iMac (2007) Won't Start - Tried Usual Fixes

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iMac (2007) Won't Start - Tried Usual Fixes

My 24" iMac (2007) crashed last night. I manually restarted it and it came up with the wallpaper but that was it. No icons and Finder hadn't completely loaded. I let it sit for awhile but it wouldn't finish loading. I restarted it again, and now it just won't go beyond the grey screen with the apple logo. It gets the progress bar, and loads a little bit but then shuts itself off.

I've tried the usual things I've found in this community. the PRAM resetting, etc. I was going to try and run it off the installation disk but it won't spit out the CD that's already in there. I tried the other usual things to try and get the CD to eject but it won't give it to me. There's no paperclip hole either.

If anyone has any other ideas before I bring it in that would be great.. I kind of want that to be a last resort.

Thanks 🙂

iMac (24-inch Mid 2007), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 12, 2013 11:31 AM

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Answer 1

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Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 11:56 AM in response to cotton770

I don't know if you've tried all the steps listed in this knowledge-base article, but I'll throw in some suggestions that you may or may not have tried:

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

Try to eject disk by booting whilst holding down the mouse button. Other tips here if you do manage to get booted:

http://osxdaily.com/2009/08/28/eject-a-stuck-disk-from-your-mac-dvd-super-drive/

There's also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7NYW9Dr448

I know you mentioned PRAM reset, but SMC reset?

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3603

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Answer 2

cotton770 Author

Level 1

26 points

May 12, 2013 12:35 PM in response to Paul_31

Thank you. I was able to eject the CD and was able to boot with the installation CD.

Beforehand, I tried safe mode, PRAM and SMC reset and it didn't work.

I went to disk utility and it was verified, but unable to repair the disk.. Said I needed to reformat. Glad I have time machine, though it's been a few weeks since i backed up last, but that's okay. I'll have to look up instructions on proper reformatting, or if you know? I used my Snow Leopard disk for this since that's the OSX version I have on the iMac right now.

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Answer 3

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 12:43 PM in response to cotton770

Pondini's Time Machine 'how to' should help you with the restore: http://pondini.org/OSX/SetupAsst.html

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Answer 4

cotton770 Author

Level 1

26 points

May 12, 2013 11:23 PM in response to Paul_31

Thanks! Should I use my Snow Leopard CD? It's just an update CD. Or should i go with the leopard disk? I ran disk utility on the snow leopard CD and booted with that one too.

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Answer 5

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

May 12, 2013 11:40 PM in response to cotton770

The Leopard disk should be fine to boot from to run Disk Utility. Same with the Snow Leopard disk if it's the retail copy (picture of a SLeo on it).

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Answer 6

cotton770 Author

Level 1

26 points

May 13, 2013 10:21 AM in response to Paul_31

It does, it has the pretty snow leopard face on it. Thanks for the helps!

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