Failure in macbook startup.

I had issues with login on my macbook (running OS X 10.4), in that it would log me in, show me the desktop and then go straight back to the log in box. So it got stuck in a loop.
I tried repairing the disk utilities to fix that problem, using the mac disc that came with my computer, and it showed that there were no issues. When i turned it back on I got this message on a black text only screen:
launchd: com.apple.nibindd: exited abnormally: bad system call
launchd: com.apple.nibindd: respawning too quickly! throttling
launchd: com.apple.nibindd: 6 more failures in 60 seconds will cause job removal
launchd: com.apple.nibindd:: will restart in 10 seconds
and it'll keep doing that, untill it's done it 10 times, and then it'll say local host has no name! or something like that. Sometimes, it'll say this message:
localhost:/ root# (date and time) launchd: com.apple.KernelEventAgent: exited abnormally: bad system call
or this
launchd: com.apple.mDNSResponder: exited abnormally: Bad system call
and repeat the same process.
I've done fsck checks and didn't find anything. Disk utility didn't find anything. I've tried to archive and install, but it tells me that i can't install from the disc. It'll boot up fine in safe mode.
Any suggestions on what i could do ?
Thanks

Hi Harriet, and a warm welcome to the forums!
It'll boot up fine in safe mode.
It could mean that you have some Hardware failure, or it might be 3rd party things, or just corruption.
In Safe Mode try making a new Admin Account & log into that one for a test.
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions...
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check System Preferences, the Other row for possibilities.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

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Yes. It's absolutely normal.
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Hey,
This morning I awoke to a little menu bar application of mine (S.M.A.R.T Updater) that my HD was in risk of immediate failure.
I double checked in disk utility and was greeted with a similar message, basically your HD is about to fail, please save as much data as you can.
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cheers

...could I have carried any of the S.M.A.R.T errors onto my external drive and thus corrupted that as well?
No. "S.M.A.R.T." warnings are hardware warnings that have nothing to do with the software stored on the hard drive. You could have a S.M.A.R.T. warning on a completely blank hard drive.
However, did you run the Disk Utility's "repair drive" option while booted from another disk or drive? If not, you could very well have copied some file directory problems to your backup. File directory errors are not reported as S.M.A.R.T. errors since they're only software-related. So, we can't say that a hardware failure on a hard drive could not have introduced some software problems that may have been copied. I would startup from another drive (your Mac OS X install disk or your bootable backup) and run the Disk Utility on your MacBook's hard drive and run the "repair disk" option. If there are no file directory errors reported (or none that can't be fixed) then your data should be secure. You could also run the Disk Utility from your MacBook on your backup to check for errors.
-Doug

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My MacBook is about a year old, and recently it became extremely slow during startup. At first it just seemed a little slow, but the past couple of days it has taken more and more time. It's now taking 5 - 10 minutes to fully come on. Once it's on, everything is fine.
I've troubleshooted in Apple Communities and tried all of the advice I've found, but nothing seems to be working. Here are the details.
My computer:
MacBook
OS 10.7.4
Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3
Available hard disk space: 163.27 GB free (out of 249.2 GB)
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3. Updated system software - no major updates (I update regularly to begin with)
4. Check System Monitor for hidden activity - Almost no activity (no other programs were running at the time); no strange users or activity
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AlBayanBold.ttf
AmericanTypewriter.ttc
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Apple Chancery.ttf
Apple LiGothic Medium.ttf
Apple LiSung Light.ttf
AppleCasual.dfont
AppleMyungjo.ttf
Arial Black.ttf
Arial Bold Italic.ttf
Arial Bold.ttf
Arial Italic.ttf
Arial Narrow Bold Italic.ttf
Arial Narrow Bold.ttf
Arial Narrow Italic.ttf
Arial Narrow.ttf
Arial Rounded Bold.ttf
Arial Unicode.ttf
Arial.ttf
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ArialHBBold.ttf
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CorsivaBold.ttf
Courier New Bold Italic.ttf
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DevanagariMT.ttf
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儷黑 Pro.ttf
华文仿宋.ttf
华文宋体.ttf
华文楷体.ttf
华文细黑.ttf
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7. Verified and repaired disk permissions (there were several differences, they were all repaired).
I don't know what else to try. My Mac's not making any strange noises, and is otherwise running well. The only thing that I can think of is that it's been too humid in my house recently (rainy season in Japan). But the slow startup seems to be the same regardless of time of day and humidity, and if it were humidity I have no idea how to fix that. Also, none of my other Mac devices seem to be similarly affected, so I doubt that's the problem.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

