20" iMac4,1 stuck at non-responsive black screen after EFI update

TekNinja81

TekNinja81

Well-known member
Site Supporter
Forum Sponsor
Here's a question for any Apple tech-heads on the site.

I have a friend's iMac 20" (iMac4,1) here that seems to have failed to complete an EFI update. He was trying to get BootCamp running, but received an error message saying his Boot ROM needed to be updated first.

We did the EFI update as instructed via a pending Software Update -- the update wouldn't run on its own but I was able to run it via the EFI Update in Applications/Utilities.

The update looked like it completed -- progress bar hit 100% -- but then the Mac screen went black and the machine was unresponsive. I let it sit for at least 15 minutes, at which point I shut the machine off. It will no longer boot, no Mac boot sound or anything, just sits at a black screen with the white sleep LED on solid.

Tried zapping the PRAM, tried booting Verbose mode, etc, no luck.

I've tried to re-launch the EFI update by holding the power button like before, but this does nothing (the LED blinks rapidly, but then nothing)... Also downloaded the Firmware Restoration CD 1.7 listed on Apple's site, but the instructions there don't appear to work (no quick 3-3-3 LED flash) and the Mac still will not boot.

Is there anything else I can try to fix this machine, or will I have to bring it to an Apple depot at this point? I've Googled the issue and aside from the above-mentioned ideas, can't find anything else.. would really like to avoid having to pay whatever it'd cost to repair the machine if possible.. :S
 
Get a PC
 
Oh boy, here we go again...........
 
Linux FTW :cool:

jggk7d.png
 
CruisnGrrl said:
how long is it out of warranty? because it was a recommended update you may be able to argue for a free/discounted repair.
Click to expand...

With a Mac you might not have to argue. I haven't.
 
CruisnGrrl said:
how long is it out of warranty? because it was a recommended update you may be able to argue for a free/discounted repair.
Click to expand...

Well, the machine itself is a 2006 model, so I'm assuming it's well beyond that possibility... However, I know Apple has been known to be surprisingly helpful even to people well out of their warranty period, so it may be worth a shot.
 
Call up tech suport they may be able to talk you through fixing it before you actually take it to an istore.
 
If you turn the off, make sure its completely off, unplug from the wall and plug back in. If you hold down the "option' key on bootup, does it go to a load screen to choose what OS you want to boot into? Maybe its something wrong with the Windows partition thats locking it up as it keeps trying to boot into Windows. If not that, schedule a Genius appointment at your nearest Apple store and let them have a crack it.
 
wonderings said:
If you turn the off, make sure its completely off, unplug from the wall and plug back in. If you hold down the "option' key on bootup, does it go to a load screen to choose what OS you want to boot into? Maybe its something wrong with the Windows partition thats locking it up as it keeps trying to boot into Windows. If not that, schedule a Genius appointment at your nearest Apple store and let them have a crack it.
Click to expand...

Why are we talking windows? I thought he had a mac?
 
Duster929 said:
Mac can run both OS's. He has Bootcamp for that purpose.

And oh yeah, get a Mac.
Click to expand...

The former makes more sense.
The latter...not so much
 
RockerGuy said:
Why are we talking windows? I thought he had a mac?
Click to expand...

Him running bootcamp is him installing or running Windows on his Mac. One of the nice things about Mac is it funs multiple OS's properly and not some hacked version of an OS to run on the computer.

Not sure what firmware he needed to install outside of bootcamp, ever update to bootcamp I have done has run flawlessly. But if something has gone wrong with the windows partition, he should be able to choose his startup disc still and boot into Mac where that partition is theoretically fine and untouched by whatever happened when updating the windows partition.
 
wonderings said:
Him running bootcamp is him installing or running Windows on his Mac. One of the nice things about Mac is it funs multiple OS's properly and not some hacked version of an OS to run on the computer.

Not sure what firmware he needed to install outside of bootcamp, ever update to bootcamp I have done has run flawlessly. But if something has gone wrong with the windows partition, he should be able to choose his startup disc still and boot into Mac where that partition is theoretically fine and untouched by whatever happened when updating the windows partition.
Click to expand...

My question now is, why would someone buy a Mac to run windows? :rolleyes:
 
Mac's don't get viruses. They outlast pc's X2. No pop up
Windows. Amazing tech support, etc the list goes on and on
 
RockerGuy said:
My question now is, why would someone buy a Mac to run windows? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Mac users can run Windows inside of OSX, or they can install it separately using Bootcamp and pick which OS they want to boot into on startup. Why? Because Windows is the dominant operating system in the world and there are many software packages (professional level mostly) that aren't written for OSX.. so Mac users will boot into Windows to run these specific programs.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom