Why won't my brand new iMac boot up?

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Why won't my brand new iMac boot up?

I got my new iMac about one month ago. I installed the new Adobe Premier Pro CS6 and I've been using it fine. Today I tried to capture video from my Panasonic AG-HVX200 (set to tape/VCR) Adobe kept crashing. I finally decided to try to restart my iMac. Now I have a white screen. What is going on? Is this the iMac? Have I changed from PC to Mac and Simple editing system to PP in error? What new horrors await me? Help! This is footage people paid good money for me to edit.

Thank you!!

New and Fearful iMac user.

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011), Mac OS X (10.7.5), I can't say for sure

Posted on Oct 1, 2012 4:59 PM

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Answer 1

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babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Oct 1, 2012 5:13 PM in response to nadinefromwa

Have you checked the system requirements for this software (in particular the RAM and graphics card):

http://www.adobe.com/products/premiere/tech-specs.html

And, regarding your white screen, you might want to look at this:

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3824

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Answer 2

Linc Davis

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209,535 points

Oct 1, 2012 7:03 PM in response to nadinefromwa

If the capture device is still connected, disconnect it and try again to boot.

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Answer 3

nadinefromwa Author

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Oct 1, 2012 8:16 PM in response to babowa

I'm in shock that my question got a response so quickly. And very encouraged. I did disconnect and try again several times, to the point of questioning the impact it might have on my camera. But thank you.

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Answer 4

nadinefromwa Author

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Oct 1, 2012 8:24 PM in response to babowa

Thank you so much. Before I saw this, I was able to boot back up by holding down the button on the back. My activity monitor came up immediately and (being a new mac owner didn't realize that this is basically my system check) noticed how much space I had used with my video. I am wondering if this is not what my problem has been. I am in the process right now of copying all my video files to a 2T external drive and will now keep my files there. I think (I hope) that I simply have too much data. Video files build up quickly, especially when you are working in a new system and are fearful of deleting anything. We'll see how this works.

In the meantime, I am going to check out the links you posted. I assumed because this was an "iMac" (halo above name) that I was home free for graphics. I added more memory in my order and got the best they offered. But your probably right and it is not enough. Been a PC user my whole life. Working my way through this new OS.

Thanks again!

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Answer 5

babowa

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78,097 points

Oct 1, 2012 8:30 PM in response to nadinefromwa

So how much RAM do you have (the stock 4 GB?) and where did you order more? The two most recommended here are OWC (macsales.com) and Crucial. Working with videos I'd suggest a minimum of 12 GB - more is better. I have 12 and do a fair amount of video editing (don't use Adobe, but Final Cut) and it is ok, but could use more.

And, how much empty hard drive space did/do you have? If you're working with HD video (1080p?) the files are enormous.

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Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,535 points

Oct 1, 2012 8:34 PM in response to nadinefromwa

If you filled up your boot volume, that could certainly cause a boot failure.

There is a lot of misinformation circulating on this site about how much free space you need on your boot volume. According to Apple documentation, at least 9 GB of free space are needed for normal operation. I've never seen any evidence, as opposed to opinions, that having more free space than that has any effect on performance. However, you need to keep enough space free so that you don't accidentally fill up the volume completely.

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Answer 7

nadinefromwa Author

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Oct 1, 2012 9:07 PM in response to babowa

When I ordered the iMac I ordered the offerred additional 4GB so it came from the factory with 8. Intel. Version 10.8 ( curious Link -How can you need 9GB of free space for normal operation if the computer comes with only 4?)

Yes, I did upload in HD from P2 cards and this is new to me. I'm not surprised to hear it. I kind of thought this might be a game changer. Thanks for the heads up. I might have to order the big guns for storage.

On the PC I used to de-frag and knew how to clean up files. I have no idea on this iMac and I'm under the gun for some projects. I appreciate the info on how to not kill my new computer. Babowa, when I looked I had used 1/2 of my space. That was totally fast. And this is just one project. So that answers my question (the HD) on this speedy fill up .

I have one question - what would you recommend I do to help myself easily transform this new computer into a fear-free editing machine? I'm a total Mac newbie.

Man oh man do I appreciate this forum.

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Answer 8

Linc Davis

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209,535 points

Oct 1, 2012 9:14 PM in response to nadinefromwa

How can you need 9GB of free space for normal operation if the computer comes with only 4?

Disk space, not memory.

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Answer 9

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Oct 1, 2012 9:15 PM in response to nadinefromwa

Okay, just to make sure: the RAM we are talking about does not have anything to do with the hard drive space - the RAM is memory your computer uses to work; the hard drive is much like a CD or DVD and it is space that your computer writes to: when you do anything, the space gets written to and that particular space is now used and no longer available. If you have a mid 2011, I'm assuming you have a 1 TB hard drive (that is approx. 1,000 GB). It is that space that you need to maintain a certain amount of empty space for your OS to work properly. There are different opinions on how much: I usually suggest 10 - 15 GB as an absolute minimum. You have to remember when the hard drive spins while it is being written to, it works better when it does not have to search for a little space here or there, but finds big empty chunks to work with.

Now, back to the RAM: so you have 8 GB RAM? How is that installed - do you have 4 x 2 GB modules or what is the configuration? Once you post that, we can figure out what the best way is to increase it - you should have more than 8 GB.

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Answer 10

nadinefromwa Author

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Oct 1, 2012 9:45 PM in response to babowa

Geez Louise, how much I do not know. How do I find out how much of everything I have on this? I have no idea if I have 4 x 2 GB modules, or it's configuration. Thank you for the information on RAM versus space. Very clear. I appreciate your patience. Yes, it must be the mid 2011, but I don't even know how you know that. Where on the computer will it give me this info?

