Mac book pro has grey screen with apple in the middle
my mac book pro has a grey screen, apple in the middle and a spinning wheel. i have tried the command r. nothing is working
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing The 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.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
Similar Messages
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Good Evening, I bought a Mac Book Pro in Miami and = with Apple Care thatwas recorded in the Apple Store - Lincoln Road. Now I can not get access toApple Care here in Brazil. Someone tell me what happens? Please help mesolve this problem.
Call Apple Care
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I downloaded upgrades available. The installation of those took a long time after re- initiatin the system and had to off. After this I could not get it to turn on again. Just stays in the gray screen with apple in the middle. What's wrong?
Sorry to hear of your problem, but any hardware in a computer can fail - that includes the hard drive, the logic board, etc, etc. Fortunately, it usually doesn't happen that soon; however, I've read of hard drives failing within 6 months.
So, since you did not purchase the extended Applecare Protection Plan (3 years coverage), you will need to make a decision to repair or sell it as is. I would always purchase 3 year coverage for an all in one or a laptop because repairs are expensive and at least I'd be covered for 3 years.
We can't speculate on whether there should be a recall or not; these forums are for user to user assistance with technical problems. In your case, there is nothing we can help with since you've already gotten a diagnosis. -
My mac book pro with retina display has a black screen. It turns on and off but the screen remains black. The hardware test detected an error: 4SNS/1/40000001:IDOR-0.000
SNS is a sensor error the letter I later on says it is a current sensor.
Your Mac needs to visit the genius bar. Your appointment for an evaluation is Free. -
I have a white screen with Apple emblem in the middle. The little spinner is spinning and there is a bar showing it loading. When it is done loading, the mini mac goes off. Please help me.
If your data is backed up, we can guide you through repairing the directory with my subscription FAQ*:
http://www.macmaps.com/directoryfaq.html
* Links to my pages may give me compensation. -
Imac G5 grayish screen with apple in the middle and then it turns black
Hey all,
Im really stressed about my Imac. Its about 3.5 years old. I never had a problem with it until today. I turned it on and all of a sudden it went grey with an apple in the middle. Then it turns black! So what can be wrong with it? Does this mean I lost everything on my computer. I dont have any back up files on my Imac cause I never thought this would happen. Im worried cause I have all my photos on it and music. What should i do? My main thing is that I don't want to lose my stuff on my Imac.You could see if the suspect iMac can be
started up in FireWire Target Disk Mode.
Connected to another Mac, with a proper
FireWire cable, the other Mac could see
the hard disk drive in your suspect Mac
as just another external hard drive; and
you could try to reclaim files from there
into the healthy Mac's drive or burn the
files over onto removable disc media.
What computer are you using to post here?
{Although the thread you are in now does
pertain to the 'first series' flat panel G4
iMac, the symptoms and some issues
behind them would not be dissimilar in
a G5 verses those in a G4...}
Will the computer start up in SafeBoot?
That's with the Shift key held awhile
until the screen appears, and a login
window is there. If you can do that,
then you may also be able to repair
disk permissions and see if it would
restart. And, you could also see if
the computer can start from the OS X
installer disc; to run 'repair disk' or
also to try to run Startup Manager
and see if you can get the Apple
Hardware Test to start the Mac.
There may be some problem, but to
identify the cause will involve some
troubleshooting. My immediate issue
in this question is my lack of sleep.
So, I may have to mentally shut down
for a time and reboot tomorrow!
You could try and see if resetting the PRAM
can help this, since it is non-invasive:
Try resetting the P-RAM. Hold optionapple+pr
keys down until you hear the boot chime 3 times.
You can invoke the Startup Manager on bootup
by holding down the Option key to see choices
to include a Hardware Test on an installer disc.
