Hi! When I try to turn on my 2008 iMac it turns off right away. It makes the startup chime and then shuts off and after I press the power button nothing happens. I have to unplug the power cable from the Mac and plug it back in to try to start it. If I do this like 10-20 times it finally turns on.
I understand.
The SMC reset is basically removing power to the machine.
Desktop computers
The PRAM reset is a combination of keys pressed at power-up.
Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.
If the iMac doesn't start-up after these troubleshooting steps, there's are some other things that may be at issue, perhaps a failed motherboard backup battery, for example. That would require opening the iMac for service.
I understand.
The SMC reset is basically removing power to the machine.
Desktop computers
The PRAM reset is a combination of keys pressed at power-up.
Shut down your Mac, then turn it on and immediately press and hold these four keys together: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds, during which your Mac might appear to restart.
If the iMac doesn't start-up after these troubleshooting steps, there's are some other things that may be at issue, perhaps a failed motherboard backup battery, for example. That would require opening the iMac for service.
You're welcome.
If this "fix" doesn't hold, let me suggest that the underlying problem is likely a depleted PRAM battery on the motherboard. It's a common button-type battery type 2032 and may only take 15-20 minutes to replace, depending on which iMac you have.
If you or a friend or someone in your household is kind of techie that way, you can look up the job at
iMac Intel Repair | iFixit.com
They have step-by-step guides with great notes and pictures for lots of iMac repairs, and this one is one of the easiest I've seen. I've replaced PRAM batteries and other sundry hardware for various models many times using the iFixit guides.
Good luck!
If the PRAM reset didn't help, try resetting the System Mgt Controller (SMC).
Ok, I tried holding the power button and then pressing it again and it looks like that worked! I had to try 3-5 times and then it turned on!
I will probably just end up buying a new computer soon!
Thank you very much for your help!
Yeah thanks! I was thought about that before but I wasn’t sure if that would be the problem! Also the thing is that this is a really old computer and I don’t know if it’s worth servicing it I think it’s better to get a new one!
ok, the thing is that I can’t even turn it on
Thank you very much for your help I will try to see if that works!
You're welcome.
Please let us know. 🙂
Sure will!
I agree that a new one is definitely the way to go.
I'm kind of techie that way, though, and I find things like this kinda fun and interesting to do... just because. 😃
Yeah I’m a techie person too! 😊
Mac turns off before booting!
