iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) Symptom Charts — Mass Storage 56
2010-11-18
Mass Storage
Hard Drive Not Recognized
Unlikely cause: LCD panel, power supply, fans, speakers, camera, microphone
Quick Check
Symptoms Quick Check
Drive Not Recognized
Drive No Boot
• Flashing Question Mark
• Boots to Grey Screen
• Boots to Blue Screen
• Boots to Prohibitory Symbol
(Review kBase #HT2674: Intel-
based Mac: Startup sequence
and error codes, symbols)
1. Use a known-good mouse. A stuck mouse button
will not allow boot.
2. Boot from Install DVD. Use Disk Utility to verify
S.M.A.R.T. status of hard drive.
3. Use Disk Utility to repair disk.
4. Verify that user’s data is backed up and that user
authorizes erasing disk and reinstalling software.
5. Use Target Disk Mode to mount user’s hard drive
on a known-good computer. Use Disk Utility on
host computer for Quick Checks 2 through 4.
Deep Dive
Check Result Action Code
1. Boot from Install DVD and run
Disk Utility. Verify if user’s hard
drive is available for Disk Utility
to repair.
Yes Go to step 2.
No Go to step 5.
2. Run Disk Utility’s “Repair
Disk” function and verify if it
completes successfully.
Yes Go to step 3.
No Go to step 4.
3. Reboot computer. Verify if
system boots successfully and
that Disk Utility “Verify” function
reports no errors.
Yes Data error. Issue resolved. H07
No Go to step 4.
4. With user’s permission, erase
hard drive and reinstall Mac
OS. Verify if installation process
completes.
Yes Go to step 8.
No Go to step 5.
5. Inspect hard drive SATA and
power cables and connectors
for bent pins, or other damage
to the cable.
Yes Replace damaged SATA cable
or DC power cable.
Go to step 8.
X03
No Go to step 6.
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