Intel MacBook Gray screen

I installed new RAM a month ago and everything was fine for 3 weeks then I got the gray screen with 3 beeps at startup indicating [I think] that there is a RAM-related issue.
Thing is - if I hold down the power key on startup long enough I get a single long tone and the machine boots shortly afterwards. I then have access to all installed RAM and everything is ducky. If I restart - no problem. If I shutdown and reboot within a short while it seems - also no problem. But if I leave the machine off for an extended period I'm back to where I started.
So where am I?

Reseating the RAM didn't solve the issue...what puzzles me is:
1. that the machine fails the POST test on a RAM related issue but if I push it past the POST everything is functional??? All the RAM is available and things work fine. If the RAM is flakey how could this be?
2. if the machine is shut down and restarted within an hour or 2 it boots fine - left overnight though and the problem is back??? What gives here?

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  • 15" i7 Macbook Pro from early 2011.takes the mac laptop two or three tries to boot successfully. It would turn on, show gray screen, shut down, turn on again, show gray screen, shutdown, and then turn on, show gray screen, before it can finally get

    Hello All,
    I have a 15" i7 Macbook Pro from early 2011. The past few weeks, it has been getting increasingly difficult to get on my computer. It takes the mac laptop two or three tries to boot successfully. It would turn on, show gray screen, shut down, turn on again, show gray screen, shutdown, and then turn on, show gray screen, before it can finally get to the dark gray log-in screen. Even when I finally get logged in to start working, thinking it would be okay now, it shuts down randomly.
    I've ruled out the possibility of a software problem because I've just done a clean re-install of Mac OS X Mavericks on my computer just yesterday.
    I did upgrade the RAM recently, about a month and a half ago, from 4GB to 16GB, I went to the apple store four days after that upgrade to have them do a hardware test, and clean the inside of my laptop, which helped with previous heat issues. When they did the hardware test, the hardware was all registered as fine from their system.
    I've tried resetting the SMC, PRAM, and doing the internet recovery hardware test, but to no avail. I thought I could at least find out what parts needed to be replaced from the hardware test but it seems that when the hardware test is almost finished, the computer just shuts down, So I am unable to see the results.
    My computer is also having battery issues, under battery condition, it says "replace now," parts have been ordered, waiting for arrival. But if the battery health is low, it should still boot up fine, it would just hold a significantly less charge.
    Could this be a hard drive issue?
    Has anyone had similar symptoms and how was it resolved?
    Does anyone know what I can do to alleviate this issue?
    I haven't had time to take it to Apple because I'm currently taking a 21 credit semester academically. I'm an art and design student so my computer is basically the bane of my existence. Help! Any constructive advice is welcomed!
    Thank you so much for your input!
    -Christina C.

    Problem description:
    The Hard Disk is failing.
    EtreCheck version: 2.0.11 (98)
    Report generated November 4, 2014 at 7:59:28 AM EST
    Hardware Information: ℹ️
      MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) (Verified)
      MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,2
      1 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 4-core
      16 GB RAM Upgradeable
      BANK 0/DIMM0
      8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
      BANK 1/DIMM0
      8 GB DDR3 1600 MHz ok
      Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
      Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n
    Video Information: ℹ️
      Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 512 MB
      Color LCD 1440 x 900
      AMD Radeon HD 6750M - VRAM: 1024 MB
    System Software: ℹ️
      OS X 10.9.5 (13F34) - Uptime: 0:3:43
    Disk Information: ℹ️
      TOSHIBA MK7559GSXF disk0 : (750.16 GB)
      S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
      EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
      HDV4 (disk0s2) /  [Startup]: 749.30 GB (712.10 GB free)
      Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB
      MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898 
    USB Information: ℹ️
      Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)
      Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub
      Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
      Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
      Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
    Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
      Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
    Gatekeeper: ℹ️
      Mac App Store and identified developers
    Kernel Extensions: ℹ️
      /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/fileshield/unsigned
      [loaded] com.avast.AvastFileShield (2.1.0 - SDK 10.9) Support
      /Library/Application Support/Avast/components/proxy/unsigned
      [loaded] com.avast.PacketForwarder (1.4 - SDK 10.9) Support
    Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [not loaded] com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist Support
      [loaded] com.avast.userinit.plist Support
    Launch Daemons: ℹ️
      [invalid?] com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist Support
      [loaded] com.avast.init.plist Support
      [loaded] com.avast.uninstall.plist Support
      [loaded] com.avast.update.plist Support
      [invalid?] com.perion.searchprotectd.plist Support
    User Launch Agents: ℹ️
      [invalid?] com.avast.home.userinit.plist Support
      [loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist Support
      [invalid?] com.jdibackup.ZipCloud.autostart.plist Support
    User Login Items: ℹ️
      None
    Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      AdobePDFViewer: Version: 10.1.1 Support
      QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
      JavaAppletPlugin: Version: 14.9.0 - SDK 10.7 Check version
      Default Browser: Version: 537 - SDK 10.9
    User Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
      TroviNPAPIPlugin: Version: 1.0 - SDK 10.9 Support
      Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: Unknown
    Safari Extensions: ℹ️
      Avast Online Security
      Trovi Search for Safari
    3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
      None
    Time Machine: ℹ️
      Time Machine not configured!
    Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
          16% mds
          7% WindowServer
          1% loginwindow
          1% fontd
          1% com.avast.daemon
    Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
      120 MB com.avast.daemon
      86 MB Google Chrome
      52 MB Finder
      52 MB WindowServer
      41 MB Google Chrome Helper
    Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
      13.45 GB Free RAM
      1.34 GB Active RAM
      944 MB Inactive RAM
      1.43 GB Wired RAM
      1.11 GB Page-ins
      0 B Page-outs

