Imac G5 stuck on white loading screen with gray apple and spinning wheel

I purchased this imac from a rebutable seller on ebay. He obviously had it working before he sent it to me, and he has been helpfull the whole way through, so I am positive this computer is not junk. When I recieved it, I plugged it in and turned it on, at first nothing would show up on the screen and the fans came on. Then, I contacted the seller and he told me to hold the shift key while turning it on. That did work to some extent. Now when I turn it on, it is stuck on the white screen with the gray apple and the spinning wheel. He had just updated and installed EVERYTHING imaginable so I am positive everything is up to date. I am not sure what to do, I have researched this but I cannot seem to find an answer. Oh, and even know on the white screen the fans turn on. It is quite weird.
Well, I hope someone can help. Thank you.

Call AppleCare. You should not be having problems with a brand-new machine.

Similar Messages

Brand new MacBookPro 13" , Stuck at White Screen with gray apple and spinning gear.

Brand new MacBookPro 13" , Stuck at White Screen with gray apple and spinning gear.
This MBP apparently didn't come with a DVD and safe mode ( holding shift at boot up ) isn't working.
Any ideas would be most appreciated.

Call AppleCare. You should not be having problems with a brand-new machine.

Just tried to update my iPad 2 to the current iOS, and I got an error that said the update wouldn't install. The iPad is stuck in a funny mode with the apple and spinning wheel showing. I can't power it down or restart it. What next? Thanks.

Just tried to update my iPad 2 to the current iOS, and I got an error that said the update wouldn't install. The iPad is stuck in a funny mode with the apple and spinning wheel showing. I can't power it down or restart it. What next? Thanks.

Try a hard reset: hold the power and home buttons simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.

I was reading slides on powerpoint and my macbook froze so I restarted it and it stuck in the start screen with the apple and the loading wheel and it would not go any further. How can I restart my computer?

I was reading slides on powerpoint and my macbook froze so I restarted it and it stuck in the start screen with the apple and the loading wheel and it would not go any further. How can I restart my computer?

Press and hold down the power button until it shut down. Then power it back up.

MacBook will turn on to white screen with gray apple and loading bar, will load very little and then turn off. What do I do?

MacBook will turn on to white screen with gray apple and loading bar, will load very little and then turn off. What do I do?

Bescobar23,
which model MacBook do you have, and which version of OS X is installed on it?

My MacBook Pro is crashing and Mac OS stops working sometimes so I have to restart it. And sometimes it stays on the first white-ish screen with the Apple and won't start further. What to do?

my MacBook Pro is crashing and Mac OS stops working sometimes so I have to restart it. And sometimes it stays on the first white-ish screen with the Apple and won't start further.
What to do?
Does that mean that the is the end of my Mac Book 5bought in the summer of 2009) ? Or is there someting to do to fix it?
Thanks
V

Try this:
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.

TS1367 when the white start screen comes on with the apple and spinning wheel but underneath it there is a bar. Once the bar fills up my MacBook goes off what is that? What do I do?

start screen comes on with the apple and spinning wheel but underneath it there is a bar. Once the bar fills up my MacBook goes off what is that? What do I do?

Have you tried a safe start by holding the shift key when you boot? If that works, and it can take a while to complete, see if a regular boot now works. If it does, you need to free up space on your hard drive.
If a safe boot doesn't work, you need to either boot from an OS X DVD or go into target disk mode to connect via firewire cable to another mac to free up space on your hard drive. You need 5GB min, with 10% to 15%, or more, better, for systems usage. If you have a backup, move some data files to it, erase them and empty the trash.

When i turn on my Mac book air I get a white screen with an apple and spinning pinwheel

Why won't my Mac book air turn on? I get a white screen with apple and spinning pinwheel.

If you wish help you are going to have to tell us more then that.
What version of OS X is your MBA running?
What did you change before this started?
Allan

I went away for a week and shut my MacBook Pro down. Since being back it has been super slow so I decided to restart it. Now it gets stuck at the white screen with the apple and spinning circle. HELP!!! I tried restarting over again and it didnt help.

