Replaced my imac's internal 320GB WD HD with a Seagate 2TB 'Go Flex'. Now It won't boot up from Leopard System Disk>>?? Help Me Please...?

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Replaced my imac's internal 320GB WD HD with a Seagate 2TB 'Go Flex'. Now It won't boot up from Leopard System Disk>>?? Help Me Please...?

I just replaced my iMac's 320GB WD drive with a new Seagate 2TB taken out of an external GO FLEX USB 3.0 case.

We installed the replacement drive, everything went fine. Re-booted the machine and after a minute or so got just a blinking question mark /folder icon. Inserted my Leopard OSX system disk and rebooted it again and got the same thing. Rebooted it a third time with the option key held down and got a locked padlock on the screen with a password box. Tried all my previous passwords with absolutely no luck. What password does it want? Can anyone tell me how to get the system re-installed back on the iMac? It's really frustrating.

Now I'm Dizzy, Dazed, & Confused.... Someone Help Me Please????

[-😮-😮-😮-] DJ AfterDark [-😮-😮-😮-]

Posted on Feb 14, 2012 1:21 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

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85,314 points

Feb 14, 2012 5:13 AM in response to auralistics

You probably have an open firmware password set.

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Answer 2

BDAqua

Level 10

250,259 points

Feb 14, 2012 9:42 AM in response to auralistics

Boot up while holding the Option key down until you see the boot manager, do you see this...

User uploaded file

Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352

It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.

Force Removing Password Protection

1) Add or remove DIMMs to change the total amount of RAM in the computer.

2) Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + P + R).

http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php

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Answer 3

auralistics Author

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Feb 15, 2012 6:10 PM in response to auralistics

I just wanted to say thanks to "a brody" & BD Aqua for their fabulous help!!!

You both were right!!! It WAS a firmware password issue! It is still a mystery though how it got there to begin with.

I spoke to the seller that I bought it from and he said he didn't put it there. So WHO DID?? I guess we'll never know. THE BAD NEWS>>>>> My 2 TB Drive won't work in the machine>>>> sigh

It can only read up to 1.5 TB So, now we have to do this all over again....LOL!!!

At least we have the first time to draw on....smile>>>THANKS AGAIN GUYS!!!!

Afterdark

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Answer 4

BDAqua

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250,259 points

Feb 15, 2012 10:14 PM in response to auralistics

t can only read up to 1.5 TB So, now we have to do this all over again..

Where, what can nly read 1.5 GB???

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Answer 5

auralistics Author

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Feb 16, 2012 5:21 AM in response to BDAqua

I took the imac to the apple store. The tech at the store that worked with me tried to format the 2gb seagate drive.

The imac didn't recognize it at all. He said that this model imac could only read 1.5 TB at the most. Went home opened it up swapped the 2 TB for a 1.5 ran the system install for leopard with no problem.

I am fine with 1.5 TB! ! Everything is up and running perfect now.

Thanks!!!!!

afterdark

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Answer 6

BDAqua

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250,259 points

Feb 16, 2012 9:54 AM in response to auralistics

Thanks, that's interesting, can you supply us with the iMac's info?

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.

Then click on More Info>Hardware and report this upto but not including the Serial#...

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: iMac

Model Identifier: iMac7,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number Of Processors: 1

Total Number Of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 4 MB

Memory: 6 GB

Bus Speed: 800 MHz

Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.21f4

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