Imac will not; Boot, nor start Disk Utility or Recovery mode

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Level 1

8 points

Imac will not; Boot, nor start Disk Utility or Recovery mode

Hi

I have a 2013 27" with 32GB ram and wanted to do a factory reset and went into the disk utility and deleted the Macintosh HD, it's a hybrid disk with a combined 1,2GB, and something went wrong and it wanted to restart.

When restating there is no chime like normal and the apple logo is only there for a second, then it comes to a screen saying 'your computer restarted because of a problem press a key or wait a few seconds' and then it restarts again and keep looping like this.

I have tried to enter disk utility mode and recovery mode etc. but nothing happens. I have tried Command+R, shift, option etc etc etc - nothing.

I have a USB with a Catalina install on it connected, but as it will not enter disk utility I can not select it.

What can I do? How can I get access to either disk and get the new install on the way?

Posted on Feb 23, 2021 6:23 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

DeeperDiver

Level 4

1,045 points

Feb 23, 2021 10:12 AM in response to TDV8

So when you power off your Mac, and power it back on while holding CMD-R, you do not get a utilities screen?

If you have a wireless keyboard, try connecting a cable to it to your Mac, and try the above step. Sometimes, a wired-keyboard works better than a wireless when getting to the boot screen.

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Answer 2

Feb 23, 2021 9:31 AM in response to TDV8

Not an expert by any means, but...

Did you try to reset PRAM or SMC? I found these on Apple support:

Reset NVRAM or PRAM on your Mac(Document Type: Document) Nov 17, 2020If your Mac has issues related to settings stored in NVRAM or PRAM, resetting it might help.https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

How to reset the SMC of your Mac(Document Type: Document) Nov 16, 2020Resetting the system management controller (SMC) can resolve certain issues related to power, battery, fans, and other features....https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

If your Mac restarted because of a problem(Document Type: Document) Jul 15, 2019Learn what to do if your computer restarts or shuts down unexpectedly, or you get a message that your computer restarted or shut down because of a problem....https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553

A cold restart with the option key should allow you to select the connected USB to install Catalina.

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Answer 3

TDV8 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2021 10:18 AM in response to Bruce Michel

Yes, tried all of those, nothing. The only difference I get trying some of the different things is a grey mac prohibited sign will come on a white screen and then the computer will try to restart again and quickly come to the 'your computer restarted because of a problem press a key or wait a few seconds' screen again.

And still no startup sound at any point.

I've tried Internet Recovery, option+command+R, not working. It just keeps going in the same loop.

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,742 points

Feb 23, 2021 10:43 AM in response to TDV8

Yes, any USB keyboard will work. The Command key on an Apple keyboard is the same as the Ctrl. key on a Windows keyboard.

On an Apple keyboard you continue to hold down Command + R until the computer starts in the Recovery Partition. The error a lots of users make is to type the keys and release them before the computer has time to "get" the command.

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Answer 5

TDV8 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2021 11:16 AM in response to DeeperDiver

Just discovered that the new flat keyboard with rechargeable battery is also a USB keyboard :-) Got into the disk utility and got things sorted and a new installation is now well on the way!

I should have known that it was a USB keyboard :-)

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Answer 6

Feb 23, 2021 12:59 PM in response to TDV8

I'm happy to hear you got that resolved. When I'm doing a MacOS install, I always plug the lightning cable in to my keyboard before I do it to eliminate any drama that might occur when the OS gets wiped out. It's a quirk at times that the keyboard loses its connection during these moments. I also plug in a wired, USB mouse. Once the installation is going and I know that my wireless mouse is working, then I remove the USB mouse.

Many people don't realize that plugging the lightning cable into your keyboard not only makes it become a standard wired keyboard, it's also a great way to re-pair the keyboard (or mouse/trackpad) to one's Mac instantly.

Bluetooth is great... when it works. Can't beat a hardwire.

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Answer 7

TDV8 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2021 1:46 PM in response to DeeperDiver

sure, I just got a new iMac and wanted to factory reset the old and didn't think about that the keyboard for the new was both bluetooth and usb. I actually think that the batteries on the old keyboard was just dead, which may also explain the helpless punching on the keys to no effect :-)

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Answer 8

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,742 points

Feb 23, 2021 8:23 AM in response to TDV8

Your next step is to please call Apple Care or to take your computer to your local AASP for service. To find AppleCare's phone number in your area please click AppleCare contact Information

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Answer 9

TDV8 Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 23, 2021 8:29 AM in response to rkaufmann87

What can they do that I can't do at home? Don't get me wrong, if that is the only solution I'll call them, but unless they have a special tool, I'll give anything a try

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