Member Avatar for WolfW

Hi,

I have just returned from a trip overseas and left my iMac wrapped up in the attic. When I got it down and left it to acclimatise to normal room temperature for 2 days it wouldn't start.
I can hear the chime sound and then the spinning thing comes on and never stops.
The hardware scanning software detected a error: "2STF/8/3:ATA-100 ata-6-master" but only during the first run. Two subsequent scans did not generate any error messages.
Any ideas would be warmly received.

Wolf
England

PS: my iBook died during my journey in December 2005: the HD went first and after it was replaced for $300 the logic board gave up one week later.

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A few focused checks that follow on from and will separate a failing drive from an intermittent connection or a board-level fault and give the best chance of saving data.

The quick diagnostic sequence to try (in order):

  1. Stop forcing repeated boots. If the drive is flaky, every write can make recovery harder.
  2. Remove the drive and test it on another computer using a USB/IDE or USB/SATA enclosure or adapter. From there you can run S.M.A.R.T. checks (smartmontools or DriveDx) and see whether the disk reports reallocated sectors, pending sectors, or controller errors.
  3. If the drive is readable but unstable, make a full image with a tool that handles read errors (GNU ddrescue) to preserve as much data as possible before attempting repairs.
  4. If the drive is completely dead or not visible, inspect the drive PCB and the iMac connector for corrosion or green/white deposits from humidity. Clean gently with isopropyl alcohol if present, and check the ribbon/connector for bent pins.

How to tell whether the iBook drive will help: visually compare connectors. Older PATA laptop drives use a wide 44-pin edge connector; SATA uses a small L-shaped plug. Physical fit and interface type must match, otherwise an adapter or different drive will be required.

Notes and cautions: avoid powering the iMac repeatedly if the drive clicks or is silent — that can worsen damage. If data is valuable, imaging and then professional recovery is safer than more DIY attempts. If the drive tests OK when connected externally but the iMac still will not boot with it installed, the logic board or the ATA interface may be at fault and will need deeper diagnostics or repair.

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Member Avatar for yellow

That error looks like a hard drive failure. It's pointing at the Master device on the ATA bus.

Have you tried booting from your intallation CD/DVD that came with the computer and repairing the drive?


If that faills, tru a PMU reset (You can find out how on the Apple support website).

Member Avatar for WolfW

yellow,

Thanks for your reply.
I have tried booting from the Installation disc. I cannot get beyong the "Select Destination" stage, neither by booting via the disc nor by selecting the HD.
The computer is unresponsive to Force Quit and Restart. I always have to use Force Shut Down.

Cheers
Wolf

Member Avatar for yellow

We're not reinstalling, we're repaiting the drive, so you boot from the installer disc, choose Disk Utility from one of the pull down menus as soon as you are able, and then "Repair Disk".

As noted, you should also try a PMU reset.

Member Avatar for WolfW

yellow,

Cheers. I tried the PMU reset but it didn't work.
And I have said, the OS X installation disc doesn't go beyond 'select a drive', where no drives come up.
I think the HD is faulty.
Maybe it didn't like the damp in the loft for one year...
I wonder if I could use the HD from my iBook, which now has a faulty logic board?

Wolf

Member Avatar for yellow

There shouldn't be a need to "select a drive". Once you're at the point beyond choosing the language, you should have access to the pull-down menus in order to run Disk Utility, which you need to try before you try anything else.

I wonder if I could use the HD from my iBook, which now has a faulty logic board?

You'd have to get a cable adapter, as the laptop uses a 2.5"HD and the iMac probably uses a 3.5"HD.

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