Help - macbook pro will not switch on

I have had my macbook pro for about 2 years, it is the older version but is running leopard. When I switch it on it goes to a grey screen with the apple logo and the timer, after staying like this for a while it then switches itself off.
A friend suggested I cold started it (holding down the power button) and also holding down shift to whilst restarting it, neither of these worked.
I have not dropped it, I believe it is charged to full battery and I save nearly all my files on an external hard drive so it shouldn't be full.
Please can anyone suggest anything I can do to help or suggest what the problem may be. My friend said that I possibly have a problem with my hard drive?
Thank you,
Lucinda.

Possible. Insert Install DVD 1 (that came with your MBP) and try booting with the c key pressed. If/when you see the menu bar (after language selection) select Utilities menu > Disk Utility, select your HDD in the list, and click Verify Disk. If errors are found, click Repair Disk.

Similar Messages

  • Macbook pro will not switch on

    The Battery level was full the macbook pro has no life what so ever, will not switch on

    See SMC reset
    Step by Step to fix your Mac

  • My mid 2009, 17inch Macbook Pro will not switch on unless it is physically hot. I have to heat it up with a hairdryer to switch it on.

    Hey guys, my macbook doesn't switch on unless it is physically hot. I use a hairdryer to do this (I know it's bad but i have no other option, i'm not looking for a lecture on why it's bad to do this.)
    Once it is hot it still takes a long time to boot up because it will seemingly short-out (instantly shut down with blank screen) whilst booting up quite a lot, and at random times.
    Resetting the pram and smc seems to help sometimes, but it's hard to judge as the success of the bootup seems totally random.
    Once Ive got past the login screen and it finally boots up it will run fine, other than a few strange bugs that I have experienced;
    - If I highlight a video file and do a quick preview (pressing spacebar), the laptop shorts out and shuts down
    - If I try to record video using the webcam, its shorts out and shuts down (Using webcam on skype is fine)
    - An email i received once had an automatic video playing, which resulted in the laptop doing the same as above
    I'm assuming it's a graphics related issue but I'm no expert, video games run fine on it though.
    If anyone has any idea as to what the problem/solution could be, please let me know!
    Haven't found a single post online that relates to this problem..
    Macbook Pro 17inch mid 2009
    2.8ghz intel core 2 duo
    4gb 1067 MHz DDR3
    500gb HD
    Nvidia GeForce 9400M 256MB
    OS X 10.9.4
    Thanks

