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All-in-one desktop computers from Apple. iMacs were equipped with Intel processors from 2006-2021.

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iMac stuck at white screen, won't load from install DVD

So this is my fault, I admit it. But here are the details.

A friend gave me a 2007 iMac that had Tiger installed on the hard drive, but the school didn't wipe the drives and reinstall the OS, so I was stuck at a login screen. I was frustrated and got the idea to use the Snow Leopard install DVD that came with my MacBook Pro.

While I couldn't install that OS, I was able to use it to partition the hard drive three times (one for OS X when I can buy a copy, one for a Linux distro to use until then, and one small one for rEFInd later). All of these partitions were blank Mac OS Journaled partitions. So I have three blank partitions with no operating system installed.

When I tried to get out of the installer to restart, it asked me to select a startup disk. I selected the startup DVD (I thought this would boot up the installer from the DVD), and restarted. What I thought must have been wrong, because now all I get is a white screen. I'm either thinking I'm not waiting long enough for it to start, or it's stuck in a boot loop, and my Snow Leopard install DVD is stuck in the machine, as trying to eject it doesn't work. Holding Option on startup doesn't work either.

Please tell me I didn't brick this machine. I honestly don't know when I'd have the time to open it up and replace anything. Does anyone have any ideas?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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That gray install disk is machine specific. To install 10.6.3 on your machine, go to eBay and Buy a Retail Version of Snow leopard.

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4 Comments:

I actually plan on it, but at the moment, the current DVD is stuck inside. I don't know how to get it out; the keyboard is unresponsive. Any suggestions?

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Reboot and hold the mouse button down while doing it. Should eject.

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That didn't work. How long am I supposed to hold it? I can hear the disc spinning, it'll speed up as if it's loading then slow down.

UPDATE! It worked when I plugged the mouse into the USB port on the back of the iMac, not into the one on they keyboard as I had it before (that Mighty Mouse has a very short cable). Thanks for all your help!

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Snowy - love the name, please replace you icon as I have never met anyone with that good a name and would like a face to associate it with. When you get ready to set this baby up, let me know and I will be glad to give you a hand and send you some software to help make it useful.

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Snowy Ashton will be eternally grateful.
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