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Question

Disk in drive; computer won't start up

Jul 10, 2011 8:17AM PDT

My 20" Intel iMac (MA877LLA, Model A1224/240GHZ/1GB/320GB/SD/AP/BT running OS 10.6.Cool was shut down with a blank CD in the disk drive and now I can neither get the computer to start nor eject the disk. On starting, a grey screen with the Apple logo appears, followed by the grey-line whirling cog and this continues indefinitely without anything further happening. I tried disconnecting the power cord for a time, before turning it back on, as suggested, to no avail. Holding down the mouse button or the option key with the start button did not eject the disk so as to enable starting it with another startup disk. Are there other methods to eject a disk in a machine which will not start?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
What mouse?
Jul 10, 2011 8:31AM PDT
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Wired
Jul 10, 2011 8:34AM PDT

Both keyboard and mouse are wired

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Then the apple answer.
Jul 10, 2011 8:38AM PDT
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2097?viewlocale=en_US

If none of the ideas work, it looks like time to repair the unit. I don't know if disassembly is something you would consider but the DVD drive is SATA so unplugging that would give me a chance to determine if the disc in the drive is the cause of the boot failure.
Bob
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SATA?
Jul 10, 2011 9:23AM PDT

What is SATA and how would I unplug the DVD drive?

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If you have to ask those questions
Jul 10, 2011 10:02PM PDT

I suggest you take the iMac to your nearest Apple Authorised Service Provider to get them to remove the reluctant DVD.

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Thanks
Jul 11, 2011 2:42AM PDT

Thank you, Bob and mrmac for your help. The iMac is at our AASP being diagnosed as I type and even before his call of doom, I am pricing iMacs. Thanks again.

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(NT) Let us know what the result is.
Jul 11, 2011 3:13AM PDT
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DVD is out
Jul 12, 2011 2:38AM PDT

AASP got the DVD out, I reinstalled, the iMac lives! Thanks, guys.

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(NT) Thanks for the update.
Jul 12, 2011 4:12AM PDT
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(NT) thanks
Jul 12, 2011 4:51AM PDT
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oops
Jul 12, 2011 2:40AM PDT

oops.