Lotus777
Level 1 (4 points)
Desktops

Q: imac wont restart after osx update

Hi my son has an iMac (mid 2011 desktop) and when there is an OSX update it updates but then goes to a blank grey screen and just sit there. I have left it overnight and it doesn't complete the install and come back to life.

 

I have tried reinstalling the OS  via CMD R and I have tried first aid on the HD.

 

If I reinstall from the time machine back up the iMac recovers OK, but I can't get the updates to the OS on to the machine.

 

So my question is does anyone have any idea what might be causing this?

 

I'm contemplating wiping the HD and basically starting again but I'd have to reinstall MS Office and his Steam account

 

Any advice would be welcomed

iMac (21.5-inch Mid 2011)

Posted on Sep 5, 2016 8:47 AM

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Lotus777

Q: imac wont restart after osx update

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  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 5, 2016 9:14 AM in response to Lotus777
    Level 10 (123,462 points)
    Sep 5, 2016 9:14 AM in response to Lotus777

    Could your Modem be losing connection? Are you using Wifi?

  • by Lotus777,

    Lotus777 Lotus777 Sep 5, 2016 11:57 AM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2016 11:57 AM in response to BDAqua

    Hi

     

    No I don't think so I am on fast broadband and it is a wired connection to the router. It happens every time there is an update, I down loaded MS Office onto the machine recently and it downloaded fine. Do you know if there is a way I can down load the OSX and burn it to a DVD then I could try to reinstall the OS from disk?

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 5, 2016 12:31 PM in response to Lotus777
    Level 10 (123,462 points)
    Sep 5, 2016 12:31 PM in response to Lotus777

    Good idea!

     

    Check the App Store for purchases, try the download there, if it downloads & wants to install, quit the Installer & look in Applications for Install Mac OSX or such.

  • by Lotus777,

    Lotus777 Lotus777 Sep 5, 2016 1:45 PM in response to BDAqua
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 5, 2016 1:45 PM in response to BDAqua

    Hi

     

    I'll create a lash drive installer and give it a go!

  • by Lotus777,

    Lotus777 Lotus777 Sep 6, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Lotus777
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Sep 6, 2016 2:08 PM in response to Lotus777

    So I have created an install flash drive, booted and tried to install El Capitan over the current installation. It gets all the way to the last second to go and locks up. Then when I reboot it boots ok but to the old image, I run software update which it tries to install the latest update from App Store and guess what it hangs up again at a blank grey screen just as before.

     

    I think my only option is to try a clean install and reload MS Office and Steam, unless anyone has a better idea?

     

    I'll let you know how it goes

  • by BDAqua,

    BDAqua BDAqua Sep 6, 2016 5:04 PM in response to Lotus777
    Level 10 (123,462 points)
    Sep 6, 2016 5:04 PM in response to Lotus777

    Whew, I'm out of ideas.