Maybe my iMac isn't sick. Maybe it's dead. I have tried to
boot it with a disk (Alsoft Disk Warrior) that I created 
yesterday after buying and downloading the software from the
website. (They're going to send me a disk, too, which I will
also use to try to boot the iMac.) I'm not sure the computer is even
recognizing the disk drive. What it does when I turn it on is
make the chime noise, the monitor lights up, then the whole
computer shuts itself off after anywhere from a few to several
minutes.

It's a newer iMac, purchased about 3 years ago.

I'm now thinking that the best bet may be to remove the HD
from the computer and try to access the files using it as
an "external drive." A couple of people here have suggested
that.

Can someone either (1) explain how to do that or (2) point me
to instructions on the web? I already found instructions for
removing the drive from the iMac. But how do I make it function
as an external drive?

I have not searched yet, but will in a minute, for "convert
internal drive to external drive" and see if that provides the
necessary instructions. (I just thought of it!)

Incidentally, how do I get a CD/DVD out of the drive if I can
eject it? (No drawer - just a slot.)

Please forgive my inadequate explanations. I don't think straight
when my computer is acting up. It stresses me out.

Sue

-- 
8^)~~~~~~         (remove x to email)
~~~~~~~~~

http://suzie-q-wacvet.com/

In article <sme617x-E2439B.09210116092010@news.giganews.com>,
 Suzie-Q <sme617x@gmail.com> wrote:

> Maybe my iMac isn't sick. Maybe it's dead. I have tried to
> boot it with a disk (Alsoft Disk Warrior) that I created 
> yesterday after buying and downloading the software from the
> website. (They're going to send me a disk, too, which I will
> also use to try to boot the iMac.) I'm not sure the computer is even
> recognizing the disk drive. What it does when I turn it on is
> make the chime noise, the monitor lights up, then the whole
> computer shuts itself off after anywhere from a few to several
> minutes.
> 
> It's a newer iMac, purchased about 3 years ago.
>

   I didn't follow all the discussion in the previous thread, but given 
the symptoms, have you tried first simply resetting the SMC?  I had a 
similar problem with my iMac a couple years ago when it was only a few 
months old and at first, that was the simple fix.  When the SMC resets 
became more frequent (daily), Applecare eventually replaced my power 
supply and it's been fine since.  In any case, if you haven't done so 
yet, it's simple to do.  Here's a link to instructions:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US

In article <sme617x-E2439B.09210116092010@news.giganews.com>,
 Suzie-Q <sme617x@gmail.com> wrote:

> It's a newer iMac, purchased about 3 years ago.

If you could specify the model, speed, or something to advise which iMac 
you have, it would prolly get your better responses. 
G4 or G5?
You might find this file helpful on getting the hard drive out if G5 is 
your model:
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/imacg5_17inch_HardDrive.pdf
-- 
A celibate clergy is an especially good idea, 
because it tends to suppress any hereditary propensity toward fanaticism.�
Carl Sagan�

In article <sme617x-E2439B.09210116092010@news.giganews.com>,
 Suzie-Q <sme617x@gmail.com> wrote:

> Can someone either (1) explain how to do that or (2) point me
> to instructions on the web? I already found instructions for
> removing the drive from the iMac. But how do I make it function
> as an external drive?

The easiest way is probably to get a hard drive "dock" like the ones 
available at: 
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/NewerTech/Voyager/Hard_Drive_Dock

You'd want one of the cheaper options which is not bundled with a new 
drive.

That's assuming it's a SATA drive, which is most likely correct given 
the age of the iMac. You could check on that by going to 
<http://support.apple.com/specs/> and entering the iMac's serial number.

-- 
Tom "Tom" Harrington
Independent Mac OS X developer since 2002
http://www.atomicbird.com/

In article <kanter-0D4F85.09462816092010@aioe.org>,
 Elliot Kanter <kanter@alum.mit.edu> wrote:

> In article <sme617x-E2439B.09210116092010@news.giganews.com>,
>  Suzie-Q <sme617x@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> > Maybe my iMac isn't sick. Maybe it's dead. I have tried to
> > boot it with a disk (Alsoft Disk Warrior) that I created 
> > yesterday after buying and downloading the software from the
> > website. (They're going to send me a disk, too, which I will
> > also use to try to boot the iMac.) I'm not sure the computer is even
> > recognizing the disk drive. What it does when I turn it on is
> > make the chime noise, the monitor lights up, then the whole
> > computer shuts itself off after anywhere from a few to several
> > minutes.
> > 
> > It's a newer iMac, purchased about 3 years ago.
> >
> 
>    I didn't follow all the discussion in the previous thread, but given 
> the symptoms, have you tried first simply resetting the SMC?  I had a 
> similar problem with my iMac a couple years ago when it was only a few 
> months old and at first, that was the simple fix.  When the SMC resets 
> became more frequent (daily), Applecare eventually replaced my power 
> supply and it's been fine since.  In any case, if you haven't done so 
> yet, it's simple to do.  Here's a link to instructions:
> 
> http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964?viewlocale=en_US


Just tried that. It didn't work. Thanks anyway.

Sue

-- 
8^)~~~~~~         (remove x to email)
~~~~~~~~~

http://www.suzie-q-wacvet.com/