Mac won't boot realize that there is a bootable hard drive

I recently tried using my MacBook Pro to insall ubuntu onto an external drive. After restarting, and trying to boot from my mac hard drive, which wasn't touched, it doesn't realize that it is there. All it does is come up with the blinking folder with a question mark icon. When I try holding down the option key to choose the startup disk, it doesn't have anything to choose from unless I have the setup disk in it. I booted the install disk, and told it to boot from the hard drive, but still didn't; came up with the same blinking folder. I ran disk repair, there were no problems. It sees the disk from the boot disc, but that's it. I even tried restoring from the time machine backup, same problem.
Any ideas?

Somehow your OS was hosed. This may have been caused by your attempt to install Ubuntu or it may have already been that way. You can hopefully recover as follows:
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.) 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 quit DU and return to the installer.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

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Mac G5 Won't boot. Won't boot from reinstall disc, doesn't recognize hard drives.

Hello everyone,
I have a problem with my 2005 G5 and I've tried desperately to fix it over the past couple days.
It started with my G5 oddly booting up to OSX Leopard and missing numerous key features such as the dock, the abillity to restart/shut down from the menu, and I was also unable to drag icons around on the desktop. Though, weirdly enough, some programs would still launch.
My goal this week was to reinstall the OS to see if it would fix the problem. I tried numerous times to reinstall from boot via CD while holding C at startup. Also tried reinstall from an external harddrive, and USB, to no avail. I hold down option, and it doesn't detect the internal hard drive. I put in a new 500GB hard drive, still doesn't detect it, nor does it detect the install disc, USB, or external HD.
Since putting in a new harddrive, sometimes the computer will not go past a black screen, but occasionally sometimes will get a grey screen. Fans start spinning like crazy at this point.
So to recap, thus far: I removed the old hard drive and put in a new one, switched around ram, reset PRAM, took out and put back in the video card, tried to reinstall from CD. Still the same results, unable to boot past a grey or black screen, and unable to re-install the OS.
My only conclusion is that it could be a bad logic board.
Does anyone have any insight on this, or agree with my hypothesis? If so, I'll likely pick up a new one off ebay and have a go at installing it.

Is the External drive USB or Firewire? G5s won't see/boot USB drives as a rule?
Do you have another Mac around with Firewire?
Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...
See which one your G5 has...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/CR2032/
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/
Have you done a PRAM reset, CMD+Option+p+r...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238
Does it boot into Open Firmware with CMD+Option+o+f ?
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=42642
reset-nvram (press Enter)
set-defaults (press Enter)
reset-all (press Enter)

MBP won't boot, black screen, no white LED, clicking hard drive noise

Hey everybody, so the title basically summarizes it all. I connected an IDE HDD to my Macbook Pro through a USB enclosure, which had an AC IN jack, for plugging it into an electrical outlet (which I did) and the moment I connected it to my computer's usb port, the screen suddenly went black. I disconnected the HDD, and tried to turn on my MBP but it was no use. Ever since I have tried again and again to turn it on, but the computer will not boot. I have performed all of the suggested steps by Apple (PRAM reboot, holding down different keys while pressing the "on" button, etc.) but it's been worthless. My hard drive is okay, since i took it out and found out that all of my information and files were there. Still, whenever I try to turn the computer on, a clicking sound can be heard, as if the HD was trying to spin but failed. I have no display whatsoever, and no white LED in the front. I am truly desperate and would appreciate anyone's help big time.
Thanks a lot,
Luis

Thanks for the reply but it isn't a hard drive issue. I have tested the hard drive in an external enclosure and it's working fine. I even put in another hard drive i have and it wont boot that either. I'm thinking its a logic board issue. Any one know best place to get logic board replacement near london for cheap

My Mac won't let me put files into my external hard drive

I have a Lenovo USB external hard drive. I want to put files on it, but my Macbook air will not allow it. I am not sure what the problem is. Please help!

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3509
Apple has a handy search function on their web page, so you can go to the upper right searchbox on most pages and type in what you need. Just typing in "format hard drive" gave me this result.

I'm trying a full restore in Lion, but it won't. States that there isn't enough space on the Mac HD. How do I restore everything from a recent Time Machine Backup?

