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So, I just 'saved' an iMac A1312 (2009) that was about to be thrown away with a bunch of other computers, at the university where I work. Most of the time the computers that are thrown out are in perfect or almost perfect condition, just a bit old.

So I got that iMac and I am trying to see if it works. Keep in mind I am not used to macOs, so bear with me.

When I first booted up the computer, it sends me into a screen of 'macOS utilities', where I can :

-Restore from time machine

-Install macOS (which is high sierra)

-Get help online

-Disk utility

So I first tried the second option, without success. I get the following error :

'This disk has SMART errors. This disk has a hardware problem that cant be repaired. Back up data and replace the disk'

Okay, that's not so good. I can try replacing the HDD as last resort, but first I would like to know if there are other possible solutions.

I tried booting from a usb, and formatting the hdd. However, I get the same error if I try to install again. SMART status of the drive is 'failing'.

I'm pretty sure my only option is to replace the drive, but I would like to know if there is something to try first.

(The fact that the computer boots up is independent of the state of the drive ? In other words, am I in the equivalent of the BIOS right now ?)

Edit : I should mention thst I formatted to 'Mac OS Extended (journaled)', with GUID partition scheme.

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  • Do you have access to another Mac - preferably one that can still run or is currently running High Sierra? You're going to have to swap out that drive, but an 09 can't use Internet Recovery to get you back up afterwards. You need to first establish it can boot to Recovery from a USB stick… otherwise you'll also have to find out if the CD drive still works. Have a look at apple.stackexchange.com/a/309400/85275 too. It's mostly obsolete info now, but has links to installers & resources to make bootable USBs.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 10:47
  • Oops - just realised you said you'd already managed to boot from USB. That gets past one big hurdle. BTW, Recovery is not really a 'BIOS' state, it's a small extra partition on your internal or one can be written to any external drive.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 11:38
  • Are you sure the Mac is a 2009 model? A1312 could also be a 2010 or 2011 model. See Identify your iMac model.
    – David Anderson
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 12:10
  • It is 2009, I put the serial number Apple's website and the model is iMac (27-inch, Late 2009).
    – Frotaur
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 12:20
  • You might find the Apple Technician Guide iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) useful. If you replace the drive, you will probably at least need to purchase a In-line Digital Thermal Sensor.
    – David Anderson
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 16:19

1 Answer 1

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Why not set this Mac up to boot from an external drive?

You could then just let the internal one not be used. As long as you have a backup, there’s no need to swap the internal in most cases when it goes to read only mode. Once you are sure you have a backup, I might try wiping it so it’s unformatted and free space so you don’t see it mounted or try copying data to it.

If you want to store data on the drive you need a repair. Either the drive is gone or the cable and controller can’t be trusted to tell a good drive from a bad one. More likely smart is correct and the drive is done being useful. You would need manufacturer tools to determine that for the specific vendor of that HDD.

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  • FireWire & USB 2… might be a bit tricky, or a bit slow.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 11:18
  • Indeed @Tetsujin but that machine isn’t breaking land speed records for benchmarks a phone runs now on rechargeable batteries.
    – bmike ♦
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 11:19
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    I know, but those spinny rust iMacs are still dog slow at 2018 [my folks have one] Stripping it would let the OP put an SSD in, even if it does only run SATA II it would still be night & day. When I first discovered the speed difference it makes, I quickly put SSDs in all the Macs here & kept HDs for longer term storage.
    – Tetsujin
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 11:33
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    Yeah, if the only way is to replace the HDD, I could put an SSD in it. Anyway this computer is free, so might as well try it to see what happens, I don't have much to lose !
    – Frotaur
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 12:02
  • @Frotaur this imac is much simpler to open than 2012 and later. In these imacs, the fromt glass is attached with magnets instead of glue, and then its just screws from there. So give it a try! Obviously, make sure to check a video or ifixit guide before starting.
    – anonymousaga
    Commented Jun 30, 2022 at 13:07

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