Installed Lion then white screen of death

Hello I just installed Lion based on an email that said I had to switch for the migration from Mobile Me to ICloud. As soon as it downloaded, there was a problem. A screen came up that said, problem loading restart to try again. I did and now I have the white screen of death with a flashing apple, file with a question mark and the no symbol, I.e. circle with a line through it. I've shut down at least twice but when I restart all I get is the white screen and flashing symbols. Everything is backed up via my time machine but this is crazy. Pls help. Thank you. T

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of this exercise is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Be sure your Mac is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, hold the Shift key. The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone, but not before the tone.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple icon and the progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
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.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem(s)?
After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)

Similar Messages

White screen of death - iMac OSX Lion

I upgraded my 2007 iMac to Lion and after a few days of perfect running the think locked up. When I forced the power off and back on it seemed to be booting fine (chimes, apple logo, disk spinning up and I could hear the drive head seeking) but then it froze up in the "White Screen of death" (WSOD). It was complete lockd up again, and nothing would bring it back. I had to reboot again. And again. Everytime it seems to be ok, but then locks up after it the screen goes white. . I did command option , p r keys with three chimes. I have unplugged it and let it sit. I disconnected all periferals. I reset the SMC. I booted into Single User mode and used unix commands to check the HD. No errors found. I disconnected my wireless Time Capsule.
Note that it appears to be booting fine at first with the useaul Apple Logo. And when I boot into the Single User mode all the text indicates no faults. The display and HD appear fine.
I inserted my original OSX Leopard disk and and tried to boot from it, using the "C" boot process and the Option boot method to manuualy select the DVD. No good. It just went into the WSOD again.
I have no idea what to try next!

RATS!
After ersing (and zeroing) out the HD nothing changed. I still could not completely boot up the install disk. I tried the original Leopard disk, and the Apple Lion USB thumbdrive. Both started the boot process, and gave me the grey Apple logo. But then after a minute or two jumped into the White Screen of Death.
I then replace both RAM chips. No change.
Now I have a brick. A very large and heavy brick.
But the computer will woerk as Target Disk Mode, and it actually goes through a normal boot cycle. That is, I can go into the Single Ud=ser mode and all UNIX command work fine.
Does anyone have any additional ideas of what can cause this?
Peter

My screen is completely white, i've tried holding lock and home buttons as seen on you tube something called 'white screen of death' its goes black (think it switches off) then back to the white screen need help fast please!

my screen is completely white, i've tried holding lock and home buttons as seen on you tube something called 'white screen of death' its goes black (think it switches off) then back to the white screen need help fast please!

If you have not done a factory reset on the device, I recommend doing a complete factory reset.
Factory Reset - Warning this will reset device back to original factory settings.
This method will not erase any MDN/MIN information
Turn off the phone
Press Power + Volume Up/Down at the same time and hold until display will show a triage android screen
Display will show:
Reboot system Now
Apply sdcard:update.zip
Wipe Data/Factory Reset
Wipe Cache Partition
Use VOL Down key to scroll down to "Wipe Data/Factory Reset", press home icon to select option and wipe device.
Display shows "All user data will be wiped out", press VOLUME Up to continue or VOLUME Down to exit.
Press Volume Up
Press Home to select "Reset System Now" - device will reboot
If the problem persist I recommend having a store technician take a look at the device.
Copy and paste the link below into your browser's address bar for the store locator.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/storelocator/index.jsp

Having an intermittent issue where my iMac blanks out on me. On restarting I get bands running down the screen with pixels jumping around, then the white screen of death and nothing... Wouldn't restart all weekend, now fine..? any ideas whats wrong?

Having an intermittent issue where my iMac blanks out on me. On restarting I get several bands running down the screen with pixels jumping around within the bands, then the white screen of death and nothing... This happens intermittently and usually restarts OK. Happened again three days ago and wouldn't restart for two days (again the bands/pixels etc) but now operating fine? Any ideas whats wrong with my iMac and what the solution may be? Also gets very hot from time to time, particularly if I'm playing music/watching youtube/movies for extended periods. Mac is 3.5 years old, running OS X 10.6.8, processor 3.4 GHz i7 memory 8GB 1333 MHz DDR3

If you live near an Apple Store, make a Genius Bar appointment to have the computer tested. Supposedly there is no charge for testing. Use 2nd link if not near an Apple Store or aren’t in the US.
Genius Bar Reservation US
Authorized Service Provider

White screen of death from game. And a new game not working at all

My iPod touch 4th gen has been getting the white screen of death when I try to play plants vs zombies why does this keep happening and is there a way to stop it from happening again?
And I recently installed fruit ninja and it won`t work at all it opens but it just says loading and then it crashes and I've tried running it in safe mode and it still dies the same thing what can I do to get the game to work?

