My imac 2012 freezes after booting. It completes startup. I can see all apps, cursor is moving, but nothing else. Also, I have Mountain Lion 10.8.3 on an external usb 3 drive and when I boot from that HD, the system freezes all the same.
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iMac 2012 freezes...
- Thread starter dilgit
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Does it freeze after holding the Shift key instantly after login?
This prevents login items from loading.
Does it freeze after holding the Shift key instantly after pressing the power button? (Hold until Apple logo is visible)
This way it will startup in safe boot.
This prevents login items from loading.
Does it freeze after holding the Shift key instantly after pressing the power button? (Hold until Apple logo is visible)
This way it will startup in safe boot.
Safe mode did not help... Even when I boot from an external HD, the system freezes after boot, except for the mouse that floats around but clicks are not "obeyed".
Run Apple Hardware Test, see if you get any Errors, I think you will, actually I think you won't even be able to even startup from it, I suspect hardware issues.
Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test
Essentially, hold the D key at startup.
Does Recovery HD work, hold Command-R at startup, then choose Disk Utilities from Menu, repair Disk, again, I think your problem is HW since it does the same from external source.
For some time everything was suddenly fine once again but now it's freezing once again. What happens is that when I boot up OK , the same in safe mode or with an external HD. The computer boots but than, when all seems fine, it freezes, the mouse cursor moves but I can not operate a single move. What else can I do/check?
question about this Hardware test
I also read your suggestion about doing this test. if I turn my iMAC off and then turn it on and hold the D key, do I keep holding the D key and keep holding the power button in?
I also read your suggestion about doing this test. if I turn my iMAC off and then turn it on and hold the D key, do I keep holding the D key and keep holding the power button in?
From a cold boot, press the power button, then instantly hold the D key untill the Apple Logo appears.
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It was in my last post, press and hold are different aren't they, but FYI, release the power button.
well despite following your very specific instructions, I don't get to the Hardware Test. I do have an Intel base iMac 10.6.8.
got any other suggestions?
I had this EXACT problem. Your hard drive is definitely dying. Whenever I would start my mac from an external drive (the hard drive had the clicking noise of doom and stopped working some time before) the mouse would move around but wouldn't click and the keyboard wouldn't respond, but after waiting for a couple of minutes it would suddenly do all of the clicking and typing that I did before. If it is like that for you, once it unfreezes, back up your stuff, bring the mac to an apple store under applecare and get the hard drive replaced free of charge.
It's only on the newer Macs, or with Lion/Mountain Lion.
Read more here, you need your original disks I guess.
Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test