It turns out that my hard drive was shot. I took my MacBook to the Apple Store on Wednesday, they kept it for analysis and repair. They replaced the hard drive, and I've already got it back (Friday; less than two days in total).
Although I did check my hard disk with the disk utility, it did not identify the problem.
Some other troubleshooting advice that I overlooked was to try reinstalling my OS and to try starting up in Safe Mode. Neither would have helped in this case, but they may be useful for someone else having similar problems.
Other advice - always make sure your data is backed up and that you Apple Care coverage is up to date.

Macbook Startup Problems, and Problems

When I startup my Macbook, it has been getting stuck on the blue screen typically associated with the startup and log-in. A few unique characteristics of my problem:
The screen regularly flashes white from the blue
Every so often(rarely) the screen changes to the log-in associated with startup, so I log-in, carefully so as to not mess up the user name or password and it immediately returns to the blue(flashing) screen.
My problems first began when I was using my Macbook and it was unable to open any applications that I had. I proceeded to shutdown the computer and then attempt to boot it up, at which point it froze at the gray apple screen with the spinning loader.
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Are you serious?!! Couldn't be anything else? I recall it did this one time a few years ago when I was running a 3rd party backup software. After I removed it, the problem went away.
Replacing the hard drive, in my opinion, is a last ditch effort. Surely there are some other diagnostics to confirm.
Kim

B&W Macbook startup problem - no solution suggested in forums has worked

Hi there,
I encountered a problem using Word on my white Macbook yesterday, so restarted (by selecting the 'restart' option from the apple menu) to try to fix it.
It would not restart: it showed a white screen with the apple sign for ages, followed by a prohibitory sign, then eventually the apple sign again, followed by a flashing folder with a question mark. I have tried the following options (found by searching the forums), to no avail:
(NB #1: almost all my data is backed up, therefore I don't need to worry about salvaging lost data.)
(NB #2: I am not exactly sure what operating system this machine uses, but I think it's 10.5. The model number is A1181, it was bought refurbished from Apple in June 2008, and the info on the barcode label under the battery says 'MB 13/2 16/2X512/120/SD-DL:WHITE'.)
Resetting the PRAM: the problem persisted.
Tried to perform an archive and install using the install disk. On the first attempt, after selecting the 'archive and install option' and then selecting the HD as the 'destination', the process performed some sort of disk check. It either completed the disk check, or nearly completed it (I left the room when it was about 80% done), but then showed an error message saying that it had encountered a problem and that I needed to restart (I think! I didn't write down exactly what the message said).
I restarted and attempted to run the archive and install process again (several times). However, this time, no destination volumes are shown at the 'Select a Destination' step. So, I'm unable either to archive and install or to erase and install.
Tried to repair HD using the disk utility function but encounter a 'First Aid Failed' error message which says: 'The underlying task reported failure on exit'.
Tried booting in safe mode several times, with slightly different unsuccessful results:
1st attempt (with the install disk still in the drive): a grey screen with text appeared along with a message telling me to restart by holding down the power button, which I did. However, the restart just returned me to the install disk process again, and I encountered the same problems with no destination shown at the 'Select a Destination' step and the inability to repair the HD using the disk utility.
2nd attempt (with the install disk still in the drive): would not start up, apple sign followed by prohibitory sign.
3rd attempt (having ejected the disk by restarting whilst holding down the mousepad button): apple sign displayed for a long time; eventually the screen went off then came on again (along with the restart sound), but remained white (no apple sign displayed).
4th attempt (disk still ejected): apple sign displayed for a long time, eventually screen went blank and came on again (along with the restart sound), apple sign displayed, then prohibitory sign, apple sign again, then folder with question mark.
Tried using fsck but failed. Started up in single-user mode, but got an error message saying: "Error loading kernel 'mach_kernel' (0x80000012)"
Tried SMC reset but this made no difference.
I would be hugely grateful for any helpful suggestions!
Thanks very much.
Rebecca

Mr Blumple wrote:
Thanks very much both of you!
If I buy a new HD and then run my install disks, will this return the Macbook to the same state (software-wise) as when I bought it?
Yes, also... if you take the old drive and put it in an external Firewire or USB enclosure you may be able to save some of your data files.
pancenter-

MacBook startup issues

how can i fix my macbook from spinning on startup? I tried starting in safe mode but it still did not work?

