Hey everyone.
I am fixing a iMac for someone and I am pretty sure there is something wrong with it's HDD. It's a a1311. I've tried booting it in safe mode and so on but nothing happens, all i get is the apple logo + the chime when I turn it on and then it gets stuck on a blue/gray screen with a loading symbol coming on and off. I made a bootable USB stick but I am unable to open the Startup manager. Does anyone have any tips? I do not have a recovery disk.
iMac
If anyone else has issues like this start by getting a apple keyboard that plugs in via usb cord bluetooth and usb wireless keyboards will not work If your going to use any startup options to trouble shoot the iMac. It's not rocket science it's a computer. If you think its the HDD then power down the iMac plug in the keyboard I mentioned via usb cord and hold the command key and the letter R and press power KEEP HOLDING command and the letter R. This will take you into a recovery partition (you can let go of those keys now lol) from there you can use the disk utility to determine if the drive is faulty or can be repaired with Disk Utility. If your lucky you can repair it with the first aid/repair disk option in Disk Utility. If not and the disk is truly damaged then find a service provider in your area. If your HDD is fine you may just need to reinstall the OS which can be done from the recovery partition as well but you will need to make sure you have internet for that. **An ethernet cord connected to your iMac and to your router is the fastest way to get it done a slow wifi connection it can take hours to download the OS from Apples Server** If anyone needs more TIPS please let me know I have plenty!
<Edited by Host>
Yes, do the person a favor and have them take the computer to an Apple Authorized Service Provider that has the proper tools to fix their computer. You can help them locate one by clicking Apple Authorized Service Provider Locator. Click the link, follow the on-screen prompts and choose someone that is their vicinity.
I know that isn't what you wanted to hear, however that is the best service you can provide them.
I just noticed I forgot to mention that they decided they did not want it, as they were unable to fix it themselves. Thanks for answering, but I don't think I want to spend that amount of money :/
Do you know how much money is being asked?
No, I don't. Guessing that it won't be under $100 and I am only 15 so I do not have too much money.
Without the original system (install disc or if newer, internet recovery to reformat replacement HDD)
even troubleshooting the computer can be difficult. With an iFixit guide for repairing iMacs, you may
be able further troubleshoot. The bootable USB would need to be a supported OS X for the iMac,
and not one tied to another AppleID if the computer has been setup with newer OS X from online.
The original OS X version for that model number (more known if you better identify the iMac) appears
to be OS X 10.6.1. The model number covers three different Machine Numbers, or build identifiers.
iMac10.1, iMac11.2, iMac12.1; from the year 2009 to present. They are not all alike. If you can see
what the computer really is, though serial number, that can help get parts & suitable OS X.
There were at least Seven different sales model numbers of the A1311 iMac, over a few years.
If the computer does not have an original install-boot DVD, you may be able to order a replacement
for a fee (if you can identify the computer; later models that shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, or do
not have an optical drive, may not be able to use retail 10.6.3 Snow Leopard DVD $20 from Apple)
Some fringe models may have shipped with special USB flash drive with Lion 10.7 from Apple.
With the serial number, one could call Apple Sales Support and ask about the availability of system
DVD replacement; the unit may be too new or too old. There would be a fee for that, if they locate it.
You could also use an online lookup by serial number to better identify the computer, such as one
from powerbookmedic https://www.powerbookmedic.com/identify-mac-serial.php
When the hard disk drive is suspect, you really do need to prepare replacement HDD from a working
OS X so it can use the installer. A bad hard drive also means the computer can't go online. A USB
flash or hard drive copy of an installer, may not be correct for the computer (model build.)
Between an iFixit guide, a replacement correct-spec hard drive (with Temperature Sensor) & the
correct OS X system to start over again properly, these may not be too costly. Note the HDD...
the lack of a sensor will force the fans to run at full speed. So correct replacement part is very helpful.
Good luck in this matter! 🙂
Unable to boot my iMac a1311