Sometimes it will stay at the apple screen and sometimes it just shuts back off. The battery is fully charged.

ashleymay wrote:
I'm pretty sure it's mountain lion. Neither of your links worked tho, but thanks for trying! I'm new to Macs and only really know the basics of how to use it. When I power on and hold the option key I can chose to recover my Mac. What will that do? Will I lose pictures and stuff? I just went to Mexico and all my pics are on there and I'd hate to lose them, also lots of pics of my little boy.
Hmmmm, they are both working for me. What happened when you clicked on the links? Any error messages?

TS1367 My MacBook turned on but is stuck on the white screen with the apple and the loading circle.

My MacBook turned on but is stuck on the white screen with the apple and the loading circle.

Hi there Mpontari,
I would recommend taking a look at the troubleshooting steps found in the article below.
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
-Griff W.

I accidently downloaded something that made my webcam flash on spuradically even once i deleted it. when i restarted my computer it got stuck at the white loading screen with the grey apple and wont go past there..what is wrong? will applecare cover this?

i accidently downloaded something that made my webcam flash on spuradically even once i deleted it. when i restarted my computer it got stuck at the white loading screen with the grey apple and wont go past there..what is wrong? will applecare cover this? my computer also slowed down drastically before it stopped working..thanks! HELP PLEASE!

Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
Step 1
The first step in dealing with a boot failure is to secure your data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since your last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
a. Boot into the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
b. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
c. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
Step 2
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to boot, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can boot now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
If you've booted from an external storage device, make sure that your internal boot volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Step 3
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
When you boot in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, your boot volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the boot process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 4
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 5
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select your startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 6
Reinstall the OS. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 7
Repeat Step 6, but this time erase the boot volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer your data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 8
This step applies only to older Macs (not current models) that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery. Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a gray screen at boot. Typically the boot failure will be preceded by loss of the startup disk and system clock settings. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 9
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. If you can't get to an Apple Store, go to another authorized service provider.

I have a iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009). On start up It will sit at the White screen with the logo and the wheel that spins under it. It will not go past this point? Any ideas?

I have a iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009). On start up It will sit at the white screen with the logo and the wheel that spins under it. It will not go past this point? Any ideas?

Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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 Utilities menu. 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.
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.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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 Utilities menu. 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.
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. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain 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/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

MacBook pro stuck on white loading screen, help please.

Hi guys, yesterday I was playing on my MacBook pro and all of a sudden the screen went black and it turned off. Once trying to turn my laptop back on it was just stuck on the white loading screen with the appe logo and loading wheel. I've been surfing around the forum and tried some things that others have said worked for them but none seems to work for me, so I decided to create a question so I can get more personal help. I don't have any installation CDs for the MacBook, either which I know makes things more difficult but hopefully ill be able to solve this some other way. Please help if you can!

jenan123 wrote:
I have the same problem. We need hellp here.
I can't help the other person, it's a old post and it sounds like they had a hardware issue anyway, which we can't fix here.
If you can start a new discussion in the MacBook forum and describe your problem in detail, perhaps we can assist.
The system works via email responses/notification and rewards points, but only for the original poster.
jenan123 wrote:
WHy is this forum if noone seems to care to answer
We are other Mac users who volunteer our time, we recieve nothing from Apple.
Sometimes if the poster posts at the wrong time of day (not day time USA/Europe, their post can drop off or be missed.

My imac starts up with a white screen, gray apple and spinning gear and is frozen on that screen. What can I do?

my imac starts up with a white screen, gray apple and spinning gear and is frozen on that screen. What can I do?

Start your iMac with the original DVD that camera with the system. Then open disk utility and repair your hard drive, also repair your permissions.

What do I do when I start my iMac I get a white screen with an apple and a moving circle?

All I get when my iMac is turned on is a white screen with an apple and a moving circle. What should I do to get the iMac to boot?

Do you have reliable backup you can restore from, as an erase and re-install may be required?
Before you got down that route, it's possible that it might get fixed if you try again. Not sure about that particular error, but I have had errors in the past that Disk Utility wouldn't fix on the first attempt but then subsequently did.
It's also possible that the (around $99, I think) Disk Warrior might resolve it - but not guaranteed.
However, I just found this thread: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3862376?start=15&tstart=0 have a look at Nirvi's post at the end - there may be hope (I've not tried this, although it seems to have helped a few, although not everybody - so at your own risk and I wouldn't try it if I didn't have backup).

Imac G5 stuck on white loading screen with gray apple and spinning wheel

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for