Imac gets grey screen and fan runs hard

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Imac gets grey screen and fan runs hard

When I try to turn on my computer I get a grey screen with an apple and the fan runs like crazy. Sometimes I just get a grey box saying I need to reboot in several languages. Along with the fan running. Other times I get the grey box and then a bunch of text behind it with the fan running. I have tried to reinstall Leopard twice and get the same thing. Any ideas?

Jason

Imac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.7)

Posted on Jan 25, 2011 12:54 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 25, 2011 1:54 PM in response to rw02kr43

The issue your having is called a kernel panic. Its sort of the wild card in diagnostic messages. it could be anything. Make sure everything is disconnected from the Machine before booting it up. Its most likely a bad hardware component such as the Superdrive or Airport card.

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Answer 2

MGW

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27,047 points

Jan 25, 2011 1:56 PM in response to rw02kr43

Hi Jason - have you tried booting from your install disc and running Disk Utility?

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.

If your drive has been repaired, boot from your internal and repair permissions.

You might also try resetting the PRAM

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Answer 3

rw02kr43 Author

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Jan 25, 2011 2:09 PM in response to MGW

I have tried booting from the disk and the fan just runs and the screen stays grey. It won't even read the disk. For right now the disk is still stuck in the computer. I can't eject it cause it never comes up to a desktop.

Jason

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Answer 4

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Jan 25, 2011 3:34 PM in response to rw02kr43

You can eject the disk by holding down the mouse button while you shut down. As far as your kernel panics are concerned, look at Dr Smoke's Resolving Kernel Panics and see if anything helps. If you have access to DiskWarrioir or TechToolPro, try booting from one of them. Also, see if you can access your iMac using Target Disk Mode.

Please post back,

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Answer 5

rw02kr43 Author

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Jan 26, 2011 6:05 AM in response to MGW

well I tried all these things last night and I get the same thing. the disk is stuck in the computer and all I get is a grey screen and the fan running. I guess I'll have to take it somewhere this weekend or just scrap it.

Jason

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Answer 6

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Jan 26, 2011 6:56 AM in response to rw02kr43

Take it in, if you have an Apple store near you, and have them diagnose it and give you a repair estimate. It may not be worth spending a lot of money on it, or it may not be terribly expensive to fix, in which case you should get several more years of use out of it.

Good luck, and let us know what the diagnosis is.

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Answer 7

rw02kr43 Author

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Jan 27, 2011 6:17 AM in response to MGW

Last night I unplugged everything. Just plugged in the mouse and the keyboard and tried to reboot. It came up. So I connected one of my external HD to make a backup and so far no problems. When I get home today I expect it to be shut down and locked up again though.

Jason

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Answer 8

rw02kr43 Author

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Jan 31, 2011 7:46 AM in response to rw02kr43

It looks like it was RAM. I unplugged a stick and then reformatted. So far not many problems. It just runs slow. So, can I replace the stick of RAM or should I just leave it?

Jason

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Answer 9

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Jan 31, 2011 8:31 AM in response to rw02kr43

Most RAM comes with a lifetime guarantee. Contact the vendor and ask for a replacement.

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Answer 10

rw02kr43 Author

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Feb 3, 2011 10:22 AM in response to MGW

well it's not the RAM. The RAM is on my desk and away from the computer and I'm getting the same thing. I have unplugged everything except the keyboard and mouse and I just get the grey screen and the fan running. For the past day or so I have even had the computer unplugged. this morning I plugged it in and fired it up. Right to the same error. I really think the thing is fried.

Jason

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Answer 11

MGW

Level 7

27,047 points

Feb 3, 2011 12:16 PM in response to rw02kr43

Two more things to try:

Reset the PRAM
and
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Good luck,

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