IMac freezing now won't boot up circle keeps going round and round

iMac was freezing up wouldn't come out of sleep mode with mouse or keyboard but it would restart with power button. Today when I went to restart it won't go off of first screen with the apple and spinning circle won't start tried restarting several times any suggestions?

How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
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, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer. Now restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro 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.

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Imac G3 had clean install OS 10.1; can't install 9.2; now won't boot at all

Hello,
I was given an older imac G3--has 176 mg ram; 6 gb hard drive. Due to its small memory and the fact my daughter just wanted it for games, I decided to only install OS 10.1, instead of OS 9.2.2 and OS 10.1.5 which I have on my G4.
Then, I found that most of my CD games (no internet access) need Classic to run. So, upon inserting my OS 9.1 disk to install that, I got the message that the firmware needed to be updated; then an error saying I needed installer 4.5.5.
Two questions:
1. How do I get around the fact that my firmware needs to be updated but when I boot from a locked disk, I get the error message that firmware updates can't take place due to locked disk.
2. Now, I can't get it to boot at all into OS X or any disk in the CD drive--I get a screen with a little script that says, "failed to boot, etc., Apple Firmware 3.0 3f built 12/__98
then (not exact text)
0 >boot MAC-PARTS: specified partition invalid, etc.
can't open ide1, etc.
I hooked it up to my other G3 imac and my G4 via ethernet cable but since there's no system accessible, I can't turn on file sharing/Apple talk, etc.
Hoping I'm not the only night owl going round and round with these kind of problems. Any help would be much appreciated.
Valerie in Seattle

If you don't mind wiping the hard drive, boot from the 10.1 installer disk and install the 9 drivers:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=75275
Then find out what CD came with the Mac by first identifying it:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58669
And then looking at this article:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25517
If it came with 9, get the original CD that came with it to install Mac OS 9.
If it came with Mac OS 8.6 or earlier, get a retail 9 CD which looks like
Do a clean install using
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58176 as a guide once you have the correct 9 disk.
Then install the firmware update that corresponds to your Mac:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86117
And then I would not even bother with 10.1.5 anymore and get 10.2. Repairing issues with 10.1.5 is difficult. 10.2 installer disks which work on that machine once the firmware is updated look like

TS1367 my mac pro won't boot up, it keeps showing the circle but then shuts off. I've disconnected everything and it keeps doing the same thing.

I have a mac pro desktop and it won't boot up, it keeps freezing at the circle and then appears to be loading and then it shuts off. I've turned it off and disconnected everything and reconnect and it does the same thing.

I wasn't aware PRAM batteries did any charging
Apple has used rechargeable batteries for volatile storage for some time.
and just 'held' information in NVRAM and PRAM when needed and there was no power coming in
I can't see data held in NVRAM/PRAM doing something like keeping time without some power. One can't assume a permanent Internet connection to update it when the system is turned on now can we?
I assume it is on a 1000VA UPS that has good battery and fully charged too, and didn't discharge during the vacation
If the UPS was turned off it's as good as being totally unplugged so it may well have still been at 100% upon return. There's no power delivery when the UPS is off remember.

IMac G4 800 won't boot

Hi,
My old G4 iMac flat panel won't boot (Spec and OS below). When you turn it on it gets stuck on the grey screen and nothing happens. I've tried holding down shift to get a safe boot but that doesn't work. I've then tried using the OS install disk to access disk utility but that doesn't work. Just the same grey screen. Now you can't use the power button to force it to turn off, you have to switch it off at the mains.
Any help please!
Spec
iMac G4 800 MHZ 767 gigs Ram
OS 10.2.8
Thanks

Hello Again Reelsick Productions!
As I Previously Replied, in your Other Topic;
What size is the Hard Drive, and how much space is available?
How much RAM is installed, and is it original or added?
What peripherals do you have connected? A keyboard, mouse, printer, external drive or modem, router, etc?
What happened between the last time the iMac started successfully, and when it didn't?
Have you made any changes, like upgrading the system, updated or installed any applications or programs, etc?
Have there been any unusual occurences, like freezes, crashes, power outages, etc?
Are you able to startup from the system install disc using John Huber's Startup Manager suggestion to run Repair Disk?
Is the iMac shutdown overnight, or does it run 24/7?
Have you ever run any routine Maintenance procedures?
ali b

IMac 400 DV won't boot

My trusty iMac 400 DV won't boot, and it is currently our main email machine. It has 19 GB HD and 3+ GB available, according to Finder. I'm using 10.3.9 with 768 MB RAM. Please send any suggestions ...
Symptoms:
It had been bogging down lately, and making a few clicking sounds plus the usual whirring.
I did Repair Permissions, Onyx clean up recently. Did not help much.
Today I wanted to check hard drive, so I put in G4 install/recover DVD 1 of 2 for 10.3 & restarted with Control key.
It took forever, but only got the bong, then the apple icon, a small colored square, then a blue screen.
Unplugged everything & retried. Could not get DVD out, even with paper clip.
Tried to zap PRAM on startup, but kept Restart message now after a long time.
Have not tried resetting PMU yet. Looks like its a square button by the RAM slot.
Suspect I have an immediate problem due to jammed DVD, then possible HD and PRAM. Do Radio Shack or other local computer stores usually sell the 3.5 V battery?
THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

Hey tom and welcome to Apple discussions,
It had been bogging down lately, and making a few clicking sounds plus the usual whirring.
Sounds like the hard drive going bad.
Today I wanted to check hard drive, so I put in G4 install/recover DVD 1 of 2 for 10.3 & restarted with Control key.
Yah usually it's not going to like that since it's a machine specific disk.
Unplugged everything & retried. Could not get DVD out, even with paper clip.
This way?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2285
Suspect I have an immediate problem due to jammed DVD, then possible HD and PRAM. Do Radio Shack or other local computer stores usually sell the 3.5 V battery?
Yes but it's $16 vs $5 at OWC. Most likely you'll need a new HD and the proper installer.
Richard

MacBook pro kernel panic, now won't boot. Am I doomed?

