Ibook hangs at "starting mac os x" screen

my computer was working fine till i tried opening a word file. the file did not open and the message i got was something like start up disc is full after which i could not quit word. i could not force quit so i pressed the power button and switched the computer off. When i restarted ,it went up to blue screen "starting mac os x" and stayed there even after 15 mins . i have a lot of work stored in my computer.could someone help me find a solution where i do not lose any data.

It seems like your startup volume may need repair. Please follow the steps in this article in the given order:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
If these steps do not solve the problem and DIsk Utility shows the startup volume to be OK, you can try to free up some disk space by deleting unnecessary files in your home folder.
The easiest way to do this without an intact OS is to boot OS X from an external HDD, if you have one. Otherwise you can mount your iBook's internal HDD in target disk mode on another Mac, as described in this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

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IBook will not start up past gray screen w/ apple logo

iBook will not start up past gray screen w/ apple logo. So I have zeroed out the hard drive and reinstalled tiger. No change except if I start up holding shift it will boot and welcome comes up then black screen that says you must restart by holding down power key.
Zeroed out the HD again with same results. Also I have a iBook G3 with the same symptoms.

What you are experiencing is a kernel panic.
Try starting up from the Mac OS X Install Disc by inserting the disc and restarting your computer, holding down the C key as the startup chime is ending. Then choose Installer > Open Disk Utility (in Panther) or (in Tiger) click 'Next' at the language screen and choose Utilities > Disk Utility and select the hard drive in the left column. Choose the First Aid tab. Click Repair Disk to test and repair the hard drive.
Once you have repaired the hard drive with the Install disc's Disk Utility, then try to restart normally, and go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Click on the top hard drive icon in the left sidebar and note the S.M.A.R.T. status at the bottom right of the pane. What does it say?
Select the named boot volume in the left sidebar, ("Macintosh HD" unless you've renamed it). What is the hard drive capacity and how much space remains available on it? Repair permissions on it.
See if a little hard drive maintenance helps things out.

Mac doesn't get past "Starting Mac OS X" screen

Oh, man.
After manually uninstalling Norton Internet Security because of incompatability, I restarted my computer. I was very careful to only remove files as per the technical assistant informed me. Now my screen stops at the "Starting Mac OS X" screen with the bar all the way filled. I am very worried as this is my first Mac and all my school work is on it!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Alexandria C.

iMac G5: Fails to startup
The following could also apply to your MacBook - worth a try!
Some users are reporting an issue where iMac G5s fail to properly startup -- apparently at a hardware level -- never reaching the Mac OS X startup splash screen (Apple logo with a spinning progress indicator).
[Note that in cases where the system does reach the Mac OS X startup splash screen or further progression but stalls, software issues may be to blame.]
Potential fixes
Disconnect external devices External devices -- especially those that draw power from the system -- can cause issues with startup that manifest either at the beginning of or later in the boot process. Try temporarily any external FireWire or USB devices then re-attempt startup and check for persistence of the issue.
Reset SMU Although this workaround was not successful in Connors' case, resetting the iMac G5's SMU (system management unit) as described in Apple Knowledge Base article #301733 can resolve a variety of power-related problems, including sudden-onset startup failure.
Check power cables Check your power cord for a loose connection. As noted in the aforementioned reader case, unplugging and re-plugging the power cord can sometimes result in a successful startup -- likely the result of a more snug fit.
Also, power cables can become defective or ship in such a state. Try exchanging the power cable from a problematic machine with a system that starts up properly to eliminate this as a potential cause.

IMac G4 stops at 'Starting Mac OS X' screen with blue bar

I was having major trouble installing the OSX on my iMac G4. Kept freezing and giving me crazy codes & words on the screen. Finally after abou 7 tries, it worked. Now I'm trying to boot it up this morning and it stops at the 'Starting Mac OS X' screen. The blue, progress bar goes all the way to the end and just sits there. nothing. is this a fried mother board?

