Is a low-use 2010 iMac eligible for troubleshooting at the Genius Bar? My screen is black, but I can hear the computer booting up. I understand Apple cannot service it, but can they troubleshoot whether or not it is serviceable? I need a starting point. Appreciate any advice or recommendations!
Call snd check with some AASP’s in your local area.
Some of them maybe willing and able to troubleshoot and repair older iMac’s.
Sadly if it needs a new display, GPU or logic board. It’s going to cost more than it’s worth and your best bet is to start considering a replacement.
Call snd check with some AASP’s in your local area.
Some of them maybe willing and able to troubleshoot and repair older iMac’s.
Sadly if it needs a new display, GPU or logic board. It’s going to cost more than it’s worth and your best bet is to start considering a replacement.
You’re welcome.
How and why were you cleaning out files?
If you have a current Time Machine backup, then you can easily migrate to a new Mac during the initial setup using the Time Machine backup.
see > Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support
At this point accessing the iMac and the files, depends on what is wrong with it.
One option if it is starting up is Disk Mode using another Mac.
see > Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support
Another is to physically remove the hard drive and access it on a USB to SATA adapter or in an external drive enclosure.
Time Machine backs up EVERYTHING unless it is configured to not backup something. In short, your mail is almost certainly backed up. In addition, your ISP has your mail. Buy yourself a new Mac and follow the instructions in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant to get your new Mac set up. Please don't waste time or money on a 13-14 year old computer, it simply makes no sense.
Thank you. I've been prepared that I'll have to invest in a new Mac, but I'm still cleaning out files when the screen went black. The local AASPs charge a $140 bench fee and I understand that I would have to pay to have it serviced, but am curious about how serious "black screen" is. I agree that it would not be worth the cost of repair. But am questioning if I can get it to work well enough to continue file cleanup.
To answer your first question: There's so much I don't know about Mac OS and I wasn't sure if my Time Machine backup would back up my iMac mail folders. Also, I have low confidence when navigating backup restores and using Time Machine and I know my iMac is getting old and things are starting to fail so I've been gradually removing data to other devices or storage. I don't really know what I'm doing so I have to be careful.
I didn't know about transferring between two Macs!! Thank you for that! I'm still learning. I would try that if I could see the screen. I hear the machine running with the black screen and am hoping it's only the screen and that it is still booting up, albeit dark.
I so appreciate all the expert advice I get from his site.
Hard to say for sure if an external monitor will work or not. That will depend on what’s actually wrong with the iMac.
If you want to try, you will need a Mini DisplayPort to whatever adapter matches the monitors input.
Possibly if the problem is the display itself or the displays backlighting. If the GPU is the problem an external display won't help.
One last question, an afterthought, about this black screen issue: Would I be able to use an external monitor to temporarily view files etc.?
I appreciate your help and recommendations. Thank you.
Thank you for all your help.
Ok. Thank you again!
You’re welcome.
iMac Genius Bar Support