    Thanks a lot for the reply mate, much appreciated
    Yup its very weird haha
    I do hourly backups with time machine.
    Havent tried reinstalling OS. Not sure how possible it is because of the booting issue, it's hard to restart without it shorting out.
    Not taken it to anyone just yet.
    Here's what entre gave me;
    EtreCheck version: 2.1.6 (109)
    Report generated 21 January 2015 13:18:36 GMT
    Download EtreCheck from http://etresoft.com/etrecheck
    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.
    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.
    Click the [Adware] links for help removing adware.
    Hardware Information: ℹ️
      MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009) (Technical Specifications)
      MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro5,2
      1 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU: 2-core
      4 GB RAM Upgradeable
      BANK 0/DIMM0
      2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
      BANK 1/DIMM0
      2 GB DDR3 1067 MHz ok
      Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
      Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
      Battery Health: Normal - Cycle count 113
    Video Information: ℹ️
      NVIDIA GeForce 9400M - VRAM: 256 MB
      Color LCD 1920 x 1200
      NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - VRAM: 512 MB
    System Software: ℹ️
      OS X 10.9.4 (13E28) - Time since boot: 13 days 18:33:28
    Disk Information: ℹ️
      FUJITSU MJA2500BH FFS G1 disk0 : (500.11 GB)
      EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
      Macintosh HD (disk0s2) / : 499.25 GB (42.68 GB free)
      Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB
      MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-868 
    USB Information: ℹ️
      Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
      Apple, Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
      Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
      Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
      Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
    Configuration files: ℹ️
      /etc/hosts - Count: 15
    Gatekeeper: ℹ️
      Mac App Store and identified developers
    Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
      /Library/Application Support/Roxio
      [not loaded] com.roxio.TDIXController (2.0) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions
      [not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_netpart (2.0.2) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.Belcarra.iokit.USBLAN_usbpart (2.0.2) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.usbpart (2.0.6) [Support]
      [loaded] com.digidesign.iokit.DigiDal (9.0f4) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.flipvideo.IOUSBCameraMassStorage (1.0.1) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.line6.driver.xtaudio (7.2.4 - SDK 10.7) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.master (5.7.2) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverInt (0.0.33) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.rim.driver.BlackBerryUSBDriverVSP (0.0.33) [Support]
      [loaded] com.waves.driver.soundgrid (2.0.0) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_netpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
      [not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.netpart.panther (1.6.1) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions/Belcarra.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
      [not loaded] com.belcarra.iokit.usbpart.panther (1.6.1) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions/PACESupportFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns
      [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.leopard (5.7.2) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.panther (5.7.2) [Support]
      [loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.snowleopard (5.7.2) [Support]
      [not loaded] com.paceap.kext.pacesupport.tiger (5.7.2) [Support]
      /System/Library/Extensions/RemoteControl.USBLAN_usbpart.kext/Contents/PlugIns
      [not loaded] com.RemoteControl.USBLAN.panther (1.6.1) [Support]
    Startup Items: ℹ️
      DigidesignLoader: Path: /Library/StartupItems/DigidesignLoader
      HP IO: Path: /Library/StartupItems/HP IO
      PACESupport: Path: /Library/StartupItems/PACESupport
      Startup items are obsolete in OS X Yosemite
    Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.adobe.CS5ServiceManager.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
      [running] com.rim.BBLaunchAgent.plist [Support]
      [running] com.trusteer.rapport.rapportd.plist [Support]
      [loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.startx.plist [Support]
    Launch Daemons: ℹ️
      [loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
      [invalid?] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]
      [not loaded] com.gopro.stereomodestatus.plist [Support]
      [running] com.line6.l6ksettingmgr.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist [Support]
      [running] com.paceap.eden.licensed.plist [Support]
      [running] com.rim.BBDaemon.plist [Support]
      [running] com.trusteer.rooks.rooksd.plist [Support]
      [running] com.waves.daemon.SoundGridProtocolService.plist [Support]
      [loaded] org.macosforge.xquartz.privileged_startx.plist [Support]
      [loaded] PACESupport.plist [Support]
    User Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist [Support]
      [running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]
      [loaded] com.valvesoftware.steamclean.plist [Support]
    User Login Items: ℹ️
      iTunesHelper Application Hidden (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)
      WDDriveManagerStatusMenu Application Hidden (/Incompatible Software/WDDriveManagerStatusMenu.app)
      HP Scheduler Application  (/Library/Application Support/Hewlett-Packard/Software Update/HP Scheduler.app)
    Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      Unity Web Player: Version: UnityPlayer version 4.5.5f1 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
      OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.2.8 [Support]
      AdobePDFViewerNPAPI: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      DivXBrowserPlugin: Version: 1.4 [Support]
      Silverlight: Version: 5.1.20913.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.257 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      Gears: Version: 1.0 [Support]
      OnLiveGameClientDetector: Version: OnLiveGameClientDetector 1.0.0 [Support]
      QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
      AdobePDFViewer: Version: 11.0.09 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      iPhotoPhotocast: Version: 7.0
      SharePointBrowserPlugin: Version: 14.4.5 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
      JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version
    User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Support]
    Audio Plug-ins: ℹ️
      DVCPROHDAudio: Version: 1.3.2
      Digidesign CoreAudio: Version: 9.0 [Support]
    3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
      3ivx MPEG-4  [Support]
      DivX  [Support]
      Flash Player  [Support]
      GoPro  [Support]
      Growl  [Support]
      Line6AudioMIDI  [Support]
      MacFUSE  [Support]
      Trusteer Endpoint Protection  [Support]
    Time Machine: ℹ️
      Skip System Files: NO
      Mobile backups: ON
      Auto backup: YES
      Destinations:
      Data [Network]
      Total size: 2.00 TB
      Total number of backups: 95
      Oldest backup: 2013-05-03 11:58:04 +0000
      Last backup: 2015-01-21 12:47:59 +0000
      Size of backup disk: Excellent
      Backup size 2.00 TB > (Disk size 0 B X 3)
    Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
          2% SGProtocolService
          1% WindowServer
          0% BBLaunchAgent
          0% rapportd
          0% Mail
    Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
      214 MB Google Chrome Helper
      159 MB Google Chrome
      155 MB Finder
      125 MB rapportd
      77 MB com.apple.WebKit.WebContent
    Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
      80 MB Free RAM
      1.12 GB Active RAM
      1.05 GB Inactive RAM
      1.04 GB Wired RAM
      106.69 GB Page-ins
      3.19 GB Page-outs
    Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
      Jan 19, 2015, 11:52:18 AM /Users/[redacted]/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/Skype_2015-01-19-115218_[redac ted].crash

