My iMac isn't turning on: help!

[stripedbass]

A short while ago, my iMac had this message:

Type "Mac-boot" and hit return.

It's done this before and everytime I've done so I never had prroblems getting it re-started.

Today, however, it simply turned off.

When I press the button on the keyboard, it won't start up.

This iMac has  new memory and a new hard drive.

What could be wrong?

Any advice will be highly appreciated before I start to panic.

Thanks.

[kbeartx]

Try disconnecting everything but the kybd and mouse, and booting again.  Plugging in any peripherals [printers, external hard drives, cameras, scanners, card readers, etc.] only after reboot is complete.

Better or not?

[Xairbusdriver]

"Type "Mac-boot" and hit return." That sounds like the machine is booting into "Open Firmware" and you probably also have text on screen saying such. This is often caused my hardware 'problems' but that may only mean that 'new' hardware is simply not installed properly, e.g. memory chips not seated securely, plugs likewise loose.

Quickest problem solving would be to re-check those "recent" additions/changes. HTH's. The real experts will be around shortly.

[krissel]

Hopefully all you need do is reset the PRAM and NVRAM.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30575


If this doesn't do the trick take out the RAM and try one stick at a time. Make sure the drive is properly installed.

[Paddy]

Kris is probably right - the PRAM is corrupted. See "don't be fooled by..." section
http://www.academ.com/info/macintosh/

Taking apart an old iMac is not a fun exercise, so let's hope it's NOT a hardware issue!

http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Suppo...31208IMACII.PDF

[stripedbass]

Folks:

Thanks for the advice about resetting PRAM and NVRAM.

However, how do I reset them when the computer does not turn on at all???

Sorry for being late to respond but I have to go to a library to answer your questions or read your suggestions.

Please bear with me!

QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 12 2007, 02:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hopefully all you need do is reset the PRAM and NVRAM.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30575


If this doesn't do the trick take out the RAM and try one stick at a time. Make sure the drive is properly installed.

[krissel]

Are you getting any sign of life? Does a light come on? Any noise?

Remove the keyboard and try to start by the iMac itself? Try the reset button on the unit.

When was the last time you replaced the PRAM battery? If never, suggest that be done.

Also there have been cases of the analog board shaking loose from it's contacts when the iMac is turned over to get inside.

[stripedbass]

Hi Krissel,

I don't know how to thank you (and eveyone else who tried to help me). Tonight I got home. I disconnected my keyboard and printer from my iMac.

I then kept pressing the power button in the front of my iMac. I pressed it at different angles. After a while, ther computer miraculously went on!

Then that screen came on asking me to type "mac-boot" and press return.

When the computer booted up, I went directly to the link you showed me:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

I followed the instructions on how to reset the PRAM.

Now my computer is working!

I still don't know what PRAM is but I'm a very happy man.

Many, many, thanks to you and the other kind souls on this forum.

Where would I be without you folks?

QUOTE(krissel @ Jun 12 2007, 02:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hopefully all you need do is reset the PRAM and NVRAM.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30575


If this doesn't do the trick take out the RAM and try one stick at a time. Make sure the drive is properly installed.

[krissel]

That makes us happy. Let's hope it keeps working for you. Keep in mind that your PRAM battery may be running out of life if it is the original. Consider replacing it and if you need help, let us know. It's a bit tricky but can be done. I replaced my sister's battery in her iMac DV 400.

[Frances144]

Phew!!! What a relief!  i was following your post with some trepidation.

First things first - back up everything!

I have replaced a PRAM  Battery and it was fiddly but not too difficult and I am complete clutz at all things technical.

Google the make and model of your computer and then PRAM and you should find some decent instructions telling you how to replace it (and also how to buy a new one!).

Best of luck.

Fx

[Gregg]

QUOTE(stripedbass @ Jun 13 2007, 10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I still don't know what PRAM is but I'm a very happy man.

It stands for "parameter RAM". It stores certain, well, parameters, such as the date and time for example. I'm sure there's a longer list, but not sure what else is on it.

[stripedbass]

You have no idea how relieved I am.

Yes, I have backed up at least 90% of my stuff.

The mistake I did was to ignore the mac-boot screen I kept getting. Whenever the computer would reboot, I'd assume everything was fine. Instead, I should have come to this forum and asked what that screen meant. It was only after it had done this several times then finally wouldn't reboot, that I finally asked for help. I happened to luck out this time. It could have been too late

The lesson is to always ask when your computer starts to do funny things. My problem is that I sometimes fear that people here will get impatient with me or wonder why I keep bothering them. I know very little about computers.

Anyway, I was touched by how people offerred to help out. Just for your interest, let me mention some of the advice I got from those outside this forum (remember I was in deep panic mode):

1) A well-known Mac repair store in Boston (not the Mac Store in Gallaria Mall), after explaining my problem on the phone said: Remove my RAM and install them again. If problem continues, it's most likely the logic board. If I wanted them to repair it, it would cost about $350. But if I got my own logic board from E-bay, it would cost me $150 to have them install it.

2) Another person advised me to gp to Craigslist and see whether a student is selling an iMac. If I found one, he would kindly remove my new hard drive and RAM from my old computer and install them on my new one. This way, I wouldn't lose my data. It was very nice of him.

3) A co-worker suggested that I reboot from my install CD then go to disk or utility repair (I can't remember which).

It's interesting that the advice I get here is usually what actually rescues me, evgrn though I'm always grateful to everyone who offers to help me.

By the way, I learned of this forum from someone on Craigslist. He told me that this was a great site and that I should check it out.

The rest is history. :-)

QUOTE(Frances144 @ Jun 14 2007, 05:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Phew!!! What a relief!  i was following your post with some trepidation.

First things first - back up everything!

I have replaced a PRAM  Battery and it was fiddly but not too difficult and I am complete clutz at all things technical.

Google the make and model of your computer and then PRAM and you should find some decent instructions telling you how to replace it (and also how to buy a new one!).

Best of luck.

Fx

[gunug]

The first hint of battery going out is generally an inaccurate date and time.  If you have the usual setup you will have the time and possibly the date at the top of the page.  If you make it a habit to check that when you fire the thing up then you'll have some kind of early warning of this kind of problem.  

It is kind of hard to change some of those batteries without taking the whole bottom and RF shield off the computer; you can do it with skinny fingers though!  I've had to replace the battery twice on my iMAC DV 400 because someone sold me a battery that only lasted about 7 months.

[stripedbass]

Funny enough, my battery seems fine so far. After I resent the PRAM yesterday, I noticed that this reset the clock as well. I put in the right time and each time I've logged on since then, the clock has given me the right time.

Is there a way to have it so that when you click on the time, you can also see the date? In other words, is there a short-cut to the date?

QUOTE(gunug @ Jun 14 2007, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The first hint of battery going out is generally an inaccurate date and time.  If you have the usual setup you will have the time and possibly the date at the top of the page.  If you make it a habit to check that when you fire the thing up then you'll have some kind of early warning of this kind of problem.  

It is kind of hard to change some of those batteries without taking the whole bottom and RF shield off the computer; you can do it with skinny fingers though!  I've had to replace the battery twice on my iMAC DV 400 because someone sold me a battery that only lasted about 7 months.

[dboh]

QUOTE(stripedbass @ Jun 14 2007, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is there a way to have it so that when you click on the time, you can also see the date? In other words, is there a short-cut to the date?

If you click and hold on the time, you'll see the date in the drop-down menu.