iMac (could be Pro) bootup issues

[jave808]

Hi
Recently I picked up a 2nd hand iMac (could be a Pro model) for free. Wasn't told if it was working properly or not. All I had was a picture of the monitor working with the Apple logo on Facebook Marketplace.

Well, now I have plugged it in and am waiting, and waiting. The progress bar moves but ever so slowly. The top of the iMac is getting really hot - almost too hot to touch!

I will leave it for another 15 minutes or so and see if I get any action. any ideas as to what could be happening? Install still going on or something else?

 

[Bigwaff]

Please identify your iMac model

Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

Use this information to find out which iMac you have, and where it fits in the history of iMac.

support.apple.com

 

[jave808]

Thanks. I entered the serial number and this was the result

iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) - Technical Specifications - Apple Support

support.apple.com

 

[MacCheetah3]

Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac

Learn how to use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac.

support.apple.com

 

[Bigwaff]

If you can’t get into Recovery (Cmd-R while power on), your options are limited. I don’t think 2009 model supports Internet Recovery. You will need install media for Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, either retail discs or USB installer.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

Hi
Recently I picked up a 2nd hand iMac (could be a Pro model) for free. Wasn't told if it was working properly or not. All I had was a picture of the monitor working with the Apple logo on Facebook Marketplace.

Well, now I have plugged it in and am waiting, and waiting. The progress bar moves but ever so slowly. The top of the iMac is getting really hot - almost too hot to touch!

I will leave it for another 15 minutes or so and see if I get any action. any ideas as to what could be happening? Install still going on or something else?

Failed GPU leads to iMac hanging up during boot.
It was the same symptom on my iMac 2009 before I replaced its original HD4850 with FirePro M6100.

 

[Fishrrman]

2009 iMac can't do internet recovery.

If a problem with the GPU can keep it from completing boot-up, try booting while holding down the shift key CONTINUOUSLY. This is "safe boot" and I believe it should BYPASS the dedicated GPU, and run with integrated (CPU) graphics.

It's obvious why you "got this for free"...

 

[jave808]

2009 iMac can't do internet recovery.

If a problem with the GPU can keep it from completing boot-up, try booting while holding down the shift key CONTINUOUSLY. This is "safe boot" and I believe it should BYPASS the dedicated GPU, and run with integrated (CPU) graphics.

It's obvious why you "got this for free"...

Ha ha yes...

I will try and see if I can boot like you suggested. Else it's going to the tip!

 

[jave808]

Tried the trick with the Shift key but got nothing. :-(

So, I ended up giving it away to someone else on Facebook Marketplace. Plenty of takers. Hopefully the new owner can make some use of it.

 

[Bigwaff]

They’ll just create another thread

 

[floral]

Shame. If you kept that running, it would be a free heater for the winter.