Head Scratcher: PMG5 boots off of OEM disc, not off of HD

Here's a stumper:
Out of Warranty PM G5 1.6ghz machine, came into shop,
for MLB replacement ( wasn't putting out video, although vid card tested fine.)
Replaced MLB, made sure to reseat all items, and booted off of diagnostic disc
to set Thermal Calibration ( for Processors) and to make sure everything was ok.
Everything passed muster, and then rebooted machine to boot off internal HD.
The PowerMac boots up, but never gets pass Grey Apple screen, and instead
wheel (gear) spins and then stops, and fans run.
Rebooted machine off of Diagnostic disc, passes muster again.
Rebooted off of Tiger 10.4 OEM disc, boots fine no issues.
So I erase the HD, and reinstall Tiger, goes smooth,
Machine reboots, same thing: will not go pas Grey Apple Screen.
Verbose mode says that the stopping point is:
NVDANV30HAL LOADED AND REGISTERED.
nothing beyond that....
anyone with any ideas?

Scrap the hard drive. Even installing Tiger doesn't test for weak sectors, even if you were to zero the drive that isn't a guarantee. TechTool Pro is pretty good at media scan but it does not attempt to map out bad/weak sectors.
If the directory and/or journal is 'shot' (corrupt / damaged) AND you forced it to create new partition tables (not just erase the user volume), then I'd say it has suffered enough and dead and needs to be replaced.

Similar Messages

Boot Camp 4 - Installer disc not recognised

Hi All,
I am trying to create a Windows 7 partition on my Macbook Pro (late 2009) running OSX Lion 10.7.2 with Boot Camp 4.
Clicking on "Install" button to create the partition and install Windows with the disc in the drive gives an "The windows installer disc could not be found" error. The disc is a downloaded Windows 7 installer disc image, unpacked so it looks exactly like a standard Windows install disc with all files (i.e not a single ISO or image file).
Could the content of the disc be an issue, as to why the Mac cannot read the disc? I have read in another support thread that the solution to this is to burn an Windows 7 ISO as an image (DMG?), so would keeping an ISO file on the disc work?

miguel.loff,
Your instructions were so helpful! I was struggling with this for a few days. I tried multiple times to burn the .iso file onto the DVD and this was the only method that worked. Bootcamp Assistant replied with "installer disc could not be found" for all other attempts. If you are downloading Windows 7 from the internet (from your school or something), then DEFINITELY USE THIS METHOD BECAUSE IT WORKS.
Heres exactly what I did to get Windows 7 running on my Mac:
A. Download Windows 7 file; if file is an ".img" change it to an ".iso"
B. Follow burning method from "miguel.loff" YOU MUST USE A DVD not a CD
1) Insert blank CD
2) Open Disk Utility (Applications>Disk Utility)
3) From the File menu, choose Open Disk Image and select the .iso that you want to burn
4) In the list of volumes (at the left of the window), you will now see an item representing the .iso file. Select it.
5) Click on the burn button and you're done.
C. Open Bootcamp Installer on your mac and follow instructions. Download Windows 7 support software to an external hard drive. THE EXTERNAL HARD DRIVE MUST BE FORMATTED TO MS-DOS(FAT) (idk what that means but its easy to do.) In order to preserve the mac portion of your external HD, create a Windows partition for you your external hard drive [MS-DOS(FAT) ] in the same disc utility used to burn the DVD
D. Insert Windows 7 Disc; Partiton your computer's HD, and then Windows installion will begin

Is it dead? will only boot off the OS disc or in safe mode.

