Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Gray screen & will not start up.

Hi,

I have tried everything from starting in safe mode to installing original RAM to using disk utiltiy from start up disc and i can't get my iMac to get past the gray screen with the spinning (all gray) icon. Now it isn't recognizing any keyboard touches and won't eject the disc in the drive.

It just sits there spinning the icon or shuts down after trying to start up.

I've tried everthing it says here: //http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570 but nothing is working.

Any ideas?

(I started another discussion with this topic but i forgot to put the right title on it)

Thanks.

iMac (20-inch Late 2006), Mac OS X (10.6.8), 4 GB RAM, ILife '11

Posted on Nov 27, 2012 7:30 AM

29 replies

Dec 5, 2012 2:08 PM in response to James Phoenix

Finally managed to drag the macintosh disk to the spotlight window.

What do i do now?

Dec 5, 2012 2:26 PM in response to James Phoenix

Just checked the system memory and it says 38981/128 for page in/outs, is that bad?

Dec 7, 2012 2:26 PM in response to James Phoenix

Bueller?

BDAqua

Level 10

239,219 points

Dec 7, 2012 4:28 PM in response to James Phoenix

No Pageouts are reasonable I think.

Have we tried to run a Memory test yet?

Boot off your *original* Install Disk while holding down the *d key*, (not c key), then run the extended Apple Hardware Test. Some disks require you to use the Option key at bootup to select AHT. Some Discs have it inexplicably on Disc #2. Some models have a separate AHT CD.

The Memory test can really only be trusted if it finds a problem, not if it doesn't find a problem. 😟

Memtest OS X...

http://www.memtestosx.org/joomla/index.php

Rember is a freeware GUI for the memtest ...

http://tech.kateva.org/2005/10/rember-freeware-memory-test-utility.html

Dec 8, 2012 3:57 AM in response to BDAqua

Hi,

Thanks for the reply. 🙂

I have run the extended hardware test if that's what you mean.

It came back with no errors found. But when i try and veryify the disk in disk utility it says there is an error and it will not allow me to repair it.

Those two links, are they the same test but online?

Thanks.

Dec 11, 2012 2:42 PM in response to James Phoenix

Right so I'm at the point now where I'm just going to buy a new hard drive for it.

I've got it to the point where it says the volume is working normally and I've tried to install snow leopard and it gives me the grey screen again and i have to start again.

Right now it has the basic tiger OS and it seems okay with no delays but it does that and when i update because i have to as webpages won't open with tiger now, it either won't start up correctly and gives the grey screen or it will say it has an error.

So is it the HD so i can buy a new 1TB one and get on with my life.

I've had enough so please let me know what you think and i can get on with it.

Thanks.

Dec 17, 2012 5:26 AM in response to James Phoenix

Installed a new drive and all the software and everything is fine.

Was the drive after all.

BDAqua

Level 10

239,219 points

Dec 17, 2012 10:53 AM in response to James Phoenix

Great to hear, thanls for the report! 🙂

Dec 20, 2012 8:01 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for your help.

gromit95

Level 2

220 points

Oct 21, 2014 6:07 PM in response to James Phoenix

Help

i have a 2008 intel iMac same issue

the only thing I'm able to get to work is save boot with a f

i can see what it doing but it still shut off

something about wee ors on the drive

is a new drive in order

fred

Oct 22, 2014 9:48 AM in response to gromit95

Hi Fred,

Yes, you need to install a new drive.

It's not hard to do yourself. Took maybe an hour.

gromit95

Level 2

220 points

Oct 23, 2014 4:44 PM in response to James Phoenix

i installed a new drive

now it won't boot , chime, totally dead.

i could hear the drive spin up

so the guide i was using said to be car full with the 4 inverter conecrions

so my goes was i efed that up

took it a lll back apart re connected the inveter

then i booted it up without the cover or glass and it was fine

lcd kit up chime went off

put it back together and it won't boot

anything i should be looking out for

fred

Oct 24, 2014 4:36 AM in response to gromit95

Hi,

I'm no expert, i just tried everything i could to make mine work.

I think it won't boot as the new drive is blank. It has nothing to boot from.

You need to install the two discs that came with your mac and after that it should be a factory set mac.

Or you can do it from a Time Machine back up or any back up if you have one.

Dave.

gromit95

Level 2

220 points

Nov 19, 2014 1:59 PM in response to James Phoenix

Ok sorry for the delay in responding.

After installing the new drive you should be able to boot up to a sad mac folder.

This means it can’t find the os.

My unit after new hard drive installation did not boot at all. No chime no screen.

Si t took the glass back off and removed the aluminum bezel. Now it would start.

I did this 2 more times before I noticed the screen temp sensor wire was pinched in one of the bottom screws next to the left fan.

Luckily I was able to just put some tape on it and tuck it in so that I didn’t pinch it again.

So I put it all back together and installed snow leopard from there I was able to download mavericks.

I bet pinching that temp sensor wire is a common issue after installing a hard drive.

The other common problem is not marking what side the retainer clip is on for the inverter cables. There is a black dot on the clip side.

Fred

Gray screen & will not start up.