Having startup issues.

Whenever i turn on my computer it goes throught the whole process of booting up, until it get past the starting up mac osx. the it switches to a black screen that says Darwin/BSD and asks me for my login. I have tried entering my login and password, but i do not have any results. t just goes back to the blue screem with the rotating circle.
Does anyone know how i can fix this. i have tried resetting the PRAM.

You have some corruption in some system files. Try this : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464
If all else fails archive and install

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How do you erase and reinstall a hard drive without a disc? I bought this mac book pro under a year ago and am pretty sure i downloaded mountain lion from the app store. Basically Im having startup issues and this is the final step Ive reached

when I start my laptop it loads a third of the way and shuts down automaticallyI've tried to safe boot, repairing discs and clearing RAM but nothing has worked. basically I've come to the final step of having to a erase my hard drive and reinstall mountain lion however Apple support suggest that I install from a disc however I installed mountain lion from the App Store. can anyone help me go about this?

Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
      left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
        the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
      the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

24" iMac having startup issues

I thought I would post here in an effort to try and see if there is anything else I can do before heading to an Apple Store tomorrow. I own a 24" iMac, which I got in the fall 2006. A few weeks ago, this problem first occurred. The computer started up and the chime sounded then it got to a gray screen with an Apple logo and a spinning wheel below it. Then the spinning wheel would freeze. Then the screen would go black. I don't quite remember how I got the computer working again after the first time this happened (probably one of the solutions below), but I did and now the same problem has occurred today and I cannot figure out any way to fix it.
Solutions I have tried today:
1) Unplugged AC adapter and let computer alone for 30 secs and then plugged in and restarted. Nothing changed. Computer froze as describe above.
2) Unplugged all the peripherals and restarted. Nothing changed. Computer froze as describe above.
3) I reset the SMC by removing the SO-DIMM modules and reinstalled them. Nothing changed. Computer froze as describe above.
4) I reset the PRAM and NVRAM by holding command option P R. Nothing changed. Computer froze as describe above.
5) I tried booting from the OSX Install disk. It would not do so. Computer froze as describe above. Computer froze as describe above.
6) I tried starting up holding C and it actually gave me the option of selecting the hard drive. But then it froze as described above.
So far, I plugged in a firewire cable and am using my MacBook to backup files so I can access the computer and its various files via this FireWire Target Mode.
Does anybody have any further suggestions before I take it in to an Apple Store?
24" iMac Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Add me to the list on of startup problems with my 24" iMac. First off the computer seemed to be slowing up and some of my icons were disappearing.....labels were still there but not the icon. Then I tried installing the 10.4.9 upgrade. Big mistake.......it wouldn't completely install even when I used the standalone installation. Kept getting errors and the try again message.
So after all of this, the computer would not boot up from the hard drive or from the install DVD. Fortunately, I have a external startup drive and eventually I was able to get the computer to startup from that drive. From there I was able to startup from the install CD DVD. I tried to repair Disk but it failed because of an error and I am now doing an install and archive while I write this. Keeping my fingers crossed.
This is my second iMac that I have had startup problems. With my last iMac, it was the hard drive......Apple replaced it and the computer works fine.(my wife is now using that computer) It was during my problems then that I learned it is helpful to have an external startup drive. I operated that iMac from the external startup drive a couple of months before I took it in for repair.
Oh boy, the first install DVD just finished and it won't eject and now I have the message "there were errors installing the software" Try again.
Complete frustration...........I will try the installation once more and then probably a clean install if that doesn't work.
iMac G5, G4 Powerbook
iMac G5, G4 Powerbook Mac OS X (10.4.8)
iMac G5, G4 Powerbook
iMac G5, G4 Powerbook
iMac G5, G4 Powerbook

Trying to Revive a Older iMac G4 Flat ... Having startup issues .. Help ??

