imac wont start up

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Level 1

9 points

imac wont start up

start up is failing, either stuck on apple logo with buffering or might get to password then fails to move onto main screen

disc utility run through recovery says no problems with disc

time machine (first time ive ever needed it) says iMac backup are not available due to an error (wft)

tried to reinstall macOS via internet but this also failed

i wonder about using an old external drive to load the macOS to and found one - it has Time Machine backups on it from 2014.

I am most interested in regaining my photos

should i - restore to a 2014 time machine, or will i lose my data/photos

it wont let me save an macOS to the drive as it says it has time machine stuff on it.

should i erase the disc and install macOS, or maybe partition the time machine stuff so i can access the free space for downlaoding an macOS.

grate

AppleTV 2, iOS 7.0.3, null

Posted on Jun 1, 2018 2:03 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 2, 2018 2:03 AM in response to njenkins

If the drive is failing I would try to recover what you can.

General File Recovery

If you stop using the disk it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as MAC Data Recovery, Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro. Each of the preceding come on a bootable CD to enable use without risk of writing more data to the disk. Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and Cisdem DataRecovery. Recovery software usually provides trial versions that enable you to determine if the software would help before actually paying for it. Beyond this or if the drive has completely failed, then you would need to send the drive to a recovery service like Drive Savers, which is very expensive.

The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.

Also, visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 1, 2018 2:10 PM in response to njenkins

As the Time Machine backups on the external drive are from 2014 I would erase the drive and start from scratch. You would be installing macOS. iOS is for iDevices like an iPhone. macOS is for computers. A new installer of macOS was released today, 10.13.5.

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Answer 3

njenkins Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 1, 2018 11:26 PM in response to Kappy

After a further first aid of the internal HD it appears it could not be re mounted and cannot be on further attempts by disk unility

On restart it says it is mounted - but then after a first aid is unmounted

This sounds more serious

My main aim is to get my photos if possible - I don’t think Apple do data recovery if I’m correct

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Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 5, 2018 10:42 PM in response to njenkins

Recovered files are saved on a separate hard drive.

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Answer 5

njenkins Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 4, 2018 6:11 AM in response to Kappy

last - or possibly next - ignorant question(s).

I presume the DVD will be accessible from recovery mode.

Should the bootable DVD recover any files. Where would they be saved? Will the software be able to access a USB External drive without macOS running?

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Answer 6

njenkins Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 3, 2018 9:18 AM in response to Kappy

excuse my ignorance - but without a running MacOs, how am i running the data recovery program?

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 3, 2018 1:26 PM in response to njenkins

It comes on its own bootable DVD.

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Answer 8

njenkins Author

Level 1

9 points

Jun 2, 2018 5:21 AM in response to Kappy

...do i need to run these software programs on my Macbook while connected to the IMac using target disc mode?

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Jun 2, 2018 11:54 AM in response to njenkins

No, but you will need to connect an external drive for recovered files. You can download the free trial but you have to purchase the software in order to recover files.

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imac wont start up

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