2005 20" iMac Disc stuck and OS not found at start up.

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Level 1

8 points

2005 20" iMac Disc stuck and OS not found at start up.

Hello. I am troubleshooting an issue with our iMac. We have a flashing folder with a question mark on a grey background. I am using this page to help. http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

At step 2, I am told to insert a start up disc to help. (Everything before this did not work.) When I went to insert the disc, it seems like there is a disc already in there. I tried turning the computer off and restarting holding the eject key. It seemed like it wanted to eject the disc, but did not after waiting several minutes.

Does anyone have ideas on how to eject a disc when the computer cannot find the OS?

Thanks.

iMac

Posted on Dec 17, 2013 7:07 AM

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Answer 1

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,984 points

Dec 17, 2013 8:09 AM in response to hidlyn69

Does anyone have ideas on how to eject a disc when the computer cannot find the OS?

Pressing and holding the mouse button during boot is a shortcut to eject any disks from the optical drive at startup.

However, I'd suggest shining a bright light in the disk slot to see if you can see a disk or anything else that is in there. I know newer iMacs have optical drives that place a "fence" in front of the slot when the drive fails to prevent losing any disks to a defective drive. However, I thought that style of drive did not come in until the aluminum-case intel iMacs. Still worth a look.

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