iMac shuts down during start up.

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Level 1

21 points

iMac shuts down during start up.

I am having a problem where my iMac shuts down automatically after starting it up. To preface this problem, about an hour before it started doing this, the system began lagging really bad where I was always getting the beach ball of death when ever I cllicked on something. After a restart, I was no longer able to get to the log in screen. The computer just turns off after the apple logo is on the screen for about 30 seconds.

I think I need to boot from the install disc and wipe the system and install fresh. Thankfully I have backups to restore from.

Is this familiar to anyone?

Thanks for any assistance.

20" iMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8), 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Posted on Jul 18, 2012 7:59 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Carolyn Samit

Level 10

165,615 points

Jul 18, 2012 9:12 PM in response to ecbmixman

The computer just turns off after the apple logo is on the screen for about 30 seconds.

Try Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

If that doesn't help, run Disk Utillity in case the startup disk needs repairing before trying to reformat and reinstall.

Launch Disk Utiity located in HD > Applications > Utilities

Select the startup disk on the left then select the First Aid tab.

Click Verify Disk (not Verify Disk Permissions)

If the disk needs repairing you'll need your install discs > Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks

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Answer 2

ecbmixman Author

Level 1

21 points

Jul 19, 2012 5:03 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

Like I mentioned earlier, the computer won't stay running. Can't even get to the log in screen so I'm hoping I can get to the disk utility from the install disc. I'm trying the apple hardware test to see what it has to say. From there I'll try getting to the disk utility from the install disc because I think I can boot up on that.

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Answer 3

Jul 19, 2012 5:43 PM in response to ecbmixman

If the AHT doesn't report any issues, you can also try Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAMbefore booting from the install disc.

It only takes a minute and worth a try.

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Answer 4

Jan 12, 2014 7:59 AM in response to ecbmixman

I did the resetting of the Mac PRAM using hold the Command-Option-P-R keys and now the screen is black and cannot see the grey screen any more.

Please help me to solve the problem

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