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magixk Author

Level 1

0 points

iMac mid 2010 - SSD upgrade unable to boot

Old 1tb hdd died, unable to do any back up, so I had it replaced with a new 500gb add.

Formatted the ssd with a MacBook to Mac OS extended format.

Created a high Sierra usb bootable with transmac via a windows laptop cos unable to use Terminal to do so on MacBook M1 Ventura.

Pressing option during boot up chime, shows a white screen with ? Folder blinking.

Tried cmd-r but same ? Blinking folder.

Same for option-cmd-r.

Cmd-v doesn’t show anything, same blinking folder.

Option - cmd - p - r to reset nvram doesn’t work, no second chime, same blinking folder.

Put in the old hdd, critical error showing hdd died messages during boot up and hung.

Tried all the above with both apple and windows (windows button = cmd) (alt = option) key boards

Is there anything else I can do? Pretty sure the iMac is ok except the old hdd dying. Can’t find any option to clone high Sierra onto the ssd. Also wondering why pressing option during boot up chime is showing the blinking folder.

Posted on Jan 24, 2023 11:23 AM

Top-ranking reply

jeffreythefrog

Level 6

12,632 points

Posted on Jan 25, 2023 8:43 AM

magixk wrote:

Created a high Sierra usb bootable with transmac via a windows laptop cos unable to use Terminal to do so on MacBook M1 Ventura.

that is where your issue lies. it is not possible to use a windows computer to make a bootable installer for your Mac. you need to use a compatible Mac to make a bootable installer. you can try and erase the Mac and then try internet recovery to reinstall High Sierra. otherwise you will need to find another High Sierra compatible Mac to create a bootable installer.

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iMac mid 2010 - SSD upgrade unable to boot

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