Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 24-Inch (Early 2008) strange behavior on startup

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Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 24-Inch (Early 2008) strange behavior on startup

I was given an iMac like this one.. https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.8-24-inch-aluminum-early-2008-penryn-specs.html

It wasn't working i.e. didn't bootup as it just flashed the folder with the question mark. I took it apart and discovered that the HDD drive was cactus.. I replaced it with another drive of similar size i.e. 500GB...

I then managed to get an El Capitan 10.11.5 USB Install key.. Once I got the usb key, I installed it and booted up using the option key. It recognized the USB Key as an install disk and when selected, it gave me the options to install or run the disk utility. I ran the disk utility and formatted the new 500GB HDD. That completed fine. I then returned and did a fresh install of El Capitan from the USB key. It finished successfully with a restart. Upon restart it eventually came up with the startup logo (The apple), but after a while it showed the 0 with the slash through it (Prohibited) symbol. It then tries again, but loops on this. I proceeded to remove the USB key and reboot from the HDD. It simply boots up to the folder with the question mark. If you insert the USB key and use the option key again it sees the USB key. When I choose it to boot, it brings up the mouse logo for a while and then shows the prohibited symbol. It will do this in a loop if not stopped..

I've tried the Cmd, Option, P and R to reset the nvram to no avail..

Can't understand why it would now refuse the USB install disk.. My understanding is that this iMac should run 10.11.x version of El Capitan, so it's a mystery as to why it would refuse now the boot key. Is it possible it has damaged the usb install disk?

iMac Pro

Posted on Feb 5, 2019 10:16 PM

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Answer 1

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Feb 6, 2019 11:34 AM in response to V-iking

It sounds like the USB installer is bad. If you can download El Capitan on another computer, you can make a bootable USB stick to install using these free programs which will do all the work for you.

Bootable USB Flash Drive – Diskmaker X Disk Creator or use Apple’s method Create a bootable installer for OS

You can try to download it at the link below. If it won't let you, find an older computer where you can download it using your Apple ID.

El Capitan

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Answer 2

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Feb 10, 2019 7:31 PM in response to V-iking

If you were given the disks that came with the computer, try booting off the DVD, use Disk Utility to erase/reformat the hard drive, and then install the OS. That will give you a working computer. You can then upgrade from there. If you don't have the disks, get a copy of Snow Leopard, and see if you can install it to get a working computer.

Snow Leopard Purchase

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Answer 3

V-iking Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2019 3:40 PM in response to Eric Root

Thanks for the suggestions.. I only have an older eMac (Latest os 10.4.6) and windows. I've downloaded transmac, plus dmg imgages of El Capitan and used Transmac to create a bootable USB.. However the iMac doesn't see it. I created a bootable DVD for the eMac (10.4.6) and the iMac doesn't see that as well. I eventually ordered a USB installer key with El Capitan on ebay and used that as described above. Now it won't boot from the HDD which was successfully formatted and rolled up with El Capitan from the USB from ebay, plus it does see the ebay USB key now as before but once chosen ends up with the folder with flashing question mark. I'm assuming I can't download or create a bootable version of El Capitan from the eMac..

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Answer 4

V-iking Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 10, 2019 3:40 PM in response to V-iking

By the way, the eMac sees all the USB keys as bootable I've created via Transmac of El Capitan, although It won't boot from them..

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Answer 5

Eric Root

Level 10

685,221 points

Feb 13, 2019 10:27 AM in response to V-iking

You are welcome. Glad to help.

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Answer 6

V-iking Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 13, 2019 4:17 AM in response to Eric Root

I'm afraid the iMac came with no disks. I did manage to get Snow Leopard image and burn a USB key with Transmac. Upon boot, the iMac recognised it and I could now install Snow Leopard. Then it was just a matter of doing software updates until I could get to the Apple store and get the El Capitan update. It's now finally working with the latest version of El Capitan..

Thanks so much for the suggestions!!

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Apple iMac "Core 2 Duo" 2.8 24-Inch (Early 2008) strange behavior on startup

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