Hi there!
Is it dead? will only boot off the OS disc or in safe mode.
My MBP (March 09) running 10.6 Snow Leopard is playing up.
After a frustrating day of troubleshooting, I don't know what else to do.
So far:
Duplicate accounts deleted.
Permissions repaired and verified
Renistalled the OS from disc
Haven't been able to log in to OS since,
- can only boot in safe mode or OS istall disc to use Utility
Disk Utility used in safe mode, disk utility > verify disk, said to repair it from disc boot
Disk repaired
Still won't reboot out of safe mode - it gets past the blue screen to the desktop wallpaper screen, but the dock or items on my desktop won't appear, colour dial spins, i think the longest i've given it is 20 minutes
Still won't boot other than in safe mode (currently using it right now)
Did the whole /sbin/fsck -fy,
Invalid file count (Is 484158 instead of 484160)
Invalid volume directory count (is 157609 instead of 157807)
Repairs successful
Ran fsck again, and HD OK message
Ran exit and it won't boot, only in safe mode again, and to the spinning wheel on the desktop wallpaper screen.
Is my HD cactus?
Is this something that can be replaced?
If not, what next?
I'm a little apprehensive about sending it out to get fixed (it's out of three year warrnaty) and I'm not sure how much more they can do/check than I've already done and come to the same conclusion.
Any help, much appreciated and thank you in advance
Bree.

Are you referring to the new bluetooth (wireless) keyboard or are you using a wired version?
Message was edited by: Barbara Daniels1

I can't get my mac to boot off the install discs

I'm trying to boot off of the install disc, but I can't get the computer to even see it. I've tried the c, d and options keys. I've repaired permissions. I don't seem to have a firmware password. When I hold down d it tests and finds no problems with the hardware. When I hold down c it goes straight to the hard drive. When I hold down the option key during restart the only option it gives me is the hard drive - no disc. I've tried two different keyboards, one of which is a mac. I'm using disc 1 of the two disc set to install mac os x that came with the computer when I bought it. I've also tried disc 2 (since I've been trying everything I can think of.)
I'm out of ideas. Help appreciated.
Message was edited by: rkrktm

If you were able to boot from the d key to the Hardware Test (for a G5, this should have been from the second disc -- but you don't mention how you got to the AHT) that rules out a bad optical drive or firmware password. The only thing, then, that comes to mind is a damaged install disc, disc one.

Lombard won't boot off System disc

Hi,
I have a problem that I wonder if any of you mac experts can help me with.
My problem is the computer will not boot from a system disc (any system disc) from the CD drive.
I have a Lombard Powerbook that has been running OS 8.6 (I know, I am way behind !) 192 mg RAM (64 in the lower, 128 in the upper from OWC), 4 Gb Hard drive.
The computer runs great in 8.6 - seldom crashes - however, all I have been mainly using it for is word processing.
When I try to load from any OS system disc (not the original Lombard disc, but any OS disc - 8.5, 9.2, Panther) holding down the C key, the CD drive runs for approximately 20 seconds, then stops, and on the screen I get a picture of a blank folder with a question mark - the Lombard is not reading the CD drive for some reason and won't boot from it. After a short wait OS 8.6 loads from the Hard drive.
I bought the computer on e-bay 4 years ago, and this has always been a problem - I just have been to busy in the past to deal with it.
Is there a simple command other than holding down the C key when restarting that will safely (remember I am a novice) allow me to bypass the hard drive and boot from the CD drive ?
I have done the following, which have all been unsuccessful at resolving this problem, and am out of ideas.
I have taken out all virus software from the system folder, cancelled all non-OS extensions and made sure the password extension is turned off.
I have zapped the PRAM.
I have taken out the (upper) RAM chip to be sure that it wasn't the problem - no difference.
Chosen the CD drive in the Startup Control Panel.
Checked to see if the system and finder are locked - they're not.
The CD drive may be the problem, but it runs software CDs fine, and it is the correct drive for the Lombard.
Any suggestions ? I would appreciate any ideas that people have.
Thanks.
Steve
Powerbook Lombard Mac OS 8.6 or Earlier