Good luck & happy computing! -
Interval Since Last Panic Report: 101423 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 18
Anonymous UUID: 3346C8AF-8D87-4B8F-BDC5-635DA73F2037
Tue Nov 27 21:17:50 2012
panic(cpu 3 caller 0xffffff80002c4794): Kernel trap at 0xffffff7f817081f1, type 14=page fault, registers:
CR0: 0x000000008001003b, CR2: 0x00000000000000e0, CR3: 0x0000000000100000, CR4: 0x00000000001606e0
RAX: 0x0000000000000000, RBX: 0xffffff806a84f000, RCX: 0x0000000000000000, RDX: 0x0000000000000000
RSP: 0xffffff8078c9bb60, RBP: 0xffffff8078c9bb70, RSI: 0x0000000000000000, RDI: 0xffffff806a84f000
R8: 0x000000000000001f, R9: 0xffffffffffffff00, R10: 0xffffffffffffffdf, R11: 0xffffff80002dad00
R12: 0xffffff806a84f000, R13: 0x0000000000000000, R14: 0xffffff806a84f000, R15: 0xffffff8078c9bbc0
RFL: 0x0000000000010282, RIP: 0xffffff7f817081f1, CS: 0x0000000000000008, SS: 0x0000000000000010
CR2: 0x00000000000000e0, Error code: 0x0000000000000002, Faulting CPU: 0x3
Backtrace (CPU 3), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff8078c9b810 : 0xffffff8000220792
0xffffff8078c9b890 : 0xffffff80002c4794
0xffffff8078c9ba40 : 0xffffff80002da55d
0xffffff8078c9ba60 : 0xffffff7f817081f1
0xffffff8078c9bb70 : 0xffffff7f81709413
0xffffff8078c9bbb0 : 0xffffff7f816f8e31
0xffffff8078c9bca0 : 0xffffff7f81715c05
0xffffff8078c9bce0 : 0xffffff7f816f7257
0xffffff8078c9bd10 : 0xffffff7f80cd1832
0xffffff8078c9bd50 : 0xffffff7f8177f4f0
0xffffff8078c9bda0 : 0xffffff7f81781692
0xffffff8078c9bde0 : 0xffffff7f817817c4
0xffffff8078c9be20 : 0xffffff7f80cd54c5
0xffffff8078c9be60 : 0xffffff7f80cd5628
0xffffff8078c9be90 : 0xffffff7f80cd8fd7
0xffffff8078c9bef0 : 0xffffff800063d4d6
0xffffff8078c9bf30 : 0xffffff800063c250
0xffffff8078c9bf70 : 0xffffff800063c0f4
0xffffff8078c9bfb0 : 0xffffff8000820057
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.4)[D0A1F6BD-E66E-3DD8-9913-A3AB8746F422]@0 xffffff7f80cc6000->0xffffff7f80cfefff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7)[5C23D598-58B2-3204-BC03-BC3C0F00BD32]@0xffffff 7f80889000
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelFramebufferCapri(7.3.2)[5D02E509-F60D-3312-9C3C-AF47 D6622C85]@0xffffff7f81774000->0xffffff7f817d1fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[A87503EC-9C34-3613-9A86-7296B23BC344]@0xfffff f7f807d4000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7)[5C23D598-58B2-3204-BC03-BC3C0F00BD32]@0xffffff 7f80889000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.4)[D0A1F6BD-E66E-3DD8-9913-A3AB8746F422]@0 xffffff7f80cc6000
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHD4000Graphics(7.3.2)[AD64F3E5-2838-3046-A9EA-1CB6C9 769436]@0xffffff7f816f4000->0xffffff7f8175afff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.7)[5C23D598-58B2-3204-BC03-BC3C0F00BD32]@0xffffff 7f80889000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport(2.3.4)[7C8672C4-8B0D-3CCF-A79A-23C62E90F895]@0xff ffff7f80cff000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(2.3.4)[D0A1F6BD-E66E-3DD8-9913-A3AB8746F422]@0 xffffff7f80cc6000
BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
Mac OS version:
11G63b
Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 11.4.2: Thu Aug 23 16:25:48 PDT 2012; root:xnu-1699.32.7~1/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: FF3BB088-60A4-349C-92EA-CA649C698CE5
System model name: MacBookPro9,2 (Mac-6F01561E16C75D06)
System uptime in nanoseconds: 3937462954020
last loaded kext at 1488675669810: com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 1.7.2 (addr 0xffffff7f80795000, size 241664)
last unloaded kext at 245723631723: com.apple.driver.CoreStorageFsck 182.13 (addr 0xffffff7f81274000, size 77824)
loaded kexts:
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 7.0 15106.786747
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 7.0 15106.786747
com.parallels.kext.prl_hid_hook 7.0 15106.786747
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 7.0 15106.786747
com.parallels.kext.prl_usb_connect 7.0 15106.786747
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 1.7.2
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 122
com.apple.driver.X86PlatformShim 5.0.0d8
com.apple.driver.AGPM 100.12.75
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 2.2.5a5
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.59
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 2.2.5a5
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.5.9
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.2d6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelHD4000Graphics 7.3.2
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 4.0.8f17
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCLMU 2.0.1d2
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.2.3
com.apple.driver.ApplePolicyControl 3.1.33
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.2.2
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.0.33
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelFramebufferCapri 7.3.2
com.apple.driver.AppleSMCPDRC 5.0.0d8
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 4.0.8f17
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 227.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 312
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 227.6
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.BootCache 33
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 3.2.1
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 404
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCISerialATAPI 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 2.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.9.0
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 561.7.22
com.apple.driver.AppleSDXC 1.2.2
com.apple.iokit.AppleBCM5701Ethernet 3.2.4b8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 5.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.6.1
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 161.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 5.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBXHCI 1.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.9