Hello all
I received a Imac G4 ( 800 ?? one mem slot ) , put a harddrive I had laying around into it that I know worked - Put a dvd drive into it I had laying around and with some happiness started up . At first , I had no chimes , just would boot to the Question mark /Folder icon . There is NO Operating system on this ... I tried booting into cd/dvd with no luck it just goes to folder/? , I tried booting from my Leopard/Tiger and OS9 cd's ... No luck .... After researching some forums and google'd for a night or 2 I found out how to reset my PRAM and NVRAM , After I did this I got chimes VERY COOL or so I thought .....I tried all the basics again ( held C , Tried selective startup ) same results.
When I choose to do a selective startup ( option key held ) It shows the OSX disc but when I choose it the CD spins then it just stays at the menu , After a minute or so I can then refresh and try to click the arrow again .... Just stays in a loop I guess
I then booted the Imac into target disk mode and used my macmini Intel to install leopard to the drive on the Imac and I could install and even Booted my macmini from it ...
Sooo aggravating ... I guess i'm starting to think its something major , Iv been a PC tech for about 8 years , i'm a novice to mac id say prob about a year ( Comp Tech / Contractor ) ....
Since The day I purchased my Mac This forum has been incredibly helpful , I didn't want to waste time but I really have run out of ideas and have looked everywhere I myself can think of ....Any help would be Greatly Appreciated ,Thanks again

Hey Jwile,
This is from the service manual:
"Screen is dark, fan is running and the hard drive is spinning. You may hear the startup chime as well.
1. Reset parameter RAM. Press Command-Option-P-R during startup before “Welcome to Macintosh” appears.
2. The system software could be damaged. Start up from the system CD that came with the computer.
3. Remove the user access panel. With the unit powered on, check if a red LED (shown below) is visible in the access door. If the red LED is on, power is on. If you don’t see the LED glowing red, follow the steps under the symptom “No Power”.
4. Disconnect the A/C power cord. Place the unit in the service stand and remove the user access plate.
Press the PMU reset button on the logic board. Refer to “Resetting the PMU on the Logic Board” mentioned earlier in this chapter.
5. Check for external video. Connect an external monitor to the mini-VGA port. If you don’t have external video, replace the main logic board. If you do have external video, go on to the next step.
6. Open the bottom housing and verify that all the cables are securely attached. Pay special attention to the video cable (located near the modem). If the cables are securely attached, go on to the next step.
Warning: Whenever the bottom housing is opened for service, you must do two things:
• You must clean the original thermal film from the surfaces joining the thermal interface layer and reapply thermal paste to the thermal pipe.
• The bottom housing has four torx screws that must be tightened to at least 17 in.-lbs. If you do not have a torque driver, you will have to make sure these screws are tightened by hand FIRMLY, BUT NOT FORCIBLY. Or, purchase the service tool (076-0899) in order to ensure the thermal pipe is firmly mated with the top base. If the bottom housing is not securely attached to the base in this
fashion, the CPU may overheat and become damaged.
7. Check the connection of the video cable to the LCD flat panel display (under black tape).
iMac (17-inch Flat Panel) Troubleshooting - 19 No Video Symptom Charts
8. Replace the inverter board.
9. Replace the LCD display. Important: If you are replacing the display, be sure to install the new display
shield and EMI gaskets that come with the new LCD panel. Installation instructions are included with the
new display panel. Additional display shields/gasket kits are also available separately as a kit, part #076-0958.
10. Replace the neck assembly
11. Replace the logic board.
12. Replace the power supply board."
So since you've had it apart I'd definitely check those connectors.
There is definitely only one Ram slot on this board though , Thats the one thing im confused about .
There's one slot on the logic board and another one under the user access panel in the bottom. It takes a laptop type memory. That's why that LEM profile lists two slots of different types.
I am going right out and buying new HD and Memory ( well as new as I can find ... Kinda old ) haha
Well I use salvaged HDs (anything PATA/IDE will work) and PC-133 from old PCs the DIMM is the difficult one to find.
Do you see a lot of that stuff?
I also have voltage supply pinouts. Email me for those.
Richard
Message was edited by: spudnuty

Those Having Startup Issues with Premiere Elements 4.0

After a long night, spanning many hours and lots of swearing, I got round a problem that SOME people may have with Elements 4.0 or other versions.
My problem was that the program would not start. It would say "Adobe Premiere Elements has stopped working" then "Windows is trying to look for a solution"
I LITERALLY tried everything, but it still would not work.
Finally, the problem was Quick Time. If Quick Time does not work, it may clash with Elements and cause it not to work. DELETE, Quick Time. You maye have to go to program files and do this manually, then use the uninstall program to permanently do so. Once this is done, then Elements should be up and running.
Yeah, I know...NEED an update.