Clifford Hritz wrote:
When I open the bottom of the iMac G4, there is no chip in the bank. Is there another place that holds memory that I'm missing?
Yes. To get to the other memory bank, however, you must remove the bottom housing by removing four torx screws. If you choose to do so, you must re-apply thermal paste before closing it up.
Before trying that, try to reset the PMU. The Apple Support page is http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1712
-Brian

My ibook won't start mac osx

Hi! I was trying to download a program and install it but when restart my ibook it show the massage "Starting Mac OSX" for a few seconds with uncomplete load. And the display becomes blue forever.I counldn't even shut down. Please help!
sakdanuwat
Thailand
PS ibook G4 1.33 12"

Follow Duane's instructions to the tech library. I also highly recommend that people buy an advanced disk repair tool like DiskWarrior or TechTools Pro. It makes recovering from common disk problems a snap.
You run the software from the CD which also contains system start up files on it so it can diagnose and repair many disk problems after they've happened...keeping you from a trip to the Apple Store.
It's also a good idea to repair disk permissions frequently. Programs like Cocktail allow you to do this by setting up a timed event.
Dean

Cant get past the starting mac os x screen

hey im posting for my brother.. he has a macbook and now when he turns it on he cant get past the blue "starting the mac os x" screen its just stuck there.. HELP ?!?

Start up from the disk that came with the computer (or an upgrade disk). (Insert the disk, hold down the “C” key-it takes awhile so be patient. If it starts up to the install screen, click continue in the window that first appears. Then select “utilities” in the finder menu and select "disk utility”. Your HD should show up in the sidebar window. Highlight it and click the "repair disk” button. Come back with your results.

Powerbook keeps freezing on the blue "STARTING MAC OS X" screen

Had to reboot about 4 times today and finally I got stuck on the blue screen with the progress bar under the "starting mac os x" message about a quarter full. this is the screen that you get after the grey start-up screen with the apple logo. anyone have any suggestions or ideas? thanks!

Welcome to the Apple discussions.
First, if you have any hardware connected to yrou PB, unhook it.
I would want to insert the first OS X CD, which says 'AHT Version x.x' on it, and reboot holding the alt/option key down. Choose the Apple hardware test, click the arrow pointing to the right, and follow directions. Choose the extended test. Does it tell you anything?
Another option along the same lines .... insert the first OS X CD, and reboot holding the C key down. This will boot from the CD. The bring up the disk utility, and choose repair permissions, then repair disk. Does the repair disk tell you anything? Eject the CD and try rebooting normally.
And another option is to reboot holding the shift key down. This is a safe boot, and it does some disk maintenance and doesn't load the login items, amongst other things. If this works, try rebooting normally.

IBook will not start up - solid black screen

I am in love with my iBook and have not had a single problem with it the first sixteen months I had it. This morning I was using it and everything was fine, I put it to sleep, then it fell from a desk onto my foot. It fell at an angle, but my foot broke the fall. After that it does not start up, but remains in a solid black screen. The caps lock and number lock lights change when the appropriate buttons are pushed, but the power button does nothing, there is no sound, no fan, nothing.
When the battery is in, the power cord light is amber, but when I remove the battery, it goes to green. I have tried starting with the battery in and without it. The computer is slightly warm on the bottom. Also, the four lights on the battery are constantly lit, which I never noticed before.
Naturally I created an iMovie for a Christmas gift that I have not yet burned, so I want to resolve this asap.
Please offer suggestions! I'm not the most technically minded person, so layman's terms would be much appreciated. I looked through 20some pages of posts, but none of the suggestions seemed to help.
I do have the disks that came with the computer, but when I tried to insert a dvd, the computer would not even accept it all the way and did nothing to respond.
Thanks for any suggestions!