Mark H 10000,
which model MacBook do you have, and which version of OS X is installed on it?

Macbook startup problem

My macbook will startup only in save boot mode - otherwise it either comes to the login screen and nothing happens or I don't get the login option, only the apple logo and the cursor. . . it worked fine yesterday on the train, since I've neither installed nor deleted anything.

Try this:
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 and 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.
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You may have a corrupted preference file. If the previous doesn't help then create a new user account, log out of your normal account and log into the new one. Set the new account as the default at login and restart the computer. See if this causes the problem to cease. If so then you probably have a bad preference file or cache file. You can use software such as TinkerTool System to help clean out caches.

MacBook Startup Chime Repeating

Hi, I have a late a late 2009 Macbook and im having a problem with the startup chime repeating and its starting to get rather annoying. It usually just gets to the point where i get sick of listening to it and just hold down the power button to restart it. I have had a look around on other forums and have seen a few people posting the same problem but im yet to find a solution. Have tried the 4 key combo for reseting the PRAM and the problem went away for a couple of days, not sure if it was just a coincidence or... taking it into apple to get looked at isn't really an option as i'm not in the original country of purchase and am constantly travelling at the moment. Anyways has anyone had the same problem or has any ideas on how to solve this? it would be very much appreciated!!
Also it sounds like the chime sound file is corrupted, it crackles a little towards the end of it and cuts off before it finishes and then just loops again....
Message was edited by: ValdiCBU

Hello v:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
The single chime is an audible indication that the Mac has successfully performed self testing at start up.
The repeat is a new one and I do not know if that is indicating some sort of hardware issue.
You could reset the PRAM again and also reset the SMC:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Barry

Globe Logo During Macbook Startup

I have a macbook, and owned it for almost a year now.
Ever since i updated that firmware, I have some issues with startup.
When I start-up I always get a globe logo sign that used to come out only when I had some sort of updates.
Also, I realized that when i am hooked into a network via ethernet cable the globe logo pops out for almost about a min or longer.
either case, I don't like it slowing down my startup time.
Please let me know if there are any solutions

The post above mine answers the question, I just wanted to offer a quick explanation. Somehow, your startup disk is set to Network, which is checking your network for a networked harddrive to boot from. I assume what's happening is that it's not finding one, it boots from the secondary source, OS X.

Macbook Startup Issue - Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

My 2006 mac book had a start up issue a couple of years back, I'd boot her up to be greeted with a screen displaying a start up failed message in three different languages on a grey screen. http://www.minneapolispcrepair.com/images/mac%20error%20screen.jpg
Looking into the issue I noticed this model of Macbooks had issues with their hard drives and they could be replaced under warranty. Brilliant, booked myself into see a Genius and ha presto a few weeks later my hard drive had been replaced. However a couple of weeks after the replacement the issue started happening again but after a few attempts the Macbook would fire up so it wasn't really an issue just a pain in the butt!! Now 18 months down the line its becoming a real issue again, it must take 7 or 8 attempts to fire the blasted thing up, 25 is my highest so how.
My question is, what could be causing this start up issue, could it be the hard drive again???? as replacing the hard drive previously didn't really solve the issue in the first place?? Would apple replace this hard drive again????
The MB is a late 2006 model with Dual Core run Snow Leopard
Hope someone can help :o(
Thanks
Deano

This looks like a kernel panic. Try to startup the mac in safe mode (http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455) and observe for a few startups whether the problem occurs again or not.
If this solves the problem then you may have a problem with your software installation. Consider reinstalling os x or take a look at your system log file and search for kernel panics (http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3742).
If the problem persists you may have an issue with your hardware. I would recommend to take it to an Apple Genius to have the system checked (free of charge afaik).

Failure in macbook startup.

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