iMac taking a long time to boot up. won't get passed the white screen

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Level 1

9 points

iMac taking a long time to boot up. won't get passed the white screen

My iMac that I bought around 2008 has started to slow down. Last week, it would freeze and I would have to reboot it and after a few times of rebooting it, it would start to run. Now, it would just sit on the whit screen. I can make it into Safe Mode and it runs fine, so no white screen of death. I reset the PRAM and still struggling. I haven't tried redownload Mavericks, but I am hoping that'll work. Anyone know how I can fix this?

iMac

Posted on Apr 25, 2015 6:29 PM

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Answer 1

rkaufmann87

Level 10

140,550 points

Apr 25, 2015 11:51 PM in response to TCharity

I suspect the HD has crashed. Locate the original disc 2 that shipped with the computer and run Apple's Hardware Test in extended mode 2-3 times. If it reports errors take it in for service, if you don't have the discs then take it in for service.

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Answer 2

TCharity Author

Level 1

9 points

May 16, 2015 1:00 AM in response to TCharity

(UPDATE) I went 2 weeks with Apple Care on phone, until they determined that it was hard drive and they said since the iMac is a 2008, that they couldn't touch it, so they suggested that I bring it to a registered Apple repair place. Since, I do not have $300 for new drive and labor fees, I just bought a new hard drive nad put it in myself. I fromatted it, put Mavericks on it and it is STILL not getting passed the Apple logo. I am at my wits end with this thing. I can't just replace $2000 computer that might as well be a oversized Lite Brite.

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Answer 3

May 16, 2015 3:10 AM in response to TCharity

OOW: Take your Mac to your local Apple Store or an AASP. Diagnostic testing is FREE!

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Answer 4

TCharity Author

Level 1

9 points

May 16, 2015 4:03 AM in response to TCharity

would they be able to look at it, even though it's classified as "vintage?"

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Answer 5

May 16, 2015 4:08 AM in response to TCharity

I am a end user like yourself. Call your local AS or AASP & ask them.

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Answer 6

cdhw

Level 4

3,588 points

May 16, 2015 4:30 AM in response to TCharity

Restart it in 'verbose mode' so that instead on the white screen you see the startup log and hence what is stopping the process.

C.

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Answer 7

TCharity Author

Level 1

9 points

May 17, 2015 9:26 PM in response to cdhw

When I do that what should I be looking for? Anything in particular?

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Answer 8

cdhw

Level 4

3,588 points

May 18, 2015 2:36 AM in response to TCharity

The startup log displays what is happening, and any errors, at each point in the startup process. The last lines displayed will give insight into why the startup process has stalled. You will find it helpful to take a photo of the screen.

C.

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