Imac Black out..Computers working but screen isnt..any ideas?

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Imac Black out..Computers working but screen isnt..any ideas?

I'am writing this due to the fact that I couldn't find my specific issue on any forum or area of the apple community. This happened last night after a bad storm knocked out the electricity while my computer was on. When I turned my computer back on this morning, I could hear the "Rev Up"/Start Sound and Next I would see the startup screen/password box that I normally would see, but it only flashed for a second then the screen went black. But the computer doesn't shut down, everything stays on! I can even put in the OS X utility Disk and eject it, I even tried to hold down the C key to activate it And it sounds like its working but the screen stays black. After I tried this, I manually tried to shut the computer down, but when I do, it immediatly goes into hibernation mode. When I go to turn it on again, I see my same log in screen, for a quick second then the screen goes Black again.It seems like the computer is working, like as if I could log on and use my computer, but just can't see anything because the SCREENS ALL BLACK! Im even thinking maybe to purchase a DVI to ACD cord in order to set up a seperate monitor in order to see if I can still access my computer...Any ideas anyone?? Or anywhere someone could direct me..or has this happened to anyone?.. Major Thanks in advance apple community, you never let me down.

Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 13, 2013 2:07 PM

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Answer 1

CarlAVII

Community Specialist

Aug 15, 2013 8:19 AM in response to Editheworld

Hello Editheworld,

I'd recommend resetting your SMC and PRAM in an attempt to restore life to your display.

Reset the system

You can reset the Mac's parameter RAM and SMC.

Reset the resolution

Start by resetting the Mac's parameter RAM. If the display does not come up, was previously set to an unsupported resolution, and still results in no video:

Start up in Safe Mode.

From the Apple () menu, choose System Preferences.

Choose Displaysfrom the View menu to open the preferences pane.

Select any resolution and refresh rate that your display supports.

Restart your computer.

Apple computers: Troubleshooting issues with video on internal or external displays

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1573

Cheers,

Allen

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Answer 2

Editheworld Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2013 4:24 PM in response to CarlAVII

Hello allen,

Thanks for the feedback! Its hard for me to do many of the methods suggested because as soon as I turn on my computer the screen goes completely black. Even if I was successful holding down CMD+ P & R keys, I wouldn't be able to see anything at all. I'am going to just try to possibly take out the battery from the bottom of the MAC and maybe re-insert to possibly restart/refresh the computer? I tried to attach to another monitor in order to view, But system preferences doesn't seem to work, in order to resize the viewing resoultion. I'am thinking I might need a new logic board or something along those lines??

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Answer 3

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Aug 23, 2013 9:47 AM in response to Editheworld

Shutdown your machine. Hold down the shift key. Poweron. Wait awhile Wait awhile while you harddrive

is being checked.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455

Which password request is this? Firmware password or mac OS X?

This is a low volume discussion. I suggest a hardware forum for you mac.

https://discussions.apple.com/community

Which mac is this?

Query by serial number

Apple's warrenty database will identify the type of Mac you have. Your serial number is securely sent.

https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

This site provides more information, but lacks security.

"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

or

This site provides more information, but lacks security too.

"A serial number is a unique, identifying number or group of numbers and letters assigned to an individual piece of hardware or software. It's used for various things depending on the product / brand but what is your Mac's serial number for and more importantly... what is it hiding and what can it do for you ?"

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

( hint by K Shaffer )

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Answer 4

C F McBlob

Level 4

2,885 points

Aug 24, 2013 10:14 AM in response to Editheworld

When my G5 iMac did this in November 2008, it was just a day before it died altogether. Upon inspection, I discovered that the processor had literally "cooked" and burned EVERYTHING within three inches of it, to a crisp, including the logic board and several connectors, the video out among them.

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Answer 5

Editheworld Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2013 9:38 AM in response to rccharles

rccharles, thanks for your feedback.. I need to Get all that information (seriel number etc) but will give it a try a little later on and I will try a hardware forum as well. Will get back to you soon thanks!!

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Answer 6

Editheworld Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 26, 2013 9:41 AM in response to C F McBlob

C F MCblob, How are you...So what did you end up doing? Did you replace parts (logic board and connectors) or did you just end up getting an entirely new Mac? It doesn't seem like its going to die since its still working, the screen just wants to stay black though !

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Answer 7

C F McBlob

Level 4

2,885 points

Aug 26, 2013 3:20 PM in response to Editheworld

Editheworld,

I decided it was time for me to move to an Intel machine, so I replaced the G5 iMac with a MacBook Pro. Never looked back and couldn't be happier.

Mine seemed fine too (other than the black screen) until it "belched out" a cloud of black smoke a day later. That was all she wrote.

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Answer 8

Editheworld Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 29, 2013 10:19 AM in response to rccharles

hello RCCHARLES, the shift button method doesn't seem to work due to the fact of the black screen that won't go away..I have my hardware seriel number, but when entering it into the sites given, no information really is given that would fix the problem, just the stats of my computer are given (which is also helpful) Any other ideas? Maybe I should bring into a mac store? I just don't wanna lose my information thats on my computer but it may already be too late..thanks again for the feedback

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Answer 9

rccharles

Level 6

12,957 points

Aug 29, 2013 1:37 PM in response to Editheworld

just the stats of my computer are given (which is also helpful)

I was curious about what mac you had. There is different advice depending on the model.

Any other ideas? Maybe I should bring into a mac store?

Good idea

I just don't wanna lose my information thats on my computer

Do you have another mac? perhaps target disk mode would be of help.

You should be able to pull out the hd & recover you data? & why you need backup.

Take the extract the harddrive. Take out the harddrive. Try reading the data via a usb adapter. Run a household fan on the hd.

http://www.cablewholesale.com/products/usb-firewire/usb-2.0-products/product-40u 2-01000.php?utm_source=Nextag&utm_medium=cpc&zmam=54972865&zmas=1&zmac=4&zmap=4 4 77

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=32765 54&CatId=3770

Unless, the drive electronics was fried. Then you would need professional help.

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