What do I do when I start my iMac I get a white screen with an apple and a moving circle?
All I get when my iMac is turned on is a white screen with an apple and a moving circle. What should I do to get the iMac to boot?
Do you have reliable backup you can restore from, as an erase and re-install may be required?
Before you got down that route, it's possible that it might get fixed if you try again. Not sure about that particular error, but I have had errors in the past that Disk Utility wouldn't fix on the first attempt but then subsequently did.
It's also possible that the (around $99, I think) Disk Warrior might resolve it - but not guaranteed.
However, I just found this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3862376?start=15&tstart=0 have a look at Nirvi's post at the end - there may be hope (I've not tried this, although it seems to have helped a few, although not everybody - so at your own risk and I wouldn't try it if I didn't have backup).
Similar Messages
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My iPhone five decided to go crazy and give me a white screen with black stripes and I can't get into my phone. I can only use Siri! What's happening?
You posted in the iPad forum instead of the iPhone forum. To get answers to your question, next time post in the proper forum. See https://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa I'll request that Apple relocate your post.
Cheers, Tom -
When i turn on my Mac book air I get a white screen with an apple and spinning pinwheel
Why won't my Mac book air turn on? I get a white screen with apple and spinning pinwheel.
If you wish help you are going to have to tell us more then that.
What version of OS X is your MBA running?
What did you change before this started?
Allan -
Hi, I am not able to reboot my Mac desktop.
When I switch on the Mac, I get a white screen with the Apple logo and the little rotating circle.
The system refuses to boot.
What can I do?
MarcusWe need to get you moved. This forum is for mini-tower Macs built between 1998 and 2005 and doesn;t get as much traffic ("eyeballs on the problem") as the forums for newer Macs.
Please do "About this Mac" from you Apple menu and tell us what that says for "processor" and Mac OS version. Looks like this:
or this for later Mac OS versions:
With that we can figure out which of the two iMac forums you need and get the Hosts to move your post. -
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. -
Last night I did an update and now when I turn on my macbook it just goes to the white screen with the apple and stays like that. How do I fix this issue?
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 computer MacBook pro want turn on it started when input the lion ultimate versión it straus in the white screen with the Apple and the circle ten it goes off
Try starting your computer by holding down the command + R keys, then run disk utility on your hard drive to verify/repair it. Take a look at his link, http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1782
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MacBook will turn on to white screen with gray apple and loading bar, will load very little and then turn off. What do I do?
Bescobar23,
which model MacBook do you have, and which version of OS X is installed on it? -
3 years ago I bought an IMac Desktop that I am using for a lot of things but the most important for dvd montage in Imovies and Idvd.
Now today when I opened my computer I get as usual the white screen with the Apple symbol but there were all over the screen vertical lines with green pixels and after a while the screen gets grey and I get message to restart my computer using the power button or the restart button and when I do so each time the same is happening somebody can tell me what is happening and what caused this. This computer is my work and now I have no income anymore.
On the Apple support site they are asking to enter the serial number and when I do so I get message it is wrong but it is the only one I have and I buy this computer in Cairo Egypt. I am living in Hurghada in Egypt for the moment. When I call the technical support of the shop where I buy it they are telling me that it is the hard disk or ram and that I probably lost everything on it and they are asking a big amount to repair.
Can somebody advise me on this matter. Thanks in advanceYou can find the serial number either in About this Mc in the Menu bar under the , or it should be on a sticker under the foot of the machine.
If you have the install discs, try booting from them, holding down the c key and then using Disk Utility to check the drive.
You can also boot into Safe mode
To start up into Safe Mode (to "Safe Boot"), do this:
1. Be sure the computer is shut down.
2. Press the power button.
3. Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
4. Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.2 through 10.3.9, you will see "Safe Boot" on the Mac OS X startup screen.
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you will see "Safe Boot" on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically.
Please post back with results,
To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup. -
My computer will not start up. It powers up, I get the gray screen with the apple, then the loading progress bar starts loading to about 25% the the screen goes black. what can I try to get my computer up and running?
Carolyn Samit wrote:
iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.1)
Use Command + R for Lion Recovery
Try restarting, when you hear the startup tone hold down the Option key. Then choose the Recovery Partition. -
Hello as mentionned before I cannot get my macbook pro to switch on.
when it is not plugged as I press the power button nothing happens, when the computer is power plugged, it gives me the white blackground with the apple centered and the loading button below but it keeps loading forever left it as for 4 hours and still nothing.
I have try to reset the SMC but didn't change much, now instead of the apple logo I get a circle crossed
My macbook is 1 year and 4monthsSee Gray Screen, try holding the Shift key upon boot
Cheat sheet to help diagnose and fix your Mac
Drive may not boot, but if it's still working then data can be recovered
Data recovery efforts explained
Most commonly used backup methods explained -
When i turn on my computer, i get only a white screen with a gray apples in the middle, flashing, alternating with a ghostbuster-type warning. Never get to the galaxy screen. Just happened today.
Did you setup a lock code? I have done this operation via iCloud just few minutes ago and it's booted with 4 numbers lock code just fine. When you lock your Mac, it's restarts automaticly and then loads with lock screen and you are only able to enter password of 4 numbers to unlock it.
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My Imac does not start anymore.
==> What I have already done:
1) I tried with the tigger dvd to reinstall. It didn't succeed.
2) Via the single mode, when starting I got the message "disk0s2: I/0 error" several times. After that I got "Root device is mounted read-only"
3) Nevertheless, I tried the "fsck -yf" function. After checking "Journal HFS Plus volume", "extends overflow file", "catalog file"... and invalid record count
==> /dev/rdisk0s2 (hfs) EXITED WITH SIGNAL 8
Can someone advices me? I red on the internet I could reformat the disk... loosing all the data I didn't backed up. How am I suppose to reformat?
Thanks in advance,
FredReset the SMC: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Reset the PRAM: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/26871.html
Restart the computer while holding down your mouse button which if you hold it down long enough (5 minutes at most) should eject the disk
If the disk still doesn't come out at that point then you need hardware evaluation;
contact Apple, contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider, or make an appointment with an Apple Retail Store. -
When I turn my apple iMac it goes to a white screen with the apple and keeps reloading
MY iMac keeps restarting
Mac OS X (10.4.11)
If your profile is correct, you posted in the wrong form. You need to re-post in the iMac (PPC) forms. This area is for Intel iMac technical problems.
==============
When posting in Apple Communties/Forums/Message Boards.......It would help us to know which iMac model you have, which OS & version you're using, how much RAM, etc. You can have this info displayed on the bottom of every post by completing your system profile and filling in the information asked for.
CLICKY CLICK-----> Help us to help you on these forums
***This will help in providing you with the proper and/or correct solutions.*** -
Prior to shutting it down, I had to force quit Safari. I has been running a little slow lately, but nothing major.
Apple Hardware Test code shows
4MOT/2/40000004:0x3d2fdb90
anyone know what that means?
I have a late 2006 intel-based iMac with the iSight camera, running Snow LeopardThanks SO MUCH! I am having nightmares about all that could be lost. If the fan can be fixed, then I can cope with the backing up and maybe relieve the hard drive so it gets faster. As Murphy's law would have it, I just bought an external drive but haven't had a chance to set it up to automatically back up. Your reply makes me feel much better... There is hope that I can lip along with this old iMac until I can afford a new one.
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