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TICKET ARCHIVE -> cannot boot off cd

kshadlen - Jan 18, 2008 - 2:50 pm

I am trying to boot the iMac off the installation disk, to run utilities. I put the disk in the drive and shut the computer off. I then restart with the C key depressed. But instead of booting off the CD rom what happens is that the computer ejects the disk. Why would that happen??

zo219 - Jan 18, 2008 - 9:27 pm

Possibly you need to clear the PRAM. You might also try starting up holding the Option key down—a startup disk chooser will come up.

kshadlen - Jan 19, 2008 - 3:24 am

Thanks for the response. When I try starting while holding down the Option key, I get a white screen with a picture of a hard drive. Below the drive are the words Macintosh HD and a white arrow pointing up. The white book that came with the iMac says to click on the drive and then click on the right arrow, but when I click on the drive the picture goes away and I'm left with a blank white screen.



What's so frustrating about this is that it seems there are known answers to my problems (hold down C and use utilities, hold down Option and use startup manager), but none of the known answers work (the computer ejects the CD before I get to use utilities, and I never get to startup chooser).

How do I clear the PRAM?

kshadlen - Jan 19, 2008 - 3:52 am

I reset the PRAM following these instructions: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

I heard the second beep, but once I released the four keys I got back to the flashing folder with the question mark, which is how the whole problem began. Please help!

kshadlen - Jan 19, 2008 - 8:00 am

I reset the PRAM following these instructions: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

I heard the second beep, but once I released the four keys I got back to the flashing folder with the question mark, which is how the whole problem began. Please help!

kshadlen - Jan 20, 2008 - 4:16 pm

i believe the DVD drive on my iMac is broken. When I put the same installation disk in the drive on my macbook it can be read, and when I put any DVD in the iMac it ejects it. So while this doesn't explain why the strategies to fix the startup disk on the iMac don't work, it explains why I cannot boot off the disk.

Cheryl - Jan 20, 2008 - 6:09 pm

Ken,

Try this:

1. Shut down the computer if it is on.
2. Press the power button to start the computer.
3. Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the "s" key for single-user mode.
4. At the command-line prompt, type: /sbin/fsck -fy
5. Press Return.

The fsck utility will go through five "phases" then return information about the disk's utilization and fragmentation. Once the check is finished, if no issue is found, you should see "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK."

Note: If fsck alters, repairs, or fixes anything, it will display the message:

***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****

Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command until it no longer appears. It's OK if you need to do several "passes" of fsck, because first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues.

When fsck reports that, "** The volume (name of volume) appears to be OK.",
6. type: reboot
7. Press Return.

Let me know how you do.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 20, 2008 - 6:36 pm

Thanks for this. I reinstalled the OS on my iMac, but I had to do so via firewire target using my macbook as the host machine and the iMac as the target machine (this, because the DVD drive on the iMac does not work). I now have an iMac that boots, again. I did this single-user mode start, as you suggest, and it says volume is OK. I've now rebooted. One problem I'm having, however, is that I've lost my AirPort connection. The system profiler says I don't have an AirPort card! I've reset the PRAM but still no airport card. The airport express works, i know, as I'm able to connect to the internet on this macbook.

Cheryl - Jan 20, 2008 - 7:06 pm

Ken,

Smart move using Target Mode.
Shut down the computer, then open the case and pull out the card. Now reseat the card, close the case and restart. It should see the card now.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 21, 2008 - 4:20 am

Do you have any tips to how to reseat the card? I'm a bit uncomfortable opening the case myself.

kshadlen - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:14 am

p.s. I saw this page, for example (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300527), but my computer does not look like either of the ones pictured in the pdf documents (see pt 4). My iMac is a white, flat-screen machine that has a metal stand. There is no bulb-like base with computer parts.

Cheryl - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:25 am

Ken,

I can find the step by step instructions, but I need to know the exact model of your iMac. Is it a G4 with a round base or a G5 with a flat foot? What is the processor speed? To find this, just go to the Blue apple at the far left in the menu bar at the top of your screen. Select About this Mac. The window that opens will tell you what the processor speed is.

Clicking on More Info will open System Profiler. What that opens, it should show you the Hardware Overview. This is the information I need (do not include the serial number).

I just found something interesting when doing a search. Try this before you attempt to take apart your machine:

Start up in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key during startup.

Once the computer has started in Safe Mode, simply restart again (without holding any keys).

Let me know how you do.

Cheryl

Cheryl - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:35 am

Ken,

I found the instructions on how to open your case to reseat the card.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/ima...ch_AirPort.pdf

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:39 am

Hi -- Unfortunately safe mode didn't solve the problem. I did safe mode and then restarted the normal way, and went to system profiler, where it still says "No information found" when I click on AirPort Card.

In answer to your questions about my system, it's an IMac with a flat foot (really just a metal stand that the machine rests on).
Machine Model: iMac 5.1
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 CPU T7200
CPU Speed: 2 GHz
Memory: 2 GB

Thanks,
Ken

kshadlen - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:44 am

Yes, that's my machine, thanks for sending the instructions. I'll try when I get courageous. Sorry for a dumb question, but I gather "reseat" the card means take it out and put it back in?