- Reset the iOS device. Nothing will be lost
Reset iOS device: Hold down the On/Off button and the Home button at the same time for at
least ten seconds, until the Apple logo appears.
- Reset all settings
Go to Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset All Settings.
All your preferences and settings are reset. Information (such as contacts and calendars) and media (such as songs and videos) aren’t affected.
- Restore from backup. See:
iOS: How to back up
- Restore to factory settings/new iOS device.
If still problem, make an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store since it appears you have a hardware problem.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

White screen of death with little black clock thing

I've had the so called white screen of death for 2 days. Phone was locked in pocket. Took it out and there was a tiny error message on the screen. unfortunately I can't tell you what message it was :-(
Removed battery for long and short periods. Each time, when put bavck in, the led light flicks on and i get the white screen (without me powering it up). The phone is totally unresponsive.
I've tried the following but the computer recognises my phone (instead of 'unknown'), then I get the message "The Blackberry Desktop Software does not have Blackberry Device Software for the device that you have connected to the computer. Contact your wireless service provider or system administrator".
Done the downloads then nothing apart from the phone turning itself off. HURRAH! However, it's back to square one because if I touch it, we go back to the beginning.
1) Make sure you have Blackberry Desktop Manager installed.
http://na.blackberry.com/eng/services/desktop/
2) On your PC, go to Start > Run and copy and paste the following line exactly (meaning with the quotation marks):
"c:\program files\common files\research in motion\apploader\loader.exe" /nojvm
3) The Application Loader Wizard will appear -- click "Next."
4) In the "Connection:" drop-down menu, you should see "USB-PIN: UNKNOWN". Click the "Next" button.
5) You should then see a list of applications ready to be installed for your Blackberry. Hit Next and Finish and you are well on your way to getting your Blackberry back to life. Congrats! Just don't disconnect anything and let the lengthy process finish completely.
NOTE: If you do not see a list of applications mentioned in step 5 and instead see the message "The Blackberry Desktop Software does not have Blackberry Device Software for the device that you have connected to the computer. Contact your wireless service provider or system administrator," then you must download Blackberry's Operating System for your carrier and device.
http://www.blackberryfaq.com/index.php/BlackBerry_Operating_System_Downloads
Just select the appropriate carrier and network type, select your Blackberry model from the list and download the latest version. Install this download and follow the above steps again and you should be on the right path.
I've tried all of this on the old, slow laptop but have a mac as well.
PLEASE someone HELP!

Suzi-Q wrote:. Seriously fed up about not being able to back up on a mac
Hi you can use the mac
http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/desktop_mac.jsp
However, if you haven't already done a backup, it is most certainly too late, but its worth a long-shot.
From your original post, it seems to me you did most things except a complete wipe without which I think you may be stuck with the white screen. Whether you use JL_CMDER or BBSAK to perform this vital step, they need a Windows OS. Whilst I do not have any mac knowledge, I do know that you can run Windows 7 on the mac. However, sounds like a faff to me. Can you not borrow a friends PC?
Below are the wipe and reinstall instructions which includes using JL_CMDER
This what I did to completely wipe my BB. I wrote this before starting and printed it off.
If your device is functioning, perform a backup now if you haven't already done so saving the file to a place and in a name that you can easily locate on computer.
I then uninstalled DTM and then deleted all other references to BB/Rim in Windows Explorer thus removing the OS for the BB from the computer in order to ensure that the version I would reinstall would be a brand new downloaded version.
Get the latest Desk Top Software (DTS)
http://us.blackberry.com/apps-software/desktop/?CPID=OTC-DSKTPSW&cp=OTC-DSKTPSW
and install it on the computer.
Get the correct latest version of the OS
http://us.blackberry.com/support/downloads/download_sites.jsp
and save it to computer.
To erase all the data on your BlackBerry device, complete the following steps.
1) Download JL_Cmder from http://www.4shared.com/get/oqP9V-2Q/JL_Cmder_v19.html
2) Install JL_Cmder to computer.
3) Double check you have already backed-up the BB. If you DO NOT, you will lose ALL data.
4) Make sure the DTS is closed and plug in the BB to computer via USB
5) Go to the JL_Cmder on your computer and double click it to start. Now,this may take a few tries to connect, so keep trying until it does.
6) On the first screen, Press any key to continue.
7) Now, if your device uses a password, enter it now. If not, press "N"
8) Press 4 to initiate the WIPE
9) Press "Y" to continue
10) Now type "blackberry" to continue
11) On the BB you will see a white screen with a'507' Error. Don't worry, this is what you want! You are now ready to install the OS.
Launch the new Desk Top Software on the computer
1). On the home screen of the BlackBerry® Desktop Software, click Device > Update my device.
2). Click View Other Versions. Click the version of the new OS you previously downloaded.
3). Click Install. The DTM will install the OS and then provide you with a list of applications to install. If you have had difficulties with an app, do not install it.
Do not disconnect the device until the whole process is completed and the device has rebooted.
After 10 minutes reboot again by removing the battery whilst powered-on and leave it out for a couple of minutes.
Leave it again for 10 minutes. You should now have a fully functioning BB!
Blackberry Best Advice - Back-up weekly
If I have helped you please check the "Kudos" star on the right >>>>

I have a 13 inch MacBook Pro (2009) & the "White Screen of Death" is present. Need help?

