Hi, I was updating my 2011 iMac when it suddenly restarted automatically and returned to a white screen with that symbol (🚫). The characteristic sound when it turns on no longer plays, and all I see is the white screen, which then shuts down.
I need a solution, please.
Thank you.
That is probably there since the Mac cannot find a compatible operating system to boot from so that probably means that there is a problem with the startup disk or MacOS installation to learn on what to do check this article from Apple Support! If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support
That is probably there since the Mac cannot find a compatible operating system to boot from so that probably means that there is a problem with the startup disk or MacOS installation to learn on what to do check this article from Apple Support! If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support
The HD likely crashed. Please read If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support
Considering the computers VERY advanced age it would wise to replace it. A 2011 iMac has been obsolete and vintage for many years now, the fact that it lasted almost 15 years is excellent. Toast it at it's wake and replace with a new Mac.
You can recycle it at no charge to you by using the Apple Recycling Programs in your area.
Macs will sometimes restart automatically several times during an update from one version of macOS to another, but I don't recall that symbol being a part of it when things are going normally.
That "🚫" symbol means that "your startup disk contains a Mac operating system, but it's not a version or build of macOS that your Mac can use." Something may have gone wrong with the update. I hope that you were keeping backups.
If your Mac doesn't start up all the way - Apple Support
If your Mac starts up to a circle with a line through it - Apple Support
Internet Recovery for very old versions of the Mac operating system may be a bit "iffy" these days.
If you have been keeping bootable clone backups – made with Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper! – you may want to start up from one of those, and run from it while you try to get a working system back onto the internal drive (e.g., by erasing it and cloning the bootable clone backup to the internal drive).
None of the 2011 iMacs can run anything later than macOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra).
The Mid 2011 iMacs originally came with Snow Leopard – which predated Internet Recovery. I forget if upgrading to a later version of Mac OS X would have allowed for Internet Recovery – or if worst-case recovery would involve use of the optical recovery discs that came with the machine. Getting from Snow Leopard back to High Sierra would be a multi-stage process, as really old versions of Mac OS X would have problems accessing modern https sites or the App Store.
The 21.5" Late 2011 iMac originally came with Lion – and so should support Internet Recovery.
You wlll need to have some version of the OS working on that Mac before you can use any of the .DMG installer kits, or App Store installer links, here:
I'm now in Recovery mode; however, I've been waiting, and the clock is stuck at 24:00. I have a nice internet connection.
[Edited by Moderator]
White screen and 🚫 symbol on iMac 2011.
