bee.tree
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Q: I can't reboot because son downloaded incompatible flash player

Is there anything I can do? I can't get my older Intel Duo Core iMac running OSX10.4 to boot from the hard drive or system disc. I can't zap PRAM either. I was able to reboot SMU. I can eject the disc by holding down the mouse.

 

When son went to restart, after deciding to upgrade the incompativle flash player, all we get is the chime, the apple and the spinning gear. Nothing else seems to work. If I try to open up this computer, will the LED's be useful that I found on a tutorial? Or is this machine fried?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Intel Duo Core processor

Posted on Feb 13, 2012 9:07 AM

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Q: I can't reboot because son downloaded incompatible flash player

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  • by thekb,

    thekb thekb Feb 13, 2012 9:11 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 9:11 AM in response to bee.tree

    Try booting up in safe mode by holding the 'option' key while restarting. You may also find some useful information in this article.   http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417

  • by bee.tree,

    bee.tree bee.tree Feb 13, 2012 9:37 AM in response to thekb
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 9:37 AM in response to thekb

    Thanks for your help. Unfortunately I can not get in safe mode or verbose mode. Or any mode. I only get the apple, one chime and the spinning gear.

     

    Am I out of options? Is it worth it to open this machine up? Or should I give up? I'm not sure what it would take to fix this older iMac and if the cost would be worth it. I thought the LED's might help me figure that out? I've never opened up my iMac before, but I'm willing to try if I am at the end of my options.

  • by Paul_31,

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Feb 13, 2012 9:39 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 9:39 AM in response to bee.tree

    Did you try Safe Boot holding down the shift key (not the Option key)

  • by bee.tree,

    bee.tree bee.tree Feb 13, 2012 9:54 AM in response to Paul_31
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 9:54 AM in response to Paul_31

    Just tried it, and same thing. I still can not boot. I appreciate your help. Is there anything else?

  • by Paul_31,

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Feb 13, 2012 9:56 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 9:56 AM in response to bee.tree

    How about an SMC reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

  • by bee.tree,

    bee.tree bee.tree Feb 13, 2012 10:06 AM in response to Paul_31
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:06 AM in response to Paul_31

    That appears to have done nothing. Still only the apple, a chime and the spinning gear.

  • by Paul_31,

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Feb 13, 2012 10:21 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:21 AM in response to bee.tree

    Have you got the disk that came with the Mac, or a full retail version of the OS you are running? If so, try putting the disk in the drive and restarting holding down the 'C' key. Hopefully it'll boot - choose your language and at the next screen, from the menu bar, select Utilities>Disk Utility, select Macintosh HD and click on repair disk. If it fixes anything click on repair disk again until you get a clean pass then restart as normal from the Apple menu. If that doesn't work I'm out of ideas. Good luck.

  • by thekb,

    thekb thekb Feb 13, 2012 10:20 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:20 AM in response to bee.tree

    Is your keyboard working properly? A good way to tell its working is if the caps lock button works. Maybe try using the option key on the other side. Also try booting holding 'Command' + 'S' which should boot you to single user mode. Once here run this command '/sbin/fsck -fy'. Keep running that command until it says the drive is ok.

  • by bee.tree,

    bee.tree bee.tree Feb 13, 2012 10:37 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:37 AM in response to bee.tree

    Thanks Paul and thekb, but yes, my keyboard works.  What do you think could be happening because of an incompatible download? I have no idea, that is why I am wondering if opening it up and following the LED tutorial will help figure this out. ... Especially if all I seem to be left with is an odd piece of computer sculpture?

     

    This mom is losing all hope!

  • by Paul_31,

    Paul_31 Paul_31 Feb 13, 2012 10:47 AM in response to bee.tree
    Level 6 (13,925 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:47 AM in response to bee.tree

    I don't know about poking round inside the Mac - wouldn't know what I'm looking at. But if you do decide to, don't forget to unplug it first - not sure how you would see the LEDs though.

    Did you try booting from the restore disk that came with the Mac or full retail install disk as I mentioned above?

  • by bee.tree,

    bee.tree bee.tree Feb 13, 2012 10:53 AM in response to Paul_31
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 13, 2012 10:53 AM in response to Paul_31

    I have tried EVERYTHING. Yes, I have three old system discs, a hardware test disc, I tried everything and every combination and get the same thing. Apple, single chime, and spinning gear.

     

    This is what I was looking at.... http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2094

     

    Any body think this is a good idea?