I dont know if it's recoverable or not.

I'm a bit annoyed, because I was trying to back it up this week, and couldnt get Time Machine to work with my external hard drive.

If it's not recoverable...my birthday is next monday, and my dad was asking me today what I wanted for my birthday. Hmmm...let me think...

Mac Mini, or a new iMac???

There's only about a $10 difference between the nicest Mac Mini, and the most basic iMac....and with the Mac Mini, you have to buy a separate monitor. (which could be cheap or a lot of money, depending on what kind of screen you want)

I could probably get a Windows computer for a lot less...but I really like my iMac and would like to stick with Apple. (plus, I have 3 Windows computers of various ages right now...had four...gave one to my brother-in-law for school) I'd still have to buy a new monitor if I got a Windows computer...

I'm getting the dead iMac checked to see if it's fixable first.