I have a 13 inch MacBook Pro (2009). Recently I bought an extended hard drive because I had used up the memory on my iDisk. As I was running the Time Machine back up on my new extended drive, the battery on my Pro ran out causing it to shut down. Once I hooked up my Pro to the power cord & logged in, the "White Screen of Death" appeared on the home display. Obviously the battery still works, my phone is able to charge along with the extended drive, I am able to adjust the lighting on my keyboard along with adjusting the brightness on my screen, but the "White Screen" remains. I need help in determining the cause of this issue & the steps I'll need to take in order to resolve this. I love my Pro, all my documents, photos & music are on it & the last thing I want to do is kill my wallet by buying a new Pro. So could someone on here please help me? It would be greatly appreciated & I thank you in advance!

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 damaged 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 a Mac Pro tower, not to any other model. 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.
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.

Since updating the software on my iPhone 3gs it has developed the so called "white screen of death". The phone has not been dropped or damaged in anyway, the problem only developed after software upgrade. Rung apple and they were less than helpful

since updating my iphone 3gs software it has developed the so called "white screen of death" this happened immediately after software install. It has never been dropped or damaged. I have tried the solution which seems to pop up most of holding down the power button and the home button for 10 seconds but this hasnt helped at all. Tried ringing apple, who were less than helpful and disinterested as the phone is out of warranty. I am hoping there is a solution which doesnt mean shelling out for a new phone! any ideas?

Basics from the manual are restart, reset, restore.
Try all of these.
If these fail, then:
iOS: Unable to update or restore

Satellite A350 - White Screen Of Death

Hi
I recently broke my screen in a temper tantrum and sent it in to Toshiba repair.
They replaced my screen. That was about a month ago.
I installed windows 7 3-4 days ago and it worked fine.
I opened my laptop one night to discover a blank white screen.
After turning it off and on, taking the battery out and in, the white screen still remained, then it randomly appeared with system restore options
I restored the system and applied a microsoft hotfix to counteract the supposed windows 7 error. it did not work.
The white screen appears when i put the laptop to sleep (shut the laptop) or shut it down.
The screen appeared again yesterday and i left it overnight hoping it would change.
My sister pulled out and put back in the battery and a screen appeared asking how you would like to start windows.
I started windows then reinstalled Windows Vista using a mirosoft setup disc.
After installing AVG antivirus it told me to restart.
I restarted the laptop and instead of the toshiba logo appearing the white screen of death appeared.
It stayed for 10-20 seconds then my laptop started.
I looked at this article (http://www.laptoprepair101.com/laptop/2008/04/13/laptop-lcd-screen-turned-white/) and it suggested the screen may have problems. Should i send it back in to Toshiba?
Can someone supply further diagnosis?
My specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo CPU P7450
2.13ghz
4.00GB RAM
32 bit OS
So basically i have a random white screen when i restart, turn on or bring the laptop back from sleeping. whether it recovers is a strange thing with many factors. i don't think its my OS because it happens on Vista and Windows 7
please help as much as you can. i don't wan't to take it in for repair as it may cost money

The screen has a 2 month warranty from the repair and the laptop still has half a year of general warranty. when the white screen appears i tried using HDMI to connect it to a TV and there was no change. Could it be due to the fact i upgraded to Windows 7? if so will they still charge me? is there any test i can do to check if it is a Hardware issue or a screen problem?
i shut the laptop for a while yesterday and my brother opened it to see the white screen. i grabbed the right side of the screen and pushed it back and the logon screen came up. what would that suggest?
thanks for the help

HELP!!!!!! (White Screen of Death)

Ok i was downloading a new adobe flash update for mac and when i went to install it asked me to close out of any browsers.... so i did.... then it starts running slow and freezes up which is just what computers love to do....
not so much with macs tho... anyway i shut off my macbook and restart it and i get the white screen of death.... what gives?? i tried everything to fix it... loaded the utility disc, command-option-r-p, took the battery out held the power button.... i mean everything... im ****** right now.... from what i have read about this white screen crap is i have lost all my data and files!
if there is anything else i can do please tell me? the reason i got a macbook as a laptop was to not deal with daily PC issues like software crap and viruses and such things.... but now i have a hardware problem and im not happy.... its only been a few months since i got the macbook not even thru my 2nd semester at college.... anyway i need a solution and fast and there are no apple retail stores here in tallahassee florida please help

It your hard drive have it replaced by apple I just got mine back. Same thing and yes what your seeing is the apple screen of death. I hope you have all of you info backed up.

