IMAC wont startup/Gray Screen

I have an IMAC G5 I bought a little over 2 years ago. A couple of weeks ago everything was fine and then it stopped recording some video I shot for my church.
My #1 problem is that the screen is light gray with a dark gray rectangle in the middle that says,
You need to restart your computer, hold down the power button for a few seconds or press restart.
I have done this 7,8 times and the same screen comes up.
Also my #2 Problem is that I placed a DVD in it thinking it was the boot disk which it isn't and the IMAC want eject it either.
Can anyone tell me whats up and the steps to take for a cure?
Thanks a bunch
Steve J
IMAC 1.8 GH 250GB @ 7200rpm Mac OS X (10.3.5)
IMAC 1.8 GH 250GB @ 7200rpm Mac OS X (10.3.5)

What you are experiencing is a kernel panic:
UNIX-style operating systems (such as Mac OS X, Mac OS X Server, AIX, and A/UX) may experience a type of error called a "kernel panic," which may provide information useful for software developers.
A kernel panic is a type of error that occurs when the core (kernel) of an operating system receives an instruction in an unexpected format, or that it fails to handle properly. A kernel panic may also follow when the operating system is not able to recover from a different type of error. A kernel panic can be caused by damaged or incompatible software or, more rarely, damaged or incompatible hardware.
This article should help you in resolving the problem.
Let us know how you make out,
Miriam

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1. Have you tried the SMU reset? (Disconnect every cable from the back of the computer and leave for a few minutes; then reinsert power cable while holding power button in and hold power button in for at least 10 seconds; then release power button and press it again to power on the Mac).
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Imac freezes with gray screen after mavericks update

I was updating my imac system and it is frozen in a gray screen, like it is restarting.
It's been twenty minutes and it didn't restarted.
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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 startup failure is to secure the 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 the last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to start. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
     a. Start up from 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.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
b. If Step 1a fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
c. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start 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.
d. 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
If the startup process stops at a blank gray screen with no Apple logo or spinning "daisy wheel," then the startup volume may be full. If you had previously seen warnings of low disk space, this is almost certainly the case. You might be able to start up in safe mode even though you can't start up normally. Otherwise, start up from an external drive, or else use the technique in Step 1b, 1c, or 1d to mount the internal drive and delete some files. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation.
Step 3
Sometimes a startup failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 4
If you use a wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, replace or recharge the batteries. The battery level shown in the Bluetooth menu item may not be accurate.
Step 5
If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
Step 6
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can start up 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.
Step 7
If you've started from an external storage device, make sure that the internal startup volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Start up in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start 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 the login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
When you start up 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, the startup volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 11. If you ever have another problem with the drive, replace it immediately.
If you can start and log in in safe mode, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on the startup 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 restart as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the startup process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 8
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select the 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 restart as usual.
Step 9
If the startup device is an aftermarket SSD, it may need a firmware update and/or a forced "garbage collection." Instructions for doing this with a Crucial-branded SSD were posted here. Some of those instructions may apply to other brands of SSD, but you should check with the vendor's tech support.
Step 10
Reinstall the OS. If the Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 11
Do as in Step 9, but this time erase the startup volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically restart into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer the data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 12
This step applies only to models that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery: all Mac Pro's and some others (not current models.) Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery, if there is one, is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a startup failure. Typically the failure will be preceded by loss of the settings for the startup disk and system clock. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 13
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

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hi folks
i had been off work for 4 weeks due to a knee op and on my return i was informed my 20 inch imac wont start up.
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So i tried the command option PR, second chime went fine, then the same thing.
So i launched from the install CD, this gave me the option to reinstall my OS and archive the old one, retaining all my user settings, i opted for this and it failed to install twice, saying i should retry the installation.
any ideas?
i am contemplating using it as a T target disc and grabbing my necessary files then re-formatting.

hopefully they mean expedite rather than escalate? but who knows with apple support!
Basically I wondered the same as you, what if we only had one mac????
I guess i would be mac-less and they would resolve things, i think it is under warranty still.
T mode is achieved by pressing T upon startup, this turns your mac into an accessible hard drive via firewire, you are in T (transfer i think) mode once the firewire logo floats around the screen and this enabled me to grab everything essential and stick it on my MBpro.
T mode is also an option when first installing, and transfers everything over from an old or alternate mac, internet connnections, applications, network settings, the lot, it is absolute genius compared to the old mac days!
If your machine is stil under warranty then the least they can do is replace it if they cannot fix it!!!!

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Hi - My 2011 iMac with 10.8.2 is stuck on the gray screen when rebooting. I was in Windows 7 bootcamp, and restarted to OS X. I see the screen below, and once the progress bar reaches 100%, the computer shuts off. Every time I reboot, the same problem. I've disconnected everything, except for the standard bluetooth wireless keyboard. I've tried some various boot options, such as holding down Shift while rebooting, as well as command+R, but neither had any impact, it is the same problem over and over. Any tips on what to try next?