Steve,
You have performed a lot of troubleshooting which is helpful. There are several causes for a no-boot to CD...
1. Corrupted PRAM: You have addressed that.
2. Peripheral/external device preventing boot: Disconnect ALL peripherals.
3. Damaged or incorrect CD: The Lombard will not boot any CD earlier than OS 8.6, so the original Powerbook G3 Series Bronze Keyboard CD (has OS 8.6) or a retail MacOS 8.6 CD or newer will boot the Lombard. If you have a machine-specific OS 8.6 > 9.2.1 CD that has a computer name on it like iMac, iBook, Power Mac, etc, it will not boot your Lombard (there are a few exceptions.
Assuming you have no other problems, the Panther/10.3.x CD should boot unless you tried with only 64MB in the lower slot...then it may not boot...a Jaguar CD will, but not sure about Panther.
4. Bad drive: I don't know if an optical drive that performs normally when running an OS from the HD can also have the problem of not booting a CD. If you can find another Lombard or Pismo, swap drives and test.
5. The options for booting to a CD on the Lombard are the 'c' key, selecting the volume in the Startup Disk control panel, or the 'delete-option-command-shift' keys on restart...this forces a bypass of the HD.
6. It doesn't matter what is on the HD when trying to boot a CD; it can have a working OS or it can be empty.
Try this: If you have a supported CD, put the CD in the drive and shut down (not restart). Now press the power button and hold down the four keys for a PRAM reset...command-option-R-P...wait for two startup chimes, release the keys and immediately press the 'c' key.

My HD on my Macbook pro 13" is done and I replaced it with new now I cannot boot off Disc

I had to replace my HD on my MBP 13" with new, I have been trying to boot off MAC OS X Snow Leopard install DVD 10.6 but cannot! HELP needed!

You need to use the ORIGINAL installation disc(s) that came with your machine. The SL disc is just an upgrade disc. If you don't have the original disc(s) you can call Apple at 1-800-MYAPPLE and, with your serial number handy, order a set of original replacement discs. Cost will be about $20 + tax, I believe.
Good luck,
Clinton

Can't boot off System Install Disc

I'm trying to boot off what I think is my original system install disc to run disc utility. When I do the dvd spins up for a minute, stops and the computer only displays a blank grey screen.The System Install disc is version 10.5. The computer, an intel i7 iMac, is running system 10.6.6. I also tried booting off the Snow Leopard install disc but had the same problem.
I'm trying to run disc utility off the install disc because I've been having problems with the machine, ran disc utility of the HD, and got the "This disk needs to be repaired. Start up your computer with another disk (such as your Mac OS X Install disc0, and then use Disc Utility to repair this disc"

Check the disc to make sure they are not dirty. Either disc will do the job, but the 10.6 is better, of course.
Try this: Boot the iMac normally and insert the disc. When it mounts, open the disc image and start the installer. It will ask you to restart. When it restarts you will be prompted to select a language. In the next window you can cancel the installer and open the disc utility to do your repairs.

What you Mac guru's recommend for cloning a disc? I just bought a Mac Book Pro and I am on the learning curve from Windows. I have always used Acronis as I do an image and if I need to restore, I boot off the bootable cd and restore the image and everythe

I just purchased a Macbook pro laptop. I want to be able to backup and restore as I did in windows with Acronis. In Acronis I take an image of the hard drive, I can then wipe it clean, (format, Dban, etc) and boot off the acronis boot cd, go to my backup and crestore it. After the restore Windows comes up and everything from my pc before I wiped it is now there again, no reinstalling or configuring anything. And it takes about 10 mins or less.
I am looking for a package that will do the same for the MacBook. Any suggestions please?
Thank you

There is no system like Acronis for the Mac platform. You can try using the buiilt in Disk Utility to create an Image of the complete Mac drive but I have found that this does not work very well as on tryiing to restore it gives errors sometimes.
You can use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner to create a bootable Clone of your system partition. But that is only for the System partition and not the complete drive.
If you use Boot Camp to install Windows on your Mac neither of those two programs will clone the Windows side.
Neither will Disk utility as Mac's can not create or write to a NTFS partition. So some other program is need for that.

Black MacBook won't boot off OS Install Disc!