  • Macbook pro will not restart to download update instead goes straight to download? macbook pro will not restart to download update instead goes straight to update download probably simple setting prob but i dont know can some on help me i just replaced a

    Macbook pro will not restart to download update instead goes straight to download?
    macbook pro will not restart to download update instead goes straight to update download probably simple setting prob but i dont know can some on help me i just replaced a dieing hard drive and and im running on 08 software pleas help

    i replaced my hard drive and put osz back on now im trying to update but will not update supost to restart then update but instead of restarting it goeses to update and i have to shut it down pleas ignore typos im trippen

  • After instaling the update for OS yesterday (saturday 7.10.2012) my macbook pro will not start. The instaling proses start but stopp after 2-3 minutes. I have started mayby 10 tims know but it stops every time. Help, its just a monts ago my iMac hard fail

    After instaling the update for OS yesterday (saturday 7.10.2012) my macbook pro will not start. The instaling proses start but stopp after 2-3 minutes. I have started mayby 10 tims know but it stops every time. Help, its just a monts ago my iMac hard fail

    Actually it sometimes gets a little further, the display will dim and the pointer will appear and then whoop it will turn off. if i do a verbose start up, it will finish all the steps, the white screen will appear and dim and then it will turn off.

  • TS2986 New MacBook Pro will not download Mountain Lion. The App store simply has a dead download button. Any help?

    New MacBook Pro will not download Mountain Lion. The App store simply has a dead download button. Any help?

    If it's new, read. http://www.apple.com/osx/uptodate

  • My iphoto on my MacBook Pro will not let me import my photos from my canon t3i. It is blurred over both import all, and import selected showing that I cant choose those options. I've tried with the memory card and usb cord. Please help!

    My iphoto on my MacBook Pro will not let me import my photos from my canon t3i. It is blurred over both import all, and import selected showing that I cant choose those options. I've tried with the memory card and usb cord. Please help!

    What version of iPhoto?
    Can you access the images with Image Capture (in your Applications Folder) ?

  • My macbook pro will not let me change my background or screensaver. It only shows a pinwheel and then I have to force quit. HELP!

    My macbook pro will not let me change my background or screensaver. It only shows a pinwheel and then I have to force quit it! HELP.

    Sounds like one of your preference (.plist) files are corrupted.
    See #12/#13 Step here
    ..Step by Step to fix your Mac
    Deleting the System Preference or other .plist file

  • Help! Installing updates an error occurred now my MacBook Pro will not restart. "Unable to find driver for this platform"

    Help! Installing updates an error occurred now my MacBook Pro will not restart. "Unable to find driver for this platform"

    Did you try more than once? If so:
    Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing drive
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Repair
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
    OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
    OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
    OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
         Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
                     if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • My macbook pro will not shut down. It tells me that safari has cancelled shut down and to quit safari and try again, but every time I try to quit safari it won't let me. I need help...I don't know what to do.