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.5
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 195.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 3.2.30
com.apple.security.quarantine 1.4
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 8
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 195.0.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 2.2.5a5
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 80.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.5
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.5
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.8.6fc18
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 2.2.5a5
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 2.2.5a5
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.10d0
com.apple.driver.AppleGraphicsControl 3.1.33
com.apple.driver.X86PlatformPlugin 5.1.1d6
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.3d10
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklightExpert 1.0.4
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.3.4
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.10d0
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.3.4
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 5.1.1d6
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 4.0.8f17
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 4.0.8f17
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPInAdapter 1.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltDPAdapterFamily 1.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltPCIDownAdapter 1.2.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 230.5
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 5.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 5.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 5.0.0
com.apple.driver.CoreStorage 182.13
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 3.2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.7
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 3.2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleThunderboltNHI 1.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOThunderboltFamily 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.4.8
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 420.3
com.apple.iokit.IOEthernetAVBController 1.0.1b1
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 2.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 5.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.8
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 5.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.7.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.security.sandbox 177.8
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 331.7
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.7.2
com.apple.driver.AppleKeyStore 28.18
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.5
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.7
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.4
Model: MacBookPro9,2, BootROM MBP91.00D3.B08, 2 processors, Intel Core i5, 2.5 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 2.2f38
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 4000, Intel HD Graphics 4000, Built-In, 384 MB
Memory Module: BANK 0/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54333235533643465238432D50422020
Memory Module: BANK 1/DIMM0, 2 GB, DDR3, 1600 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54333235533643465238432D50422020
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0xF5), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.198.19.22)
Bluetooth: Version 4.0.8f17, 2 service, 18 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: APPLE HDD HTS547550A9E384, 500.11 GB
Serial ATA Device: HL-DT-ST DVDRW GS31N
USB Device: hub_device, 0x8087 (Intel Corporation), 0x0024, 0x1a100000 / 2
USB Device: FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in), apple_vendor_id, 0x8509, 0x1a110000 / 3
USB Device: hub_device, 0x8087 (Intel Corporation), 0x0024, 0x1d100000 / 2
USB Device: hub_device, 0x0424 (SMSC), 0x2513, 0x1d180000 / 3
USB Device: BRCM20702 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x1d181000 / 6
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, apple_vendor_id, 0x821d, 0x1d181300 / 9
USB Device: IR Receiver, apple_vendor_id, 0x8242, 0x1d182000 / 5
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, apple_vendor_id, 0x0252, 0x1d183000 / 4
USB Device: USB Receiver, 0x046d (Logitech Inc.), 0xc52b, 0x14100000 / 1Uninstall Parallels using the uninstaller that came with Parallels. Remove all third-party peripherals. Then restart the computer.
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HElp, can not open my Mac. Stuck on grey screen with apple and spinning wheel?
PReviously opened fine but I could not remember my password try a number of passwords. I now know my password but when I turned it off and back on got this screen?THe command R took me to a dark scree with Mac OS X Utilities with 4 choices
REstore From Time Machine Back Up
REinstall Mac OS X
GEt Help Online
DIsk Utility
HElp -
i've tried to set up a new user on a mac book pro and i restarted it to create the new account but now all i can get is a white screen with the apple logo and the loading symbol what can i do ?
Look at this support article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Ciao. -
I Shut down my Mac by holding in the power button after my iMac froze and now when I try to turn it back it on all I get is the grey screen with Apple loge and the timer and doesn't get any further. I have tried the diagnostic test but nothing was found.
Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
To restart an unresponsive computer, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power shuts off, then release, wait a few more seconds, and press it again briefly.
