Macbook only boots to a blue screen!!

This problem started today. I used software update to install updates of quicktime and itunes. After the restart all im seeing now is a blue screen and the white box in the middle. The bar in the middle doesnt start to load and now im seeing the rainbow colored spinning circle. I've turned it off by pressing the power button and the same thing. Macbook actually started acting up ever since I used file sharing from my imac G5 to trasnfer appleworks to my laptop. Appleworks was working fine for a few days. Then about 2 days ago appleworks would not start, several applications froze, applications started running slower. I also had to type in my password twice to log on. The first time i type in my password the screen turns blue for an instant then goes back to the log in page, and i have to type in the password again. Now I can turn it on but its frozen

did you try starting like this:
Press Option-Command-P-R until you hear two beeps.
Did you try starting up from the MacOS DVD?
If that works fine, its a software problem on your machine.
Start up from the DVD (holding down the c key at start up)
Then, dont start the sftware install, but go to the tools menu and choose disk-utilities and try repairing permission and the do a disk repair start up disk, while your at it.
After that, can you then (re)start from your computer in safe mode. Press Shift during startup to start up in Safe Boot mode and temporarily disable login items.
If you succed, its there is some software conflict in your configuration.
de-install any third party software you dont REALLY need. Eg extra widgets, wifi-scanners etc, auto-updaters, gmail-notifiers, virus scanning, what ever.
Trash all non-needed preferences from the folder yourhome/library/preferences.
then make a normal restart.
I would also reinstall the latest apple OS updater 10.4.8, but the stand alone installer, called the combo:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/macosx1048comboupdateppc.html
You had a G5 right? that is a powerpc non-intel..
Well if its not a software problem, apple care will take care of you...
..good luck...peter

Similar Messages

Macbook Pro boots to a blue screen. Only boots in safe mode

Hi, I am a long time reader, first time poster.
OK so I just go a new Macbook Pro 13' from my school (my school made it mandatory to get a mac this year) and I was installing some of my applications. Then I got the "You need to restart your computer" message. I restarted, and all i got was a blue screen with my pointer. Then after a while it says the same restart message. Also I have tried booting from the Snow Leopard Disk, but I get the same message before the actual SL installer comes up. I have been able to get the Macbook to boot in safe mode and I repaired permissions and the disk, however that does not seem to help. I have also reset the PRAM and that did nothing. I am running out of ideas... how can I fix this?!? Help!

You should not be having kernel panics on a new Mac. Kernel panic causes is sometimes hardware related. Your computer is still under warranty since it's new. You can either call Apple tech support or try the suggestions mentioned in User Tips: Kernel Panics and this article - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1392

HT1436 My Power Mac G5 will not fully boot without safe mode, it only comes to a blue screen where my cursor duplicates in to 2, (one is frozen, one can move by moving the mouse). What is my problem, and how do I fix it?

My Power Mac G5 will not fully boot without safe mode, it only comes to a blue screen where my cursor duplicates in to 2, (one is frozen, one can move by moving the mouse). What is my problem, and how do I fix it?

Great clue Lukas...
One way to test is to Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, Test for problem in Safe Mode...
PS. Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive
Reboot, test again.
If it only does it in Regular Boot, then it could be some hardware problem like Video card, (Quartz is turned off in Safe Mode), or Airport, or some USB or Firewire device, or 3rd party add-on, Check System Preferences>Accounts>Login Items window to see if it or something relevant is listed.
Check the System Preferences>Other Row, for 3rd party Pref Panes.
Also look in these if they exist, some are invisible...
/private/var/run/StartupItems
/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/StartupItems
/System/Library/LaunchDaemons
/Library/LaunchDaemons

