Grey Screen Only - I've Tried Many Remedies

Last night, all seemed well with my computer when I shut down.
Now, on startup, there is a short delay, the Mac chime, and then grey screen. No cursor. No mac symbol of any sort. It will not go past grey screen only.
I only need to hold the power button for a moment to shut down after the grey screen. From what I've read it sounds like some people may have to hold it longer, but I don't.
I've tried the following remedies, shutting down after each to look for some sort of change.
1) I've unplugged all devices except for the keyboard and one monitor and restarted. No change on restart.
2) I've attempted a Safe Boot, holding shift while starting. No change on restart.
3) I've reset the NVRAM / PRAM, and the second chime rings out as it should. After letting off cmd-opt-P-R, it goes back to grey screen. No change on restart.
4) I attempted to use Disc Utility from the Install Disc. Starting up holding the mouse down didn't open the optical drive, so I opened it with a paperclip. I inserted the install disc. I shut down and started again holding C, and it wouldn't start from the disc. No change.
5) I've checked all cables. Unplugged and plugged back in. The computer and monitor have power, and the computer at least momentarily recognizes the keyboard long enough to perform a PRAM Reset, but doesn't respond to any other startup shortcuts that I know.
6) I have no third-party ram or internal hardware to remove.
7) I cannot start up off a disc, so I cannot perform an Archive And Install or an Erase And Install.

Thank you for the prompt reply!
I have 2 backups. I have Time Machine running in the background to one external drive, AND I occasionally (especially after doing extremely important work) clone all my internal drives to dedicated external drives using Carbon Copy Cloner.
I started up from my cloned OS drive. It works just fine. I then re-installed the old OS drive, and it's back to grey screen. Does it sound like drive failure to you?
I could use just a little more feedback.
My cloned OS that functions is not as up to date as my latest Time Machine backup. I haven't needed to use Time Machine yet, so I'd like a suggestion. At this point, should I try to restore individual files, or should I startup on the installer disc and "Restore System from Backup"?
If I was more confident that my original problem was just drive failure, then doing a full Restore System from Backup would sound fine. If it could have been corrupted files of some sort I'm wary of doing a full Restore, as I'd be Restoring over what is currently my only working copy of the OS.
Suggestions?

Similar Messages

  • When I try to start up my macbook, it makes the startup noise, but won't go any farther than the white/grey screen. I've tried the commands and nothing has worked. Please help

    When I try to start up my macbook, it makes the startup noise, but won't go any farther than the white/grey screen. I've tried the commands and nothing has worked. Please help

    Hey marleyrose,
    Thanks for the question. I understand that you are experiencing issues with your MacBook. The following resource may provide a solution:
    Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
    Thanks,
    Matt M.

  • Startup shows grey screen only.

    PowerMac G4 dual 1.25 GHz.
    Pulled all HDDs from machine so only the original combo drive is left. Attempt to boot Tiger install disc and I get a grey screen with the Apple logo. I boot the supplied hardware test disc and it boots up and runs the tests in a loop for several days and doesn't report any errors.
    Any ideas on what I can try?
    Thanks,
    -Mark

