Grey screen flashing question and apple logo

My power mac G4 wont boot passed a grey screen flashing apple logo and question mark. Have tried every option that the support can give you. still nothing. tried the apple hardware test and doesnt seem to be effecting it at all??? What should i do?

If you hold the Option/alt key at bootup, what shows as boot choives?
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Or does it not show at all?
Tough without the Install disc, but some things to try...
Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

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HT4177 My mackbook pro suddenly freezed and when I swiched off and on again, a grey screen appeared with an apple logo then a loading circle underneath, and after a few hours, a blue screen appeared. What shall I do with this?

My mackbook pro suddenly freezed and when I swiched off and on again, a grey screen appeared with an apple logo then a loading circle underneath, and after a few hours, a blue screen appeared. What shall I do with this?

What operating system version, and do you have any backups of your data off the machine? TimeMachine? Option Key bootable clones? Storage? DVD's?
A reinstall of the operating system may be in order as a last resort, so if any of these steps on these links get you into the machine, make sure to backup your personal data (Music, Pictures, Documents, Movies) off the machine to a non-encrypted powered external drive regular storage drive (not TimeMachine as it might be corrupted too) and disconnect as soon as possible.
Good Luck and report back all what you tried.
Also report what change occured before this tragedy happened, was there a Software Update? A EFI firmware update? Etc.
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS3148
more:
https://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8963.html
To boot off the 10.6 install disk, hold c or option key while the disk is in the machine.
To boot into 10.7 Recvoery mode, hold the command and r keys down while booting.
To use Safe mode, hold down the Shift Key while booting.
Other assistance
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
https://support.apple.com/kb/ht1782
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

MacBook Pro grey screen on startup, no apple logo.

Hello,
Today I've been working on my MBP(2009) and everything worked perfectly, then I had to shut my MBP down. It happened with no problem. Next time when I've tried to start it up, only grey screen appeared with no Apple logo and it persists no matter how long I wait. Anybody who encountered the same issue?
Thank you for your help.

I have followed this text, however I have no peripheral devices connected (no charger, no ethernet, no usb filled). They tell me to access the modes with keyboard shortcuts, but I cannot do that, when I cannot get over the grey screen at the beginning.

TS3243 My Desktop Mac won't startup, it turns on to the grey screen flashing question file. I have been able to startup from the snow leopard install cd but once I try to repair within DU the disk never appears in the side panel. The only thing there is "

My Desktop Mac won't startup, it turns on to the grey screen flashing question file. I have been able to startup from the snow leopard install cd but once I try to repair within DU the disk never appears in the side panel. The only thing there is "Media"... What can I do? Help!

If Disk Utility cannot see your drive it doesn't look good.
You could try DiskWarrior. It is expensive but can often fix directory structures where DU cannot.
Replacing the drive is also a strong likelihood. If you don't have a fairly recent backup, then it might be worth buying DiskWarrior
additonal notes;
Gray screen appears during startup

HT1430 ipad screen goes blank and apple logo appears

whilst I am using my ipad the screen suddenly gies blank, apple logo appears, and after approxiamately a minute my screen reappears- i have tried to re-set but nothing seems to work?

I'm so sorry to hear the reset is not helping. But the good news is apple has a 1 year hardware warranty, so if anything goes wrong with the product that is not your fault, they will fix it for you. I would suggest bringing it into the store. Good Luck, hope everything works out!

I try and start my imac and a grey screen appears with the apple logo and shuts down what is wrong?

my i mac just shuts down after apple logo appears what is wrong?

Your post only says iMac. We need to know what version of OSX you are running.
Did your computer come with Installation disks? If so, place the DVD in the DVD drive and reboot the computer while holding down "C" until the comuter boots.
Run Disk Utility on your hard drive and post back any messages you receive.

Grey screen/ flashing question mark folder help!

my macbook starts up into the grey screen (no logo or indicator) and will eventually go into the flashing folder with the question mark. After hours of scouring forums I have tried the following things:
restart holding c with install disc in -> macbook spins disk, thinks, ejects disk
restart holding option -> grey screen, this time with movable cursor, does not advance from there. i left it for about ten minutes- should i leave it longer?
reset PMU as per Apple article -> no effect
reset PRAM as per Apple article -> no effect
i'm beginning to become resigned to the fact that it might be an HDD issue. i feel as though i should still be able to boot from disc. i could be wrong. just wondering if anyone has ANY other suggestions before going to Apple for repairs.