Hi all,
Just wanting to help out a friend here (who is not really knowledgeable in the area of fixing Mac faults)
The product in question is a Black MacBook (MacBook4,1) - 2.4Ghz, 2GB RAM. He had previously had the factory standard 250GB installed in the Macbook.
The MacBook had functioned normally until one day it had crashed. Upon a hard reset (ie using the Physical Power Button on the MacBook), the OS would not boot - a grey screen would appear with an Apple Logo, fans blowing at full speed. Diagnostics (AHT) using the Applications Disc would not boot either.
The following have been attemped, with no success in booting to the OS Disc:
* Clearing the PRAM
* Clearing the NVRAM
* Booting the OS Disc from another MacBook connected via Firewire (ie Target Disc Mode)
* Reseating the RAM Modules
* Using only one RAM Module
* Using a different (working 80GB) Hard Drive
* Repartitioning the 'different' Hard Drive (using a GPT Scheme / MBR Scheme)
* Booting into Single User Mode (Command-S) - would hang at the Grey Screen on boot
* Booting into Verbose Mode (Command-V) which hangs at 'appleintelcpupowermanagementclient'
Unfortunately the product is now out of the window of the standard 12 month AppleCare warranty provided as standard on MacBooks. I am now stuck in a rut, as I did promise him that 'it will be fixed'!
Would appreciate your thoughts.

Did you call Apple and ask for replacement disks (giving them your serial number)?
If not, and if you purchased the retail version at the Apple store online, then you may have a version that is older than what yours came with. And, macs cannot boot from an OS older than what they came with. I believe the latest retail version is 10.6.3 and yours might have had 10.6.4 or higher. You might want to check on your model to get the exact OS version; you may need to call Apple and request replacement disks.

Black Screen - Get Chime - Can Boot off HDD using another Mac - iMac 24in.

Hope someone can help me here, as I'm at my wits end.
I've got two issues, one with my MacBook Pro 17in, 4GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm (2008) and another with my iMac 24in. 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200rpm (2009).
Firstly the MBP, left work on Thursday last week, got home, powered up the MBP and got a black screen!!! Tried resetting PRAM, SMC, booting in safe mode, removing and re-installing RAM, removing battery and mains power and leaving off overnight etc etc, yet nothing happens. Benn all over the forums and have not found any solution to get my beloved MBP working on it's own. I can boot off the HDD using another MBP 15in, re-install Snow Leopard and as far as I can tell the HDD is fine, as I have run disk utility and it tells me the HDD is OK.
I can't figure this out and it's doing my head in, as I use this laptop for business use and just can't afford to go out and buy another Mac. I should point out that this MBP never had any issues when running on Leopard, but ever since I upgraded to Snow Leopard, I have had nothing, but trouble. I did a clean install, in fact I have done it at least twice, even erasing the HDD securely, both at 7pass and 35pass, yet I have had permissions issues regularly and on the odd occasion, I have also had the problem of the HDD not being recognised.
The iMac is nearly the same, but the screen is working, although the iMac doesn't see the HDD no matter what way I do, again, reset PRAM, SMC, safe boot etc etc. In truth the iMac has been a lot more unreliable, but with the screen working, if I can get any solutions here, then I'll be working to work on that without the need or hassle of working via another.
I think that the MBP is only just still under warranty, but the iMac definitely is, but I need at least one working for business use, so really only want to let Apple have one at a time to look at/repair etc.
Ideally, as the HDD is working in the MBP, if I could get a solution to the black screen issue, then I could do without the iMac for whatever time it takes, so if there is anyone out there that can help, I'd be so grateful.
One last thing, when I bought the iMac 24in., I also bought an iMac 20in., but I never upgraded the 20in. to Snow Leopard and to this day, it has worked flawlessly, without a single issue ever.
Perhaps, I'm getting paranoid here, but there seems to me to be a link between the ongoing and regularly occurring problems with both Macs ant the upgrade to Snow Leopard. Why also, or is it just pure unadulterated coincidence that both the MBP and the iMac 24in have failed at pretty much the same time??!!!!
I'm going mental here, so I hope someone out there has a better fix, then me overdosing on Prozac!!
PS
I'm not a mac expert, not good with a soldering iron either, but I'm capable of following good instructions.