My MacBook Pro 15" (bought in Jan 2012) just had a kernel panic and now won't boot up.. Am I doomed?

No, it doesn't necessarily mean the hard drive is toast. You can start by doing the following:
Boot into Safe Mode then do this:
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions - Lion
Boot from your Lion Recovery HD. 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. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
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.
If the drive is OK and you can repair permissions, then see if the computer will boot up normally. If it doesn't boot up normally then reinstall OS X:
Reinstalling Lion Without Erasing the 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 the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

Imac 7 1 won't boot

My imac 7 1 won't boot up without a cd. When I try to boot it up without a cd it just pops up with a blinking grey folder and a question mark inside the folder. When I boot it up with any cd (mac os x 10.4.10 or mac os x 10.5.4) it boots up and I have to select a language then a message pops up and says "THIS SOFTWARE CANNOT BE INSTALLED ON THIS COMPUTER."... THIS IS THE WEIRDEST THING TO ME: When I hold the power button and option key, I no longer sees MACINTOSH HD, it just shows the blinking grey folder. I said I no longer see Macintosh HD, is because there was a time when it was actually there. Macintosh HD also isn't in my startup disk as it suppose to be. When I use the disk utility on either cd, i actually see Macintosh HD....SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME, I'M NOT A MAC USER BUT A WINDOWS....I JUST WANTED TO TRY MAC OUT AND SO FAR ITS SO BAD.....

The 7,1 iMac is a mid-2007, 24 inch (can you confirm that's correct?), which came with OS 10.4.10 originally, so you seem to have the correct disks. It also sounds like you are able to boot from a CD successfully, and the fact that you can then see the HD icon is a good sign. It may be that Disk Utility can repair it, I would try that and report what DI tells you.
However, do you have a back up of files from this disk? Before doing anything else you should try to rescue any critical files from it. An external drive would be very useful for this if you don't have one already.
This machine is also user-repairable (I've replaced an internal hard-drive on this machine myself, tricky but not impossible!), or you could have a repair shop do it for several hundred $. Its also the case that you could just buy an external drive, load a new system on it and never replace the internal drive. This would be much cheaper and easier, cost depends on how much space you want and the quality of the drive, but for $100 you could have a much larger drive than what you have currently (probably a 320 or 500MB).

My Ipad 2 won't reboot. the little circle keeps going round but the buttons don't work. help please.

My Ipad 2 won't reboot. The little circle keeps going round but that's all, it won't boot. nothing happens when I press the button on the top either. Please help.

After you hold the power and home buttons at the SAME time until the Apple Logo appears (ignore the red slider to shut down) then let go of both buttons and you don't need to do anything else. Your iPad will restart all by itself. Just be patient, but leave your iPad alone after the Logo appears.

So my Ipod touch hasn't been connecting to computer, or charging for a week or two until i turn it off completely and now i try to reset all content and setting, the circle goes round and round for like hrs(24) and it still does not complete the reset

so my Ipod touch hasn't been connecting to computer, nor charging for a week or two until i turn it off completely and now i try to reset all content and setting,(thinking it may connect to the computer and itunes and also charge) but the circle goes round and round for like hrs(24) and it still does not complete the reset.
pls pls pls pls help .
i have tried alot of solutions, but non of them have worked.

Have you tried walking it into the nearest Apple Store and asking for assistance there...?
I'm guessing you don't have Apple Care on it.

Mac won't boot, starts with white apple screen and spinning wheel. Also has grey loading bar which disappears after loaded then stays at white apple screen.

Mac won't boot, starts with white apple screen and spinning wheel. Also has grey loading bar which disappears after loaded then stays at white apple screen.

Hi cybertoof,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you're seeing a startup issue with your Mac, it's booting to a gray screen with an Apple logo. Try the suggestions in the article linked below, they will resolve most issues related to starting up your Mac.
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
I hope this helps.
-Jason

HT4199 iphone no longer connected to my home wifi. the circle keeps going around but won't connect

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Hello VanSlyke333,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information, take a look at:
iOS: Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1398
Unable to connect to a Wi-Fi network
Verify that you're attempting to connect to your desired Wi-Fi network.
Make sure you're entering your Wi-Fi password correctly. Passwords may be case sensitive and may contain numbers or special characters.
Reset network settings by tapping Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Note: This will reset all network settings including:
Have a nice day,
Mario

Went to use my ipad tonight and the screen is blank except for a little circle going round and round and I ccant switch the device off

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Try a soft-reset : press and hold both the sleep and home buttons for about 10 to 15 seconds, after which the Apple logo should appear and it should reboot - you won't lose any content, it's the iPad equivalent of a reboot.

I want to cancel my subscription and I'm just being taken round and round in circles and Im not happy

i want to cancel my monthly subscription and I'm being taken round and round in circles.

Hi there
I see your plan has now been cancelled but please let us know if you require any further assistance.
Kind regards
Bev

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Blue screen of death, and continous reboot. Phone never actually boots up, just keeps going from reboot to blue screen and back again. Any suggestion?

Hello jared1915
If you are stuck in that loop, the next step would be to restore your iPhone. Check out the article below to get your iPhone into recovery-mode and restore it in iTunes.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
Regards,
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IMac freezing now won't boot up circle keeps going round and round

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