went bad. they tried multiple ram sticks but nothing seem to help, but by changing the ram he did say it flashed a blinking icon. He didn't tell me which one though.

My answer to this:
Since its going to cost me $1400 plus labor to get the new logic board, I'm just going to have to save up for the new iMac and remember to buy that Apple care plan. I think i might keep this mac so when i do get the new one, i can get this broken one a new logic board. Always nice to have a back up mac.

Thanks for all of the Help.
-Josh

Reply

Answer 10

Mar 21, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Splitusa

Hi Josh,

All's well that ends well I guess. But don't forget to purchase AppleCare. That can save you $$$$ in the long run big time.

Thanks for letting us know the outcome.

Carolyn 🙂

Reply