HELP... after 10.4.11 update I can't boot past the blue screen

HELP... after 10.4.11 update I can't boot past the blue screen, and it is pretty frustrating, to say the least. Here's what happened last night:
I installed elgato's eyetv 250, and at the end it asked to update the software. I did so, and when I tried to run it again it said I had to be running 10.4.11. I quickly went over and downloaded the 10.4.11 combo updater to my desktop and proceeded to repair permissions on my disk so I could run the updater.
I repaired permissions and started the updater. It got halfway through updating and said something like it could not finish and stopped. No reason why - it just stopped. I tried it again, and it did the same thing after going about 25 to 30 percent through the updating process. I thought that was very odd, so I checked, and I was running 10.4.9.
I thought I needed to get the 10.4.10 update, so I downloaded the combo updater several times. It would not run, giving me some error message that it would not even open, so I thought I needed to restart my computer to get it to run. I did so.
That's when my computer would not boot. It gets through the initial white screen with the logo in the middle and the revolving circle, and while it stays there for a long time the fans run increasingly faster. They tame down, and then the blue screen with "Mac OS" on it and the blue progress bar comes up. There is no blue progress bar, though... that's where it stops and will not go any further.
Can ANYBODY help me get this thing booted back up? It was so late last night that before I started I didn't back the Mac up, and of course I have a project on there that I need to finish Saturday afternoon for a company.
ANY HELP WILL BE SO GLADLY APPRECIATED. If you can give me step by step instructions on what to do, you will surely be blessed! Thanks for any help,
Barry
Jeremiah 29:11

Hi mrstang, and a warm welcome to the forums!
It sounds like Disk Directory problems.
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, 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. (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. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then 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 finishes.
The usual reason why updates fail or mess things up, or things don't load/run, is if Permissions are not fixed before & after every update, with a reboot... you may get a partial update when the installer finds it doesn't have Permissions to change one obscure little part of the OS, leaving you with a mix of OS versions.
Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates again, or even do an A&I if you have enough free disk space.
The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html
The combo update for Intel-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateintel.html
Repair Permissions before & after re-install, then reboot again each time.
If all the above do not resolve the problem, then it's time for an Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Be sure to use Preserve Users & Settings.

Reset PMU and Powerbook won't boot past the blue screen with "Mac OSX" box

Hi-
Problem: I tried to reset my PMU, and now when my computer restarts it won't go past the blue screen with the "Mac OSX" logo in the box (and progress bar, that never fills up). I then also tried to reset PRAM, but it still won't boot properly.
Backstory--
I've had my 12-inch Powerbook G4 for about 3.5 years already, so things are starting to get a bit out of whack. I replaced my battery about 3 months ago, which has been great, but recently my power-cord has been wonky (having to unplug it and replug it in to make sure it actually charges the computer, the light flickers on and off, etc). Today it actually started producing SPARKS at the place where the thin white wire meets the white plastic power brick, so I decided it was time to get a new one. Brought it home, plugged it in, and since it seemed like the battery indication icon on the menu bar was all out of sync with the powercord colored-light, I tried restarting it a few times, but still the same. Then, I decided to reset the PMU, which may have been a huge mistake. And now it won't boot past the blue screen... Any advice? I'm going to try restarting it in "safe" mode, but I'd be so grateful for any recommendations. Hope I haven't done something irreversibly stupid with the PMU reset.
Thanks,
Samantha

Hello all,
Thanks for all of your great suggestions and info-- here are a few responses.
1) The disk I just borrowed from my friend appears to be the full retail version-- it looks just like the links that Ali B sent, and is in a large box saying "Mac OSX Tiger, version 10.4"... will this be the proper disk to do an Erase and Install? The only other disks I have came with my Powerbook when it was originally purchased, when it came Panther (I think, 10.3?). Would I use both sets of these disks to do erase and install? Or only the Tiger OSX disks?
2) I get the sense that Disk Warrior or Tech Tool might be necessary, but does it make sense to TRY to do erase-install before buying them? Also, are there any downloadable (for pay) versions of this, or would I need to track down the actual physical disks in Hong Kong or wait for them to be shipped?
3) I haven't yet tried the S.M.A.R.T. test, should I do that first? What is the procedure? Are there any results or ways to know if the drive is too far gone (so that I might instead replace the internal hard-drive) instead of pay 100 USD first to do the disk repair?
4) Cornelius said: "An alternative would be to completely reformat and erase the entire HDD, then re-install and restore your data from backup. If your backup is in the form of a bootable clone of the entire HDD, you can just clone it back." I use Super-Duper to back-up and the most recent one copied the whole thing-- what would be the later procedure of "cloning it back"?
5) As I'm able to use my computer pretty normally right now, but does it still mean that it might crash/die at any moment? Is there any way to tell?
Thanks so much!

