iMAC WON'T START

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Overnight we had a one hour power outage. Of course both my iMacs were off when I arose ans one started normally and is working fine. The other will not start at all. I tried pressing the power button, pressing and holding it, disconnected and reconnected the power cord but nothing.It is on a very hi tech surge protector.

Suggestions PLEASE

poppi
 
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Did you try another outlet? Or straight into the wall? How long did you leave it unplugged?
 

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Hi poppi

You've had some bad luck over the last few months - computers can be very trying!

This link from one of our competitors comes up with a number of suggestions - and it involves a 27 inch iMac: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/27-imac-wont-boot-after-power-outage.1140241/

One suggestion that caught my eye was removing the power supply from the back of the iMac (with the power being switched off at the socket of course), leaving it for a few minutes, then pushing in and holding the power button for, say, 5-10 seconds.

Then replace the power supply to the back of the iMac first; then plug into wall socket, then switching on the power.

In effect, you are resetting the SMC; but this did seem to resurrect an apparently defunct iMac.

Have a look at the comments, anyway.

Good luck.

Ian
 
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Hi poppi

You've had some bad luck over the last few months - computers can be very trying!

This link from one of our competitors comes up with a number of suggestions - and it involves a 27 inch iMac: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/27-imac-wont-boot-after-power-outage.1140241/

One suggestion that caught my eye was removing the power supply from the back of the iMac (with the power being switched off at the socket of course), leaving it for a few minutes, then pushing in and holding the power button for, say, 5-10 seconds.

Then replace the power supply to the back of the iMac first; then plug into wall socket, then switching on the power.

In effect, you are resetting the SMC; but this did seem to resurrect an apparently defunct iMac.

Have a look at the comments, anyway.

Good luck.

Ian

UPDATE tried fararr's suggestions. Checked power at the cord as plugged into the original surge protector - it's live. Tried plugging directly into the wall. Tried the Mac Rumors suggestion of unplugging at the rear of the mac, holding the power button 5 seconds, re plugging the power cord. None of these suggestions worked. Still no turn on. By the way, our other mac (on which I am now typing) did not have any problems from the power outage)

poppi
 
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Poppi, does "nothing" mean no fans, no lights, no noises, no spinning up of the HD (if it has a platter drive)? Is it doing ANYTHING? If not, it could be the power supply, but if it is just not booting, that could be the internal drive (most likely) or something else (not likely). So, can you define "nothing" for us?
 
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Poppi, does "nothing" mean no fans, no lights, no noises, no spinning up of the HD (if it has a platter drive)? Is it doing ANYTHING? If not, it could be the power supply, but if it is just not booting, that could be the internal drive (most likely) or something else (not likely). So, can you define "nothing" for us?

Yes - nothing is "no fans, no lights, no noises, no spinning up of the HD". Sounds ominous

poppi
 
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Would you be able to try the good iMac cord, in the bad iMac? Will it fit?
 

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What model is the iMac that does nothing? Asking for a reason.

I had a friend even though he had a surge protector and there was a large surge and his iMac was dead. Turned out enough of the surge got into it and blew the board on the bottom of the hard drive. It would not come up so I took it apart and unplugged the hard drive and it came up of course with the question mark on the screen.
 
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Would you be able to try the good iMac cord, in the bad iMac? Will it fit?

Funny you should suggest that. In desperation I logged into Apple chat support and he suggested all the same things you fine folks have suggested PlUS trying a different power cord. I did that and, as expected, not a solution but thanks for the suggestion
 
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What model is the iMac that does nothing? Asking for a reason.

I had a friend even though he had a surge protector and there was a large surge and his iMac was dead. Turned out enough of the surge got into it and blew the board on the bottom of the hard drive. It would not come up so I took it apart and unplugged the hard drive and it came up of course with the question mark on the screen.

It is a Mac 20" early 2008. FYI The incompetent Apple store, in trying to solve a different problem, replaced virtually every component in the unit including hard drive, LCD panel, logic board, power supply, blower, and various cables. This wasin 2016 so it is virtually two years old.
 
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UPDATE - Just out of habit (and frustration) I pressed the power button again for the umpteenth time and holy mackerel Andy - IT STARTED. The setup (surge protector, cabling, EHD) are exactly as original and it appears to be fine. Can anyone explain that? In any event my heart felt thanks to all for your help and suggestions.

poppi
 

dtravis7


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UPDATE - Just out of habit (and frustration) I pressed the power button again for the umpteenth time and holy mackerel Andy - IT STARTED. The setup (surge protector, cabling, EHD) are exactly as original and it appears to be fine. Can anyone explain that? In any event my heart felt thanks to all for your help and suggestions.

poppi

My 2008 C2D 20" power button over the years has gotten to the point I have to press it quite hard to get it to power on. That could be your issue.

That is the only thing I can think of as you had tried everything else that would cause the issue.
 
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One suggestion that caught my eye was removing the power supply from the back of the iMac


I sure hope they actually meant the power cord in their suggestion.

Removing the actual iMac "power supply" would seem a bit drastic, at least to me!!! :Smirk:

Anyway, glad to read things are working again.






- Patrick
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Hi Poppi! I am glad that your Mac is doing fine now. Sometimes, if the battery of a MacBook is completely dead, Macs won’t necessarily boot immediately the moment after you plug it in, so you may need to wait a few moments before turning it on.
 

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@Maria:

You need to carefully read the original post. The problem was with an iMac, and iMacs do not have a battery. He does not have a MacBook.
 

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