HELP! Started as freezing and now won't start!

Just to start, I have a Satellite P500 (P500-ST6822 to be specific).
Specs:
System Manufacturer/Model Number: TOSHIBA/Satellite P500-ST6822
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU P8700 2.53GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 230M
Hard Drives: Hitachi HTS723232L9A360 - 320GB
At first my laptop just started to freeze every so often. The last major change that happened was installing Bioshock 2, but I really doubt that is the cause of my problems. I do not pirate, torrent, download sketchy files. I build my own desktops, but when I have issues I can normally just blame myself and figured out what's wrong. Because this laptop was built by someone else, I'm at a bit of a loss.
When things were working, but still freezing, the freezing would even occur in Safe Mode. Now when I try to start it up, the lights come on as if it's working fine, but nothing shows up. It's not just that the display isn't working, otherwise it would make the Windows startup noise at some point after leaving it. On 3 occasions of trying to start it the computer beeped a couple times. 1 somewhat long beep and 2 quick ones.
Because nothing even shows up I'm doubting it being just a HDD issue (wish it was since I could just get a new one and be happy...), not an issue with Windows 7, or any driver issues.
I'm really at a loss here. My first instinct is to open it up and try to figure it out myself, but I can't do that without voiding the warranty on the whole system. So, what do I do? Can anyone help me figure it out?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

.. with all due respect..
that's why its called forums, not support. your stats are probably right, 85% of the post are those requesting for help, 10% responds asking for more help and only 5% helps, but, if you check the forums, some of those 85% are included in that 5% who helps. If you really need a fast resolution, though may not be as helpful as some of the computer gods in these forums (not me), call.

Similar Messages

Dual G5 late 2004. Some problems with fan and freeze and now can't start

I just purchased a late 2004 Dual 2.5 Gig, with PCI-x and 1 gig ethernet. 1 Gig of what I presume to be factory ram and blue toothe. Connected to a new 23" Apple display.
The problems I have been having pale to where I stand now. I am stuck and can't move forward. At this point, the computer is off. When I try to turn it on, it does little to nothing and gradually the fan speed increases until the computer sounds like it wants to take off. The screen either stays dark, or sometimes I see the ? briefly, and then the grey screen with logo and that is where it stops. Currently I can't get past a lot of fan noise??
Can I get this thing started?? I have tried both starting from CD and hard drive. No luck.
This whole mess started yesterday and has continually gotten worse. Those details I can get into if needed, but for now, what can I do to see the screen and start over.
I just bought the machine, and I was doing a clean install that was acting funny. Hard drive sleep mode would cause the machine to not wake up. Specifically it was the monitor that would not wake up. The keyboard and the computer would still respond when I adjusted the volume. The screen was black.
I narrowed the problem to drive sleep, or monitor sleep by using the energy saver preferences. Just the monitor sleeping wasn't the probem. The computer would wake up. But if the hard drive went to sleep, then I could never get the screen back and the computer acted dormant. The only thing I could get was the volume sound from the computer and lights on the keyboard.
I ran Techtool Pro 4.1.2 ( i think ) and it reported possibe problems on the hard drive with the volume. I made the changes hoping that would fix the problem? No.
I decided to flush it all and start over with the install cd, make sure firmware was good, reformat the drive, and then install the System. But instead, I got caught is this loop of death that I can't get out of.
It had a kernal panic the first day I turned it on, but that was the last one. (dark screen with white message) The computer ran rather sluggish at times. I was shocked at times. Very slow finder response.
So? Suggestions? I have searched Apple support and tried anything I can think of. This is my first G5, but I have had some exposure to OSX beginning around 10.2. I am at my wits end and would greatly appreciate some input. For now I have to get some sleep.
Is my battery bad? It just won't start?
Thank you for any help you can provide, or links to articles!!

Hi Lawson, and a Warm Welcome to the Power Mac G5 Forum!
You could try a PMU/SMU reset
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=300341
Use the second procedure if you have a button as shown in the photo - use the first method if you don't. You may not have to remove the intake fan assembly to get at the button. Observe static precautions and make sure to press the button once only.
Then try to start up on the CD/DVD.
If it fires up ok you could then proceed with the 10.4 install as before, and then combo update to 10.4.8
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx1048comboupdateppc.html
I would connect only a display, wired keyboard and mouse to start with - and disable any of the sleep, etc. Options in Energy Saver.
You may wish to use the Disk Utility on the 10.4 retail disc(under Utilities in the menu) to Erase and zero(select Security Options) the drive before the install.
The kernel panic and other problems could have been caused by a corrupted system on the boot drive, or by hardware problems, such as RAM, video card, battery, etc. Some of the hardware stuff is linked-to further down the post here
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3084827&#3084827
However, try the PMU/SMU reset and erase/install first, and post again with details if you still have problems.

