I managed to get a free 20” Intel iMac (one of the early white ones, so it must have come out in 2006) because the owner had a problem with it he couldn’t fix and just gave it to me. (The only reason I think it’s an Intel is because it’s thinner than the G5 version)
It turns out the problem was that upon pressing the power button, and hearing the chime, it shows an old, 90s-era folder with a alternating flashing Finder logo and question mark (see second and third photos).
By holding down the eject key while booting up I found it had a Snow Leopard Install DVD in it. Unfortunately, when I boot up the iMac while holding “c”, nothing happens.
Booting up while holding the “option” key (with the DVD inside) just brings me to this weird screen with the fans running at full throttle (see picture 4). I can’t even move the mouse at this point. (I think it’s weird why these buttons look really old... is this normal to Snow Leopard?)
I have been unable to start up in either Recovery mode or Verbose mode, but Target Disk Mode works fine. Starting up while holding “d” or “c” doesn’t change anything. (It just goes to the alternating flashing folder screen). And starting while holding “eject” does eject the DVD.
Also, if it’s been running for more than about five to ten minutes (on the folder screen), the fans turn on at maximum and won’t quieten down.
I just don’t understand what’s wrong with it! Is there anything I can try? I would really like to be able to use this machine... :/
Any and all help would be appreciated, even if just a suggestion to try something out that I haven’t done yet.
It turns out the problem was that upon pressing the power button, and hearing the chime, it shows an old, 90s-era folder with a alternating flashing Finder logo and question mark (see second and third photos).
By holding down the eject key while booting up I found it had a Snow Leopard Install DVD in it. Unfortunately, when I boot up the iMac while holding “c”, nothing happens.
Booting up while holding the “option” key (with the DVD inside) just brings me to this weird screen with the fans running at full throttle (see picture 4). I can’t even move the mouse at this point. (I think it’s weird why these buttons look really old... is this normal to Snow Leopard?)
I have been unable to start up in either Recovery mode or Verbose mode, but Target Disk Mode works fine. Starting up while holding “d” or “c” doesn’t change anything. (It just goes to the alternating flashing folder screen). And starting while holding “eject” does eject the DVD.
Also, if it’s been running for more than about five to ten minutes (on the folder screen), the fans turn on at maximum and won’t quieten down.
I just don’t understand what’s wrong with it! Is there anything I can try? I would really like to be able to use this machine... :/
Any and all help would be appreciated, even if just a suggestion to try something out that I haven’t done yet.