If the computer is under warranty the cost is carried by Apple. If it isn't, here's what I'd do...then again, I'm a tech and have access to lots of equipment. First I'd remove the drive (easy to do. turn off the computer, remove the battery, remove the little gate, remove the drive. The instructions are in the little booklet that came with the computer) and put it into an enclosure, connect to another computer and run drive diagnostics. If the drive can be repaired I'd format it, clone from my backup, and return to the computer. If the drive is dead I'd buy a new drive, clone from my backup, and be back up and running. There's a third, remote possibility - that the problem is the logic board and not the drive. But it is remote.
What I'm getting at here is that yes, you can do it yourself but...you probably don't have an enclosure for a 2.5" drive so you'll probably just have to assume the drive is toast and buy a new one - check out NewEgg or Macsales.com. Without the external drive enclosure you give up the chance of restoring the drive and recovering data. Then again, if you can't anyway you'll have wasted $$$ on an enclosure you didn't need.
Instead of worrying about what you've heard, call the local store and get a quote on replacing the drive and installing a drive that you bring yourself. That'll give you a ballpark figure to work with and you can move forward from there.

Empty grey screen on startup, no Apple logo

I have an iBook G4 late 2003 running OS 10.3.9- On startup all I get is an empty grey screen, no Apple logo, no whirling gear. I immediately zapped the PRAM and reset the PMU with no change: the empty grey screen remained. I then restarted pressing the option key and I got a circular arrow for restart and an arrow pointing to the right, but no icons above them, meaning neither the Macintosh Hard Disk or the Tech Tool eDrive partition was recognized. I then tried to start the computer from the installation disk. The first time, I got the Apple logo, but that was followed by a kernel panic. I tried restarting again from the installation disk and got the Apple logo and the whirling gear, but that went on spinning ad infinitum leading nowhere. I gave up and turned it off. I suspect my iBook is ready for a funeral of some sort. If there is any way to revive it, I would be grateful to hear how from someone more expert than myself.

Hello Ira,
Does your iBook still have the original hard drive? I only ask because I had similar problems recently with the original drive on my iBook G3. After much testing and then finally replacing the hard drive corrected the problem, not that your issue is necessarily the same.
Are you able to start it up in Target Disc Mode? If so. and you have another Firewire enabled Mac to connect to, you could run Disk Utility or DiskWarrior, if you have it, on that drive to evaluate it.
If your hard drive is at fault and the Startup Manager isn't letting you select the drive, I suspect that Target mode will not work either, but give it a try.
Someone else may have a different take on this, so stay tuned.
Randy

HT1199 my computer displays grey screen and apple logo for 10 minutes or more during start up and shut down. sometimes it refuses to shut down . this issues started after installing OS lion. what do i do?

my computer displays grey screen and apple logo for 10 minutes or more during start up and shut down. sometimes it refuses to shut down . this issues started after installing OS lion. what do i do?

I don't think it's exactly an incomplete installation brody, but most likely in-correct permissions somewhere along the line that either happened, or became magnified during the upgrade. Also, it could be corruption as well.
First thing to do, is boot up holding down Shift key to do a safe-boot so we an clean up any corrupted OS caches, after that do another reboot, but go to the Lion recovery, and scan the HD for errors, repair any if you find them, and then try to do a Repair Permissions job.
That should fix the issue, if not, we can start doing a PRAM reset and SMC for good measure.

I have some old pagemaker files that I need to open so I have bought a G3 on ebay. It turns on OK but all that comes uo on the screen is an envelope with alternating question mark and apple logo. Any ideas?

I have some old pagemaker files that I need to open so I have bought a G3 on ebay. It turns on OK but all that comes uo on the screen is an envelope with alternating question mark and apple logo. Any ideas?