Step 1
The first step in dealing with a startup failure is to secure the data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since the last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to start. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
a. Start up from the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
b. If Step 1a fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
c. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
d. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
Step 2
If the startup process stops at a blank gray screen with no Apple logo or spinning "daisy wheel," then the startup volume may be full. If you had previously seen warnings of low disk space, this is almost certainly the case. You might be able to start up in safe mode even though you can't start up normally. Otherwise, start up from an external drive, or else use the technique in Step 1b, 1c, or 1d to mount the internal drive and delete some files. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation.
Step 3
Sometimes a startup failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 4
If a desktop Mac hangs at a plain gray screen with a movable cursor, the keyboard may not be recognized. Press and hold the button on the side of an Apple wireless keyboard to make it discoverable. If need be, replace or recharge the batteries. If you're using a USB keyboard connected to a hub, connect it to a built-in port.
Step 5
If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
Step 6
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can start up now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
Step 7
If you've started from an external storage device, make sure that the internal startup volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Start up in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know the login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
When you start up in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, the startup volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 11. If you ever have another problem with the drive, replace it immediately.
If you can start and log in in safe mode, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on the startup volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then restart as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the startup process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 8
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select the startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then restart as usual.
Step 9
If the startup device is an aftermarket SSD, it may need a firmware update and/or a forced "garbage collection." Instructions for doing this with a Crucial-branded SSD were posted here. Some of those instructions may apply to other brands of SSD, but you should check with the vendor's tech support.
Step 10
Reinstall the OS. If the Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 11
Do as in Step 9, but this time erase the startup volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically restart into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer the data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 12
This step applies only to models that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery: all Mac Pro's and some others (not current models.) Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery, if there is one, is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a startup failure. Typically the failure will be preceded by loss of the settings for the startup disk and system clock. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 13
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider. -
My macbook pro 2011 shows grey screen with apple logo and want start
i was just using my macbook pro and it freezed for a while not responding and i turned it off by pressing the power button. afterwards, i turn it on and it shows a grey screen with apple logo but want start pls somebody help me because am having "my life" on the machine
Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
Step 1
The first step in dealing with a boot failure is to secure your data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since your last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.a. Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
b. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode by holding down the key combination command-T at the startup chime. Connect the two Macs with a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable. The internal drive of the machine running in target mode will mount as an external drive on the other machine. Copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
c. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
Step 2
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to boot, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can boot now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
If you've booted from an external storage device, make sure that your internal boot volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Step 3
Boot in safe mode.* The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually 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.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode. Post for further instructions.
When you boot in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, your boot volume is damaged and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the boot process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 4
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 5
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see step 1.) Select your startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 6
Boot into Recovery again. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to reinstall the OS. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to use Recovery. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with proxy servers, or with networks that require a certificate for authentication.
Step 7
Repeat step 6, but this time erase the boot volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer your data from a backup.
Step 8
A dead logic-board battery in a Mac Pro can cause a gray screen at boot. Typically the boot failure will be preceded by loss of the startup disk and system clock settings. See the user manual for replacement instructions.
Step 9
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. -
My macbook pro doesn't bootbeyond the grey screen with apple icon and spinning wheel.
My macbook pro doesn't boot beyond the grey screen with apple icon and spinning wheel. I used the "Option" button to access the Disk Utility function and run Repair Disk and Repair Disk Permissions. Should I restart my computer?
The following support article is somewhat outdated. Where it refers to booting from an installation disc, you should boot from your recovery partition (if running 10.7 or later) by holding down the key combination command-R at the chime.
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup -
Macbook Pro (2011) froze while working, forced shut down, now won't turn on. Grey screen with apple logo and spinning wheel for hours. Help?
Unfortunately do not know the operating system since I never updated anything and I can't get in to it.
Thanks for your assistance.If you want to preserve the data on the boot drive, and it's not already backed up, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
1. Boot from the Recovery partition or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
2. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
3. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data. -
The screen on my Mac Book Pro has gone black. It has a cursor that responds to touchpad, but is otherwise completely black.
Blank (lighted, but black) screen with cursor at bootup
[SOLVED] - Macbook Air Sleep/Wake problem
Dark screen on start-up can only see curser -
My mac book pro has a white screen and won't start up
My Mac book pro has been running slow, so I thought I would shut down and reboot. It wouldn't reboot past a white screen and an apple logo. I have rebooted several times and after an hour or so it still won't go any further. Any suggestions?
Howdy Lowana42,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like your MacBook Pro has a startup issue that is causing it to only display an Apple logo. Try the suggestions in the article below, they will resolve most issues like this one.
How to Troubleshoot iSight
I hope this helps,
-Jason
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