    When I boot from a HD (which I put back into the machine):
    Darwin Kernel Version 9.2.0...
    (I have to type all of this in since I can't copy it so please excuse typos, I'll try not to make too many)
    MAC Framework successfully initialized
    using 6553 buffer headers and 4096 cluster IO buffer headers
    ApplePlatformExpert::getGMTTimeOfDay can not provide time of day RTC did not show up
    mbinit:done
    Security auditing service present
    BSM auditing present
    rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: 8E7E87B0....
    Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClasss</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string.<dict>
    Still waiting for root device
    Still waiting for root device
    (this message repeats)
    ==========================================
    When I boot from the Tiger install DVD:
    standard timeslicing quantum is 10000 us
    vmpagebootstrap: 316273 free pages
    migtable_maxdispl = 70
    Copyright notice
    using 3276 buffer headers and 3276 cluster IO buffer headers
    Extension "com.appe.driver.KeyLargoATA" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.AppleDACAAudio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.Apple02Audio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.Apple02DBDMAAudio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.Apple02DBDMAAudio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.AppleTexasAudio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.Apple02Audio" has no kernel dependency.
    Extension "com.apple.driver.Apple02DBDMAAudio" has no kernel dependency.
    ========================
    Original 10.2.3 software and install disc that came with the machine:
    standard timeslicing quantum is 10000 us
    vmpagebootstram: 315704 free pages
    migtable_maxdispl = 64
    COLOR video console at 0x9c00800 (1600x1200x8)
    IOkit Component Version 6.3
    Wed Jan 8 19:08:03 PST 2003; root(rcbuilder):RELEASE_PPC/iokit/RELEASE
    _cppInit done
    IODeviceTreeSupport done
    Recording startup extensions.
    Copryright notice
    using 3276 buffer headers and 3276 cluster IO buffer headers
    we have cy2213
    ATIRadeon8500: using AGP
    ApplePlatformExpert::getGMTTimeOfDay can not provide time of day RTC did not show up
    devfs enabled
    IOKitBSDInit
    From path: "/pci@f2000000/mac-io@17/ata-3@20000/disk@0:9,/mach_kernel", Waiting on <dict ID="0"...
    Still waiting for root device
    (and this last message repeats)
    =================================================
    I had to type these in on a different machine so please excuse the typos - I didn't put in the Copyright notice and I just noted the repeated messages.

  • Startup Disc is full and now the laptop opens to a grey screen only.

    I was downloading a large amount of photos onto my MacBook last night, I was aware I was running out of space but didn't realize I was that close. During the second download the process just stopped and I got messages that the startup disc was full. I had to Force Quit iPhoto as it was frozen. When I returned to iPhoto after working with other iPhoto libraries on an external HD I could not open the iPhoto on my MacBook - I got some message saying that I needed to check my permissions to (make changes?) something like that. Everytime the same message. I restarted my computer and now when it powers up and I log in it takes me to a grey screen and stops there. The only thing I can do is move the cursor. I left that up overnight just to see if it needed time and woke to the same grey screen.
    I'm getting a bit panicked as all my documents for work and photos are on this laptop. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get back into my files so I can remove photos to free up space on the startup disc?
    Many thanks,
    Bob

    Try a Safe Boot;
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564?viewlocale=en_US
    That may free up enough space to access the HDD and delete data from the drive.
    If that does not work, you will have to connect your MBP to another Mac to access the internal HDD.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1661
    Also do not forget to empty trash when you delete data.  Only then is space allocated for new data.
    Ciao.

  • Macbook won't boot up - grey screen only

    Hi,
    I have a core duo MacBook from summer 2007.
    All of a sudden the MacBook won't boot up. The battery is fully charged and AC adapter plugged in (same symptoms if not plugged in). The following occurs upon pressing the power button:
    1) Start-up chime sounds
    2) Can hear hard drive and fans start up
    3) Screen turns grey
    4) Nothing happens (screen still grey)
    Thoughts? I tried resetting PRAM and PMU with no changes.

    I have the same problem, just the grey screen and tried
    - resetting PRAM (second chime, so this should be OK)
    - Safe Mode (just the same)
    and pressing Option (or C) to choose the Mac OS X Install Disc gives me the wonderful cursor which can be moved by moving the mouse. No harddisk and even no Install DVD are displayed on the screen.
    Also The Apple Hardware Test (by pressing D) doesn't get further than the, now familiar, grey screen.
    I pressed the keys with different keyboards, with the original white keyboard and with the aluminium keyboard.
    As I've tried everything, I think there's something seriously wrong. Does anybody have some last tips that I can try?

