How to factory reset an iMac 2007

how-to-reset-an-imac-2007

The Mac computer is a powerful, well-designed device that can be used for almost anything. It can also cause problems with its owner if it starts to malfunction. For example, the computer may crash frequently or not function at all. Fortunately, there are ways to solve these issues by resetting the device. This process allows it to start afresh without any of the software problems that made it stall in the first place.

How do you identify an iMac 2007 model?

The iMac 2007 model has the following specifications:

  1. an Intel Core 2 Duo chip
  2. a 17-inch widescreen display
  3. Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking
  4. Built-in Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR technology for connecting with peripherals such as keyboards, mice, cell phones, PDAs, and digital cameras
  5. Built-in 20 GB or 160 GB hard drive storage
  6. 4 GB of RAM (800 MHz DDR2 SDRAM)
  7. built-in iSight video camera for video calling with FaceTime
  8. Built-in stereo speakers underneath the 17-inch glossy TFT display
  9. One Firewire 400 port, two USB 2.0 ports, and a combined optical digital audio input/audio line-in jack on the back
  10. An SD card slot and ExpressCard/34 expansion slot on the side.
  11. All iMac models have a built-in Ethernet (RJ-45) port and a built-in modem. The 2007 model has a Mini-DIN 8 style connector for an infrared wireless Apple Keyboard or another compatible keyboard. It does not include a built-in Bluetooth connection.
  12. A SuperDrive that burns CDs at speeds up to 4x faster than standard CD burners
  13. One FireWire 400 port, Two USB 2.0 ports are capable of providing enough power to attached devices even when the computer is asleep or off. And an ExpressCard/34 expansion slot which supports both 34mm and 54mm cards

Why reset your iMac 2007?

Practically every computer needs a factory reset once in a while because that’s how it keeps track of everything important without creating any problems for the user. After all, how are you supposed to get rid of all outdated data if your Mac doesn’t do this on its own? Well, you can always go about deleting everything manually but who has time for that sort of stuff? Not to mention it takes up even more energy because there are simply too many files for just an ordinary person to handle.

Although the factory reset is somehow synonymous with returning to default settings, there’s much more into it than just erasing some files and starting fresh again.

Ok, so how come? Generally speaking, this process of resetting your Mac involves restoring it to its original state right out of the box when you received it for the first time. For example, when Apple installs OS X on a device such as iMac or MacBook Air, this happens when the owner receives the machine after purchase. If you’re wondering why people do this in general, then there’s a number reasons for that:

1) It’s also great for security. Factory resetting your Mac doesn’t completely remove all data, but it gets rid of most traces of your activities on the machine and this can certainly prevent you (or anyone else) from accessing sensitive information like passwords or credit card information that might be on there;

2) A clean-slate configuration also lets you use El Capitan with no restrictions because some utils may not work properly without first applying specific tweaks to OS X. Those could become necessary depending on how much customization (wallpaper, font size, etc.) was applied before.

3) When things go haywire after install [unexpectedly], factory reset is one of several possible solutions. If you’re facing an issue like, for instance, Mac can’t sleep, simply factory reset may fix it (even though some Mac users tried the same approach and failed).

4) You can try to clean install OS X on your Mac if it is too old or doesn’t meet the requirements of new OS X releases. Some users claim that they succeeded in updating their unsupported hardware using this method (mostly older Macs without USB3 support), others (including me) failed using this approach; whatever the case, make sure you have backups first. If you use Boot Camp Assistant to install Windows on your Mac, you can easily revert this choice using the Reset command on the Startup Disk preference pane.

Here’s how to factory reset an iMac 2007 model:

Step 1 – Turn Off The Computer

Once you’ve found the reset button, switch off your computer completely by pressing and holding down the power button for a few seconds until a message appears asking you to do so. Then wait for about half a minute before going back to press and hold down the same button again until you hear a second sound that signals that your device has been turned completely off.

