HT201191: Install memory in an iMac

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RobNic62

Q: My iMac won't start up.

I have an iMac 20", from mid 2007.

Since I installed OS 10.7.4, the mac has 'frozen" a lot and occaisionally won't start up.

On the advise of Apple, I increased the memory from 2GB to 4GB.

I still have a problem starting up.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.4), 20"

Posted on Jul 8, 2012 6:29 AM

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Q: My iMac won't start up.

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  • by MiiCK,Solvedanswer

    MiiCK MiiCK Jul 8, 2012 8:00 AM in response to RobNic62
    Level 1 (120 points)
    Jul 8, 2012 8:00 AM in response to RobNic62

    When you say won't start up, what do you mean? There's a lot of permutations to what that sentence means.

    Where does it freeze? Have you installed all available software updates?

     

    System Requirements for OS X Lion:

    • x86-64 cpu (Macs with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, or Xeon processor)
    • At least 2GB of RAM
    • Mac OS X 10.6.6 or later (Mac OS X 10.6.8 is recommended)
    • At least 7 GB of free hard drive space

     

    Try these steps:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405 PRAM

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 SMC

    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4373 Safe Mode (It may take a while, but wait for the progress bar to fill up and see if it still freezes in safe mode)

    If Safe Mode is fine but normal boot is slow or freezes, then try these two links:

    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4602 - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4333 Login Items (Users)

     

    Also, unplug any peripheral devices that aren't needed, just leave power, keyboard and mouse, see if that helps booting.

    Hold down ALT (option key) when starting up, select the Recovery Partition, then select Disk Utility and verify/repair the disk, as well as verify/repair the disk permissions.

    Could also try running the Apple Hardware Test, follow this article: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4510

     

    Post back with more information if the iMac is still playing up.

     

    Best of luck!

     

    MiiCK.

  • by RobNic62,

    RobNic62 RobNic62 Jul 9, 2012 4:02 AM in response to MiiCK
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 9, 2012 4:02 AM in response to MiiCK

    Dear MiiCK,

    Many thanks for your comprehensive response.

    Re-starting in "Safe Mode", got it started and running, but it ios still slow, with an occasional small freeze/not responding for a few minutes.

    I'll try some of your other helpful tips.

    Best wishes &

    Many thanks

    Regards

    Rob