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EFI Modifications Leaves iMac Unbootable?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the casualties-of-hardwar dept.

jerbare writes "In attempting to run Linux and Windows on the new iMac Core Duo, people experimenting with configuring the EFI Console/Boot loader have found they can no longer boot the machine at all. Dave Schroeder of appleintelfaq.com comments, 'We have already irreversibly lost a couple of iMacs trying to load various EFI modules'. Instructions for breaking the iMac's are presently located at the bottom of the comments."

15 of 288 comments (clear)

  1. Uhh,,, by Eightyford · · Score: 4, Funny

    Instructions for breaking the iMac's are presently located at the bottom of the comments.

    Uhh, thanks.

    --
    Religion for nerds. Stuff that really matters
    1. Re:Uhh,,, by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Could be worse. If they had succeeded, they'd have an iMac running Windows.

  2. Counterintuitively... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unbootable iMacs support an even wider selection of games than do bootable iMacs.

    1. Re:Counterintuitively... by happyemoticon · · Score: 4, Funny

      Like:

      • MacketBall
      • HackyMac
      • Hot Mactatoe
      • Mactch (like catch, but with a mac!)
      • PattyMac
      • HopMac (somewhat detrimental to the screen)
      • Pin the FireWire-800 on the MacBook

        • And the one those people who were foolish enough to screw with their computer's firmware are now playing: Doctor.

  3. its a matter of time by loserhead · · Score: 4, Funny

    i am confident that a workaround will eventually be developed. if it takes destroying a few macs, so be it...

  4. An Omen by bedouin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Isn't this kind of like trying to open the mummy's tomb? Nothing good can come out of it.

    This is an early warning!

    Wait for virtualization so all of Microsoft's inherent evil can be sandboxed into a self-destructing disk image of darkness and peril.

  5. The real question here should be... by BigZaphod · · Score: 4, Funny

    When you screw this up, do you still get the sad mac?

    --
    Hexy - a strategy game for iPhone/iPod Touch
    1. Re:The real question here should be... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      You'll have to settle for a sad owner instead.

  6. Re:Unofficial Moderation by John+Napkintosh · · Score: 5, Funny

    One time I swapped sim cards with a friend's mobile phone. Are you saying I'm not a h4x0r?

    --

    Long signatures suck.
  7. Re:Denial Of Service - Putting people at threat by krbvroc1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    On a related note, my neighbor asked me to perform the normal 'cleanup / devirus / windows update' on his laptop. He owns an HP laptop and has a 'Boot up BIOS password set'. So I didnt have to enter a password each time, the first thing I did was go into the BIOS. I entered the current password and when asked for a new password, I simply hit 'Enter' and 'Enter' to confirm. When I rebooted, it still asked for a password and 'Enter' does not work. The laptop is now completely useless. I have no idea how it will be fixed. From some internet searches, supposedely I can provide HP with a magic 'system hash code' and they can tell me a password, but I have no clue if I can get through to the right person, what happens if it is outside of warranty, etc.

  8. Re:Unofficial Moderation by rjstanford · · Score: 4, Funny

    h4x0r yes.

    hacker no.

    And that makes all the difference.

    --
    You're special forces then? That's great! I just love your olympics!
  9. One word... by andy55 · · Score: 3, Funny

    iPaperweight.

    --
    G-Force music visualization
  10. Well, don't do that, then! by jcr · · Score: 3, Funny

    Until and unless Apple publishes a spec for how to modify the EFI, this is in the "you broke it, tough shit" category.

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  11. Get rid of EFI completely! by dfjunior · · Score: 5, Funny

    I got tired of mucking around with all the electronic gobbldeygook connected to EFI, so I just tore all that shit out and bolted on a good old-fashioned Holley 4bbl carburetor...

    Next step is a hood scoop and a bigger hard drive...

  12. Re:Unofficial Moderation by Pollardito · · Score: 4, Funny
    Once I accidentally put an EEPROM back in the wrong way around (unforgivable with my electronics background) and the little plastic sticker which normally would cover the window (which was not actually there on this chip) blistered from the heat almost instantly. I switched it off real quick, the chip was unbearably hot to touch, but once it cooled down and I placed it the correct way around, it worked fine to my complete astonishment!
    anyone with an electronics background should know that a chip will work just fine after an overheat as long as the magic smoke hasn't been allowed to escape from it. once the magic smoke comes out of a chip, it's never quite the same