  • No Startup chime and grey screen only

    Hi,
    I have a 15" Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz (Tiger), it has no startup chime (just the click, whirr of the hard drive spinning up) and it goes to a light grey screen and nothing else.
    if I connect it to an external monitor then I see my desktop on the external monitor but still nothing on the laptop screen. I replaced the screen and the LVDS cable and it is still the same result.
    I tried resetting PRAM but since there is no chime and the external monitor comes on last I can't really tell if that did anything. I also tried booting into open firmware (to reset NVRAM) but again it doesn't seem to work since the external monitor powers up last in the startup cycle.
    Any suggestions?
    PRAM battery? (which is almost certainly dead).
    Thanks

    I'd try resetting the PMU also:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431

  • Grey screen on safari when trying to open pdf files

    Yesterday I was reading a pdf file in my safari 3.0.4 web browser when safari froze unexpectedly and crashed. When I re-opened safari, I am now no longer able to view pdf files in the browser or at all. It opens up, starts loading and stays at a grey screen. I'm using adobe reader 7.0 and I've never had problems before but this is really frustrating to not be able to open up pdfs anymore!
    Also, I downloaded firefox to see if it would work on there and it works to download and view pdfs but I can't seem to view pdf files directly in the firefox browser without downloading them to the desktop. What should I do?

    You're welcome Joanne. Glad to hear all is functioning in the PDF realm.
    When you get a chance, click on "My Settings" on the right side of the screen. There, you can change your tag to reflect the latest version of your OS. As you are using Safari 3.0.4, it would be either Tiger's 10.4.11 or Leopard's 10.5.1.
    Mahalo for the and
    Aloha from Big Island.

  • My MacBook brings up the grey screen only with a folder with a "?" on it

    What do you do when the grey screen comes up with a folder with a "?" on it?

    Please describe in detail all you have attempted to do in order to resolve the issue.
    It is very difficult to offer troubleshooting suggestions when the "os version" you are using is unknown as each os has their own troubleshooting solutions.
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
    Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

  • IMac mid 2007, 2.4 Ghz, 800 MHz... Grey screen only, running OS 10.5.8.  Tried reinstalling, restoring, and resetting but to no avail.  Possible to install OS 10.6 and get it to boot?

    Try to boot and only getGrey screen, sometimes with the globe f
    Asking, sometimes not. 
    I am running OS 10.5.8.  Tried reinstalling, restoring, and resetting both with installation disc and without, but to no avail. 
    I recently upgraded from 1GB memory to 4 GB.  It ran great for a couple of weeks, when I eventually powered it off, it would not come back.  With installation disc, I did get to the utilities and tried repair and even reinstall original OS (several updates down from 10.5.8).  At one point, I was able to restore a previous session, but it only lasted for about 3 days until I powered it off again, then back to square 1.  I have verified the Macintosh HD disc and repaired it, I have reset everything I can find that might need resetting... Still nothing.
    SO, is it toast, or is it possible to install OS 10.6 and get it to boot?

    Erase the drive then install OS X:
    Drive Partition and Format
    1. 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.
    If you are preparing an external or a non-startup drive, then open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    If this doesn't work then the drive is probably bad or some of the new RAM you installed is marginally defective.

  • No booting, grey screen only

    Mac Book Pro will not boot up. Start sounds, light comes on and that's it.
    Tried holding down T at start-up, a looong loong time later firewire symbol came on but attached computer did not recognize my computer.
    Tried 'safe mode' and again, after a looong loong time a file symbol with a '?' comes on.
    Have no additional software besides what came w/it. Had one kernel panic a month or so ago but was told it was "nothing" and just restarted computer.
    Very new to all this.
    Thanks for any help.
    Jan2

    If I were you this is what I would try:
    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    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.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) 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.
    If your system still doesn't work or if your hard drive was not repairable you will have to reformat the drive and re-install OS X from scratch.
    For future reference you posted this in the Mac Pro forum. You should have posted it in one of the MacBook Pro forums. Please be sure that in the future you post your questions in the proper forum.