Welcome to the forum and thank you for the report. QT is one of the elements that we usually mention early on, as PrE relies much more heavily on it, than most users think. They are mistaken that it is only used for MOV and MP4 Assets, and that if they do not have those in a Project, QT is not in the mix - it is.
As for versions, I am still on PrE 4, but will likely upgrade, if for no other reason, than so I can better help folk here.
Appreciated and good luck,
Hunt

New StartUp Issue

My new MacBook Pro 17" has been having startup issues recently. After I shut down, leave, and come back, the startup issue occurs.
After pressing the power button, fans will go on, proccessing noises occur, HOWEVER, it just boots to a white/grey screen W/OUT the apple logo or round loading bar. The keyboard does not initialize either.
The only thing that I have found to 'fix' it, is just to leave it powered off for an extended period of time. It will then boot up.
I have tried many non-software related 'cures', and my compuer is completely up to date on all OsX software.
Any ideas guys??

you can try to boot to safe mode ( restart holding Shift )
- you can attempt to boot to install disc and disk utility
- you can boot to AHT ( apple hardware test ) to see what component is failing ( insert disc, restart holding D )
- chances are, this is a hardware issue though. you will probably need repairs.

Startup issue when having more than one database on machine

Startup issue when having more than one database on machine:
I’ve installed two databases.
When I shutdown one of the database and try to start it up using
Startup pfile=’…location..’;
I get ora-12514: TNS: listener does not currently know of service rquirest in connect descriptor
when I try it again after 3 seconds, I get a new error, ora-01041: internal error. Hostdef extension doesn’t exist
Shutdown and Startup gave no problems when I had one database. Why am I getting problems when I have two databases?
I’m using: show parameter pfile|spfile; to make sure I have the right parameter locations, so the error shouldn’t be from location.
I’ve never installed two databases on one machine, so maybe I’m making a first-timer’s error.
Anyone know how to get this working, i.e. starting and stopping DB without issues?
Using oracle 11gR2 on Windows 7 64bit, all is working normal.
Thanks,
Ayman
Edited by: aymanzone on Jun 15, 2011 9:27 AM

aymanzone wrote:
my oracle_sid is set to the name of one of my databases
echo %oracle_sid%
shows me the name of my first database.
Still not working though.
When I start the services of both databases using Services, I can connect and run queries from both of the database.
Edited by: aymanzone on Jun 15, 2011 11:47 AMFirstly ... the Oracle Service for the instance should be started for the DB you are trying to connect or start.
Next ... from the command prompt:
set oracle_sid=<Instance_Name>
sqlplus sys as sysdba
startup pfile='location of the respective db pfile'
Now, if you want to start or connect to another DB which is on the same server (again assuming the Service is STARTED) ...
From the same command prompt session or other ....
set oracle_sid=<Other_Instance_Name>
sqlplus sys as sysdba
startup pfile='location of the respective db pfile'
Edited by: Srikanth on Jun 16, 2011 12:27 AM

Another startup-issue

I have a problem with system startup. My MacBook is pretty much brand new and the system is not cluttered or anything. And still the startup-process freezes even before the apple logo appears, so I just get the grey screen and that's it. I have read about other startup issues, but in those cases the computer at least booted until the apple logo was shown, so my case is slightly different.
After unplugging my external USB hard drive startup works. It also works when I plug it into the other USB-slot. Other devices plugged into the problematic slot (keyboard, USB-stick) work and do not cause problems during startup.
Any experiences with this problem? Would you say the USB-slot is broken in any way? Is it something that can be fixed?
Ordinarily, I would just use the other slot and be done with it. Since the computer is brand new, however, I'd prefer to be on the safe side.
Thanks in advance,
Timo

Hi
+"Would you say the USB-slot is broken in any way?"+
Possibly? Running an Apple Hardware Test might say?
+"Is it something that can be fixed?"+
Yes. It should be covered under the standard 1 year warranty regardless. Provided the fault is not down to wilful or accidental damage it will be covered under the warranty.
You could connect the external USB hard drive in the affected slot an restart the mac in verbose mode (command+v) at restart. This should display error messages - if any - at the point where the start-up stalls. Possibly giving a clue as to what it's having a problem with? You may see an I/OKit error problem or something similar?
Tony

Trying to backup iPhone 5 that is having screen issue.

