	AllExperts > Macs/Apples
	Search

About Ed Dyer
Expertise
Current Tech: Mac OS X 10.0 - 10.6, Some shell scripting, cron, launchd, Mac OS X Server 10.2-10.6, AD-OD Integration, Automator, Movable Type/Word Press Blogging, All CURRENT Mac models, iLife '09 and previous, iWork '09 and previous, Apple Remote Desktop, NetRestore/NetInstall/DeployStudio, Font Management, WiFi, BASIC Cisco Devices: iPhone(original-3GS), AppleTV, Airport Express, Time Capsule Old Skool: Mac OS Environment 7.5.3-OS 9 (please upgrade for pete's sake! I will only answer basic questions in this area, as my expertise here is fading), PowerBook G3/G4(all models), Mac/Windows Networking, PowerPC 604-G4 desktop models, Outlook 2001, Photoshop 7 and previous, Flash MX, Dreamweaver MX Dabbler: Newton 2100 w/ WiFi and NSync, Yellow Dog Linux, Suse Linux (PPC), Ubuntu Linux, Vista Business

Experience
I'm employed as a Solutions Architect at All Covered with a specialty in Macintosh technologies and Project Management.
I've worked with the Macintosh Operating system and various machines since my first PowerMac 8500 running Mac OS 7.5.3 in 1996. I support my friends and family in keeping their Macs healthy and upgraded. Now I use a MacBook Pro for work and have a Flat Screen iMac (intel 20" core 2 duo) for home use.
I went to school for multimedia and design, but this knowledge-base is fading, though I primarily geek out with workstation deployment and server management. I'm sort of a "Mac of all trades" :)

Most important: I've also worked on PCs for a number of years with various flavors of Windows(95,98,NT4,2000,2000Server,2K3Server,SBS 2K3Server,Mil,XPHome,XPPro, Vista Business), but I've always used the Mac as my platform of preference.
Publications
http://www.macwindows.com : VPNs and Outlook
Get IT for your business: http://www.allcovered.com

Organizations
Apple Consultants Network

Publications
http://www.macwindows.com : VPNs and Outlook
Get IT for your business: http://www.allcovered.com

Education/Credentials
I'm an Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) through 10.4 and have the lower certs as well (ACTC for 10.1 - 10.5), an Apple Certified Help Desk Specialist for 10.3 (ACHDS) and a member of the Apple Consultants Network, as well as an Apple Product Professional for 2002-2007.
I have an MCP cert. from MS as well...

Past/Present Clients
Navy Federal Credit Union (Washington, D.C.) Whole Foods Market (Mid Atlantic Region) Army Times (Washington, D.C.) Children's National Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) Dodge Communications (ATL) ...and a plethora of All Covered™ clients throughout the United States of America

You are here: Experts > Computing/Technology > Focus on Mac Support > Macs/Apples > iMac blue screen, but refuses Installation Disk

Macs/Apples - iMac blue screen, but refuses Installation Disk

Expert: Ed Dyer - 11/1/2009

Question

imacComputerVerif01.jp

Hello,
I sent the following question to Expert: Elia Kanaki on Friday.
My question to you is below the previous one, together with Elia's answer, after the row of asterisks.

My original Question was:

Hello,
For no reason that I can reasonably imagine my iMac G5 (system 10.4.11) suddenly decided to produce nothing but a blue screen, after a many-minutes-long startup period.
When it happened I shut down, disconnected the Mac completely, left it all for 1/2 hour or more, reconnected, and restarted with exactly the same result.
Well, I thought, it's a real pain but I suppose I'll have to ReInstall the system, or at least First Aid it.
The problem now is that I've not found any way to use the Installation Disc. It's simply ejected after a minute or so. Yes, I've started up many times with C pressed at all stages (switch-on, upon sound, during sound, after sound, etc) . And I've pressed X at startup. And I've reset the PRAM as instructed, several times.
So there's just a blue screen.
But there's a live cursor though... which makes me think there's still real hope.     :-)
I'm not a great technician, but have been using Macs since the beginning, starting with a Big Mac (512Mb) in 1984, and regularly exchanging files (I'm a translator) from that time on with PCs. So I do have a few DIY and other notions, but am completely stumped with this one.
Any suggestions will -- of course -- be most welcome.
Thanks in advance.
Brian

Elia's answer:
Hello! The expert can't answer your question.
Brain,
The best would be take it to the apple genius bar. It sounds like logic board issue.
Expert: Elia Kanaki

****************

Ed,
I live in France where there are no genius bars    :-(
However before seeking further advice, maybe you'll have an idea... I reckon you must be at least as good as any other genius!

I've now firewire connected the problem iMac (G5, 10.4) to an eMac (G4, 10.2.8) where the Disk Utility First Aid sees it.
Impossible to Mount it from First Aid of course.
But I've Verified the complete iMac HD, and also the only partition, called "iMac", on it.
First Aid produced lists of errors, and said it cannot repair it.

I made screen shots of all the lists: 18 screenshots for the contents of the partition and 4 of the computer itself.
These explanations are in French but I feel sure that (even if you don't speak French) you'll be able to see at a glance what it's all about. I speak French and English but the First Aid list is double-dutch to me.     :-)
Don't hesitate to ask about French words if you want to.

I've attached the first screenshot of the iMac computer issues (i.e. *NOT* the partition with all my stuff on) for you to see, and can send more if needed.
Many thanks in advance for any hints or ideas.
Brian

Answer
Brian,
I speak some French, but I don't need to speak the language to see what Disk Utility is telling us :) Your problem seems to be two-fold.

1. Your disk has problems. Bad blocks, corrupt volume wrapper, etc. In short, you need a new hard drive. It won't be simple to recover the data, or quick, but it can be done.
2. Your installation disk may no longer work, or be compatible with this Mac. There may be problems with the disc itself, or it may be from an older Mac. This won't prevent you from using it, but may make it more interesting.

Solution:
1. Get new HD, install it.
2. Assuming the eMac can use the install disc, put the disc in the eMac and boot it into Target Disk Mode, hook up to the iMac G5, and boot the iMac from the targeted disc. You get the idea. In some way, you need to boot from an OS X install CD.
3. Install OS X on the new hard drive.
4. Using Disk Warrior (http://www.alsoft.com), or Drive Genius (http://www.prosofteng.com), boot from the CD and repair/recover the data to the point where you can at least copy the data to the new hard drive. (Since your iMac has room for only one drive, you will need an external adapter or enclosure for the corrupt drive. Try www.newertech.com or www.macsales.com for an adapter or enclosure.

I hope this makes sense. Good luck!

Add to this Answer Ask a Question