Please HELP, Stuck on grey screen with Old Apple Logo in it

Hi , my computer froze today and when I tried to reboot the hard drive starts but stays on a grey screen with a small folder in the middle with an Apple logo in it.
What should I do, all suggestions welcome!

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
Here are links to a couple of articles on recovering from the flashing question mark folder:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
http://www.bombich.com/mactips/openfirmware.html
I hope something there helps.

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Stuck on grey screen with the apple logo

My MacBook is struck on the grey screen withthe apple logo and the circle with the dots.
Is there any way I can get back on my MacBook? Any shirtcuts to get past this

A few tricks have worked for me.
1. First restart your computer while pressing the S key - that's the safeboot option, and may allow you to get onto your system.
2. Restart your system while pressing Apple-P-R-M; wait until you hear the chime before you release the keys.
3. Restart your system with your current system disk. Update your preferences while you're at it.

On start up i just get a grey screen with the apple logo-this has suddenly started happenin. Please help?

on start up i just get a grey screen with the apple logo-this has suddenly started happenin. Please help?

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.

Computer crashed and is now stuck on a grey screen with the apple logo and pinwheel. What do I do?

Computer crashed and is stuck on a grey screen with the apple logo and pinwheel turning
Please help

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 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 you use a wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, replace or recharge the batteries. The battery level shown in the Bluetooth menu item may not be accurate.
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, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or 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 10. 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 Mac won´t load. When I turn it on, I type the password, then it starts to load, but nothing happens. It gets stuck on the grey screen with the apple logo. I can´t go to an Apple store since I´m working in Bolivia. Thanks

When I turn it on, I type the password, then it starts to load, but nothing happens. It gets stuck on the grey screen with the apple logo. I can´t go to an Apple store since I´m working in Bolivia. Thanks

RhysWills1,
which model MacBook Pro do you have, and which version of OS X is installed on it?

My iPhone 3gs is stuck on black screen with the apple logo, help

my iPhone 3gs is stuck on black screen with the apple logo, help

then get it replaced if that doesnt work or try to le tthe battery die and recharge

During boot Yosemite shows a grey screen with the Apple logo and a progress bar - is this normal?

During boot Yosemite shows a grey screen with the Apple logo and a progress bar - is this normal?

Same here after upgrade yesterday.
I can get OS utilities up using CMD R or holding the shift key (eventually), but if I simply then reinstall the OS will it not loose everything on my drive? I do have it backed up on Time Machine? What a nightmare - Apple Support does suck. I am not paying £25 for them to call me to tell me how to fix a bug in their OS software upgrade. Any help
Also does anyone know if it is possible to use time machine to go back to Snow Leopard? I have wasted much of the day on this now
Cheers
Simon

TS2570 On start up of my new iMac it locks on the grey screen with the apple logo and the progress wheel spins. Boot up in safe and this is where it stopped at "BootCacheControl: Unable to open /var/db/bootcache.playlist: 2 no such file or directory. "

On start up of my new iMac it locks on the grey screen with the apple logo and the progress wheel spins. Boot up in safe and this is where it stopped at "BootCacheControl: Unable to open /var/db/bootcache.playlist: 2 no such file or directory. "

Reinstalling MacOS does NOT fix the problem for me. I'm still searching a solution !
Bernard

I didn't close my mac air down properly and when i tried to use it, the screen was frozen. I turned it off and restarted it, and the grey screen with the apple logo appear and the circle just keeps spinning. Can you advise?

i didn't close my mac air down properly and when i tried to use it, the screen was frozen. I turned it off and restarted it, and the grey screen with the apple logo appear and the circle just keeps spinning. Can you advise?

Try resetting the SMC
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

Grey screen with the apple logo

i updated my mum's MacBook Pro a week ago, but it wont turn back on, all i see is a grey screen with the apple logo and a loading circle

roz123,
which model MacBook Pro does your mum have, and which version of OS X is installed on it?

I have an ipod touch 3rd gen.I used the function of erasing all content and settings and now i am stuck on this screen with the apple logo and a loading sign for the past 17 hours.CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

i have an ipod touch 3rd gen.I used the function of erasing all contents and settings and now i am stuck with this screen showing the apple logo and the loading sign for the past 17 hours.CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold down the on/off button and the home button for 20 to 30 sec, when the iPod starts and the Apple logo is on the screen release the on/off button but continue to hold the home button until you see the plug into iTunes screen. Connect the iPod to iTunes and you should be good to go.

My mac wont get passed the grey screen with the apple logo and the timing circle, please help

My macbook wont get passed the grey screen, I rebooted it, any suggestions?

Work your way throught this knowledge base article:
Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), 2.4GHz IntelCore i5 320 HD 8GB RAM

... have tried everything to restart my ipod touch. stuck on that screen with the apple logo

My Ipod Touch suddenly stopped working. It hadtrouble starting up – then suddenly turned on after a few minutes of pushingthe start button. The next time I turned it off, it never started back up. Symptoms:
It is stuck on the apple logo screen (with thecircle of moving bars – as if it is waiting or doing something) and never moveson from this.
When I plug it in and try to restore it:
Whensyncing with my back-up, I get the error: ITunes could not restore it becausean error occurred
WhenI set up a new Ipod, everything downloads. (apps, music etc)
It looks like it is fixed, butwhen I unplug it and try to get it to work, it is still stuck in the apple logoscreen – same as above.
I have also updated all of the software. Still - no go!
When it is plugged in to mycomputer, I am able to play music and see the items in the ipod. Through this,I have even updated my software. This all works .. but that screen with theapple logo does not go away and I just cannot access it manually through the touchscreen or ipod buttons.
Who can help me?

Did you also try to connect in recovery mode? http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

I think my HDD is dead - stuck at the grey screen, with the apple logo ..

Hi all,
I think my Mbp's HDD has partially failed. It is the original 100gig drive , which was 95% full.
It started getting incredibly slow so I decided to reboot it. It has not been possible to boot.
I have managed to connect the internal drive to another mac using FireWire and T on startup.
The drive shows up and the data can be accessed albeit slowly.
I tried to repair the drive in disk utility and it came up with a lot of " invalid node structures" and " invalid record counts".
The disk utility seemed to not complete the process so I had to quit it.
I can't boot from the cd , but I may be doing it wrong.
Can anyone help me with the next thing to try?
Thanks.

Slow access even with Target Disk Mode (TDM) can indicate a failing drive, but it's possible that drive can be rehabilitated by continuing to off-load files and keep trying with Disk Utility. Sometimes, enough DU runs can restore sanity.
I'd check the SMART status first (try: SMART Utility at Apple OSX Downloads ). This can be done from the other Mac while the MBP is in TDM. If the drive passes and you can off-load some of the load, then a directory repair utility like DiskWarrior might be worth a try.
However DiskWarrior is US$100 and you can get a new 500GB SATA 2.5" hard drive for less than that. The advantage to disk Warrior is that it's easier to install in an MBP than a new hard drive.

11-04-2008, 08:55 AM Hello all, Hoping someone can offer me some help. My macbook won't boot past the grey screen with the apple logo with the spinning disc. I've left it for around an hour and nothing happens.

pls help me need help badlypls help me, need really bad

Look at this support article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
Ciao.

Please HELP, Stuck on grey screen with Old Apple Logo in it

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