Hi Folks,
iPhone 5, MAC iTunes 11.1.5 (5) version
iPhone having hardware issues. Trying to backup and try a restore but unable to get iTunes to accept iPhone.
iPhone screen is blackened. Itunes message pops up asking for response from iPhone to allow access but unable to view screen to respond to iTunes question.
Any tips.
Thanks-Mike

CLICKY CLICK----> http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10929 OS X Mountain Lion: If your computer stops or delays while starting up
and http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11044 OS X Mountain Lion: If you see a gray screen at startup

Have any ideas re: G5 startup issues? Long post...

My dual processor G5 (purchased Jan. 2005) is in the shop, and, of course, out of warranty. It's been down for over two weeks. Here is the story of its demise:
Installed 10.4.9 upgrade. Began having "launch systems" and crashdump/usb crash errors thereafter. Not a lot of info online regarding these problems, so I decided to do an archive and re-install of my system software.
Started having intermittent problems restarting the G5. Either it would chime, but not kick on the monitor, chime and kick on the monitor but hang at the grey apple startup screen, or not chime at all, with which only the fans would come on. Apple Extended Hardware Test came back OK. Still had problems after removing my USB devices.
Problems continued after the reinstall of the system software, eventually to the point where I could not even boot from a CD. When the G5 did operate, after a short period of use it would freeze, and I would have to force a restart and pray it would boot up completely. It would reliably freeze after waking it from sleep, but also froze in iPhoto and Finder as well.
I have tried resetting the PMU and the PRAM with no improvement. Took it to an Apple Authorized Service Center, luckily only a couple miles from where I work. They tried booting with the Apple RAM only, then the third party RAM only, no improvement. Hard drive was completely reformatted and system reinstalled, no improvement. I am waiting to hear what else they've tried.
My G5's serial # falls outside of those involved with the power supply issues. Yet, could this be a possibility? Any other ideas as to what the problem could be, or has anyone had similar issues?
I freelance as a graphic designer and this has me in a panic. Now using the hubby's Intel iMac to run CS2 and it's a drag.
Thanks in advance.

Hi and thanks for the input. I just spoke to the Apple service guy and he still insists there is not a hardware issue. Apparently there is an Apple technical doc, available only to authorized techs, that refers to this particular issue, and the fix is a download and install (firmware, perhaps?) He has to contact Apple and confirm my G5 is within the serial # range for this particular fix.
That's my best interpretation of our discussion. He was rather cryptic. But he says it's not the power supply.
I did an archive and install because, like an idiot, I did not have anything backed up at that point. After that failed, I used up my stash of DVDs and copied gigs to our iMac until the G5 gave out. I had run the hardware test several times and each time came back clean.
Permissions were repaired before and after updates; had it freeze a couple times mid-update. Tried booting in safe mode and single-user mode and still had the same startup issues.
To add insult to injury, I purchased a LaCie Porsche external drive as an eventual backup drive whenever the G5 returns. Hooked it up to our iMac to backup the items I saved off the G5. It failed after the second use. Returned for replacement.
Thanks.
G5 Dual 2.5 MHz Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Black Macbook Startup Issues

Hey guys.
I'm having a distressful startup issue with my Macbook (13-inch, black). It's happened to me before, but that was a few months ago and everything was fine. Now it's happening again and I'm getting worried that the workaround I've found won't work anymore.
The first time it happened, I wanted to restart my computer because I had installed a bunch of things and it was running a little slow. After I restarted, I heard the "GONG", the apple appeared, and the spinning gear also appeared. It seemed to be working, but after a few minutes, the apple changed to a "do not enter" sign.
I tried resetting the P-RAM to no avail, and finally ended up starting up in Safe Mode (by holding the Shift Key) which at least allowed me to start up my computer. From there, I was able to reset and my computer started up normally after that just fine.
Now, last night, the same thing started happening. There were a few different things that happened this time. For one, I got a big gray box on my screen that told me I needed to reset my computer in a few different languages. Secondly, (the only thing I can attribute the cause to) was that I had opened iChat for the first time in 5 months or so. Shortly after is when I got the box.
So I reset and started having the same problem. I've reset in safe mode now, and am currently installing an update to OSX 10.6.3.
The only programs running at the time of the incident were:
-Google Chrome
-Text Edit
-iCal
-iTunes
Any help you guys have for me would be GREATLY appreciated! I took it to an Apple store the first time it happened and they didn't know what was wrong with it. :/

Well, after booting in Safe Mode and installing the update, it started up just fine. I am afraid that this is going to happen again, though. Any help you guys have would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks.

