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User profile for user: Shanti890
Shanti890 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Reformat the HD when Screen isn't working

Hi folks; my iMac 27" from 2011 has a bad graphic card. The screen doesn't stay on for 1 or 2 seconds at the most. I tried hooking another monitor via Mini Display -> HDMI port on the Monitor but unfortunately nothing shows up on the external display (monitor). The Hard Drive is booting and is working ( I know because I can feel the vibration from the HD).

I want to send it to Apple recycling however I want to reformat the HD first (I already have a back up); since screen isn't working I'm thinking I have to physically take out the HD and reformat. Anyone know how can I reformat the internal HD after removal form iMac 27" casing? Any help is greatly appreciated.

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Mar 13, 2021 5:56 PM

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,492 points

Posted on Mar 13, 2021 6:36 PM

You can use Target Disk mode without having to remove the drive if you have another Mac Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support

The drive in the old computer will show up as an external drive and you can use Disk Utility to erase.

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User profile for user: SeaPapp
SeaPapp
User level: Level 7
26,492 points

Mar 16, 2021 2:20 PM in response to Shanti890

USB-C to Thunderbolt 2 adapter and a thunderbolt cable https://www.apple.com/shop/product/MMEL2AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter?fnode=099a8d7aa581d7acf5c5597eb8bc533c2c135cf3d55de31da4cab0ad5de157e74234031e9c6f73f3ae77944fd6d35c127486c4d061df27445632151dbb1a5b38f9715a64428868fe39766b0d65e29ab64166cbe0c91064bdc16abb3fd7acc8295d6ce44056c444c8c5fb3a4a8dfe9c2b

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User profile for user: Shanti890
Shanti890 Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mar 16, 2021 1:39 PM in response to SeaPapp

Thanks. Do you know which cable I need to use? I have a Mac Mini (2020) model which has a thunderbolt (USB-C) connection. The old mac 2011 has a thunderbolt but it looks very different; I'm guessing it's an older version of thunderbolt. I didn't find any cable which can convert the old thunderbolt to new thunderbolt; when I search on the internet.

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Reformat the HD when Screen isn't working

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