Using Snow Leopard forum is probably your best bet.
I don't care if someone has 20+ yrs, I still like having a good troubleshooting book/manual handy.
Mac: can't get by without bootable backups, even if you use TimeMachine, clone your system. Save you all this fuss and work.
Then invest in high quality disk repair and maintenance program.
Disk Warrior / TechTool Pro 5 / Drive Genius 3 - top 3 probably
There are always going to be normal items you just ignore with Repair Permissions. Useful to do once in a while but not magic. Same with SMC and the rest. Running disk repair is one of those things that it seems should be done before there is trouble, not after, and a weakness in HFS file system and disk directory.
Apple Support is a good place to start looking and then hardware category.
http://www.apple.com/support
http://www.apple.com/support/imac /macbookpro etc
Make sure all your software is current, don't install anything you are unsure of or can do without.
Run Apple Hardware Test off your OEM DVD specific to the Mac.
Now, have you Googled for this?
have you looked at reports about 500GB drives used in some Macs that had issues and were offered firmware update for the drive?
Considered just using another drive connected to iMac?
You can overheat a hard drive with needlessly running 7 and 35-write pass, besides which the best way to map out bad blocks is not Disk Utility.
http://www.bing.com/search?q=imacblackscreen
http://www.bing.com/search?q=AppleiMac+firmwareupdate
I'd direct your replies to iMac and MacBook Pro as well as to Using OS X Snow Leopard areas.

Mac Pro Early 2008 will not boot off Win7 Install DVD

Hello,
I am hoping someone out there will have encountered something similar and have some suggestions or ideas, because at this point I can't think of anything else to try.
I have a 2.8 Ghz 8-core Mac Pro (Early 2008) with an Nvidia 8800GT Graphics card. I am running OS 10.6.2, fully patched and updated.
I am attempting to install Windows 7 Ultimate via Boot Camp, and am encountering a rather odd problem.
Once I have launched Boot Camp Assistant it allows me to partition the drive and does so correctly, but when it attempts to reboot off the Windows 7 installation DVD, I encounter a blank grey-white screen similar to that which you normally get on startup but without the Apple logo. This continues for some time (it seems to vary), and then the screen goes dark and the monitor says it is receiving no signal. The fans on the Mac Pro go for a while, then it goes to sleep. I've tried leaving it for a couple hours, no dice.
I've tried both the 32-bit and 64-bit Windows install disks. I had the release candidate for Windows 7 installed previously, and it worked perfectly. I have since tried that same install DVD that I used to install the release candidate, and it encounters the exact same issue. Booting up off the Snow Leopard Install DVD works fine.
I tried doing a clean install of Snow Leopard on a spare drive, booting off that, and then starting from square 1 using Boot Camp Assistant to re-partition that same drive. Same problem. No matter what I do or try, my Mac Pro does not want to boot off this install disc. I have yet to try the disc in another machine to see if it works there, and I will as soon as I can, but the fact that the RC disc worked a few months back and now will not seems to rule out the boot discs as defective. I've also tried both my internal optical drives with no change, and no other discs have any issues.
I've already spent an hour and a half talking to Apple Technical Support, and they seemed stumped, so I'm hoping someone will have a notion. If not, I understand and appreciate you taking the time to read this- I have no idea at this point, and I'm generally a pretty knowledgeable user.
- Andrew

Thank you for your reply,
Pull all the drives you have other than the one that you will install Windows 7 to.
I think I will try this next.
Don't put Windows 7 on the same drive as OS X, give it its own.
That was initially what I started out doing.
And you don't even need Boot Camp Assistant.
True, but it's what Apple suggests using.
Might also want to try moving the monitor cable to the other card port.
Hmm, I think I'll try that.
Any other PCI cards or devices attached or installed should also be questioned or disconnected.
I've disconnected everything I could.
Always a good idea to start fresh which I assume you are doing (not trying to upgrade over RC etc).
Yes, the drive was empty to start with.
Honestly it seems like the Mac Pro is generally refusing to boot from any Windows disc. Things I've tried since my initial post:
- Loaded Windows 7 Install disc into my room mate's windows PC... loaded up fine, got to install screen
- Tried his OEM copy of Windows Vista 32-bit, same issue
At this point it seems like maybe some kind of firmware issue or some kind or graphics driver issue, but I'm pretty much grasping at straws at this point. It doesn't seem like it's even getting to the point where hard drives or anything matters.
It does recognize that I have a Windows 7 install disc inserted when I use the boot selector/startup disk chooser.
Thanks for the ideas, I'll try those out and see if any of them help,
-Andrew

How do I install Windows with my OEM disc?

