Chosen Solution
Hello , I have the following problem with my iMac 24” 2.33 GHz, 2GB, 500GB HDD. At startup I get a flashing folder with a question mark. After trying everything I found online with no success, In Target Disk Mode I was able to access the drive and wipe it off. I have the original install disk, but it doesn’t let me install OS-X, extended hardware test shown 0 errors. In hardware profile-video it says Graphics: “unknown video”. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks. Update (01/04/2019) I’ve tried this before but it doesn’t boot, I can’t get to disk utility because I receive this message, I restart and nothing happends.
Update (02/15/2019)
The Maximum operating system on your machine is 10.7.5 https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/… Insert your original system installation disk on boot up and hold down the C key. This should cause it to boot from the optical drive. Go to the second page of the install program. The tool bar will appear. Go to the pull down menu to Disk Utilities. Reformat the internal drive GUID MacOSX Extended. Now go back to the install program and install your system. UPDATE 2/11/19 Try installing your system in Target Mode if it won’t boot from the original system DVD. Also if it won’t boot from the DVD you may have other issues such as bad capacitors. Check the capacitors (cans) on the logic board. You are looking for swelling and/or corrosion on the tops.
@george72 - I think you need to find someone locally who can help you. I would double check the OS-X version you are trying to use this system can’t run anything newer than Lion 10.7.5 within a system which has at least 2 GB of RAM. Windows based drives won’t work in your system, your friends SSD would need to be reformatted and have the Mac OS installed on to it to be useful before installing. I still have an external FireWire drive setup with Lion to get around the optical drive. If you have an external drive you could try that. using your second Mac to set it up.