Cricket419,
Welcome to the forum.
I was told I can never buy one. Ever. Nice customer service there. I'm sure they know the majority of the warranties are never used, so I was offering pure profit for basically nothing on their part. As much as I love my computer, I'll think twice next time if this is how they respond to customers' requests to purchase additional items.
On the other hand; the flip-side of the coin as it were, there's this post from someone with a totally opposite experience from you:
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=1348953#1348953
Specifically the following, from The TKDKid:
He spoke to the store manager, who authorized an exchange for a brand new one. They asked me if I could leave it for a couple of hours, and transferred all my files and personal settings to the new one. I was very pleased with the service I got.
I'm glad that your iBook is working again. With regards to AppleCare we all have 1 year from the date of purchase to buy it. It's up to us to decide and to remember to buy AppleCare during this period should we choose to do so. If we forget, then it's our fault and we have to own the fact that it's our fault, accept it and move on. It's not Apple's responsibily or fault.
If you have Home Contents Insurance then an option for you is to add the iBook to the items covered. Some (most?) home contents insurances automatically include repairs/replacement to computer damage (including any damage caused by accident). That would solve your cover queries. Wouldn't it?

How to start Mac when black screen occurs?

My MacPro can't start up now, only show black screen and sounds when click the power button. The power is charged. So I don't know how to open it now?
About my MacPro: MacBook Pro 7.1, with 10.9 and Ubuntu 14.04.

Try SMC and PRAM resets:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379
If available, connect it to an external monitor. If there is an image on the monitor, then the display or display connection is probably faulty. If there is no image, then the GPU is faulty.
Last option is an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a FREE evaluation.
Ciao.

G4 Ibook hangs on start-up

Oh, have I got trouble...with my ibook g4, system 10.3.9
Last night I was trying to update Quicktime from the internet, and it hung up. I used the crash button, then re-started, but it hung on the last start-up item. I got out my Techtools Deluxe 3.0.3 disc, and started from that, and it got all the way to step 1.6 million of step 5 of 6 of Volume Repair, when it hung up again. So I've started it again, and in a couple hours we'll maybe be somewhere.
I would try starting up from my original system disc, if I could find it. Do any of you guys know where I put it?
Any ideas of what might be wrong, or how I might fix it?
Thanks in advance.

Dear inquiring mind:
Some people just love a challenge, and would not accept the easy way out, to just purchase install disks and do a re-installation.
However, to your question:
I can use my G# as a go between, allowing me to go into the ibook's hardrive and remove the system folder, and replace it with the system folder from the back-up.
Will this work?
I've never done it, but it's worth a try. If your G3 (did you say which G3 you have? I can't seem to recall.) supports Firewire, you could link the two computers via Firewire Target Disk Mode while the external USB Backup HDD is connected to the G3. You could, theoretically, use SuperDuper to clone the entire HDD over, or use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the parts of it you want. Dragging and dropping the System will not work.
That's the best I can do with that. See what you can do. Don't destroy you backup; you might need it later.
I'd be very interested to hear back from you.
Good luck.
cornelius

I am using ibook G4 PPC with mac os x10.4.11. A day before I delete one file from my hard disk by mistake and after that when I restarted my notebook, it's not starting the os. Only that blue screen is there. please, show me how to deal with it.

I am using an old ibook G4 ppc with mac os x 10.4.11. A day before by default I delete one file and I think it was the startup file of os because after that when I restarted my notebook it's not running the OS only that blue screen is there. This notebook was a gift for me and still it is so close to my heart. I don't wana loose it. Please, help me out.

Without the install CD, you are hosed.
What happened to it?
It is possible to call AppleCare and order a replacement. They will charge you a nominal fee for shipping and handling.
Allan

IBook not starting Mac OS

Hi, recently a customer bring me an iBook G4 12, the mac didnt start the MAc OS X.
The problem is this:
When the iBook starts it stays a lot in the Apple logo and round loading circle... afeter 10 or more minutes change to a blue screen without any on screen, finally after 10 or more minutes it change to the same blue screen but with the mouse pointer on it, whe I can move the mouse but no more else.
1. I dont have de software.
2. After trying the key SHIFT after the sound scheme y shutdowns after some minutes.
3. If I enter in single user (Apple key + S) and try some commands appears the next:
"/sbin/fsck -fy"
**/dev/rdisk0s3
**Root file system
**Checking HFS Plus volume
**Checking Extens Overflow file
**Checking Catalog file
Invalid node structure
(4, 1152)
**Volume check failed
4. If I try to mount the drive, it also sends an error:
"strategy err 0x5"
"I/O error"
5. If i put logout the ibook try to start but stops as the same problem, blue screen with mouse movement.
Thanks.