  • IMac late 2009 i7 2t HDD, Grey screen problem on rebooting, tried all support recommendations inc re installation of Yosemite,  now about to wipe HDD backing up from time machine would like to go back to mavericks on this 2 days before help please

    OSX Yosemite gray screen at startup, tried all Apple Support recommendations inc reinstall, now need to wipe HDD backing up from time machine, would like to backup 2days before Yosemite installation ie Mavericks help please

    Do a backup, preferably 2 seperate ones.
    Revert to a Previous OS X
    Revert Yosemite to Mavericks
    If you do revert, I'd use Setup Assistant to restore your data. This process takes a while, so do it when you won't need the computer for several hours, based on my experience.

  • Grey screen only after start up tone

    Have a 2008 Mac Pro, when I start it up, I get the start up tone, then it just goes to a gray screen.  A few times yesterday, the Apple logo would show up with the spinning wheel...even once got the "No Entry" sign.  Is this a power supply issue or a drive issue or something else?  Is there any way to get the info of the drives?

    The chime is generated in software after millions of instructions have been executed. It indicates that if an appropriate Boot device can be found, booting is likely.
    The gray screen can only occur after the software initializes the display.
    The Gray Apple is loaded off a Boot device -- it is not present in the ROM code available at Startup.
    In summary, you have progressed far beyond fundamental problems like power supplies. This article address the "No entry" sign:
    Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

  • TS2570 My Mac stays stuck on the grey screen. Doesn't boot up. I've tried everything the shift key to safe boot still doesn't boot. I've tried the option key n only has one option to go into. please help. problem Is I bought off a friend so I have no disk

    My Mac stays stuck on grey screen. I've tried the option key. The shift keys. Nothing helps. The problem is I bought the computer off a friend and I don't have any disks. Any suggests would be great..

    Can you see a serial number anywhere? Don't post it here, just let me know if if you have it.

  • IMac really stuck at grey screen - tried everything

    Hi,
    everytime I try to boot my iMac it gets stuck at the first grey screen. No logo, no loader, nothing but a grey screen.
    I have tried everything here > http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570 > with no results. The grey screen remains there, with no changes.
    The only thing that seems to work, but only for a seconds, is holding the option (alt) key at startup. After a few seconds, the pointer of the mouse appears. And then, a few seconds later, it gets stuck too. That's the farthest I've managed to get.
    I can insert and get install DVDs back, but they don't seem to load.
    I've tried also DiskWarrior, with the same results.
    Any ideas?

    Hey jflam sorry to hear that. I know how frustrating that can be. One thing that the article doesn't mention that I'd try is repairing the disk from single user mode.
    Boot to single user mode by holding down command-S at startup.
    -If it works right it should take you to a black screen w/ white letters.
    -Then just follow the steps in from this website. http://homepage.mac.com/geerlingguy/mac_support/mac_help/pages/0009-fsck_su_disk _repair.html
    -Make sure if it tells you the disk has been modified that you repeat the command.
    -If it says it's ok or if you can't boot to single user mode then it sounds like a hardware problem. You'd have to take the computer into an Apple Retail Store or Authorized Apple Service Provider to get your options on how to fix it.
    Best of luck!

  • Installed beta for Yosemite on MacBook pro- now it keeps restarting(grey page only) without letting me get to log in page so I can install newly released Yosemite- tried safe mode still won't let me in??

    Cant get my MacBook Pro to let me log in because beta-Yosemite keeps restarting and I can't install new Yosemite- Tried safe mode but all I get is grey screen?

    Have you tried booting in Yosemite's Recovery partition by holding down the command and R keys whilst booting?
    You should be able to re-install OS X if you can get that far.
    Clinton
    MacBook Pro (15” Late 2011), OS X Yosemite 10.10, 16GB Crucial RAM, 960GB M500 Crucial SSD, 27” Apple Thunderbolt Display

Maybe you are looking for