Apple and spinning wheel
I was working on my Macbook and it stopped responding altogether. I forced shutdown. Now at restart, all I get is the Apple and spinning wheel. I've had hard drives crash, but in those cases I got a folder with a question mark.
What can I do here?
It happens when a needed system file is damaged. You will have to reinstall OS X.
Boot from your OS X 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. 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.
If all is well continue and reinstall Snow Leopard. Your disk will not be erased and your files will be preserved.
Similar Messages
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Just tried to update my iPad 2 to the current iOS, and I got an error that said the update wouldn't install. The iPad is stuck in a funny mode with the apple and spinning wheel showing. I can't power it down or restart it. What next? Thanks.
Try a hard reset: hold the power and home buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
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Gray apple and spinning wheel only
I installed an update from the update scheduler. At first I couldn't print, I restarted the computer and it went to the background display only, no icons. I shut down the power and now all I get is the gray apple and spinning wheel.
I would advise against the PMU reset. It will not solve a problem with botched software update, and can make matters worse if you have an Intel Mini.
Since your forum name is SeattleMom, I'd suggest you take the Mini to the genius bar at your local Apple store and have them sort this out. Be sure to give them a full description of the steps that preceded the problem. -
start screen comes on with the apple and spinning wheel but underneath it there is a bar. Once the bar fills up my MacBook goes off what is that? What do I do?
Have you tried a safe start by holding the shift key when you boot? If that works, and it can take a while to complete, see if a regular boot now works. If it does, you need to free up space on your hard drive.
If a safe boot doesn't work, you need to either boot from an OS X DVD or go into target disk mode to connect via firewire cable to another mac to free up space on your hard drive. You need 5GB min, with 10% to 15%, or more, better, for systems usage. If you have a backup, move some data files to it, erase them and empty the trash. -
My Macbook Pro shows the Apple and spinning wheel at startup but will not continue the startup. Does anybody know how to get past this, so the computer continues to startup?
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 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.”
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. Use the working Mac to 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
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. The easiest way to deal with the problem is to boot from an external drive, or else to use either of the techniques in Steps 1b and 1c 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 boot 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 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.
Step 7
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.
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
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.
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 corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 6.
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 8
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 9
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.
Step 10
Repeat Step 9, 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 Time Machine or other backup.
Step 11
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 boot 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 12
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. -
TS2570 I have the gray screen problem with the white apple and spinning wheel
I have the gray screen problem when it boots to the white apple and spinning wheel, but when I tried safe booting and doing the fsck thing I think I only made it worse, because it now starts, the safe mode progress bar comes on, (no matter if I press any keys or not) and after a minute shuts down again by itself. I also tried the command option, p, r thing and that did not work either, only brought me to the gray screen with the white apple, spinning wheel, and bar, and it promptly shut down. I am thinking more and more that I need the disk, but im not sure I have it. is it possible to order a new one online or is there another thing I can try? there is not an apple store nearby, and ereasing my data is not an option.
Also Im not sure what my exact opporating system is, but I did buy and download mountainlion in August so It is pretty newWelcome to the Apple Support Communities
The hard disk is damaged. Take the Mac to an Apple Store -
Imac G5 stuck on white loading screen with gray apple and spinning wheel
I purchased this imac from a rebutable seller on ebay. He obviously had it working before he sent it to me, and he has been helpfull the whole way through, so I am positive this computer is not junk. When I recieved it, I plugged it in and turned it on, at first nothing would show up on the screen and the fans came on. Then, I contacted the seller and he told me to hold the shift key while turning it on. That did work to some extent. Now when I turn it on, it is stuck on the white screen with the gray apple and the spinning wheel. He had just updated and installed EVERYTHING imaginable so I am positive everything is up to date. I am not sure what to do, I have researched this but I cannot seem to find an answer. Oh, and even know on the white screen the fans turn on. It is quite weird.
Well, I hope someone can help. Thank you.Call AppleCare. You should not be having problems with a brand-new machine.
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I have tried complete shutdown. Could it be the harddrive?
Roger J wrote:
I have tried complete shutdown. Could it be the harddrive?
You'll find out shorty.
Review the link provided above and also run through these fixes, obvious things will occur if you can't perform them or the hardware test will tell you something.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac -
IMac Will not boot up grey screen, apple, and spinning wheel
Help. Tax time is a good time for this.
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 -
On start-up macbook chimes, grey apple but spinning wheel just keeps spinning and spinning and...
So my Black Intel Macbook running Leopard was acting a bit funny. So I shut it down and tried to re-start it but after it chimes and shows the grey apple and spinning wheel.... it just keeps spinning and spinning. I shut it down and tried pressing the power button and immediately held down the Command (x), Option, P, and R keys simultaneously until hering the startup sound a second time (re-setting the PRAM). I get the same resultsd. Does anyone know what I should try next?
Reinstall OS X:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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. Now restart normally.