I'm trying a full restore in Lion, but it won't. States that there isn't enough space on the Mac HD. How do I restore everything from a recent Time Machine Backup?

Thanks but I think it has something to do with the 'restore'. in the newest iTunes 11, when I click on the tab "iphone", it redirects me to the "welcome to your new iphone" page and asks about doing a 'restore'. I already did a 'restore', but it went to the original factory settings and I want to 'restore' to my lastest back up as of April 12. When I choose that option, it says my iphone doesn't have enough space. I don't know how much I need to delete in order to make it work. I've deleted lots, but it only has 4.1 GB available. I'm not sure why this isn't enough to do a 'restore'. I don't want to delete all my photos and videos, but maybe I will have to?...7.7GB is used up for that. I can't sync or do ANYTHING...

HT1199 My mac won't boot up it goes to a apple sign then the spin thing then gives me a error msg on a 10.5.8 imac what do I do?

Plz help
My mac won't boot up it goes to a apple sign then the spin thing then gives me a error msg on a 10.5.8 imac what do I do?

Hi LIsa,
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.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
Or..
Tough without the Install Disk problems, but try fsck...
To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup.
Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
(SPACE between fsck AND -fy important)
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

Mac won't boot after power chord became unplugged accidently.

Mac won't boot after power chord became unplugged accidently.
I have a Mac Mini running very latest version of OSX. I was making a recording with QuickTime; when I needed to plug in a USB recording device into the back of the Mac Mini, as I pulled the Mac off my shelf to do this, the power cable came out and the Mac lost power.
I plugged it back in and powered up the Mac. I get the grey screen with Apple logo and the spinning grey wheel; then it goes to a blue screen (as usual) and I get the "starting OSX..." progress bar. When the progress bar finishes, I'm left with a blue screen only, no dock, no apple icon at top left, nothing across the top, no nothing.
So far, I've booted from the original disc and repaired the permissions as well as the disc, then re-booted, but same old blue screen.
I have another iMac G5 machine, so is there any way I can at least retrieve the important HD files from the Mac Mini to my G5, before throwing the broken Mac Mini away?
Can anyone advise please?

Hi, Nigel.
Not to differ with my colleagues here, but there's an important question that wasn't asked.
1. You wrote: "So far, I've booted from the original disc and repaired the permissions as well as the disc, then re-booted, but same old blue screen."Did Disk Utility report any errors it could not fix when you ran Repair Disk? I suggest you run the procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.
2. You may also want to run the Apple Hardware Test that came with your Mini to be sure nothing shorted when the power cable was removed from the computer. I've seen it happen, hence I usually recommend removing the power cable at the wall before disconnecting the power cable from the computer. See my "Apple Hardware Test" FAQ.
3. Repair Disk gives your Mini a clean bill of health, the blue screen may be the result of some Startup or Login item that was corrupted due to the sudden power outage. My "Troubleshooting Startup and Login Items" FAQ can help you pin that down if such an item is causing the problem and may help you avoid and Archive and Install.
4. If you elect to go the Archive and Install route, see my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ for some important tips on this process.
5. As FYI, this is the kind of problem that makes one glad they've implemented a comprehensive backup and recovery solution. For advice on the backup and recovery solution I employ, see my "Backup and Recovery" FAQ. Computing without a comprehensive backup and recovery solution is like driving without auto insurance.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

HT1386 The first time I synced my iphone with my mac, I didn't realize that all of my photos from iphoto would transfer over to the phone. Now, I need to remove some, as they are taking up too much space. I cannot figure out how to remove them from the

The first time I synced my iphone 4 with my mac, I didn't realize that all of my photos from the iphoto library would transfer over to the phone (more than 3,000). Now, I need to remove some, as they are taking up too much space. I cannot figure out how to remove them from the phone. I tried to uncheck boxes and sync again, but I get a message that there is no room on the iphone. I've read as many articles as I can find, but still cannot manage this. Thanks for any help.

Open itunes, connect iphone, select what you want, sync

My Macbook won't boot up because there isn't enough free space for my start up disk. It's now stuck on a blue screen. How am I meant to delete files to free up space if I can't access the computer?

My Macbook won't boot up because there sin't enough free space to run the startup disk. My Macbook now won't go past the blue screen so exactly how am I meant to be able to delete files if I can't access the computer?