Step 2 – Start The Mac Up Again

Now, restart your iMac using its power button while simultaneously pressing down on CMD + R keys. When prompted with an Apple logo, release all buttons and let go of all other keys on the keyboard.

Go through all offered set-up steps until you get to choose a name for your startup disk. Don’t be too quick to hit Enter though because this is what will bring you back to where you were way before the factory resetting process had even started. Instead, reboot once more by pressing F10 or one of the other applicable options. This time around, everything should go according to plan without any problems whatsoever. As it turns out, powering up might not always work unless you’re doing it correctly but at least no uncertainties are surrounding rebooting your Mac. The only thing you have to remember is to press one of the applicable keys, not too long and yet not too fast either.

What if I can’t boot into recovery on my iMac 2007?

In case you cannot access Recovery Mode on your Mac, use the Option key method to reset OS X on it. Do note that in addition to data loss from your startup disk, methods 2 and 3 may also result in lost partitions that cannot be restored using a partition manager (e.g., EaseUS Partition Master). While some external tools claim they can help restore erased partitions or make disk management easy, it’s safer for you not to try them unless our Apple Mac repair technicians in Melbourne advise otherwise. Finally, if all fails and there is no other way out of this situation, give us a call to book an appointment and we can help you with it.

1) Another simple but less effective method is available if your iMac can still boot up all right. You can find a FireWire cable, connect your laptop with another computer, and run an application like DiskWarrior to scan disks for errors.

2) Boot using Internet Recovery mode which is designed for recovering from serious system issues due to update failure etc., or use Finder to go through Utilities > Firmware Password Utility in Recovery Mode. This method will reset SMC and NVRAM on the laptop.

3) If you have backed up data recently, you may erase all existing data by reformatting the hard drive. On starting up your computer, hold down Command + R to enter Internet Recovery Mode or on Finder screen, select Utilities > Restore System From Backup. Follow the prompts to reformat your hard drive.

4) If you have not backed up data on a laptop recently, you are recommended to back up critical files on your iMac before doing something else that may delete them all. You can perform a full backup of data by using Time Machine, an external USB drive, etc.

5) Finally, if you don’t need any of them on your computer right now, restarting iMac and keeping it off for a while is also an option you can try. Once shut down, unplug the power adapter and remove the battery pack from the machine before starting up again after 10 seconds. Thereafter keep pressing ‘Cmd + alt+ R’ until you see the Apple logo on the laptop screen. Then release these three keys.

If your computer is running Mac OS X 10.7 Lion or later, then just press the Power button for at least 5 seconds, and it will take you to Recovery mode automatically. Or simply click on the “Apple icon” located in the Dock section of the menu bar at the top of the display screen, select the Restart option in the drop-down menu list that appears when you click once on this icon. Keep holding the Cmd+R key combination when restarting iMac Pro/Air, to start up in Recovery Mode without trouble.

Meanwhile, if you are using Mac Os X 10.6 Snow Leopard, reboot iMac by pressing the Power button for a few seconds until you hear the second sound. Continue to hold down Shift+Cmd keys after hearing the second startup sound; release these two keys only when you see the Apple logo on the display screen (which appears soon enough).

Once your computer loads up all required files, it will take you directly into Recovery Mode automatically. Now follow the instructions given on Apple’s OS X Lion Recovery window that shows up automatically on the display screen.

apple-mac-lion-recovery-mode If this method does not help at all, then you need to reset iMac by pressing Option + Command + R combination simultaneously. Turn off the computer once again and wait for about ten seconds. Then turn it back ON, to go directly into Recovery mode.

Now click on the “Restore” button that appears on the top. Next, you need to follow onscreen instructions to finish resetting iMac.

Related: How to Reset a Mac?

Author:
I am a computer engineer holding a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, complemented by a Master's in Business Administration from University of Strathclyde, Scotland. I currently work as a Senior IT Consultant in Melbourne, Australia. With over 15 years of...