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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update. -
White screen grey apple continuous spinning wheel
I have a 2008 MacBook which after starting displays a white screen grey apple and spinning wheel
Have reset pram
Have tried starting holding option when the hard drive appears on screen I click on it and then the up arrow below it this takes me back to the spinning wheel with apple screen
I don't have the original CDs that came with the machine
Any suggestionsSee this Apple note: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
One step has you doing a disk repair using Disk Utility. If you don't have any OS X DVD's to boot from, perhaps you have an external bootable backup to startup and run Disk Utlity. -
Apple and spinning and stops. Safe mode works ok.
I was trying to install DavMail to exccess exchange 2003. after several reboots in the process it now stops at the apple and spinning wheel screen. I can boot into safe mode. There I moved the DavMail and Office 2011 apps to the trash can, but still hangs at the same spot. Can anyone help? Thank you
As in andy's report, I also do not have an
"UpdateSettings" item in
/System/Library/StartupItems.
UpdateSettings seems suspect.
Dr Smoke & Andy:
Thank you for pinpointing the UpdateSettings startup as being aberrant in my StartupItems folder. I'm at work now, and can't try deleting it, (on my home machine,) but will do so once I get home. I think I know the reason why it's there, however. I suspect that you're correct, and that it is supposed to be deleted after a fresh install, (of which I've done so many these last few days.) However, I bet that when you boot in Safe Mode it never has the opportunity to be executed! As you know, I don't have an alternative to booting in Safe Mode, as the machine freezes before I can even login on a standard boot. I can delete the item manually, I guess. Or perhaps I can run it manually so that it gets the chance to do the cleaning up after the install which is probably it's job. (Don't know how to do that, but suspect it will involve invoking it from the terminal, once I check what is inside that folder when I return home.
Thanks again, guys, for your efforts,
Chris -
My iPod touch is frozen and apple screen & spinning wheel keep appearing
Hi I really need help,
I was updating an application on my iPod when suddenly it shut down because the battery was too low.
Then I tried to turn it on again but these apple screen and spinning wheel screen keep appearing until now.
I've tried pressing and holding the home & sleep/wake button at the same time several times, and mostly it didn't work.First, charge the battery thouroughly.
Then, if you're still having a problem, try a system reset. It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...
Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo. Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears. You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.
If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore. Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset. It could take well over an hour! Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync. From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab. Follow directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup. You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod. Again, say "yes."
At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod. As before, say "yes." Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time. If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device. Corrective action is simple - choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.
If you're unable to do the Restore, go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here. -
Will not boot up. Apple shows, spinning wheel shows, a bar comes up on the bottom. It gets to the end of the bar and shuts down.
Will not boot up. Apple shows, spinning wheel shows, a bar comes up on the bottom. It gets to the end of the bar and shuts down.
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Macbook pro will not boot. I get the gray screen, an apple icon and spinning wheel. I tried to start in safe mode, but get this same screen. The only thing different is that I added the zedge update app to do a sync for adding ringtones to my apple cell phone. How can I get a good boot. I am fairly new to apple computer.
Reset PRAM: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405 and then try a normal boot.
Run the Startup Manager to select Startup disk: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310
If those did not work your disk may be sick or dying. The top priority at this point is to make a backup copy of your data.
Check the health of the disk. Boot in Recovery Mode (Boot, Command-R). Run Disk Utility. Click on the upper left disk icon. Does the S.M.A.R.T. status say “Verified”? If not the disk/SSD is unhealthy and needs to be replaced. Even if it does not show “Verified” you can still attempt a backup.
Click on the icon indented below, usually called “Macintosh HD” and Verify Disk. If it finishes with a green “OK” message then all is well with the disk. If it shows errors in red then you have found a problem to address once the system is backed up. Do not attempt software repairs until you have secured the data.
If the disk will not show up at all in Disk Utility as your ran the tests above then it may be dead or it may have a bad internal SATA cable. A trip to an Apple store for confirmation would be in order.
If you have an external disk drive you can use as a backup drive then do so. If not Google “Hitachi USB 3.0 external hard drive 1TB” to purchase one or go to a brick-and-mortar store (including an Apple store) to pickup one. Any 1 TB external drive will do.
Assuming it is still breathing you can try to recover the data without booting from the sick disk.
Reformat the external disk. (This will erase all data on the external disk.)
Boot in Recovery Mode. Start Disk Utility. Plug in the new disk. Select it’s disk Icon (the second one down, left justified). Select the Partition tab.
Partition Layout > Single Partition
Name: Emergency Recovery 1 (or whatever name you wish to use)
Format: Mac OS Extended (journaled)
Options… > GUID Partition Table > OK
Apply
Select the Restore tab.
Drag the old system volume (Macintosh HD) to Source.
Drag the new disk volume (Emergency Recovery 1) to Destination.
Click on Restore.
It may take a long time for the backup.
If that will not complete post back for other emergency data recovery methods, including those from a brody.
If the backup succeeds, use the First Aid tab in Disk Utility to select the old volume (Macintosh HD) and Repair Disk. If it does not finish with a green OK message try to repair it once or twice more. If it repairs with a green OK message, will it boot normally? If not, boot from the Recovery Partition and reinstall OS X.
If it is still not healthy, post back for further instructions.
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