If you want to preserve the data on the internal drive(s), 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, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to fully boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
1. Boot into Recovery (command-R at startup) or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in the support article linked below, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
How to back up and restore your files
2. 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 by holding down the key combination command-T at the startup chime. Connect the two Macs with a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable. The internal drive of the machine running in target mode will mount as an external drive on the other machine. Copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode
3. 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.

My imac has a gray screen when waking it up from sleep mode. about 9 months ago, I installed OS X Maverick.

This is the second time this has happened, since installing OS X (9 mos. ago). (I can't recall the fix from the last incident.) Upon waking the pc up from sleep mode, I get a gray screen. Nothing works except using the Command and P & R keys to get to "reinstalling OS X", to no avail. What do I need to do to get it back to normal?
My imac is a 21.5", mid 2011 item.

Those keys do not reinstall OS X. To do that:
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.
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My iMac won't load. When I turn it on there is the "chime" then nothing but a gray screen. I tried reseting the PMU, but still nothing. The machine froze while doing a backup and my hubby forced the machine off. When I tried to turn on the next day, this is what I got. Have tried starting it with everything unplugged... I am in the USVI and there are no Apple people here so I really need some HELP!

Since the problem seems to have started with the forced shutdown, try repairing the hard drive following the steps in Trav's Tips
You can also review this Apple KB Article
Try repairing the disk first and see if that does the trick.
Good luck (although since you're in the VI's your luck seems to be pretty good!)
Clint

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Hello everyone I'm new in the forum and also in the world of mac.
I just got the iMac 21.5 "for 2 days.
Last night I switched to install the HP LaserJet multifunction CD loaded installed and rebooted the Mac as he said, everything ok ...
After that I put the CD as the print server for network installation, I booted the installation but before he reached the end of the installation, the monitor has dropped a patina gray with the center of the inscription in English and hold the button Once closed off and press again the power ....?
Having done as he said the Mac has been restarted but the monitor just turns white and appears the apple falls gray patina with the same message in English to restart ..
After an hour lost to reboot and restart sonoinnervosito me, and I try via forums if someone can help me ..
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David is correct remove the HP software you installed, you can use AppCleaner to help you do that.
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IMac freezes on gray screen w/ logo & wheel ... help!

Hey there guys. I was capturing footage in FCP today to an external Lacie and the comp froze. Hard restarted, but now comp won't boot past the grey apple screen. The wheel does come up, but freezes after 1 or 2 rotations. Resetting PRAM does nothing. Computer will start, shut down, restart, copy/delete files totally fine in safe mode, so it doesn't seem like a mount/HD issue. In safe mode, using disk utility to verify, no errors found. However, on restart after safe mode, problem reoccurs. I've installed no recent hardware or software. I don't have any startup programs that I know of. Is there some file somewhere I should be deleting that's causing this problem? Thanks!
Message was edited by: mwaltz
Edit: It's a 1 TB drive w/80GB remaining, 3.06 Ghz, 4GB DDR3 ram. Message was edited by: mwaltz

HI and welcome to Apple Discussions...
Boot back into Safe Mode and check for available disk space.
Right or control click the MacintoshHD icon. Click Get Info. In the Get Info window you will see Capacity and Available. Make sure you always have a minimum of 10% to 15% free disk space at all times.
In Safe Mode check for Login Items. Open System Preferences/Accounts then select the Login Items tab. Delete any files or apps you have listed there. And go to /Library/Startup Items. Move any files in the Startup Items folder to the Trash.
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Hi im Jordan.i need help on my hp envy m6 laptop. I added windows 8 pro with media center, Now My windows need to be activated again and the activation codes dont work. So i went to reset my pc and it ask are you sure you want to do this, i click reset then it is saying preparing. then it is black for a second or 2, then its only gray! i left it all night. i woke up still the same. so i just turned it off and back on. i did f11 (for system recovery) then its Gray again.
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Hello Jordan, welcome to the HP Forums.
It appears that you were trying to upgrade to Windows 8, that something wasn't working so you attempted to reset it, this has cause the PC to stick on a grey screen and you can't even do a system recover with f11. I will attempt to help you with this.
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If you require further assistance after that document, could you please reply with the model and product numbers for your notebook.
Thank you for posting on the HP Forums.
I worked on behalf of HP.

My imac wont startup

I get the screen with the apple logo and the turning circle but nothing happens after that. It is a 2009 model with intel processor.

Hi Steven,
Dependng on OSX version...
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
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4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
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IMAC wont startup/Gray Screen

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