  • MacBook starts only to gray screen

    This 3 year old MacBook opens to a gray screen after a normal startup chime (No Apple, No spinning gear).
    Attempting to reset PRAM does not work (only one chime).
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    Attempting to startup in Target Disk Mode gives gray screen only.
    Attempting to startup holding the Option key gives gray screen only.
    I'm not a hardware guy, but this seems to me that the motherboard is hosed.
    What else could it be?

    Maybe, but most likely the OS is blown. However, try running the diagnostics:
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    Boot from your original OS X Installer Disc One that came with your computer. After the chime press and hold down the "D" key until the diagnostic screen appears. Run the extended tests for a minimum of two or three hours. If any error messages appear note them down as you will need to report them to the service tech when you take the computer in for repair.
    Some "common" error indicators:
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    MEM - memory error
    HDD - hard disk drive error
    MOT - fan error
    If there are no reported problems then do this:
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    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.
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  • Gray screen of death ... macbook boot failure

    Three weeks old and getting the gray screen of death. Power up works but MacBook just keeps trying to read a video disk I left in the ROM drive. Gray screen with nothing else (no processing circle, no apple logo, just a plain gray screen). I could hear the rom drive cycling.
    I worked with support via telephone and their solutions failed also:
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    2. power up, hold down the mouse button (nada)
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    The support rep asked me if there was a small extraction hole by the drive. HELLO: are you really Apple ??? On the new macbook?
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    Black MacBook intel core 2 duo 120gb drive 2 gb memory   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    My apologies to everyone if I raised an alarm. The hardware (i.e. the MacBook) is fine and the problem was that I am a new user. I have to say that Apple Support was unprepared to address the issue but I did resolve it myself by accident. Here is the resolution:
    I looked up the SMC reset instructions on the Apple Support site as a next step and the instructions said to try 3 things before doing the SMC:
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    2. Restart (Control - Command - Power)
    3. Force Shutdown (hold down pwr button for 10 seconds
    As a new user I could not know that the key with the Apple was the Command key, but I guessed since the words control and option were called out, it had to be the Apple key with the Squiggle.
    I did each step but nada. I did get a different alert tone (lower pitch) after doing step 3. Each time I turned the computer off.
    I then started over and tried again turning on the macbook from being off each time. I did step 1 and turned the machine off and then did step 2 and the computer came alive.
    The system is just like I left it and the rom drive works fine. Again, my apologies to all you macbook users for raising any alarms. We are new to using Apple and have much to learn. I did not have any cheat sheets to work from so it took time. Many thanks for the responses.
    Black MacBook purchased in March 2007   Mac OS X (10.4.9)   I love this MacBook

  • White/Gray screen problem on my MacBook

    My early 2008 MacBook (white) had the White/Gray screen problem and i don't know how to fix it since it's my first mac. I'm currently running Mac OS X Lion (10.7.5) and this happened when it was low battery a few days before it had the problem and i kept it low on battery of about  2 days and when i plugged it back in and attached a Seagate external hard disk then i powered it on it's just white/gray and I've 5 mins. and still white/gray. Cmd+R don't work and it won't boot from a disk unless the internal hard drive is out. Please help me my warranty is not going to help and there are no Genius bar here, Thanks

    Can' see the picture you post, so not sure how your screen is, though resetting SMC as well as NVRAM(PRAM) could solve the problem.
    Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
    OS X Mavericks: Reset your computer’s PRAM