Hi there!
Sounds like the hard disk drive may be bad, or have bad sectors or file structures.
Perhaps a bootable disk tool (or the OS X installer which is bootable and has a
disk utility on it) would be necessary to hope to fix the errors on the drive; or to
be able to further study the problem to see if the hard disk drive may have failed.
Since the hard disk drives in iBook G4s are not so easy to exchange with a new
replacement, though that probably is a necessity, some users try to check and
repair the internal drive before replacing it. A tool such as Disk Warrior is helpful.
And any supported retail version of OS X the machine can use, in appropriate
disc media, should be able to start the computer (hold C on start) and be able to
use the Installer's Disk Utility to repair disk. That may not be enough; but you
can also verify disk to see if it passes the SMART test. Sometimes these do,
but still have issues requiring eventual replacement if they are well-used iBooks.
If you have a second Mac running OS X, you could see if the portable in question
could boot into FireWire Target Disk Mode, and then be seen as an external HDD.
With a FireWire cable, you may be able to see if the iBook's drive could be repaired
from a Disk Utility version in a host computer, so attached. (Use FW 6-pin to 6-pin.)
I have not tried this; so you may wish to check out the Support page for Target Disk
Mode, and other reading to see if there is a problem with this idea!
Good luck & happy computing!

Login screen won't show up after "Starting Mac OS X..."

Hi all,
I have a little bit of a problem with an iBook that I was using a couple of months ago. (I haven't had time to use it since then...)
What happens is that I'll turn it on, and it'll start and everything, but a few seconds after "Starting Mac OS X..." disappears, the screen turns black and turns into a command prompt and asks me to log in through the prompt. After I log in, the screen just turns blue, basically like the "Starting Mac OS X..." screen, but without the window. Nothing happens after that.
Can anyone please tell me what's wrong? Can someone help me solve it?
Thanks in advance for any answers.

Try starting in safe mode and doing a Pram reset.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

I have an iMac running Lion and W7 with boot camp . It has been operating flawlessly until I went to reboot into Mac tonight. Screen went black, and system is unresponsive. I've tried force quitting and turning power off. Hard drive starts but that's it..

I have a 5 month old iMac running Lion and W7 with the latest version of boot camp . It has been operating flawlessly until I went to reboot into Mac tonight. Screen went black, and system is unresponsive. I've tried force quitting and turning power off. Hard drive starts, there's a small amount of drive activity and that's it.

Hi Jane, your info may still be there, look in the Users folder at root of the drive, how many users are there there?
It sounds like this may have happened...
Return to default desktop, apparent "loss" of home directory, (it can happen spontaneously too)...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107854

Dreamweaver MX 2004 hangs at start on new Mac Mini OS X 10.5.5

Dreamweaver MX 2004 hangs at start on Brand New Mac Mini OS X
10.5.5.
Mac Mini is brand new, right out of the box. Fresh OS.
I try to start Dreamweaver, and it hangs, and then the
Problem Report comes up with the attached info. I've uninstalled,
downloaded Dreamweaver and re-installed. Nothing works.
----------------------- Here is the Problem report
----------------------

Thanks for the reply.
I downloaded and installed the update.
I still get the exact same problem, and error report.
I have the exact same problem with Fireworks MX 2004 as well.
After a fresh download and install of the software, clicking on the
application icon just causes it to bounce momentarily in the dock,
and then it crashes and the error log comes up.
I have been able to install Flash CS4 without incident,
though. It works fine, with no problems.
I shouldn't have to do this on a brand new mini right out of
the box, but I'm going to run a restore on it, and then try a fresh
install once again.

Ibook hangs at "starting mac os x" screen

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