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stuck on grub rescue

I recently tried out dual booting with a linux distro on my iMac ( mid 2011, running High Sierra). I decided it wasn't for me so I deleted the linux partitions, and now when I turn on my Mac all I get is grub rescue screen. I can't access anything or even run a live cd or usb. So can anyone help with this?

I've included some screens of what I get and also pic of doc detailing what I'd done to get into this situation

iMac 27″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Oct 19, 2021 3:50 AM

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Oct 19, 2021 5:46 AM in response to VikingOSX

I go into grub rescue screen. This happens no matter what I press. Having said that, I've somehow managed to boot a live cd, (after 3 days of trying). I've attached a pic of what is showing when I opened up gparted partition manager. You may becable to advise what action to take from that

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Oct 19, 2021 4:24 AM in response to Community User

Erase the whole HDD or SSD, repartition, and reload.


Partition corruptions arise far too often, and are far too easy to trigger.


This Mac is probably old enough that Internet Recovery isn’t always a good option, which can mean building a bootable installer on another Mac, and using that to wipe the storage on the problem Mac. This if Internet Recovery was corrupted by the repartitioning.


Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support (Option-Command-R for Internet Recovery)


If Internet Recovery does not launch, you will need to use a second Mac:


How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support


Or work with somebody else or with Apple Support; with somebody that can help re-load this for you.


When working with partitioning: have backups of all partitions. Those with data you care about. Have a bootable installer, have a second Mac bootable HDD or SSD, or a Mac with Internet Recovery in firmware, or the backups and preferably a combination of these recovery paths.


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Oct 19, 2021 4:46 AM in response to Community User

Agree with @ Mr. Hoffman and will have to reload the entire OS from scratch after reformatting the Entire Drive.


1 - Shutdown computer and disconnect all external drive Except the newly created Bootable Installer.


2- Restart and immediately hold the OPTION key until the Startup Manager appears and choose the USB Drive. 


3 - It will present options >> Disk Utilities >> View >> View ALL attached Drives. 


4 - Choose the Upper Most Drive ( not the volumes indented and list below ).


5 - The drive normally is called Apple Media or Apple SSD - that is the drive to Erase and format as HFS Journaled with the GUID Partition Map. 


6 - Once that is done >> backup out of Disk Utilities and choose install macOS. 


7 - Follow the prompts and it may automatically reboot several time. 


8 - Upon a final reboot - Setup Assist will present with the newer version of macOS.

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Oct 19, 2021 5:39 AM in response to Community User

Booting into Linux isn’t going to help get macOS installed. If Command-R (and probably best) Option-Command-R at power-up doesn’t get you into macOS Recovery, you’re going to have to rummage for help with somebody that can build you that bootable installer, or help with Target Disk Mode from another Mac.

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Oct 19, 2021 5:37 AM in response to MrHoffman

well no. When I power up and press alt I don't get the boot options, I go straight to grub rescue.

I since somehow successfully booted in a live cd and have sent a screen in previous reply. But in case you missed it, here is the screen

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Oct 19, 2021 5:03 AM in response to PRP_53

Thanks for replying. I know about doing all you have said and believe I have ried all of it, to no avail. All that happens is I keep landing on the the black grub rescue screen, so I can't reformat or I would, but as it is it seems to be "bricked" Thank you anyways for taking the time to try and assist

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Oct 19, 2021 5:04 AM in response to MrHoffman

Thanks for replying. I know about doing all you have said and believe I have tried all of it, to no avail. All that happens is I keep landing on the the black grub rescue screen, so I can't reformat or I would, but as it is it seems to be "bricked" Thank you anyways for taking the time to try and assist

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Oct 19, 2021 6:06 AM in response to Community User

Posting that same image a fifth time will no more move this forward than will the Linux partition tool shown.


Get some local help for the bootable installer or Target Disk Mode, or check with Apple Support and see if they can get you something bootable.

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Oct 19, 2021 6:07 AM in response to Community User

Been a while since I have used GParted. From the LiveCD, can you mark the hfs+ Recovery HD /dev/sda3 as boot (or /dev/sda2 (Ronnie's-imac) instead of /dev/sda1? Do you have a Time Machine backup of your macOS (ronnie's-imac) before you installed Linux?

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Oct 19, 2021 6:26 AM in response to Community User

All suggestions to follow is predicated on have a Bootable Installer of High Sierra.


What will happen, while in Linux GPart and removing all partitions & volumes, now a single Partition. Still in GPart and format the Upper Most Drive as Fat 32.


Back out of the Live Linux and attempt the boot to Bootable Installer of High Sierra.

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Oct 19, 2021 5:26 AM in response to PRP_53

Here's an update. I've miracuously managed to boot up a live cd. I've opened up partition manager and attached a screen of what it's showing

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Oct 19, 2021 5:29 AM in response to MrHoffman

I've somehow managed to boot a live cd. I've opened the partition manager and attach a screen of what it shows. So if you can say, what can I do here?

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Oct 19, 2021 6:45 AM in response to VikingOSX

By that I presume you're asking if I can change the flags? Yes I can. I don't have a time machine back up

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stuck on grub rescue

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