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iMac with Mavericks Misbehaving

Avatar Roy Rainford
Recently my iMac has failed to boot up fully several times and occasionally it has failed to shut down. On startup, after pressing the power button the Dock will sometimes appear but not the Hard Drive icon or external drives and desktop folders. Alternatively vice versa. The Menu bar appears but the cursor continues to spin and I can't access anything. I have to use the power button twice to restart and likewise to shut down but intermittently. The iMac is a 27-inch Mid 2010 model OS 10.9.5.
I have repaired Permissions and have done a Safe start but without any improvement . Is Yosemite likely to solve this problem or do I need a new iMac or can some kind person provide a solution - please.

Re: iMac with Mavericks Misbehaving

Avatar Mick Burrell
When you do get it to start, create a new user and see if it will start in that. (You may need to turn off automatic log in so you get a choice of users at startup.)

Re: iMac with Mavericks Misbehaving

Avatar Euan Williams
Safe Boot prevents non-Apple software from working (among other functions). Mick's sensible Alternative User check will find whether there is a problem in your basic OS X installation. If that fails you should try to start up and use your iMac from an external drive, ideally from a 'clean' disc or partition with a fresh install of 10.9.5 Mavericks or appropriate earlier software. Otherwise use any "known good" external disc or partition from a clone or other previous installation. Don't have one? Ask another member, or bring your iMac out here to the Wild West and I'll do it for you.

Access the external disc or partition by pressing and holding the Option key just before the startup chime until a row of icons appears. Select one of these. Progress will be slow, so be patient with your USB connection!

If the iMac starts up (eventually) and functions normally (albeit slowly) then your iMac is in a healthy state physically -- sigh of relief -- and you need to reinstall your OS X. Backup all your important files in any way that seems sensible (Drag and Drop, Time Machine, Clone etc.).

Now erase the offending drive or partition software using Disc Utility and install your OS X on that clean disc or partition. If this works happily you can migrate your settings and data etc. back using Utilities > Migration Assistant. No available "other" disc? Then it may be time to get one (1TB USB2/3 pocket drives are £50-ish, I use WD My Passport Ultra). For flexibility partition it into 4 x 250GB. Let us know how you get on.

Re: iMac with Mavericks Misbehaving

Avatar Roy Rainford
Thank you Mick and Euan. Having been out most of today I booted up late pm as a new user. This worked with the Dock and Hard Drives showing on the desktop. My usual apps didn't show in the Dock and various folders didn't show up which were previously on the Desktop. I assumed this was normal for a new user. A window popped up asking me to sign in for Apple iCloud which I did and then I was asked to sign in for Google Mail which I attempted but at that point I got another "Hang" with the small disc spinning until I shut down with the power button. I waited a few minutes and restarted as normal in my name and everything worked! I will see how things go over the next few days before attempting anything else. Thanks again. Roy.
 
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