I'm not happy right now

[Zwhaler]

Well, recently I posted a thread on how my iMac has strange clicking issues. You guys said it's probably normal, so I thought nothing of it. Now my iMac is really whacked up, I have a blank CD in it and the drive is making REALLY weird noises, when I try to turn it on, it just shows the gray screen, and does nothing else. I have important bulls*it on that thing and it looks to me like i'm pretty much screwed. Any ideas on a fix? Anything would be helpful. Because I'm really kinda pissed right now have to be somewhere and if it doesn't work when I get back that's really gonna suck. Thanks as always.

Edit: not as pissed off now. Open to suggestions (even crazy ones) I just want to get my computer working.

 

[eva01]

So you send it in to apple to get repaired and then reinstall a backup you made onto an external drive.

Try repairing the HD from disk utility.

 

[szsiddiq]

b4 u mess with it too much, id take it to an apple store and let the geniuss check it...if u dont live near one, then tinker all the way

 

[SMM]

Well, recently I posted a thread on how my iMac has strange clicking issues. You guys said it's probably normal, so I thought nothing of it. Now my iMac is really whacked up, I have a blank CD in it and the drive is making REALLY weird noises, when I try to turn it on, it just shows the gray screen, and does nothing else. I have important bulls*it on that thing and it looks to me like i'm pretty much screwed. Any ideas on a fix? Anything would be helpful. Because I'm really kinda pissed right now have to be somewhere and if it doesn't work when I get back that's really gonna suck. Thanks as always.

How good are you at working on hardware? If competent, try disconnecting the DVD drive (power/data) cables and booting it. If it comes on without issue, take the drive to Apple and have them replace it. If the drive is older technology, consider upgrading it. If it still does not boot, it may be the controller. There is also a chance the hard disk failed.

Even if your drive is hosed, you may still be able to retrieve the information from it. They have great tools nowadays for doing this and the cost is not too dear. So, be of good faith this will have a happy ending. However, I think there is a learning opportunity here that I hope you do not miss. The information we put on our computers is often more valuable than the machine itself. Back-up your work!

Most people learn this the hard way unfortunately. We do not live in a world where redundant systems are commonplace on the desktop. So, you have to make sure you create your own. One of the exciting features of the upcoming Leopard is an integrated, incremental back-up system (forget the name). However, it is not cost prohibitive to attach an external drive and copy your work everyday. I have not looked, and do not know this to be a fact, but I suspect there is already a canned automator script to do this.

 

[Zwhaler]

Thanks man, I feel much better now. I have stuff backed up, but only from the PC that I used to use before I switched to my first Mac two weeks ago. Hell, I don't even know how to back my stuff up on my iMac. I havn't turned it on since, should I try it again? I want to try disconnecting the drive but I am afraid to, because everything worked fine until I put the CD in. So what do you suggest I do?

 

[Zwhaler]

Try repairing the HD from disk utility.

Sorry dude, I can't get the thing to boot into OSX.

 

[beatsme]

Sorry dude, I can't get the thing to boot into OSX.

not even from the install disk?

 

[MUCKYFINGERS]

That sucks man... I hope you work it out.

 

[szsiddiq]

seriously, just get it checked out by the apple store

 

[Zwhaler]

not even from the install disk?

Havn't trired that yet. I will take the computer to the apple store sometime this week.

 

[Nick T.]

If there is a CD in your drive at startup then the machine will attempt to boot from that disk. If the disk is not bootable the startup fails (in this case the Mac isn't as smart as a Windows box).

To eject the CD:
1. Power down the iMac
2. Power up the iMac while holding the mouse button down. The CD should pop right out.

 

[Zwhaler]

If there is a CD in your drive at startup then the machine will attempt to boot from that disk. If the disk is not bootable the startup fails (in this case the Mac isn't as smart as a Windows box).

To eject the CD:
1. Power down the iMac
2. Power up the iMac while holding the mouse button down. The CD should pop right out.

Tried 3 times, still not working. I was using a bluetooth mouse, and switched to a USB one, still no luck. Any further information on this? Like how long it's supposed to take before it happens? Do i click before I start the computer or after? Any other way to get the CD out? Thanks I think that this is what's wrong. (thank god)

 

[Zwhaler]

Well I gave apple a call and they told me to start while holding option, and after trying 4-5 times nothing worked. Then the same deal except holding eject. Nothing worked, and he said he suspected it was a logic board problem. Apple store here we come

 

[SBleed@mchsi.co]

Too bad I didn't register to this forum sooner. In refrence to the clicking noise you heard.
Years ago I had a 10Gig Maxtor Hard Drive, and after about three months I started hearing this clicking noise. After my computer pooped out, and completely stopped responding, I took out the HD, and took it apart. Come to find out, the clicking noise was one of the needles in the HD, and it come loose. So everytime I heard that click, there was scratches and holes getting all over the disk in the HD. So if your problem is the same, I'd say your HD is gone and their's no way to get that info back. Sry

 

[Zwhaler]

Good news everybody!! My friend who's really good at this kind of thing came over and got my computer working! Nothing wrong, it just took him awhile of doing strange keyboard commands to get the CD to eject. Thanks to all for your help. </end of saga>

 

[Macmadant]

Good news everybody!! My friend who's really good at this kind of thing came over and got my computer working! Nothing wrong, it just took him awhile of doing strange keyboard commands to get the CD to eject. Thanks to all for your help. </end of saga>

oh well, at least you got the problem solved