    My macbook pro will not shut down. It tells me that safari has cancelled shut down and to quit safari and try again, but every time I try to quit safari it won't let me. I need help...I don't know what to do.

    Have you tried holding the power button down for several seconds? I would try the force quit as mentioned earlier first, or go to the Activity Monitor in Applications>Utilities and try force quit there.

  • My macbook pro will not start up. stuck on grey loading screen and spinning dial. HELP

    my macbook pro will not start up. stuck on grey loading screen and spinning dial. i shut it down last night and now when i try to turn it on it will not get past this page. lights and sounds work but nothing happens. please help

    Power it down by holding the power button down. Then try to power it up again. Post back. It would help if we knew what OS you are running, the model MBP...

  • My MacBook Pro will not eject a DVD following viewing.  Help?

    My MacBook Pro will not eject a DVD following viewing.   Selecting EJECT
    on the controller gives a message of "Supported Disc Not Available".   It is
    in the drive and I need to get it out.   How might I proceed?   Thanks for any
    help you can provide.

    Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive
    Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:
    1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the left mouse button until the disc ejects.
    2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.
    3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.
    4. Press COMMAND-E.
    5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:
         /usr/bin/drutil eject
    If this fails then try this:
         Boot the computer into single-user mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above.
    To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

  • My macbook pro will not play a video without pausing every 11 seconds. PLEASE help me figure out what is wrong. very frustrating

    my macbook pro will not play a video without pausing every 11 seconds. PLEASE help me figure out what is wrong. very frustrating. I have already tried restarting

    buckmacie,
    has the video been completely downloaded onto your MacBook Pro when you start to play it? Or are you playing it while it downloads, AKA streaming it?

  • Macbook pro will not shut down. Will someone help me?

    My husband's macbook pro will not shut down. Tried everything.  This occurred right after installing photoshop cs5.

    Have you attempted holding down the physical power for 10 seconds.

  • TS1365 My MacBook Pro will not startup.  At all.  The suggestions from Apple Support are not helping.  At all.  Someone help?!?

    My MacBook Pro will not startup.  Its not responding at all.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can correct this?

    HI Catherine,
    First, make sure it it shut down by holding down the power button for 5-10 seconds. Plug in the power adapter. Press the power button and hold down the shift key to see if you can start in Safe Mode.
    If the power adapter and/or battery are known good, the next thing I'd check would be the RAM to make sure it is securely seated. If batt and/or power adapter are questionable, then you'll want to find one or both and try them out; if you don't know someone with a similar MBP, this might be most easily accomplished by making a free appointment at an Apple Store "genius" bar.

Maybe you are looking for

  • My iPod shuffle 4th generation keeps having to be restored.

    When I try to play songs, the iPod keeps deleting the one I'm playing. I'd REALLY love some help with this, as I LOVE iPods and have never had this problem before. It seems like I'm not the only one, but there's very few of us... I can look into Cust

  • Change submit to email in existing form

    I created a fillable form in Acrobat.  I went through the distribution "process" and choose to save the form on my computer and send it out manually.  I entered the email so that it would be submitted to me via email.  Where and how do I change this

  • App user

    Im trying to use app_user within a process but so far with no succsess, below is the code, any help appreciated. SELECT incident_tmp.report_id, incident_tmp.report_type, incident_tmp.report_no, actions_tmp.report_no, actions_tmp.due_date, actions_tmp

  • Uses Exits in WM

    Hi all, Can any body expalin the following doubts, - We have one requirement about printing Storage Unit No#    While doing Goods receipts process into WM i have setup the Auto creation of TO and Immediate    confirmation those TOs.so during this pro

  • Problem pasting artwork direct from AI

    Hi, I am new to InDesign from Quark . Absolutely loving the workflow in InDesign. Making my life much easier! I understand that you can paste elements directly from AI into InDesign and that it embeds then rather than links them. This works fine howe