  • MacBook stuck at gray screen during start up

    Lately my 2008 model MacBook has been freezing up. When I shut it down, it starts up just fine, however, the last two times I've shut it down, it gets stuck at the gray screen during start up. The first time, I was unsuccessful with a Safe Boot, however I was successful using CommandOption+PR to reset my NVRAM/PRAM. It has been working fine for the past two days, but it froze again this evening. I tried Safe Booting, removing peripherals, resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and I even was able to repair the disk and the permissions, but still, I am unsuccessful during a start up.
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    Zach Irwin

    Your hard drive may be damaged or requires reformatting. You might try this to start:
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    Extended Hard Drive Preparation
    1. 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.)
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    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    And, you cannot do an Archive and Install of Leopard over a Snow Leopard installation. You have to reinstall using the Snow Leopard installer.

  • MacBook pro gray screen

    Hi guys,
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    Mine is 2.66ghz intel core duo (13inch DDR3) MC375LL...
    I had upgrading my RAM to 8GB from Crucial and I'm using the latest OS Lion...
    It just happened this morning when I try to turn on my Mac...
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    It's only display gray screen with blinking folder picture with a question mark on it...
    Through my iPad, I browsed apple support, read blogs from the community on apple, mac rumors and even YouTube just to find the right direction of how to fix my Mac...
    I can't do safe mode, reseting SMC is not working either...
    Tried To repair it through disk utility or even uninstall it...still didn't work!
    I did fsck thing...it still didn't work...
    I had enough and went to Genius Bar just try to solve this problem...
    The technician at Genius Bar ended up with the same thing like mine and said that I had hard drive problem...
    Because when he tried to diagnostic, he said that his equipment can't recognize or read my Hard Drive...
    He suggested that I'm getting a new one...
    Does anybody can help me with my problem?
    If I have to get the new hard drive, how can I get some content from my old hard drive that I didn't backup yet?
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    Son

    Which version of OS X are you running? If your machine came with an installation disc, try booting from that. If you're running Lion or Mountain Lion, try booting into teh Recovery partition by holding down the Command and R keys on boot.
    If you can't get past the gray screen using either method, you're just going to have to take your machine to your local Apple Store or an AASP. Could be a hardware issue.
    Clinton

  • Mid 2010 MacBook pro gray screen beeps no startup

    Hello,
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    The number of beeps should tell you what the problem is.
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  • My MacBook Pro stated that it needed to be updated. I clicked yes to restart the computer and update but when it restarted it stays on the gray screen with the apple logo and then pops up, stating "unable to find driver for this platform." What do I do?

    My MacBook Pro stated that it needed to be updated. I clicked yes to restart the computer and update but when it restarted it stays on the gray screen with the apple logo and then pops up, stating "unable to find driver for this platform." What do I do?

    Boot into Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.
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  • Intel iMac will not boot past gray screen

    Intel iMac will not boot past gray screen
    my system:
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    running: leopard (upgraded from tiger, which was pre-installed at purchase), installed 10.5.1 update right before this huge problem occurred.
    install discs on-hand: two-disc tiget set, single leopard upgrade disc.
    what led to this:
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    Casey Burns Illustration and Design
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    I'd call Apple support at this point. You'll need
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    Call U.S. iPod and Mac technical support: 1-800-APL-CARE (1-800-275-2273)
    The wait may be long for an agent to come on the line
    so expect that and have some other stuff to do in the meantime.
    If you have the applecare protection plan, I'd ask about "onsite"
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    I like your work ! Good luck !
    Slim
    Message was edited by: slimpikkunz

  • My Macbook Pro won't get off of gray screen, can't get to recovery screen either.

    My Macbook Pro 15" early 2011 (not even two years old darn it) decided to not play nice. It was going slow and then it just went blank to the gray screen after rebooting. I have done EVERY step that I have been told to do. I have been reading everything I could find on this since last Friday. I have 2 back ups now from CCCloner but no time machine. I was able to get into the recovery screen yesterday but could not get in it today. I tried to click option on start up and run recovery 10.8.2 but then it just goes to the dark blue screen with lines. I even put in my snow leopard disc to see if it would start up and no go. It just shows apple and then wheely thing.. and then either dark blue screen with lines or gray screen. Ive reset pram, fsuk,single user mode, etc etc... all the steps except going to a "genius" and now I have an appt in the am. I am comfortable with my back ups.. wish I had a time machine back up but that was corrupt.  Oh and I did the disc utility on friday and it said that my permisions were not correct.. etc etc. so i did a repair and everything is fine. I have since done that 3 times while in T mode during my back up and it says my hardrive is ok. I can not access disc utilty unless its in T mode and I access it from my hubby's computer.
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    Any ideas? Suggestions?
    I'm a  loss and NEED to start working again. I've lost almost a weeks worth of work and I am a wedding photographer. My brides will be bridezilla's before long.
    thanks!

