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I followed what I thought was procedure for this and it turns out I missed vital information regarding the fact that I shouldn't have reinstalled an earlier version of OSX. Now when I start up the iMac it only has the display icon and date in the top right! I used the original disks that came with the computer and wrongly assumed that it would work fine. What can I do to fix this?

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10.1.2 ? Please confirm your OS Version, iMac model and specs. – Martín Marconcini Apr 29 '11 at 1:28
Did you have data? You may need to get your data off, reformat and re-install the OS. Best way to do this (IMO) is target disk mode to another Mac. – Harv Apr 29 '11 at 1:36
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It was a second hand computer - hence the reason why I wanted to reinstall so it would be nice and clean for me. Possibly there was some data from the previous user but how can I get to the data when all it shows is the display icon and time in the top right - i can't access anything except the system preferences.... – cursed1 Apr 29 '11 at 1:42
Do you mean version 10.2 and 10.5 or 10.1.2 and 10.1.5? 10.1 is from the year 2001... – Nathan Greenstein♦ Apr 29 '11 at 2:37
sorry fixed now! Used the restore disks and its all working now! – cursed1 Apr 29 '11 at 3:54
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1 Answer

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When you installed 10.1.2 did you perform an erase and install or an archive and install.

If you performed an Archive and Install you will more than likely have severe instability issues.

I would boot off the disk again and during first few screens there should be an install type option, usually a customize button on the bottom left of the installer window. If you don't see that button try this. After selecting the install language you should see the menu bar appear at the top of the screen that should contain a Utilities menu. Once you've located the Utilities menu select Disk Utility from it. Once disk utility has opened select the hard drive icon in the left pane and then you should see an erase option appear in the right pane. Erase the drive and then quit Disk Utility which should return you to the OS installer. Follow the installer and once it has finished restart and you should have a clean system. After you set up the new machine run software updates to make sure the system is up to date.

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10.1.x (Puma) didn't have those options. It was the "first" OS X version after the "Cheetah" beta (10.0.x) and wasn't even default on new computers when it was released (because System 9 was still the preferred OS). I believe around 10.1.2 or .3, Apple made it default on new computers, I can't remember now. I've used it and it was the buggiest thing ever released, but the Dock was cool :) – Martín Marconcini Apr 29 '11 at 9:48

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