790GX - system freezes and now won't boot

I've been having some problems with my system over the past few weeks which resulted in me RMAing the motherboard, CPU and memory.
The motherboard was tested, no fault found and returned.
The CPU and memory were replaced with new items.
I rebuilt and installed W7 and all was well for a few days then the system started to randomly freeze.
I suspected a conflict between the on board graphics and W7 so downloaded an updated driver but this did not stop the freezing.
The machine would usually re-boot OK after a freeze but last night the frequency of freezes increased and it would not re-boot.
This morning it started up Ok but soon froze and again refused to re-boot.
I wondered if the CPU was overheating but the BIOS read 44C which is well within spec.
I only use the machine for surfing and general use and its not been overclocked.
The PSU was replaced a few months ago - 400w should be OK with only one drive and no graphics card?
Any ideas as to what could be the problem or where I go from here?
Russ

it could be a failing HD or virus as well. Load in safe mode and check to see if event veiwer has any errors that may narrow down the cause. It could still be a bad/failing power supply as well.
Also work in safemode for a bit and see if it freezes in safemode. But it sounds like you still have a h/w issue.

Mac Pro - crashed and now won't start up, stripes on screen + kernel panic?

My computer apparently crashed while the screensaver was up (I was away for 10 or so mins, just Firefox and World of Warcraft in windowed mode running), as it was showing a black screen with a fuzzy whitish line along the top and was completely unresponsive. Unusual, but nothing to freak out about.. right?
So I did the on switch turn off/turn on routine and as soon as anything shows on the screen, I've got these black + white horizontal bars/stripes along the top 1/4 of my screen. The Apple Logo and the spinning progress bar have little fuzzy red spots on 'em. That's when it's time to freak out, as we're in "my computer done broke itself" territory. A few seconds of fuzzy progress bar and we get the wonderful "You need to restart your computer" message.
Fine.. restart.. same thing.
Reset the PRAM and SMC. Same thing.
Can't start up from external disks.. it just gives the same stripes + message.
I'm running a detailed hardware test (the hardware test loads but with the same stripes at the top and annoying blue/red vertical ones in the background to boot), and it's been running for about 80 minutes and is only 60% of the way through.
Anything else I can do, or do I have to drag the heavy thing to an Apple store and leave it there for a month? How in the world does a computer go from "working fine" to "completely broken" in 10 minutes?

More details:
The regular/non-extended Hardware Test returned no problems, despite taking hours for what was supposed to be a 3-5 minute test. I haven't dared run the extended.
I also tried removing third-party RAM and using the original configuration, then just the third-party and no Apple, etc.. It's not the RAM, as the problem is exactly the same.
I'm going to call up Apple support when I can, but just looking for other things I can check or possibly do until then, or just insight on what the problem could be.
Is it most likely the graphics card? Could it be an issue with the core hardware?

I plugged my phone in my computer to download my pictures once it finished downloading I unpluged my phone and it went black and now won't turn back on. Please help me!!

I plugged my phone in my computer to download my pictures once it finished downloading I unpluged my phone and it went black and now won't turn back on. Please help me!!

Reset, hold both home and power buttons for about 10 seconds until the iPhone begins to start.

I'm new to Mac, have had for approx. I put my iPhone and iPad and my wifes in iTunes and now when i start my system on. I now have a Guest user show up at the log on screen. Is this normal. And how can I take it off.   Tried the help and no luck

I'm new to Mac, have had for approx. I put my iPhone and iPad and my wifes in iTunes and now when i start my system on. I now have a Guest user show up at the log on screen. Is this normal. And how can I take it off.   Tried the help and no luck

Tatanka11 wrote:
I'm new to Mac,...
Then... You may find these Links of Interest and Value...
Show me how to set up my Mac.
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/
http://www.apple.com/support/switch101/     Switching from PC
http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/
Enjoy your Mac...

HT1212 Forgot pass code so I backed up, updated and now won't restore because icloud is open. I cant get in to turn it off! Help

Forgot pass code so I backed up, updated and now won't restore because icloud is open. I cant get in to turn it off! Help

Hi NWL1,
Thanks for the question. If I understand correctly, the iPhone won't update and is stuck. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help you resolve or isolate the issue.
If you can't update or restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Have a great day,
Mario

My MacBook Pro shutdown after it said my USB was draining to much power and now won't turn on please help

Hi my MacBook will not turn on after it said my USB was draining to much power, and it shut down and now won't turn back on please help

USB power management is part of the SMC (system management controller). Try to reset SMC: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Then get a self-powered USB external hub. It takes power from a wall socket and saves the MBP power system. Starting at $20 at BestBuy and similar stores.

My mac book keep on beeping and make the beep sound 3 time (same goes to the light) and it won't start up. Help please.

My mac book keep on beeping and make the beep sound 3 time (same goes to the light) and it won't start up. What should i do?

If you recently installed new ram, make sure it is seated properly.
If that doesn't work try removing one stick at a time to see if one is dead or put original ram back in.

Upgraded to ios5, and now i cant start my ipad...what to do

UPGRADED TO IOS5, AND NOW I CANT START THE IPAD...JUST A APPLE ON THE SCREEN ??? WHAT TO DO???

