iMac: Wrong drive, black screen, lightning bolt

start up from wrong hard drive. black screen with lighting bolt. never seen that before. I’m using crucial with iMac running Ventura 13.7.8

iMac 21.5″ 4K, macOS 13.7

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 9:21 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 13, 2025 10:19 AM

Sounds like the iMac is starting up in Target Disk Mode.

Transfer files between two Mac computers using target disk mode - Apple Support


Try changing the Startup Disk.

Change your Mac startup disk - Apple Support

5 replies

Dec 13, 2025 10:18 AM in response to peazer

Is this something like what you're seeing?



If it is that's the screen for Target Disk Mode which is achieved by holding down the T key while booting.


If this is to what you've seeing try to get a photo of the screen and post it with your replay along with details about your Mac, system according to this user tip:     Writing an Effective Apple Support Communities Question - Apple Community


iMac: Wrong drive, black screen, lightning bolt

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