Had a very brief power outage (almost instant off and right back on). Ever since, our iMAC won't boot beyond a white screen with a folder (and it was plugged into a surge protector!). I've tried every method I can find and I can't get it to do anything - won't go into recovery mode (and it's so old, it won't do the internet version either) - I've reset all kinds of things - tried the unplug, count to 15 and then plug back in with the power button held down, CMD-R, OPTION-CMD-R-P - nope. Seriously, I've looked at a ton of things and tried them all. Once, I actually got a mouse pointer - wow! Never since, though. I can hear it trying to boot but it never gets beyond the white screen/folder stage. I don't have anything (NOTHING!) that I can use to restore the OS and I can't tell you what the OS was other than "X" - it's my hubby's MAC and he's more clueless than I. I was in IT for 30 years working with Microsoft OS so I'm no slouch when it comes to tracking down solutions. But, this time, I give up. Before I make a call to Apple, thought I'd try this forum. Thanks for any help you may offer - sure hope there's something I haven't tried but I'm not too hopeful. Oh - I did set up an external drive for TimeMachine backups, in case that helps.
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imac won't boot after power outage
- Thread starter tallbarb
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What model of iMac and is the keyboard wired? I've heard of people having problems with the startup options on wireless keyboards. It does sound like your hard disk has been hosed. Wonder if you could boot off CD (if you have one) or USB
Whenever one thinks a Mac is having problems with the internal hard drive, the VERY FIRST THING one should do is connect an EXTERNAL bootable drive, and try to boot that way. If the Mac then boots right up, you'll discover quickly "where the problem is".
Martin offers good advice above re the original install DVDs that came with the iMac.
Do you still have them, by any chance?
If not, there are other ways to create a bootable install drive for the Mac.
A USB flash drive with a copy of the OS installer on it is a good one, BUT...
... you need to have access to ANOTHER Mac to create one. Can't be done on a PC.
Martin offers good advice above re the original install DVDs that came with the iMac.
Do you still have them, by any chance?
If not, there are other ways to create a bootable install drive for the Mac.
A USB flash drive with a copy of the OS installer on it is a good one, BUT...
... you need to have access to ANOTHER Mac to create one. Can't be done on a PC.
Here are the specs (and it is a wired keyboard and mouse):
Serial No: QP74709MX85
iMac 20/2.OGHZ/1X1GB/250GB/SD – USA
Contains: FCC ID: QDS – BRCM1024
Ethernet ID: 001B63B5A3A7
Assembled in USA
EMC No.: 2133
iC:4324A – BRCM1022
Model No.: A1224
It's 10 years old - I should probably just get a new one anyway....