Have you tried a reset ? Press and hold both the sleep and home buttons for about 10 to 15 seconds (ignore the red slider if it appears), after which the Apple logo should appear - you won't lose any content, it's the iPad equivalent of a reboot. If that doesn't work then see if this page helps http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4097
And there is no need to SHOUT

Satellite U400-14B shuts itself off and now it wont start up

Hi
just got a new Satellite U400 this week.
Was working perfectly the first few days, then last night, it just shuts itself off and now it wont start up.
I press the on button and the row of lights next to it light up, but nothing happens I dont even get as far as the Toshiba screen.
I have tried many things. I left it plugged in overnight, tried taking the battery out and no result as of now.
The little led lights on the bottom indicate that there its plugged in, the battery is white not orange, when pressed they all light up again only for a split second.
The only thing I can liken this too is when a car wont start and you keep turning and turning the key, well in this case pushing a button, and nothing happens, the fans dont whir or anything...
help please...

Has extra Memory (RAM) been installed? Try removing one Memory Module and try a different Memory Slot.
If bad memory is not the problem, then there is not much else you can do except send it to an ASP for warranty repairs.

My new iMac has recently had OSX Lion installed on it and now when I start the machine it looks like its updating something every time, and the wireless doesn't work. So I restart and everything is OK - until I have to start up again the next time?

My new iMac has recently had OSX Lion installed on it and now when I start the machine it looks like its updating something every time, and the wireless doesn't work. So I restart and everything is OK - until I have to start up again the next time - then I have to repeat this again! Any help appreciated.

I've been having the same issue, but have just discovered something on my own that hasn't been pointed out in any of the forums I've visited. In what I thought would be a vain attempt to help myself, I went to System Preferences, Users & Groups, and then clicked on Login Items. I discovered that one of the Items that was listed to open automatically upon login was iTunes Helper and that there was an exclamation point beside it indicating that it was incompatible. I simply deleted that item and now I don't have the situation you described and my wireless is connected. Hope this helps!

My CS6 Indesign has quit several times and now won't even open anymore, how can I get it to work?

My CS6 Indesign has quit several times and now won't even open anymore, how can I get it to work again? I need it back asap!!

Start by emptying the InDesign Recovery folder.

Leopard Crashed and now won't boot

Hi there,
I was surfing the net earlier with my black macbook, with leopard updated to the most recent updates. But as I was on Safari opening up another webpage, the spinning beach ball bigins (just like a normal safari crash, or like an overload), so I just switched to iTunes, to try to play music while trying to wait out on Safari, but then iTunes started freezing up as well, so I went to spotlight trying to open activity monitor, and spotlight froze as well after entering two characters... so I just shut off my macbook by holding the power button (so far seemed like an usual crash).
But when I turned on my macbook again, after the starup chime, it stayed at the blank white/gray screen (where the apple would usually show), and then after a long time, it shows the folder with the quetion mark. So I knew there is a problem with finding the startup volume.
So now I restarted with holding the option key for startup manager (the fan started running faster/louder), and I could see that my harddrive is indeed there, so I chose it, and it begins the apple and the small spinning thing under the apple like an usual startup, and I was able to get to the login panel as usual, but then it froze there.
When I restarted again (without holding option), it booted normally with apple and the spinning thing under it, but then it wouldn't get past it, so I had to shut down my macbook again.
and when I restarted my macbook, apple appears as normal again, but it still is not getting past that stage, and then the apple turned into a "prohibit" sign (a circle with a line through), while the spinning circle thing under it still spins, so I shut it down again.
And now when I start macbook, without option key will get me to the question mark folder, with option key will get me to an empty startup manager (the drive is no longer there, but on earlier 5 to 6 tries it was).
It is strange because it doesn't sound like a dead HD to me, as I was able to
1)find it, and boot from it in startup manager
2)be able to get to the login panel
3) and there isn't unusual noise when booting/turning on the macbook
So I'm lost about what I should do now
I give my most sincere thanks in advance =[

Hi Will~,
It is difficult to tell, but it sounds like you have an intermittent hard drive failure which may have also messed up your startup volume.
Do you have your Leopard install disk? The first thing I would try would be to boot to it (insert disk, hold down C while starting up) and go to Disk Utility. *S.M.A.R.T. status* of the hard drive would be good to know, as well as *Repair Disk*.
Best of luck.

Hello I am having all of a sudden with my Face Tiime on MacBook Pro. I can't get it to verify my email address with I have always used. For some reason it had me log back in and now won't verify.It's always worked. No one can reach me. It goes straig

Hello I am having all of a sudden with my Face Tiime on MacBook Pro. I can't get it to verify my email address with I have always used. For some reason it had me log back in and now won't verify.It's always worked. No one can reach me. It goes straight to my phone instead of my MacBook Pro. Help!!

Any error message?

HELP! Started as freezing and now won't start!

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for