    Hey Man I have the same problem, One day the screen just went black and from then onwards it has been reall problematic, I went to the apple store but they wanted about 100 bucks to have a look at it, although they did a diagnostic for free, but it didnt reval anything.
    They said it was either the screen or the graphics card, and each one cost 750USD but 100USD to find out which........ I didnt fork out the cash though, a bit expensive!!!!!!!
    However I did get the computer back up and running, by holding Opt on start up, mostly it goes to the f**king dark blue screen with the vertical lines. But every 10 to 15 goes I can get to the disk utility, If you run the repair disk and repair premonitions, then start up again it should boot up, you may get a day or two out of it before BOOM back the blue screen of vertical death.
    I believe its the graphics thats busted, (which is soldered to the logicboard) so the only to fix it according to the apple guys is to get a new one at 750USD and about 2 weeks to get it done. here is a app called gfxCardStatus, and it tells you which card ur using (there is 2) when the card switches the computer crashes, you can set the app to only use the "Intrergrated card" but you cant watch movies or iweb, camera, just web browsing and text stuff....... the other HD card does all the other heaver graphic processing............
    I hope this helps, but all in all, lots of people have had the same problem and Apple have not declared it a fault on there part, they boast about the quality of there products but in essence my last macbook died suddenly........ I invested in a macbookpro (early 2011) the graphics card is broke, the trackpad doesnt work properly and the screen has screenburn all over the edges and sides........... Seriously!!!! and the reply was buy another computer from the apple guys!!!!!! Pretty disappointed.

  • Macbook Pro takes long to boot up, Freezes easily, Gets Gray Screen saying restart

    I've had my Macbook Pro 13 since November 2010, I am still running Snow Leopard, never upgraded or anything. Since last March, my computer takes a long time to turn on, get to the screen where I log in. If I click anything when it gets to the screen right away, I can't click anything, the mouse moves, but nothing responds. I have to wait a good 15-20 minutes before I can click anything. I usually turn my computer on, and leave, come back 25-30 minutes later, and log in. When I have over 3 applications open, ex Firefox, MS Word, Spotify, my computer lags, and sometimes freezes. The freezes last from 30 seconds, to me having to restart the computer. Sometimes the computer freezes randomly when I'm just browsing. Around 70-80% of the time, when I play a video, using flash player like youtube, my computer lags, and after watching a video or 2, the computer freezes. Most of the time, the freeze stays frozen, and around 10 minutes later my mouse can move, but the screen is frozen, and the rainbow loading symbol starts. I just restart the computer. Sometimes, around once every 2 days, or sometimes it happens around 10 times in a couple of hours of me using the computer, my computer gets a gray screen that descends down the screen, it says in multiple languages that I have to immediately restart my computer by pressing the power button down and then pressing it again. Oh, and the bottom of my computer always gets really really hot when I use it.
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    I am still running Snow Leopard, never upgraded or anything.
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    How large is your hard drive and how much hard drive space do you have left?
    Shut down your computer and disconnect all peripherals (keyboard & mouse if pertinent) from your computer.  Now reboot.
    If the Mac starts up normally, shut it down again and then plug in one of the peripherals (keyboard or mouse first) and start up your computer again.  If it does so successfully repeat the process, adding one peripheral at a time until your Mac acts up.  At that point, disconnect the last peripheral you added, reboot your Mac and search the peripheral vendor's website for an updated driver. 
    If no driver exists or the problem remain after installing the new driver, try a different cable or a different port on your Mac.
    If none of the above works, again disconnect all peripherals from your Mac, hold down the "shift" key to start up in "Safe Boot" mode. 
    If the Mac starts up correctly, restart without pressing the "shift" key.
    If your computer still does not start up properly, shut it down and restart it while holding down the Apple+Option-P-R keys; keep holding "all 4 keys" down until you hear the startup sound "twice."
    If none of the above work Disconnect all peripherals from your computer. Boot from your install disc & run Repair Disk from the utility menu. To use the Install Mac OS X disc, insert the disc, and restart your computer while holding down the C key as it starts up.
    Select your language.
    Once on the desktop, select Utility in the menu bar.
    Select Disk Utility.
    Select the disk or volume in the list of disks and volumes, and then click First Aid.
    Click Repair Disk.
    (If Disk Utility cannot repair, you will need a stronger utility (3rd party) - Diskwarrior or Techtool PRO)
    Restart your computer when done.
    Repair permissions after you reach the desktop-http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751 and restart your computer.
    Remove any 3rd party ram.
    Reinstall Snow Leopard - This will install a "fresh" copy of Snow Leopard without archiving old system files but leaves the rest of your files in place.
    Oh, and the bottom of my computer always gets really really hot when I use it.
    User Tip:  How to deal with MacBook Pro and MacBook heat?
    Per your user manual: Do not operate your MacBook Pro on a pillow or other soft material, as the material can block the airflow vents. Never place anything over the keyboard when operating your MacBook Pro. Never push objects into the ventilation openings. 
    From MacBook Pro: Care, Use, and Safety Information
    For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface. Do not place your MacBook Pro on your lap or other body surface for extended periods of time. Prolonged body contact can cause discomfort and potentially a burn.