I also have a question I don't know if you can answer. Since I just finished copying everything to the external drive, I want to delete the data on the computer and start editing from the external, assuming that will end my current problem. Is there anything else I don't know that I may regret doing if I do that? (besides the program asking me where all the files are). I don't think I will be able to continue editing data on the computer without it freezing on me at this point so I don't see many options, and I also can not go in to safely render to it (assumption). If the project is saved on the external, and I open it from there, does it really open it in the new location?

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Answer 11

roam

Level 6

13,631 points

Oct 1, 2012 10:09 PM in response to nadinefromwa

Open Activity Monitor* and down the bottom of the panel, click on the different tabs where from the diagrams you will get some idea of your system resources. Don't worry if it is more technical than you understand, just absorb the bits you do. In time, understanding will grow.

*found in Applications / Utilities

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Answer 12

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Oct 1, 2012 10:53 PM in response to nadinefromwa

Well, to make it perfectly clear: I am NOT clairvoyant, LOL. Your profile says that you have a mid 2011 21.5 iMac running Mac OS 10.7.5 - is that correct? Take a look at your order or invoice from Apple and post what it says on it (only the iMac info, nothing personal).

And, to find your RAM configuration: Click on the Apple, then on About this Mac. Now click on More Into and then on Memory - you should see a window like this (this is my MBP with only 2 RAM slots, yours should show 4):

Post a screenshot of yours.

And, your hard drive size: right or control click on your hard drive icon and choose Get Info - post what it says under total capacity, used, and available.

As for your question re. your video files - since you are working with Adobe, I cannot answer that question. I use Final Cut, but that is an Apple application and there are instructions on how to keep your files on an external drive and how to configure Final Cut to look for the files there. I do not know if Adobe has similar options - you will need to check all the settings and/or manual to see if there are instructions. Are you working with 1080 or 720 files? My camera shoots in 1080, but I decided to process my footage in 720 because of the file sizes and the fact that I really can't tell the difference on my TV, but this is my choice and my movie, not a client's...

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Answer 13

nadinefromwa Author

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Oct 2, 2012 10:22 AM in response to babowa

When I was trying to get into the forum it asked me that question and I just grabbed the one that sounded good. ha. Now that I have gone into my system I see that it's actually true.

Here is what I now know - (I don't know how to post a screen shot) my picture of what you have up here is the same except with 8 GB in the blue box and 4 slots, 2 of which say 4 GB and 2 that say empty. My Mac contains 4 memory slots, each of which accpets a 1333 MHz DDR3 memory module.

My Hard drive information says I have 499.25 GB capacity. 255.65 used, and 243.6 available. It is a 500 GB SATA disc. What is RAID?

I just purchased adobe based on a lot of research between it and Final Cut. It sounded like folks were not too happy with some recent changes in Final Cut, and Adobe accepts my MXF files. Which I, like you, don't see a huge difference in quality anyway. I do weddings, so the whole cinematic High Def special affects are not really the main objective. The client wants good sound, smooth moves and above average picture and larger files are not where that comes from. Re-thinking the whole game plan here. Now I just want to save what I have so far done in PP without crashing and get on the right path. Overwhelmed with new information and options (new computer system, new editing program, new camera) I captured in various settings and rendered the same. I'm all over the map right now.

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Answer 14

MichelPM

Level 10

80,958 points

Oct 2, 2012 11:02 AM in response to nadinefromwa

As you may or may not be aware, video needs lots of RAM and lots of hard drive space.

So, moving your video work space to the 2 TB drive was a smart move.

Just curious, is the 2 TB external drive a FireWire 800 drive or USB 2.0?

FireWire 800 is much, much faster than USB 2.0, Thoerectical FireWire drive throughput speed is 800 Megabits per second. The actual average throughput of a FireWire 800 drive is between 500-700 Mbps.

Much faster than USB 2.0.

If you are not using an external FireWire drive for video work, you should be.

As far as RAM, newer versions of OS X need, by itself, 3-4 GBs of RAM just to operate the OS smoothly, quickly and efficiently. 8 GBs of RAM only leaves between 4-5 GBs of RAM for running applications.

This is not a lot for processor intense applications like video applications, graphics apps, 3D/CGI modeling and animation apps,,etc.

Officially Apple says your mid 2011 iMac supports up to 16 GBs of RAM.

Unofficialy, your iMac can take an actual max. RAM of 32 GBs of RAM.

My advice? RAM for iMacs is fairly cheap, now.

Install the full 16 GBs of RAM. You won't be sorry.

Order reliable Mac RAM from online sources Crucial memory or OWC.

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Answer 15

babowa

Level 9

78,097 points

Oct 2, 2012 12:37 PM in response to nadinefromwa

I'm glad you have 2 x 4 GB RAM sticks and that 2 slots are empty - that makes it super easy! You can get another set of 2 x 4 GB RAM and put them in the empty slots which will then give you 16 GB. Here is where you can get the RAM:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/iMac/2011/DDR3_21.5_27

Unless you want to take out the RAM that is there now (so you can put in even more), you will want the 4th one down for $50.88 - that is for 2 x 4 GB.

Also check out their install videos (it is easy to do):

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_mid_2011_mem/

As for your hard drive: one of the rules I read about is that for rendering, you need to have at least as much as the files you are working on as a "spare" empty space. So, if you have just over 240 GB available and you are trying to process a lot of files in 1080 HD, you are probably processing more than that. I mostly shoot dance competitions and one dance (up to 4 minutes) clip is about 2 GB in 1080. If you are shooting for an hour or more - add it up!

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