White screen of Death. Reinstalled OSX Maverick but data is missing. HELP!

Help! i had a white screen of death on my iMac. Did a check via disk utility and the hard drive seems to be fine. I have partioned the hard drive into two volumes previously.
However, when I tried to reinstall OSX Maverick on the first partition, where it was originally installed, it was pointed out as being full and I was forced to reinstall it on the second partition. No problem with that.
However, when I start up the iMac, there are no files to be found. And this is really very upsetting to me as they contain memories of my family which I really treasure.
Am I doing anything wrong? When I go in to the set up utility and try to select partition 1, it will still give me the white screen of death and that the disk is full
Kindly advise if there is anyway for me to "force" install it on partiton 1 and regain access to my files.

If you reinstalled onto the second partition and used the same username/password combo for your admin user account, then you can boot into the voluime, open up the original volume, and drag your data from it to the same places on the second volume. To reinstall, you need to remove stuff from the full volume.
The following articles have some good tips:
Freeing space on your Mac OS X startup disk and
Freeing Up Hard Disk Space

White screen of death and reboot loop help!!!

I have a problem with my curve, I have a white screen of death. This happens whenever I turn on my blackberry. Also my phone is stuck in a continuous loop of it rebooting, loading up showing the home screen and then rebooting again. What do I do? i have tried battrey pulls and pressing on the corners of the screen

Deal with the rebooting first. If you have a media card installed, remove it and test. If it isn't the media card that is the problem, see if you can reboot in safe mode, then do a a full backup. While in safe mode, after the backup, you can try removing any apps or themes you added and then test. Ultimately you will probably end up reinstalling the OS.
Once you have the device booting up and staying on, hopefully, see what you see. If the screen is all white with no text or icon, you have a hardware problem with a connection to the display.
Caveat: If have gotten the device wet or dropped it, all bets are off.
- Ira

White screen of death w/ question mark folder & cd in drive

Ok, so i left my MacBook running overnight downloading off of Limewire and I woke up to it not responding to anything. A restart left me with the white screen of death and then eventually showed the folder with a question mark. Now i know i can put my installation disk in but there is already a disk in the computer and it will not eject. What do I do?

ok, i finally reset some pmv...thing. i forget the name. anyways, the disk came out, and i have the question mark folder to deal with now. only catch, the install disk is at home & i'm at school. anyway to deal with this without a disk?
p.s. thank you for getting back to me so soon.
Message was edited by: joshalo3

White Screen Of Death-Did all the key hold downs

Hello,
After the spinning beach ball of death today, the Imac is now in the White screen of death mode. I did power off, command option , p r keys with two chimes. I did the c key hold down. I tried the tech tool deluxe disc. I tried the power off only. I have unplugged and let it sit. Is there any thing else I can do?
Thank You!

Sorry, Kenichi, your post wasn't there a minute ago:(
+did not work+
Assuming you can get the Install Disc into the optical drive - with it already in the optical drive, then you power-up while holding down and continuing to hold down the c key (it's small case, so cap's lock off) until you see a spinning dial on the white screen (at that point you can release the c key) - how far does it get while trying to accomplish this?
Does it do anything at all? Make any noise? Power light on or flashing? Do you ever get to hear the Mac startup "gong" sound? or see the spinning dial?
The following article provides the startup sequence you might witness:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2674?viewlocale=en_US
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2538?viewlocale=en_US
Message was edited by: myhighway

White screen of death/blinking folder icon

My wife's macbook has a white screen of death which started when she had to force-quit out of firefox. The wheel of death spun for a good 15 minutes before she powered it off. Upon turning it on again, nothing but a white screen with a flashing folder icon that starts after a few minutes.
I've crawled other forums and was attempting to follow these instructions: http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=7740855. I am able to put the install disk in, hold c, and get to the installer to run disk utility. I see her hard drive with a "smart status: verified."
The HD has a sub entry which I assume is supposed to be the partition. The instructions said to click repair disk, but the option is grayed out because the partition is not mounted: "mount point: not mounted."
I see the mount button in the top bar, but I wanted to double check that this is what I should do before mucking around. I'm PC-savvy, but pretty noobish when it comes to macs. I haven't touched anything yet, so I have access to anything in the install screen. Recommendations?

Yes, go ahead and select the Mount function. However, it is not necessarily going to mount considering that it crashed in the first place while using an app and then would not restart after a forced shut down. That should not have happened, and may indicate there is something amiss with the drive.

Installed Lion then white screen of death

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