I suggest you get 9.2. You need to install the same or later version of the OS. One some computer the shipped version has extra drivers. The drivers will not be in the official release in this case 9.1. They would be in 9.2.
Mac OS 9.1 (Mac OS ROM 7.5.1) and Mac OS X 10.0.4 (4P13)
*blinking question mark*
The blinking question mark means that your mac firmware could not find a valid operating system
on one of your disk volumes.
Somethings to do to resolve the blinking question mark.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
Try holding down the option key then power on. This brings up the startup manager. Click on your hd. Click on right arrow key.
You need to figure out the level of your firmware before installing 10.2 or greater. ( The PC name for firmware is BIOS. ) Installing 10.2 with a down level firmware will most likely make your iMac unusable and difficult to fix.
What is firmware?
The firmware software receives control when you poweron your machine. It does some hardware testing and some hardware configuration then passes control to your version of Mac OS. It reside on a PROM ( program read only memory ) chip on the logic board.
Figuring out what level of firmware you have?
Open Firmware, boot into Open Firmware.
Power on your iMac while holding down command+option+o+f
The first output line contains the firmware level. Mine reads:
Apple PowerMac4,1 4.1.9f1 BootRom built on 09/14/01 at 13.18.04
Copyright 1994-2001 Apple Computer Inc.
On my machine, I have 4.1.9f1.
What firmware do you need?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
For a slot loading iMac, this article indicates that you need to be running 9.1 or later version of Mac OS Classic.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75130
"The iMac Firmware Update 4.1.9 will only run on iMac computers with lot-loading CD or DVD drives running Mac OS 9.1 or later from a local drive. If you are using Mac OS X you must boot from a local Mac OS 9.1 or later writeable partition (not a CD, or network disk) prior to following the update instructions."
You can download the Mac OS 9 updates from the Apple site.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1387?viewlocale=en_US

Help. ipad air flashes between white apple logo and unlock screen?

help. ipad air flashes between white apple logo and unlock screen? how do i fix this ?

You can try resetting your iPad by simultaneously pressing and holding the Home and Sleep/Wake buttons until you see the Apple Logo. This can take up to 15 seconds so be patient and don't release the buttons until the logo appears.
Try again to see if the problem persists.

My Iphone 4S keeps flashing between the Apple logo, blank screen and sign in. It will not let me sign in, nor can I power it off. Help!

My Iphone 4S keeps flashing between the Apple logo, blank screen and sign on screen. It will not let me sign on or power off. It started about 20 mins ago. One of my friends started having the same issue at the same time. How can I fix this?

Hi Bucky16,
If you haven't already done so, you may want to reset the iPhone:
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Turning off and on (restarting) and resetting
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1430
If the above does not resolve your issue, the next best step will be to restore your iPhone using a computer with iTunes:
iTunes: Restoring iOS software
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
Thanks,
Matt M.

Recovery mode and apple logo/blue screen flashing

Hello, guys.
I'm very desperate here at the moment.
I tried to upload my iPhone 5S to iOS 8 so I could start using iCloud (I have no back up of my photos yet!!!)
It didn't work and my phone went to recovery mode. After some research, I found some programmes to exit phone from recovery mode.
The thing is even when apparently it goes out of recovery mode, the Apple logo keeps on showing in the screen for a while and then a completely blue screen flashes. And it starts again.
I put my phone back to what I think is the recovery mode (screen asking to connect to iTunes).
Anyone can please help me with that? I'm quite desperate at the moment, feels like I'm either going to lose all my photos or (worst case), my phone.
Many thanks, guys!
Rafael

I'm afraid your data is gone by now already. To get at least the phone working again, visit an Authorized Apple Service Provider or Apple Store to get the phone checked.
iPhone - Contact Support - Apple Support

My ipod touch 4th generation has frozen whilst being turned back on. The apple logo has been on the screen and ever so often the screen flashes white and then black. How do I get it to unfreeze at this stage?

My ipod touch 4th generation has frozen whilst being turned back on. The apple logo has been on the screen and ever so often the screen flashes white and then black. How do I get it to unfreeze at this stage?

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

I was in the middle of updating my iphone 4 (? version 10.1) when an error message appeared. Screen now frozen with apple logo, empty bar below and phone won't turn on or off

I have a frozen screen (black with the apple logo & an empty bar below) following an error message that appeared during an update of version 10.1 on my iphone 4.
I am not able to turn off the phone (or on!) Any ideas?

The iPod Touch kept trying to reboot yesterday but would only show the Apple logo screen then shut off - it finally drained the battery overnight I am guessing. Connected to USB the battery charging icon flashes.
Took it back to Best Buy, but they wouldn't touch it or replace it since it's under warranty.
To any potential buyers - beware. My best advice is to look somewhere besides Apple. Every Mac user I know has had to return a Mac, laptop, etc. Really poor quality control, and the retailers agree (Geek Squad told me they have had the same experience with Apple products).

Grey screen flashing question and apple logo

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