iMac won't boot after resetting PRAM

Question

Level 1

6 points

iMac won't boot after resetting PRAM

After updating to OSX 10.7.3, I noticed that my iMac stopped going to sleep. I would select sleep from the Apple menu and the display would shut off, but the hard drive fans would remain active. So I tried to remedy this situation by running disk utility, resetting the SMC and finally resetting the PRAM. However, after the PRAM reset, now my IMac sits at a gray screen at startup. It won't do a thing, nor will it respond to any keyboard commands, I can reset to the PRAM again, it responds to that keyboard command at startup, but it is otherwise unresponsive.

Has none had a similiar issue?

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Feb 18, 2012 8:46 AM

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Answer 1

iCare

Level 4

2,490 points

Feb 18, 2012 9:04 AM in response to jjustind

Are you able to boot into the Lion recovery mode by holding down the command and 'r' keys shortly after powering on the system? If this works then you can run the Disk Utility to check your hard drive and reinstall Lion if needed without wiping out your data.

http://blog.macsales.com/10146-apple-further-restricts-upgrade-options-on-new-im acs

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Answer 2

jjustind Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 18, 2012 9:18 AM in response to iCare

No, holding down command-r does nothing. My iMac just sits at a gray screen with no apple logo. I am not able to boot into safe mode either.

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Answer 3

iCare

Level 4

2,490 points

Feb 18, 2012 9:21 AM in response to jjustind

If you're not even getting the Apple logo when you turn on the iMac then you should review this article:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570

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Answer 4

jjustind Author

Level 1

6 points

Feb 18, 2012 9:40 AM in response to iCare

I just finished reading that article, but I am currently running lion. Can I still perform an archive And install with an older osx install disc? I have my old snow leopard disk around here somewhere. I've gone as far as to start the machine with nothing pluggin in other than power with the same results.

By the by, I do appreciate your time in this matter, as you can imagine, this is very frustrating. Tough seeing a reply certainly makes this more tolerable.

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Answer 5

baltwo

Level 9

62,386 points

Feb 18, 2012 12:37 PM in response to jjustind

Contact Apple Service, iMac Service or Apple's Express Lane. Do note that if you have AppleCare's protection plan and you're within 50 miles (80 KM) of an Apple repair station, you're eligible for onsite repair since yours is a desktop machine.

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Answer 6

HACKINT0SH

Level 5

5,810 points

Feb 18, 2012 8:56 PM in response to jjustind

Now you see why it is not advised to do TOO MANY PRAM resets.

I suggest another SMC, but make SURE you unplug EVERYTHING. Every usb device, no matter how little.... includes thumb drives... and yes even unplug keyboard/mouse.... and 120v cable.

Wait 15 secs, then plug in power cable ONLY.

Press power button and pray to whatever God you believe in.

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