Intel Core Duo iMac won't boot

W

winsen

Registered
After downloading the recommended upgrades last night, my iMac won't boot other than (previously) in "safe boot" mode. At the moment it won't boot at all other than with the install disks for reasons that will be clearer in a moment.

I've run Disk Utilities after booting from the install disks which came with the iMac and was told there were no problems.

Since things weren't working I decided to do an "Archive and Install" of the system. I ran that unsuccessfully in a repeated time-consuming process, each time getting messages saying all files wouldn't install. Of course now that I've started an "Archive and Install" process, there's no system from which to do even a "safe boot" because my original system is tucked away in that "archive" folder or at least I assume that's where it is. So now I'm bailing to ask for help!

At the very least, I want to recover what I can from the drive before I wipe it and do a clean install, but I don't remember how to connect the iMac as an external drive (by firewire) and can't so far find how by Googling. Seems it's something like "connect with firewire cable and hold down x while starting up the operating computer to which the 'no boot' computer/drive is connected," but I just don't remember.

Any ideas before I drag the whole thing to the Genius Bar at my local Apple store?

For what it's worth (perhaps not much) I think the problem must have occurred with something during the software update process. I did repeatedly get "you are not connected to the internet" messages (although I was connected) and each time had to restart the download. If I recall correctly, the software upgrades were a "Firmware upgrade" and a "Security upgrade."

Thanks for any help or suggestions. Of course even a little encouragement would be nice! :)

Winsen
 
I believe the sequence is to connect the 2 computers with a firewire cable,
start the problem computer while holding the "T" key,
and finally fire up the good computer normally, it should then show the target computer as a firewire drive.

A google search shows this link at the top of the list.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

Further to the problem of upgrades going badley.
I've taken to downloading the upgrades to my harddisk, then installing from there.
Solves the interrupted install problem, at least for me.
Good luck...
jb.
 
Did you have by the way Adobe CS suite installed on your iMac before this happened?
 
Aaaah! Yes, a "T" Thanks. They're now linked and files are copying to a nice external LaCie drive even as we speak.

<<A google search shows this link at the top of the list.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583>>

Thanks! Of course my problem was that I didn't even know what to search in Google. What were your terms? I just remembered hearing one computer could be used as a drive.

Downloading upgrades to hard drive and then installing is a great idea. I will do that in the future, too.

Finally, thanks for this great help with my computer frustrations. I'd like not to need to rebuild the entire drive, but it seems that may be the next step.

At the moment, I've just been told that some files can't copy because I need to enter a user name and password. But where to enter??? And how?? Don't want to miss copying something essential!

As an aside, we just returned from a trip to Vancouver (love it!) and Vancouver Island and the Victoria area where we stayed (especially love it!) including a drive over to the acclaimed Tofino and Ucuelet. It was of course stunningly beautiful and we got some photos we really like, but it was also enough similar to our own Colorado that we'd probably choose to stay on the east side of the island next trip. The trip through the old growth forests in itself is worth the drive and we definitely don't have those in Colorado!

Winsen
 
Giaguara said:
Did you have by the way Adobe CS suite installed on your iMac before this happened?
Click to expand...

Actually, no. I use CS2 on my 17-inch PowerBook but plan to install and use it on the iMac as well. I understand Adobe allows two installs with one s/n; one on a laptop and one on a desktop computer. Do you know of problems with Adobe CS2 on an Intel Core Duo?

I did have PhotoShop 7 installed on the iMac, just none of the other elements of the suite.

Winsen
 
winsen said:
Thanks! Of course my problem was that I didn't even know what to search in Google. What were your terms? I just remembered hearing one computer could be used as a drive.
Click to expand...

I searched for "Firewire target mode"

To add to your "aside"
At one point in your drive from Victoria to Tofino, you passed where I'm located in "Nanaimo".

Glad you enjoyed your visit.

jb.
 
Who'd a ever thunk "target mode"? Not I. I'm glad you had enough base knowledge to use those terms and share what you knew.

Also, we took the Horseshoe Bay ferry to Nanaimo and then drove down to Victoria where we headquartered in the fine (although for us costly) Hotel Grand Pacific. Nanaimo seems lovely although we didn't spend much time there. Back to the states via the Schwartz Bay/Anacortes Ferry. All invigorating stuff for four landlocked folks! Canada treated us well, thank you.

Winsen
 
... but Giaguara has now raised interest in problems with the intel iMacs (any intel Macs?) and Adobe CS and/or Adobe CS 2... Can you clarify, Giaguara, how you came up with your question? :) I'm planning on installing Adobe CS and Adobe CS 2 on my future MacBook, so I might need to know. ;)
 
fryke said:
... but Giaguara has now raised interest in problems with the intel iMacs (any intel Macs?) and Adobe CS and/or Adobe CS 2... Can you clarify, Giaguara, how you came up with your question? :) I'm planning on installing Adobe CS and Adobe CS 2 on my future MacBook, so I might need to know. ;)
Click to expand...

I've got a new 20inch iMac Core Duo (2GHz) and all the Adobe installers, save Illustrator) hang the machine.

Fun, really.
 
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