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Model A1418 / Late 2012 / 2.7 & 2.9 GHz Core i5 or 3.1 GHz Core i7 Processor

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Is my iMac dead or can it be saved?

Hi I have an iMac from 2013 with the specs as follows:

  • 3,1 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost upp till 3,9 GHz
  • 16 GB 1600 MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2 x 8 GB
  • 1 TB Fusion Drive
  • NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M med 512 MB GDDR5

And it has the very latest MacOS with latest patch, upgraded last week.

However when I started (tried) my iMac yesterday it started working and then just closed down.

I tried several times but started realizing something is wrong.

So I looked at google for help and has performed the following actions:

1. Start in safe mode Shift (⇧) = iMac still closes down without starting

2.Start with Command (⌘) and S opening black window where I enter fsck -fy = the system answered "The volume [iMac name] appears to be OK" = iMac still closes down without starting

3.Start with Command (⌘) + R opening recovery area. I tried disk utility "First Aid" and MacOS disk was OK, Fusion drive was OK but coming to MacIntosh HD it stated Not OK and something with:

"Fixing size of logical volume to fill logical volume group.The operation couldn't be completed. (com.apple.DiskManagement.disenter error 49153.) A disk with a mount point is required. Operation failed..."

4. Reset SMC removing acdc 15 secs then wait 5 secs before start = iMac still closes down without starting

5. Reset NVRAM by start with Command (⌘), Alternativ (⌥), P and R a number of times = iMac still closes down without starting

6. Reinstall MacOs via Start with Command (⌘), R = There is NO disc visible to install to at all (show all discs is on) = iMac still closes down without starting

7. Trying to reinstall to latest version that followed the iMac by Commando (⌘),Shift,Alt,R = iMac still closes down without starting

8. Trying to reinstall to latest compatible version of macOs by Commando (⌘),Shift,Alt,R = iMac still closes down without starting

9. Trying to use my timemachine backup Start with Command (⌘), R = There is NO disc visible to install to at all (show all discs is on) = iMac still closes down without starting

So as you can see I tried a lot of things...Did I miss anything that could help??? If so Please help out

Also noticeable is that when I start the iMac I can see the progression slider going for a while and then I hear the hard drive shutting down and then the iMac goes black in shutdown.

So what do you think has happened??

Could it be (as I suspect) that my hardrive has died??

If so is it at all possible to fix and replace a hard drive when I have a Fusion Drive??

Or is it simply not worth the effort??

And should I instead buy a new iMac with SDD disk only this time??? (I assume a SDD is safer)

Is it common that the hardrive dies?? I had this iMac since january 2013 so its approaching 5 years but stil not so old...

Please help out and any comments feedback is extremely appreciated..

best regards Micael

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First is the system meeting your needs? If it is then its worth fixing!

As to getting it fixed it does sound like the hard drive has a problem here. But, I also suspect something else is going on as the system shouldn't shut down if the drive has died it would give you a blinking question mark on a folder icon as seen here: About the screens you see when your Mac starts up once it couldn't find a bootable drive.

While your system is out of warranty from Apple there could be something they are aware of that is covered under an extended warranty condition. I would first check that out as free is better than having to pay for a repair ;-} Carefully carry your system into an Apple Store or if you have an Apple authorized service center near you (you'll need an appointment with Apple). Lets see if they can fix this. At worse they will charge you the labor cost (bench fee).

Get an estimate first is they won't cover it. Then think if you are willing to fix your own system. Here is the IFIXIT guide to replace the hard drive: iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2544 Hard Drive Replacement You'll need some tools and patience! But this is one of the easier repairs. Don't forget I still think there is something more going on here! So this alone likely won't fix things but you need to start with it.

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