bought an iMac 2011, I think I got screwed

[rexoserox]

hey guys,
I bought an iMac from ebay. Was listed as "functioning".
Arrived yesterday and unpacked it. Tried to turn it on... just a beep every 5 seconds, display stayed dark. There was no RAM installed... So I put some DDR3 RAM in.
Now I see a blinking white folder, so I thought maybe something wrong with the harddrive.
Run Apple Hardware Test AHT and it says everything ok with the hardware.

I started the Internet Recovery thing with the spinning globe. It fully downloads the files over the internet but as soon it reaches 100%. The apple logo appears for a second and then the screen turns blue.
I already put in a new harddrive (because I think the old one is dead) but I cannot get the Internet Recovery to work or past the blue screen.

Any Ideas? Please help me guys

 

[mikehalloran]

The 2011 does not support internet recovery. You need an OS installer— either a USB installer or an external with the complete installer on it. High Sierra is the latest OS.

Another Mac with the installer can work, too.

 

[CoastalOR]

The 2011 iMac will support internet recovery if the EFI Firmware ROM was updated during a OS install newer than 10.6. Since you got the globe during internet recovery attempt then it sounds like it is available to you.

The blue screen you are experiencing sounds like maybe a hardware problem. The 2011's have a history of GPU problems.

 

[rexoserox]

The 2011 iMac will support internet recovery if the EFI Firmware ROM was updated during a OS install newer than 10.6. Since you got the globe during internet recovery attempt then it sounds like it is available to you.

The blue screen you are experiencing sounds like maybe a hardware problem. The 2011's have a history of GPU problems.

the efi boot and the spinning globe are working that's why I thought the graphic card is okay.
And the Apple Hardware Test didn't show an error.

Just asking... if the harddrive is dead. can you still boot the Internet Recovery? (assuming the graphic card is okay)

 

[mikehalloran]

Your best diagnostic tool is a USB installer or external boot drive. You will be able to figure out everything you need to know from that.

If you have another Mac and an 8GB or larger USB drive available, an installer is easy to make. If so, post here and I'll list the easiest instructions.
[doublepost=1559588477][/doublepost]If original, the chances of having a decent hard drive in there is remote. The blue screen can also be a bad NV RAM battery. Both are easy to change on a 2011. Best to find out what is and is not bad in this first.

 

[rexoserox]

Your best diagnostic tool is a USB installer or external boot drive. You will be able to figure out everything you need to know from that.

If you have another Mac and an 8GB or larger USB drive available, an installer is easy to make. If so, post here and I'll list the easiest instructions.
[doublepost=1559588477][/doublepost]If original, the chances of having a decent hard drive in there is remote. The blue screen can also be a bad NV RAM battery. Both are easy to change on a 2011. Best to find out what is and is not bad in this first.

I already tried to boot from a High Sierra USB Installer. It does recognize it in EFI boot.
I hold the option key while booting then select the High Sierra USB installer. It starts loading. As soon the bar reaches 100%. The screen remains grey. So no installation menu. Just a plain gray screen.
Same thing with Internet Recovery. As soon bar reaches 100%. Blue screen.

 

[mikehalloran]

The least expensive thing you can do is replace or remove the NV RAM battery. It takes a common CR2032 battery.

Pull the glass (suction cups or big wad of masking tape at the top of the screen. It's held by magnets.

Lay the iMac on its back.

Remove the screen screws with a magnetized T8 driver. Some are longer than others so pay attention what you pulled from where.

Lift the top of the screen about an inch or so and pull the screen towards the top about 1/4" till it is out of the groove at the bottom. Slide the screen back down while keeping it out of the bottom groove.

Lift the bottom. You'll see the NV RAM battery. Using a toothpick or something similar, push through the slot in the thin flange, the battery will pop up and can be removed. It only retains settings so removing it is ok but, if you have a CR2032, go ahead and replace it. If this does it, you'll be leaving the new battery in there.

Slide the screen back into the groove and replace at least the top screen screws.

See if you can now boot and have the screen show up.