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Only Boots to a black screen with a mouse cursor

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Only Boots to a black screen with a mouse cursor after I installed Mcafee Internet Security.
Hi I installed 1of 3 McAfee Internet Security protections on my HP laptop a few weeks ago with no issues. I Have a Dell XPS 420 desk top with Windows Vista operating
system, it’s never had any issues, until 2 nights ago I installed McAfee Internet Security (detected incompatible files and will remove) pc now only boots up to a black screen with a mouse cursor, it will show the windows logo and a hash symbol floating around
the screen. Now 2 weeks ago I installed the same program on my Dell all in one desk top with Windows 7, the same issue happen but that pc has no screen activity, I tried a back to factory reboot on this one, still black screen.

Hi,
Please install the compatible version of McAfee Internet Security:
http://home.mcafee.com/store/internet-security
if you have startup issue, you can boot into Safe Mode to uninstall the problematic software to go back into Windows.
Alex Zhao
TechNet Community Support

Hey all , my apple ipad 16gb wifi only is showing a blue screen !! please help ! how do i fix this . what does it mean ? thanks in advance .

hey all , my apple ipad 16gb wifi only is showing a blue screen !! please help ! how do i fix this . what does it mean ? thanks in advance .

Thank u verrrrrrrrrrry much FoxFifth u save my life thank u.

My laptop L2000 lance Armstrong only boots to a black screen with a cursor.

My laptop only boots to a black screen with a cursor. Can this be because the board numbers may be different then whats on the HD? I swaped a HD from a old and ugly L2000 to a new and shiny looking laptop! dbarselow

Boot from the first of the system discs (by holding down the C key until the welcome screen goes away) and, in Disc Utility, repair privileges. Not just permissions, but privileges. Then reboot at normal. That will probably fix it.

On boot up my macbook gets hung on the blue screen

On Boot up my MacBook Pro gets hung on the blues screen. I have to close the display let it sit for about a minute and then open it back up. Then the sign in window wil come up. Next I have to wait 5 to 8 minutes after selection of a user name to be able to enter my password.
I just had to restore my OS from Time Machine because it would not boot up.
any suggestions?

If you haven't already purchased a new disk, I would strongly advocate getting an SSD drive to replace the failed hard disk in your machine.
I would recommend nothing but Intel SSDs - they are by far the best-performing ones out there. I have a 240GB Intel 520 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167086 - in my Late 2011 MacBook Pro with 10.6.8. Downloading, opening multiple tabs while browsing, bootup, shutdown or software install speed, it's an incredible dream. A full install of 10.6 last night was completed in 5 mins and 35 seconds on my machine!
There are also other high-performance SSDs like the Samsung 840 Pro - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193 - but from my personal experience (installed in a client's office PC), no consumer SSD can best the Intel in performance.
Regarding getting the machine back to a usable state after its drive crash - I recommend doing a clean install of the OS along with all the programs you use, doing an initial sync with Time Machine, booting back to the Mac OS X Install DVD and making a DMG disk image of your new drive to be saved on an external backup hard disk (perhaps your TM drive).
Reason being if your machine screws up in one way or another in the future - be it a misbehaving software update or another disk failure - you can just plop in a new drive, boot with the Install DVD, plug in your external drive and restore the "master" image to your new drive and restarting from it; all your programs will already be there without needing to go through the tedious process of reactivating et cetra. You can then immediately retrieve any missing documents from your TM backup with little hassle since the system was already synced to TM and it will recognize it as the "same" Mac despite the drive change.
Of course, with anything comes pros and cons - and the cons in this case are needing to fiddle around with the command-line interface (Terminal) and some initial fidgeting with external drives. However, it will all be smooth sailing for future disasters once the "master" image for your machine is saved on the drive.