  • I have a MacBook Pro 2008 with 17 inch screen. Experiencing a lock up when turning on power to boot up. While booting up it goes to gray screen with Apple logo and disc spinning icon running and doesn't go to my desktop. Any solutions to the problem?

    I have an early 2009 17 inch MacBook Pro that just went on the fritz. When turning on the power it will go into boot up mode to the gray screen with the apple logo, then the disc icon will be running and will continue running, not allowing to proceed to my desk top screen. It's pretty much locked up at this point where I have to do a forced shut down by holding down the power button. I've tried everything that I know of such as taking battery out and pressing power button for 5 seconds and then reinstalling battery. I've cleaned inside of computer with compressed air duster in can as well as other key commands for resets. I've read that this is a common problem with the earlier MacBook Pros. Is this a problem that I can fix or does it have to be taken in for service? Any solutions to the problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

    This could be a software/state problem or a hardware problem.  Here are steps to resolve the former.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5282

  • Macbook will not boot, stays on gray screen no apple logo

    I was in the middle of watching some streaming content in netflix when my macbook froze. I tried to force quit, but to no avail, so I forced shut down. When I press the power button to reboot, I hear a couple of clicking sounds like the fan is trying to start up, but it doesn't. The screen remains on the gray screen and the apple logo never appears (no apple startup sound either). I do not hear the fan running.
    Other possible factors:
    -I know there are some software updates waiting, I just haven't had the chance to.
    -A few days ago I did get a message that virtual memory or maybe it said hard disk (I can't remember) memory is close to being full. I trashed a whole lot of stuff, but did not get around to clearing my trash yet.
    Any ideas?

    To those of you reporting these problems, are your MacBooks from 2006, roughly?
    The reason I ask is, there are reports of 06 MacBooks having AirPort card issues (which I think may relate to a bigger issue, perhaps in the logic board), and my 06 Mac mini has also just recently died on me. Which, to my understanding, uses some of the same hardware as an 06 MacBook.
    To elaborate furhter, my mini had a problem with the Wi-fi card at first. It would work fine for 20 minutes, then it would die. This would happen regardless of what operating system I was running (OS X, Windows, Linux), so I'm positive it was/is a hardware issue. More recently, after disassembling the mini, just to take a look for any physical problems, the computer was doing the exact thing described in this post.
    Upon start up, I would get the chimes, but would recieve nothing after that. The hard drive would not spin up, and with a CD inserted, the drive would spin, but nothing would come of it. After tinkering some more, I tried removing the CD drive from the computer, so only the hard drive was plugged in, and voilla, the computer booted back to the OS X install. Also, if I were to unplug the hard drive, and have only the CD drive connected, I was able to boot to a CD.
    This tells me it's a logic board/power issue, and the same thing may be affecting you.
    My educated guess is your hard drive is fine, and all your files are safely stored on the disk, however, for whatever reason, there's not enough power to run BOTH the CD drive and the HDD.
    If you feel up to it, disassemble your MacBook and try removing the HDD, or the CD Drive if possible, and see if you get anywhere. It may be easier to remove the HDD and try booting to a CD. However, I'm not familiar with how the insides of a MacBook are laid out.
    Hopefully this helps.
    -Chris.

  • My MacBook Pro won't boot on the Mac side I get the gray screen and then halfway through the bar loading it turns off?

    My MacBook Pro was downloading apps from iTunes and I shut the computer down at my I laws house or so I thought?  When I pulled the computer out of my backpack it was still on?  I tried to login and it kept spinning so I turned it off and now I only get a gray screen.  I can boot it in the windows side and have an external hard drive with time machine backup on it but don't know how to load it without getting onto the Mac side?
    Please help!

    turn off the mac completely
    as soon AS you hit power button press following 4 keys
    Option + Command + P + R
    that should reset it

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