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iMac 2007

R

rheaney

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 21, 2020
11
0
I’m having an issue with my iMac 2007. I installed a new SSD and I was able to boot and install El Capitan with my USB boot drive. Now I can’t get it to boot the regular way, I can get in with Safe Mode and it works. When I boot normally it stalls on the apple load screen and then either goes to the black screen or the white screen. I had this issue before I replaced the HD but I wasn’t able to do anything at all, now that the HD was replaced I’m able to do more - ie. safe mode, etc.

here is the troubleshooting I have done:
- I have reset the pram, smac
- tried changing the date via terminal to both the current date and an older date
- wiped the ssd and reinstalled the OS
- used first aid on disk utility- no errors
- checked for errors via single user mode - none found
- contacted Apple via online chat support, didn’t give any new options to try.

pretty frustrated at this point, I may take it in somewhere to get it fixed but I’ve put so much time into it myself I feel like I’m so close. I’d also prefer not to spend any more money on it if I can do it myself.

could it be any of the following?:

- SSD is Sata III, this iMac is Sata II, could that cause it not to work? Is there a work around? Should I just return the ssd and get a hdd?

- could it be a different hardware issue than the hd/ssd?

Any other ideas, suggestions would be really appreciated. I have to get this resolved soon as it’s my son’s for remote learning.

thanks!
 
Do you still have the install DVDs. If so, have you tried running Apple Hardware Test from that?
 
Does anyone else have a suggestion? Much appreciated.

thanks!
 
Thanks, I was able to get the AHT to work but it came back with no errors. Not sure where to go from here.
 
If it's a software issue, would it have anything to do with the version OS I installed? When installing a new HD/SSD does it have to have the original OS the iMac came with (Leopard) first? Then update from there?
 
Which OS did you have on the internal HDD before replacing it with a SSD? Had you ever run El Capitan on this machine before?
 
This is just my guessing, but
May it be the difference between MBR and GUIPT?
The only thing that is stil unclear in your procedures is whether you partioned your SSD in GPT or MBR mode.
Old iMac may not compatible with GPT disk yet.
 
rheaney said:
I’m having an issue with my iMac 2007. I installed a new SSD and I was able to boot and install El Capitan with my USB boot drive. Now I can’t get it to boot the regular way, I can get in with Safe Mode and it works. When I boot normally it stalls on the apple load screen and then either goes to the black screen or the white screen. I had this issue before I replaced the HD but I wasn’t able to do anything at all, now that the HD was replaced I’m able to do more - ie. safe mode, etc.

here is the troubleshooting I have done:
- I have reset the pram, smac
- tried changing the date via terminal to both the current date and an older date
- wiped the ssd and reinstalled the OS
- used first aid on disk utility- no errors
- checked for errors via single user mode - none found
- contacted Apple via online chat support, didn’t give any new options to try.

pretty frustrated at this point, I may take it in somewhere to get it fixed but I’ve put so much time into it myself I feel like I’m so close. I’d also prefer not to spend any more money on it if I can do it myself.

could it be any of the following?:

- SSD is Sata III, this iMac is Sata II, could that cause it not to work? Is there a work around? Should I just return the ssd and get a hdd?

- could it be a different hardware issue than the hd/ssd?

Any other ideas, suggestions would be really appreciated. I have to get this resolved soon as it’s my son’s for remote learning.

thanks!
Click to expand...
I am too having similar issues.
I used dosdude’s method to install High Sierra the which it has been running fine for nearly 2 years. We managed to get thru homeschooling using it every day.
However next time I came to boot it up I would get a mix of :-
- grey screen with ? Folder
- grey screen with No Entry symbol
- stuck on 3/4 loading with Apple logo.

I have completed all tasks OP states.

I presumed the HHD was failing, lucking I had also inherited a 2010 MBP which had a SSD in it so I opened up the iMac and installed.

my problems then got worse.
CMD - R would also stall, sometimes it would get past the Apple logo, the screen would turn dark grey, then I would get small light grey rectangles all over the screen.
Apple hardware would not boot. I get past the Apple logo, screen goes dark grey, after a while I get the mouse, but then nothing.
Internet booting doesn’t start.
I created a new usb boot drive of high Sierra, which has enabled me to finally install a fresh copy.
However I can only boot in safe mode, Normal booting stalls on 3/4
Still no access to hardware test. Command R also still stalls.
Is my iMac dead? We have just got a brand new M1 and I was hoping to set the 2007 up in my sons room for his homework station.
 
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