Got a used 2015 iMac- I am having this major issue with the flashing folder with exclamation point

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Got a used 2015 iMac- I am having this major issue with the flashing folder with exclamation point

I have troubleshooted this already a lot. I waited on hold for 45min for apple to at least attempt to help me- no response. I've looked at about 5-6 different tutorials about trying to solve this issue.

I think there is no operating system on it. I went into Disk Utility and tried everything..... erased the SSD and HDD as well as trying to do a factory reset- all of which haven't worked.

How can I get this computer back to a base level and first and foremost have an actual operating system on it.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 18, 2020 4:43 PM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

241,073 points

Aug 18, 2020 5:25 PM in response to RHannah55

1. Start up from macOS Recovery

To start up from macOS Recovery, turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the following combinations on your keyboard.

Option-⌘-R

Upgrade to the latest macOS compatible with your Mac.

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Answer 2

rkaufmann87

Level 10

141,638 points

Aug 18, 2020 4:54 PM in response to RHannah55

Yes, hold times are much longer than normal. Was the computer set up per the directions https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201065? It is helpful if we knew how you acquired the Mac and if it was properly set before you got it. If you bought It from a proper reseller it’s likely okay but if you bought it from eBay, an Amazon seller etc you have no idea what you really got.

as for your startup screen please click ithttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204156 and it https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

good luck!

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Answer 3

RHannah55 Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 18, 2020 5:03 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Hey! So I've actually taken a look at that documentation for thttps://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204156 and it https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314. I tried implementing those and it didn't work.

I did buy it from ebay-- i didn't know where else to buy it from. the ebay seller has been responding to my messages but i'm still trying to figure it out. It seems the Macintosh HD was never installed on the computer so that's why it isn't loading up at all.

I'm going through this stuff now here: https://recoverit.wondershare.com/mac-solutions/macintosh-hd-not-mounted.html

I don't know what to do. the reinstall OS X doesn't work... I tried restoring, i tried the disk utility... i even tried using the terminal (not the best at code) but yeah nothing seems to be working and what's worse is I was waiting a good weekend past when this was supposed to arrive bc of all the things with the pandemic/extra safety precautions :/

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

241,073 points

Aug 20, 2020 12:57 PM in response to RHannah55

Any luck yet?

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Got a used 2015 iMac- I am having this major issue with the flashing folder with exclamation point

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