Real Problem iMAC

ro1798

hi, new here so be gentle,

i have an old imac the push in cd type and it has started coming up with the dreaded flashing question mark ?

i have tried booting from cd and installing again but when i do i can find hard drive on system anywhere..

can someone please help.. i need to get this sorted asap..

is there any place in dublin that does this sort of thing??? cheap

ronan

Hugh_C

ro1798 wrote:

i have an old imac the push in cd type and it has started coming up with the dreaded flashing question mark ?

Sounds like your hard drive might be buggered. Are you definitely sure that you're navigating your way correctly to the internal drive when you try to reinstall? What OS are you trying to install?

If the drive is buggered, it's relatively easy to install a new one - I did it just last week to an old tray-loading iMac. There is an upper limit on the size of drive you can put in, and also its heat dissipation becomes an issue over a certain size. You can pick up a new drive from expansys or wherever. I got one of these from Komplett for 65 euros including VAT and shipping. I'm using this od iMac as a backup server now - no thoroughbred but it works fine...

hc

ro1798

no the pc is totally not seeing the hard drive i have the hard drive out and am trying to find a spare one to throug in and see if it is the problem if it is no the hard drive what could it be thanks a million

ronan

SouperComputer

is the PC not seeing the HD at BIOS or software level?

Also when buying a HD for your iMac, try to get a 5400RPM one. 7200's tend to cause heat problems whic result in a dead monitor (to make a long story short)

clear the PRAM for the crack: command + option + P + R at bootup during the chime. maybe try to boot a cd when the HD is removed?

let us know how you get on

[edit] actually, is the HD a quantum fireball? If it is, flip it over and have a look for a philips chip near the IDE connector. They have a tendancy to blow [/edit]

ro1798

sorry it is a mac it is a quantium fireball 6gb chip seems to be ok..

how can you check the bios on a mac?

i am trying to find any old hard drive to put in and see it that is the problem

ronan

ZENER

If you PM me Ronan with your location I might be able to help.

ZEN

SouperComputer

older macs dont have a user-accessable BIOS as such.

put a wanted thread up for a 6gb HD and see how it goes

Hugh_C

ro1798 wrote:

no the pc is totally not seeing the hard drive i have the hard drive out and am trying to find a spare one to throug in and see if it is the problem if it is no the hard drive what could it be thanks a million

ronan

Firmware? That's why I asked what OS you're trying to install, because if it's X and you don't have the right firmware installed, it won't work, but I dunno if it won't work to the extent of not seeing the drive.

Anyways, look here for firmware.

hc

Hugh_C

SouperComputer wrote:

older macs dont have a user-accessable BIOS as such.

put a wanted thread up for a 6gb HD and see how it goes

I have a spare, working 6GB hd taken out of an iMac rev C last week.

ro1798

where are you and how much are you looking for it i dont want to be buying something if it is nt hte solution

i am in dublin will travel to get this sorted

thanks

ronan

Hugh_C

ro1798 wrote:

where are you and how much are you looking for it i dont want to be buying something if it is nt hte solution

i am in dublin will travel to get this sorted

thanks

ronan

I'm in Ranelagh, Dublin 6.

PM me and we can come to an arrangement.