G5 Startup issue - question mark folder

Hello -
I am using a PowerMacG5 Dual 2.3 ghz with 1GB RAM
OS 10.4.9
No partitions or anything - just one large hard drive.
It has started having an issue on startup :
For a second, it shows the Flashing question mark folder, then starts up as normal.
Not sure how long this has been happening, or what triggered it.
It runs fine otherwise, except for not recognizing its Airport card.
Latest Repair Permissions returns only the folllowing :
Repairing permissions for “Macintosh HD”
Determining correct file permissions.
Permissions differ on ./private/var/log/secure.log, should be -rw------- , they are -rw-r-----
Owner and group corrected on ./private/var/log/secure.log
Permissions corrected on ./private/var/log/secure.log
Permissions repair complete
The privileges have been verified or repaired on the selected volume
But I want to avoid this becoming a larger issue - why would it be doing this Question Mark on startup and what can anyone recommend - clean install ? upgrade to 10.4.10 ? other ideas ?
Thanks

Hi infoAP-
It sounds like it may be looking for a startup disk, doesn't find what it is looking for, and resorts back to the system drive.
Take a look at your Startup Disk preference and make sure the drive of this particular mac is selected, unless you want it to boot from something else.
Luck-
-DaddyPaycheck

Anyone having kernel issues at boot up with mountain lion?

Having kernel issues at boot up after upgrading from lion to mountain lion. Anyone else having same issue?

If you can't boot in the usual way, try a safe boot. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During startup, you’ll see a progress bar, and then the login screen, which appears even if you normally log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Safe mode is slower than normal, and some things won’t work at all.
Note: If FileVault is enabled under OS X 10.7 or later, or if a firmware password is set, you can’t boot in safe mode.
If you're able to boot, launch the Console application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Console in the page that opens.
Select the most recent panic log under System Diagnostic Reports. Post the contents — the text, please, not a screenshot. In the interest of privacy, I suggest you edit out the “Anonymous UUID,” a long string of letters, numbers, and dashes in the header and body of the report, if it’s present (it may not be.) Please don't post shutdownStall, spin, or hang reports.

Iphone 5s having many issues after 7.0.4

Having multiple issues with 5s since latest update. 1st, phone will crash quite often when entering my password, or using the touch ID from the lock screen. I don't seem to have these issues when I have the reduced motion set to "off". I really don't like the background moving around. 2nd, my battery life has completely diminished. I make sure to always close out of my apps completely. Everything worked great until this update

Temporarily disable all security software (firewall, antivirus, etc.) running on your computer while updating. Try restoring the iOS.
iTunes: Specific update-and-restore error messages and advanced troubleshooting

I have an iphone 4s that is having display issues. If I turn the phone on, it vibrates to acknowledge it successfully turned on but the screen stays solid black. I can plug the phone into my computer and itunes will recognize the phone as well.

I have an iphone 4s that is having display issues. If I turn the phone on, it vibrates to acknowledge it successfully turned on but the screen stays solid black. I can plug the phone into my computer and itunes will recognize the phone as well. However, itunes can not do anything with the phone because the phone is locked and I can not unlock the phone because the screen is black.
>CURVEBALL!!!<
The screen does work though! Through trial and error along side a little troubleshooting, I was able to figure out that the screen will cut on after the phone dies completely. The phone has to die completely with no battery power left. Then if I plug the phone into a charge and wait a while for it to charge, the phone will turn on like nothing was ever even wrong with it. I charge the phone up to like 30% and turn it off then bam the phone turns on but the screen is solid black again.
I am currently in the process of waiting for the phone to die and when I turn the phone back on I am going to completely remove the auto-lock and lock code off of the phone for the time being.
Any other suggestions? Please help!

Sounds like the device was dropped at some point and damaged as a result.
Take it to Apple for evaluation and a replacement.

Having startup issues.

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