iMac frozen, strange cursor.

[Kenapple30]

Please help
What is this---the little arrow curser with mini page behind it. Moves with mouse but computer totally frozen
Im 71 and all this on an iphone. Fingers too big for phone keyboard please help me get my imac back

 

[bluescale]

Please help
What is this---the little arrow curser with mini page behind it. Moves with mouse but computer totally frozen
Im 71 and all this on an iphone. Fingers too big for phone keyboard please help me get my imac back

Did you try restarting the computer to see if that works? If you hold the power button down for ~10 seconds, it'll force the computer to shut down. After that, turn it back on, and you'll probably be golden.

Good luck!

 

[Kenapple30]

Off and on many times. Once in a while things look good but even after starting to use an app the weird arrow with minipage reappear and everything is locked up

 

[fhopper]

Man, I forgot what that is but it has happened to me... esc? Is it an accessibility cursor that you have turned on by hitting something?

 

[Kenapple30]

I doubt the accessibility curser because the entire computer is seized up. Wouldnt be able to undo anything anyway. How about video card problem. Would it do anything like this,??

 

[Brian33]

We don't know what machine you have or what OS X version. I realize it's hard to type on an iPhone (I have the same problem), but the info might help.

If it's a newer machine, I'd try to take it to an Apple store if there's one nearby.

If it's an older machine, well... get your OS X Install Disk, put it in the optical drive, and boot from it while holding down the "D" key. That should start up the Apple Hardware Test which could well tell you something.

How does one run the Apple Hardware Test on a newer (no OS disc) machine?


Your problem sounds very similar to one I and a number of others have encountered, but my problem is specific to certain 2007 and 2008 iMacs with ATI video cards. Does yours happen to fall in that category?

It could well be the graphics card, but I'm guessing that it could instead be the logic board or a memory problem. I wouldn't just replace the graphics card without more evidence that it's the problem.

 

[Kenapple30]

Apple store it is. Thanks to all.