Tks,
Ken

Cheryl - Jan 21, 2008 - 8:59 am

Ken,

Yes, just take it out, then put it back in. Remember to ground yourself as the instructions show. You don't want to zap the machine with static electricity.

Your machine is the iMac 17 inch Late Intel Core 2 Duo

Have you updated your firmware?
http://www.apple.com/support/downloa...eupdate11.html

If not, after you get the Airport card working, I do suggest you do.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 22, 2008 - 9:11 am

I did not have a chance yet to open the case and reseat the card. I'll try tonight (hopefully). I'm a bit anxious about doing this and since the DVD drive is broken and I'll have to bring the iMac in for repair, I'm considering just leaving it to more experienced hands... Either way, I'll either try this or close the ticket in the next day or so. Thanks, Ken

Cheryl - Jan 22, 2008 - 7:41 pm

Ken,

I would like to know if it works and you are getting a signal from the card. Let me know how you do.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 23, 2008 - 4:06 pm

Are you sure the pdf you sent (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/ima...AirPort.pdf)is for this computer? The diagram there (Step 5) shows three case screws, but the base of my iMac has 7 screws. Two of these seem connected to the back cover, while the other five are holding the panels (with the little holes) in place. I gather I undo these two screws (once, that is, that I can find a screwdriver small enough...).

Cheryl - Jan 23, 2008 - 7:24 pm

Ken,

Yes, that is the correct instructions. I took apart one computer that did not have all the screws there was suppose to be. Two more screws on your machine probably means the assembler gave it an extra two screws.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 25, 2008 - 2:10 am

i've been unable to get the screws off because i don't have the write sort of screwdriver. All the ones I have are too big, then I borrowed what I thought would be the right one from an optometrist and it was too small (sounds like Goldilocks!). I'll try again, but since I need to bring the iMac in anyway to have the DVD drive repaired I may just let someone else check out the AirPort card as well. I'll report back.

Tks,
Ken

Cheryl - Jan 25, 2008 - 6:46 am

Ken,

I had to search high and low for a set of screw drivers that had the right head for taking apart a keyboard, so I do understand your problem. Usually for the screws inside, a computer tool kit will have the correct size. You might want to check those out for the next time.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 26, 2008 - 8:00 am

i borrowed yet another screwdriver and it didn't work either, so i've brought the iMac in for repair. As indicated, the DVD drive doesn't work so I needed to bring it in anyway, and while there I asked them to get the AirPort working again.

For what it's worth, the technician with whom I spoke told me he thinks the reason why this is happening is because when I reinstalled the OS I did so with the DVDs that came with the macbook and not the DVDs that came with the iMac. Of course, if I could have used the iMac's DVDs I would have, but the iMac's DVD drive broken and the macbook wouldn't allow me to use the other DVDs (I tried). So, if the technician is correct, we've identified a flaw in the system.

I'll let you know what happens when they get back to me next wk.

Ken

Cheryl - Jan 26, 2008 - 10:46 am

Ken,

I do believe he is right. But the only thing that wasn't working after your install was the airport. While that is major to get on the internet, you did save your files from mass corruption.

Keep me posted.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 26, 2008 - 11:25 am

well, that's good to know... it's a good thing i couldn't find an appropriately sized screwdriver so I could destroy the computer! Yowsa.

I'll let you know how things work out.

Tks,
Ken

Cheryl - Jan 26, 2008 - 1:16 pm

Ken,

They change things with each and every model - then they don't document the entire procedure for the general public. Yep, I am glad you took it in as well.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 28, 2008 - 3:30 pm

i'm still waiting to hear from the repair shop. I'll update once I know. Please don't close ticket yet.

Tks,
Ken

Cheryl - Jan 28, 2008 - 7:44 pm

Ken,

Our system will close the ticket after three days of nonactivity. I will do my best to keep the ticket open. If the system does close it, you or I can reopen the ticket.

Cheryl

kshadlen - Jan 31, 2008 - 4:02 am

entering something to keep ticket open until we get iMac back from shop. Spoke to engineer by phone yesterday and he confirmed the problem was how the OS installed and that he'd installed it again and now recognizing AirPort card, so not a prob with card. WIll send final msg and close ticket once I have the machine back...
Ken

Cheryl - Jan 31, 2008 - 6:55 am

Ken,

That is good news. When you get the machine back, give it a good test run.

Was the CD/DVD drive replaced or does the tech think that the OS install was the problem with that?

Cheryl

kshadlen - Feb 2, 2008 - 5:03 am

everything seems to be working.

The drive was faulty: it read CDs but not DVDs.

All fine now.

Thanks,
Ken

Cheryl - Feb 2, 2008 - 4:25 pm

Ken,

Do you have the machine back yet?

Cheryl

kshadlen - Feb 3, 2008 - 2:24 am

Hi -- See above, just before your message. The machine is back and except for the fact that parallels desktop not opening (which it wasn't prior to the repair either...) everything is working fine. AirPort works, DVD drive works.

Thanks,
Ken

Cheryl - Feb 3, 2008 - 8:25 am

Ken,

I just wanted to make sure before I close this ticket. Glad to hear you have a working machine.

Cheryl