So I bought the Windows 8.1 64-bit OEM installation disc, and was using BCA (Boot Camp Assistant) to install it on my Late 2012 Mac mini.
I did as I was prompted: plugged in an 8GB USB drive, inserted my disc into my external reader, opened BCA, checked the the all the boxes as per recommended than clicked Continue.
I was than brought to the part where I had to 'choose the ISO file'. I thought it would have automatically detected my disc, but since that wasn't the case, I proceeded to browse my disc to search for the ISO file. And there was none.
I even thought that using the OEM disc to install Windows using BCA was wrong, but it is actually recommended over the Retail one.
Can anyone help me in this?
PS: Please forgive my bad English.

You will need to convert the DVD to an ISO using Disk Utility. Please see Disk Utility 12.x: Create a disk image and Section Create a disk image from a disk or folder
From Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems
An authentic Microsoft Windows full install disc or ISO file
You may not be able to use an OEM disk.

Can't boot off Apple Hardware Test disk

Can anyone suggest why my laptop won't boot off of its Apple Hardware Test disk anymore? I have not tried it in years, but want to try now. I have the original, and a copy I made years ago, and neither will boot. I can select them at startup disks in that preference pane in OSX, but then it fails to find it, and boots into OSX. I can boot into OS9 on the hard drive. I was able to partially boot off of a different AHT disk from my 12" Albook G4, but it gave the message that I can't use that disk since it is not meant for the Tibook. One idea is that TechTool tells me that "macintosh startup file was absent", and the Help file states:
"The Startup file is intended for use by systems that do not have built-in ROM support for booting from HFS Extended volumes. The first eight extents of the Startup File are stored in the Volume Header. This makes them easy to locate and read into memory. This file contains information used by the computer’s ROM to determine what program will boot the computer. In almost every case, this will be configured to point to the preferred System."
But it does not tell me how to restore this Startup file.
-how can i get my startup file back?
-my computer boots fine off the hard drive, so is this file used only to boot off a CD?
-any ideas why i can't boot off my AHT CD?

Hi, t. (That alias of yours sure is a mouthful.) I think in your shoes I would pose the question to the tech support people at Micromat (TechTool's developer). It's their error message, after all, and they should be able to explain it to you in as much detail as you need. Perhaps they'll shed some light on the original problem in the process.

Machine no longer boots off cd

Just upgraded to 10.6.8 and can't boot off dvd anymore holding down "c". Is there something wrong with Superdrive, or iMac?
Thanks,

Nevermind,--I got a better disc and got it to work. I don't know what is wrong with the disc that won't work.

Can't boot from OSX Install disc.

Hello,
I am trying to restore my iMac from a Time MAchine backup and to do that I remembered that I had to boot off of the OSX install disk and choose Disk Utility. I thought that restoring from timeMAchine would be the hard and long part, but I am having trouble booting off of the OSX disc.
1.) I popped it into my iMac and it mounts and loads. Its runs fine so I know there is nothing wrong with the disc.
2.) I restarted my iMac and held C.
3.) The grey screen appeard and then the Apple logo and then the spinning icon underneath it. But it gets stuck there and doesn't boot off of the disk.
4.) I shutdown the machine by holding the power-button and when it restarted I held D. It ran the hardware test fine and I passed the hardware test.
5.) I shut it down again, same way in four, and held option. This time I chose to boot form the Mac OS X Install DVD. It again got stuck at the Grey screen with the Apple logo and the spinning icon.
Does anyone know how to or can help me get my iMac to boot from the OSX install disc or how I can use Disc Utility to restore my iMac from TimeMachine?
Thanks in Advance & Best Regards,
theirf.

Sorry, OE = Original Equipment - the grey discs that came with your Mac.
SL = Snow Leopard - Mac OS X 10.6.x.
theirf wrote:
What do OE and SL mean?
I think i understand though. You mean that any disc with a higher version of something will still work on a machine with a lower version of that thing right?
Not any disc. The only grey ones that will work are those that came with that Mac.
Any retail disc of a later OS version will work, and in most cases it would boot from an external HD with a later OS installed.
However, as Snow Leopard only came on two retail versions, 10.6.0 and 10.6.3, the choice is a bit limited.
The current retail version is available here.

Head Scratcher: PMG5 boots off of OEM disc, not off of HD

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