Do you have a bootable backup?
What operating system are you running? If OS X 10.6 or lower, boot from your original OS X DVD or a retail OS X DVD and then delete files as needed. Your goal should be to get to 10% of your disk capacity free.
If you have OS X 10.7 Lion or 10.8 Mountain Lion, you don't have many choices in recovery mode (boot holding the command and r keys down).
If you have a FireWire or Thunderbolt connection, you can try target disk mode with another mac.
If none of those work, perhaps your local Apple store can help with a bootable external drive.

Mac won't boot, stuck on grey screen if the external hdd plugged in

as the title.
if i plug my external drive, via usb port, the mac won't boot and stuck at grey screen.
unplugging it, the boot process will continue.
the hdd is a LaCie mobile hdd
any help?

Hello jason(?)
It's a LaCie external mobiel hdd, formatted as exFAT. without adapter. take power directly from usb port.
i tested it on my iMac and it works fine. boot up as normal. the only difference is my iMac is on 10.6.8 and my Air is on 10.7.2
I tested on both USB port on my Air and the problem still persist.
the read/write speed is normal (bought it like a day ago).
another thing is I don't have this problem with my external WD drive.
One thing to notice is that, I accidentally left like for like 2-3 mins and it boots. So why the question now is why it's taking so long to boot? normally it just takes <20 seconds. Seems like it tried to boot from the external hdd, doesn't it?

HT201177 Only get Apple logo and system busy clock logo at startup. Mac won't boot up

Mac won't boot up. I only get the Apple logo and the "system busy" clock when I turn on my computer. Tried unplugging and restarting but to no avail.

Go to > Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup and work thru all the setps in that article.

I've recently update to Yosemite, ever since my Mac won't boot up from the grey screen

ive recently update to Yosemite, ever since my Mac won't boot up from the grey screen, I've checked on the utilities and disk can not be repaired. I'm gutted is it dead?.........how can I solve this......help please
<Re-Titled By Host>

Did you mean Command + Option + R for internet recovery?
The only key commands I know that involve P is a PRAM reset:
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH11243?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Or maybe I am missing or misunderstanding something?

My mac won't boot up.. I've tried PRAM resets and fsck.

My mac won't boot up anymore. This problem started quite randomly, as I had just used my mac an hour a go. At first, it just wouldn't finish loading up, but now it loads up for a bit, then suddenly shuts down. I've tried resetting my PRAM and using fsck but nothings worked. Any ideas what could be wrong?

Yes I have seen a similar problem quite recently, and ended up having to perform a software reinstallation as not even Disk Warrior could see the Hard Disk.
Before you go to that extreme insert your System Disk 1, reboot holding down the "C" key and go through the first two steps until the "Utilities" menu appears on the top left of your screen.
Select Disk Utility and (assuming your hard disk appears) click on it and select the "First Aid" tab > Repair Disk.

My mac won't boot up, just has a white screen with a blinking ? mark, any suggestions?

my mac won't boot up, just has a white screen with a blinking ? mark, any suggestions?

this usually means the software and hardware can't find each other for whatever reason the following article addresses this issue:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
can also do apple hardware test, following article on that:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
if you can't access the apple hardware test in the above article you can also do fsck command to check the hardware as well, following article tells how to do that:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1782
hopefully one of these articles helps w/ resolution!!

Mac won't boot after leopard install

hi - installed leopard on my imac but now my mac won't boot:
i have already tried the following:
1) safe mode - but won't boot
2) single user mode - ran fsck - said no issues
3) did target mode with firewire cbale to my macbook and ran disk utility - no repairs needed - and i can see all my files on original computer
4) reinstalled leopard from holding down options key - leopard installed again
but for all of abv - when i reboot i still get white apple logo screen and the spinning wheel...
any other way to get into safe mode - as that is only thing i have not been able to start....
thanks!
susan

tigerswim, welcome to Apple Discussions.
Did you already have Tiger installed or did you have Panther 10.3 installed? Tiger is not a free upgrade; you have to buy it & then update (for free) using the download updates from Apple. Also, you have to use a universal/retail install DVD (or CDs) to install Tiger. You cannot use the install DVD from another model Mac.

Mac won't boot realize that there is a bootable hard drive

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