Reviving a "dead" iMac?"

I purchased what I've been told is a 2020 iMac (27") that apparently got bricked. The seller told me that the power went out when he was performing an update. Since that time, it has not been bootable. Simple restarts result in Black screen with Apple Logo and fans on, but then cycles through restarts with black screens and fans. I tried restarting while holding various combinations: shift, command+r, shift+command+r, T (for target disk), control+command+P+R (PRAM reset), etc. None of these have "solved" the problem, but some of the restart options seem to do more than others.


The PRAM reset option, for example get me the Apple logo and the chime, and I've followed instructions to keep holding through to chimes, but then this goes back into the black screen cycle like a simple restart.


The command restart gets me to a point where I can select wireless network, log on to that, and start an internet recovery (with the spinning globe and status bar). This progresses through the status bar, but then restarts back to the network select screen.


Starting while holding Option allows me to select network, log on, then takes me to the hard disk icon (Macintosh HD) with the select arrow. Clicking the select arrow goes back into the black screen cycle that leads nowhere.


Target disk restart gets me to a black screen with the Thunderbolt and USB icons, but when connected to my MacBookPro with either USB-C to USB-C or USB to USB-C, I do not see the iMac in Finder.


I even downloaded and made a bootable USB (Sonoma) and tried to boot from that after restarting while holding Command. I could see and select the bootable USB, but after selecting it and clicking the arrow, it went back to the black screen cycle.


Any other suggestions?


Thanks in advance!!

I did not spend much on this (~$200), but it was a gamble I thought was reasonable.

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Dec 5, 2023 10:42 PM

Reply

Similar questions

5 replies

Dec 6, 2023 07:52 AM in response to OldMD2B

You might try Apple Diagnostics: Use Apple Diagnostics to test your Mac - Apple Support, but only two outcomes are possible. It might identify a specific fault that only an Apple Store or AASP can fix, or it might conclude with "no trouble found" (ADP000) despite the fact trouble clearly exists.


Both of those outcomes lead to the same result, as dialabrain wrote.


Official Apple Support

Dec 6, 2023 08:33 AM in response to OldMD2B

The 2020 5K iMac has the T2 security chip, so the next time you boot into recovery mode go to Utilities > Startup Security Utility. From there temporarily disable security restrictions and then try the USB Sonoma installer again.

About Startup Security Utility on a Mac with the Apple T2 Security Chip - Apple Support


If that doesn't work then it is probably Apple Genius Bar time.


If you live in a location where visiting an Apple Genius Bar is impractical you could try restoring the T2 chip firmware, but if possible I'd advise visiting a genius bar before messing with firmware. How to revive or restore Mac firmware - Apple Support


Dec 6, 2023 08:43 AM in response to OldMD2B

Try holding down the power button for about 15 seconds on startup and see if it boots. If not, take it to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider to have it serviced. A 2020 27" iMac still has some value and is a nice machine still.


After it has booted then please use the following info: What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your Mac otherwise you will have a mess on your hands as the machine will still have the old owners info on it including their Apple ID. By not following the info in the link, the machine will never be more than a total mess.

Dec 7, 2023 09:11 AM in response to OldMD2B

The only option would seem to be @padams35 suggesting for performing a firmware "Restore".


If that does not work, then most likely the Logic Board will need to be replaced. My organization has had to have the Logic Board replaced on several of our 2019 iMacs. 2019 seems to be a very bad year for Apple since the MBPros are the same way.

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Reviving a "dead" iMac?"

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.