2012 iMac recovery mode struggles

Hello, I have a 2012 iMac that I want to use in Target Display Mode as a display screen for my Macbook.

I'm struggling in Recovery Mode to get the iMac working at all.

In Disk Utility I can see my internal disk and another partition disk. My disks are formated as MacOS Extended Journaled. I'm not able to erase at all. I'm able to verfiy and repair and this says 'appears OK'.

In Install OS X I'm not able to select any disk to install Mountain Lion.

In Time Machine I'm able to access an old random backup but again not able to select any disk to install. I don't have a spare external hardrive to plug in and use right now, if I was able to get one would this help me out in this situation?

Those are my only options.

I only need the iMac up and running so I can put it into Target Display Mode with my Macbook.

Thanks very much for any help.

Posted on Jan 1, 2024 7:28 AM

Top-ranking reply

dmxyy_

Level 1

42 points

Posted on Jan 1, 2024 7:39 AM

It seems like your 2012 iMac is having issues with the internal hard drive, which is preventing you from installing or repairing the operating system. Having an external hard drive could indeed help you resolve this issue. Here's what you can try:

Create a bootable macOS installer: If you have access to another Mac, you can create a bootable macOS installer using a USB drive. This will allow you to reinstall macOS on your iMac without relying on the internal hard drive.Download the macOS installer from the App Store on the other Mac. Format the USB drive as macOS Extended (Journaled) using Disk Utility and copy the installer file to the USB drive. Connect the USB drive to the 2012 iMac and boot it into Recovery Mode. Select "Reinstall macOS" and choose the USB drive as the installation source.Follow the installation instructions to complete the process.
Use Target Display Mode without booting the iMac: If you just need to use the iMac as a display for your MacBook, you don't need to boot the iMac fully. Connect the iMac to the MacBook using a Thunderbolt 2 cable.The iMac will enter Target Display Mode, mirroring the MacBook's display. The iMac won't boot into macOS, but it will function as a secondary display.
Check for hardware issues: If neither of the above methods work, there might be a hardware issue with the iMac's internal hard drive. You can try connecting an external hard drive to the iMac and see if it recognizes it. If it does,you can use the external drive to back up your data and then replace the internal hard drive.
Seek professional assistance: If you're not comfortable troubleshooting the iMac's hardware or software issues,consider taking it to a professional Apple repair center. They can diagnose the problem and provide the necessary solutions.

Dominik

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2012 iMac recovery mode struggles

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