iMac stuck on install screen (?)

Question

iMac stuck on install screen (?)

Hi all...my 27" iMac was freezing yesterday, so I manually restarted it. Upon booting, it got stuck on what looks like an installation screen (as if I'd just updated OS X, which I don't believe I did). The progress bar below the apple progressed all the way to full...but then it just stuck there (i.e. my desktop never appeared and the screen just remained showing the apple and progress bar). I tried rebooting in safe mode, but the same thing happened, and the computer is still stuck on what looks like an install screen. Please help!

iMac (27-inch Mid 2010), iOS 9.0.2

Posted on Oct 20, 2015 6:28 AM

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Answer 1

dominic23

Level 10

84,018 points

Oct 20, 2015 6:55 AM in response to shakenbakenyc

Finder > Application > Installer OS X El Capitan.app

Double click on it to start installation.

If this doesn’t help:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203129

Right click on the Installer OS X ElCapitan and “Move to Trash”.

Empty the Trash.

Launch App Store, click “Purchases” tab and download OS X El Capitan again.

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Answer 2

Oct 20, 2015 7:04 AM in response to dominic23

Thanks, Dominic. The problem is, I can't get to my desktop to click on anything. I'm stuck on a white screen with an apple in the center and (what I'm calling) the progress bar, at full, below it. Even when I manually shut down the computer via the power button, it returns to this screen.

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Answer 3

Paul_31

Level 6

14,172 points

Oct 20, 2015 7:10 AM in response to shakenbakenyc

Will the Mac start in Safe Mode? if it does, then try dominic23's suggestions.

Safe Boot: Restart holding down the Shift key until you see the Apple logo and then let it (hopefully) continue to boot, albeit more slowly than a 'normal' startup.

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Answer 4

Oct 20, 2015 7:11 AM in response to Paul_31

Thanks, Paul. Alas, I tried safe mode and...same story (white-ish screen with apple in center and progress bar below it)!

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Answer 5

Paul_31

Level 6

14,172 points

Oct 20, 2015 7:16 AM in response to shakenbakenyc

This might help, and it'll do no harm to try if you haven't already - an SMC and PRAM reset: iMac SMC and PRAM reset

Do you have full backup to restore from if things get worse?

You could also try booting into the Recovery HD (if you haven't already tried it) and running Disk Utility to see if the HD needs repairs:

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2015 7:35 AM in response to Paul_31

Tried both SMC and PRAM -- still no go. I'm gonna look for my recovery disk. In the meantime, I'm still taking suggestions. Thanks all.

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