I have an iMac 2019 i7 32gb 1ts. its died on me. Been to the apple store, but it wouldnt boot up. So couldnt do recovery mode or an Erase
The diagnostic gave green ticks. But still wouldnt boot. Any ideas?
iMac 21.5″, macOS 15.4
When using the special startup keys to access Recovery Mode it is critical that you press & hold those keys immediately after hearing the startup chime. If it takes you more than a second to press those keys after hearing the startup chime, you may have missed the very small window of opportunity necessary for those keys to be recognized. Definitely use a wired keyboard as suggested by @den.thed. I would recommend using Command + Option + R to access Internet Recovery Mode since just using Command + R to access local Recovery Mode may not work well if the internal drive is failing.
Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk - Apple Support
The most likely culprit is a failing hard drive as that matches the startup failure of the progress bar getting about a 1/3 of the way & failing, plus it is the easiest & least expensive thing to resolve. If you have an external drive, then you can try installing macOS to the external drive & booting macOS from the external drive to see how things work. If you can boot from a full macOS installation on the USB drive, then you have at least confirmed the issue is related to the internal drive, file system, or OS installation. Plus you can then easily check the health of the internal drive(s) using DriveDx (free trial period).
Normally I would also suggest creating & trying to boot a Knoppix Linux USB stick, but I'm not sure it will boot a 2019 iMac, or whether Linux Mint would even boot it.
When using the special startup keys to access Recovery Mode it is critical that you press & hold those keys immediately after hearing the startup chime. If it takes you more than a second to press those keys after hearing the startup chime, you may have missed the very small window of opportunity necessary for those keys to be recognized. Definitely use a wired keyboard as suggested by @den.thed. I would recommend using Command + Option + R to access Internet Recovery Mode since just using Command + R to access local Recovery Mode may not work well if the internal drive is failing.
Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk - Apple Support
The most likely culprit is a failing hard drive as that matches the startup failure of the progress bar getting about a 1/3 of the way & failing, plus it is the easiest & least expensive thing to resolve. If you have an external drive, then you can try installing macOS to the external drive & booting macOS from the external drive to see how things work. If you can boot from a full macOS installation on the USB drive, then you have at least confirmed the issue is related to the internal drive, file system, or OS installation. Plus you can then easily check the health of the internal drive(s) using DriveDx (free trial period).
Normally I would also suggest creating & trying to boot a Knoppix Linux USB stick, but I'm not sure it will boot a 2019 iMac, or whether Linux Mint would even boot it.
I suspect replacing the computer is wiser than spending money on it. However based on your description of the partial startup please click the following link for troubleshooting steps.
If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support
If you do decide to replace it, the Mac mini with an external display is an excellent solution. In the Apple Refurbished Store you can get one with:
For about $1189, add a new external display for about $300 and for <$1500 you have a complete replacement. You can migrate your data easily by following the steps in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant
Not to be snarky but your 2019 is 6 years old, not 5.
i732GB1TS wrote:
I couldnt log in to do an Erase
Command and R also didn't work.
The iMac was just about 5 years old. Is that how long a mac usually works for. I was hoping to get 7-10 years out of it. I always kept up with updates etc
Your wireless keyboard may no longer be connected to the iMac wirelessly.
If it is a rechargeable Magic Keyboard, plug it into the iMac using the supplied charging cable and then try Command + R at startup.
It that doesn't help, connect a USB Generic or PC keyboard and then try the Command + R at startup.
What screen does the startup process stop on...?
see > If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support
What did the Apple Store say was wrong...?
The screen has the apple logo and the power bar stops about a 3rd of the way.
Heres the report.
Quoted for replacement logic board but recommended erase and install prior to any other repair.
A logic board will cost around £420. But thats not a guaranted fix.
If a macOS Recovery Erase and Reinstall does not fix the problem..?
Use Disk Utility to erase an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support
How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support
Then it's time for a new Silicon iMac or Mac mini.
I couldnt log in to do an Erase
Command and R also didn't work.
The iMac was just about 5 years old. Is that how long a mac usually works for. I was hoping to get 7-10 years out of it. I always kept up with updates etc
Hi
Thanks for the message.
I always wondered about the timing of pressing down the keys.
I will try again but after unpacking the machine after taking it to the Apple Store it looks like they neglected to pack in my power socket.
Incidently i have tried internet recovery and the power bar stopped again at 1/3 in, so i was unable to get into recovery mode so wont be able to save mac os onto a hard drive.
I opened it up last gave it a clean and removed some dust.
I was told replacing the internal hardware would cost £420.
With a mac mini around 500 it doesnt seam worth it.
Thanks
2019 iMac wont boot up.
