HELP ! iMac won't boot - stuck at Apple Logo

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:07

I have Time Capsule and everything is backed up on there. My data is on a separate USB HD + Drobo, but for now I need my iMac to boot but it won't. It won't even get into the Desktop. Any idea how I an restore it? all the guides online says double click the Install Icon this and that...I would if I can get into the Desktop !

It is stuck on the Apple Logo screen with the spinny thing stopped spinning.

nolimit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:15

Copied from another forum shamelessly

Put in the disk that came with your mac and hold in c while it boots then run a disk check with disk utility, or conversely try DiskWarrior 4, it has saved me on many occasions.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:17

Well, it tries to boot from the disc....hear it spins for about a minute, and then the spinny thing hangs again!!!!

How long do I hold down the C for?

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:18

wait, do i need to use the USB keyboard?

nolimit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:20

Not sure how long you have to hold.

take a look at this link for getting log file of what is happening.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1070380

also try the official help page:

http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1417

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:29

It just won't boot from the Disc...if it doesn't boot from the disc or the HD then how can i get it to boot from the Time Capsule? or can you?

Brian8bit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:35

Tried an SMC reset?

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:36

Brian8bit said:
Tried an SMC reset?

Pardon?

Brian8bit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:37

Raymond Lin said:
Pardon?

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

Shut down the computer.
Unplug the computer's power cord.
Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
Release the power button.
Attach the computers power cable.
Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:44

Brian8bit said:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964

I dunno why that worked but it did!!!

unplugged the power cable, pressed power button for 5 seconds, put the cable back and it booted up first time!

Fr0dders · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:45

huzzah !

glad that worked

Brian8bit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:48

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Management_Unit <<< Grandaddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_management_unit <<< Daddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Management_Controller <<< S(on)MC

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:50

Brian8bit said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Management_Unit <<< Grandaddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_management_unit <<< Daddy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_Management_Controller <<< S(on)MC

I own you a pint!

Brian8bit · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:53

No problem. I first came across the SMC information when I was trying various fan controllers. It was advised to reset the SMC so that it would go back to default after having messed with the fan speeds.

Now I use it for a "pull the battery out of the board to reset the BIOS" version for Mac.

Raymond Lin · 14 Jan 2011 at 23:58

Brian8bit said:
No problem. I first came across the SMC information when I was trying various fan controllers. It was advised to reset the SMC so that it would go back to default after having messed with the fan speeds.

Now I use it for a "pull the battery out of the board to reset the BIOS" version for Mac.

I think this happened because i didn't shut down properly on Tuesday when I HAD to go. It took AGES to shut down and I was in a hurry to catch a train so I pressed and held the power button to shut it down...

Brian8bit · 15 Jan 2011 at 00:04

Wikipedia cites incorrect powering down as a reason, so that was probably it. For future shutdown hanging: if my iMac hangs at shutdown I try option-command-esc to bring up the force quit window if it's still available and close whatever app may be still in there and preventing complete shutdown.