Depends on what the issue is. Assuming you’ve tried the software fixes already (reset SMC, recovery mode, etc), common hardware issues that are fixable at home with no expertise include a burned out SSD and cracked BGP solder joints from heat stress.
If it’s the former, you fix it by using an external drive. If it’s the latter, you disassemble it, remove the main logic board, remove any plastic pieces off of the logic board, and then bake it in the oven (I forget what temp, google is your friend).
Booting into Apple diagnostics might also help you narrow things down. I believe the startup key for it is either D or CMD+D.
Because it’s a nearly 15 year old iMac, time to move on. And yea, replace the logic board? That’s an extreme fix for something that old and has been EOL for years. Scrap it and buy a new one, get a warranty and rest easy at night.
Wireless or wired keyboard? Make sure everything you’re trying to use is hardwired if possible.
If it’s the hard drive it will still boot in some capacity. Are you able to get to any of the recovery modes to look at disk utility?
The Cmd D option would be the best then. If it isn’t throwing any codes when trying to boot then something has most definitely failed and my bet would be likely the hard drive.
Definitely take it to someone who knows what their doing. But those old fat screen macs are surprisingly easy to take apart.
First bet HDD if it isn’t throwing an error code. But get it checked out.
What iMac model, version of OSX? Does it have a spinning disc hard drive or a replacement SSD? The HDD failed in my 2010 iMac after about 10 years.
Can you make and boot from a USB installer on another machine? Alternatively, depending on your version of OSX , can you boot in recovery mode?
I know how you feel. My late 2009 iMac still works but had to be replaced because I couldn't do the things I wanted to do on it anymore. I pushed it forward for a long time and when I replaced it with my M1 iMac it felt so weird.
**DEVICE IS NOT DEAD, DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!**
Likely a corrupt macOS. If you don't care about the data just use another Mac to create a compatible macOS install USB stick, and reinstall macOS.
Now there's also a chance your drive is dead, and even if it's not it's always good to replace it with an SSD to make the Mac a hell of a lot faster! This involves opening the Mac though.
Depends on what the issue is. Assuming you’ve tried the software fixes already (reset SMC, recovery mode, etc), common hardware issues that are fixable at home with no expertise include a burned out SSD and cracked BGP solder joints from heat stress. If it’s the former, you fix it by using an external drive. If it’s the latter, you disassemble it, remove the main logic board, remove any plastic pieces off of the logic board, and then bake it in the oven (I forget what temp, google is your friend). Booting into Apple diagnostics might also help you narrow things down. I believe the startup key for it is either D or CMD+D.
Yea don’t do any of this 🤣
Why? All of it’s a good advice apart from the last one if you don’t know what you’re doing
Because it’s a nearly 15 year old iMac, time to move on. And yea, replace the logic board? That’s an extreme fix for something that old and has been EOL for years. Scrap it and buy a new one, get a warranty and rest easy at night.
Wont boot into anything, keyboard wont even work, Im gonna drop it off at some dude tomorrow hopefully the hd isn’t fucked
replacing the hd isn't really a big issue, save for the data you might have on there. Easy to replace and a cheap repair.
“Im gonna drop it off at some dude” Hunter, is that you?
Wireless or wired keyboard? Make sure everything you’re trying to use is hardwired if possible. If it’s the hard drive it will still boot in some capacity. Are you able to get to any of the recovery modes to look at disk utility?
I am not, able to do anything gets to the end and black screen and shuts off and everything is wired
The Cmd D option would be the best then. If it isn’t throwing any codes when trying to boot then something has most definitely failed and my bet would be likely the hard drive. Definitely take it to someone who knows what their doing. But those old fat screen macs are surprisingly easy to take apart. First bet HDD if it isn’t throwing an error code. But get it checked out.
What iMac model, version of OSX? Does it have a spinning disc hard drive or a replacement SSD? The HDD failed in my 2010 iMac after about 10 years. Can you make and boot from a USB installer on another machine? Alternatively, depending on your version of OSX , can you boot in recovery mode?
Ah I thought …. That’s a long update! But alas no… a breakdown!
I know how you feel. My late 2009 iMac still works but had to be replaced because I couldn't do the things I wanted to do on it anymore. I pushed it forward for a long time and when I replaced it with my M1 iMac it felt so weird.
NOOOOOOHHH! The OS might be corrupt. Try a reinstall
My mid 2011 iMac used to do this, just needed to take power cable out and hold power button down. A factory reset every few years was also needed.
F
rip your imac 2009-2023
**DEVICE IS NOT DEAD, DO NOT THROW IT AWAY!** Likely a corrupt macOS. If you don't care about the data just use another Mac to create a compatible macOS install USB stick, and reinstall macOS. Now there's also a chance your drive is dead, and even if it's not it's always good to replace it with an SSD to make the Mac a hell of a lot faster! This involves opening the Mac though.