Macbook Pro with 10.4.11 boots up to blue screen and little squares...what to do??, Macbook Pro with 10.4.11 boots up to blue screen and little squares...what to do??

My MBPro, OSX 10.4.11 boots up to frozen blue screen with little pixelated squares. Whats wrong?

Have a local Mac/PC specialist look at your machine (not Apple or a Apple reseller)
Your machine is rather dated and Apple doesn't support your operating system any longer, but the local independant repair guy might be able to recover your files, install a new hard drive and upgrade you to 10.6.8, which is still getting security updates, which you can continue to use the machine a bit longer perhaps.
Your machine is too old to run 10.7 or 10.8 coming out this summer, but that's what I would wait for if your interested in a new machine.
In the meanwhile don't do anything banking related until you get a 10.7 or 10.8 machine, Apple doesn't support older OS X verisons, basically punishing you for taking care of your machine and making it last and not upgrading the OS on their timetable.
Be prepared for major change in 10.7/10.8, it's a differnt and unsettling, a lot of people don't like it and a lot of younger types do like it.
Perhaps you'll be better served on a Windows 7 machine, it doesn't change the UI or break all your programs, but you get malware more often.
No platform is good anymore, both have a bad side to them. Least on Windows the operating system and everythign can be reinstalled again and updates applied to stop the malware, you can use it for 10 years at a time.
Good Luck

Macbook boot stuck on blue screen?

I was updating the Macbook software and restarted the machine like it said so. When it did though, it stayed at the blue screen and wouldn't do anything. I see the mouse and can move it around the blue screen but I'm just stuck there. Any help?

yeah that same thing happen to me. I updated then restarted it and it was stuck at the blue screen with the apple logo and the little spinny thing just kept spinning. Took it to my local apple store and they had to replace my hard drive. Just got it back and am now updating again. Hope your stuff is backed up and best of luck.

Why is my macbook pro stuck on a blue screen

I was downloading a program that was put onto a disk image, then my macbook battery died (forgot it was unplugged). When i plugged it back in and booted it back up, it did the usual tone and apple logo/spinning gear. Shortly after it would go to a pale blue screen and occasionally have a spinning gear, but no matter how long i wait it stays on the same screen.
i have tried everything here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
except i't wont let me start from the install disk (it just goes to the blue screen)
i have the mac os x install disk one and two, but im also not sure what one to put in and if these are the right ones anyways.
I also have a windows xp partition that i CAN access without getting stuck on the blue screen.
So, is the hard drive corrupt even though i can access the windows partition?
Do i need to replace the hard drive?
i cant go to an apple store and get it fixed, i just dont want to drive there (but i will if i need a new hard drive)
this is my first mac and i have only basic knowledge of the operating system.
i think it was running on 10.6 (snow leopard), but i only have the install disks that came with my mac.

To fix your issue is too complicated and lengthy to go into all of it here as it sounds like a hardware issue, it will require the services of person very familiar and experienced with Mac's to first recover your data and then restore OS X back to a functional state which may or may not require new hardware/software installed.
If your under warranty or AppleCare, take it in for service.
You can also hire the services of a local Mac computer support technician experienced in these matters.
Have them look at your Wifi, RAM amount, extra storage and computer backup proceedures in the process.
Good Luck.

Macbook pro keeps freezing or blue screen of death

I got my mackbook pro in april,all rammed up etc.I bought this laptop just to play poker on.Poker programs only work with windows[but knew about bootcamp,i'm running XP on it].The problems i'm having ,is that, once a day at least it shuts down itself[and cant tell me the driver problem blue screen of death] or secondly just freezes and then i have to power it off for it to work again.
I have took it to genius bar,which couldnt help[they said it was on windows so nothing to do with them,just reinstall windows again,GREAT HELP}.
Been to 2 diffrent computer repair shops,and none of them have been able to fix this problem.
Anyone help,as its costing me a fortune,and still not working.
thanks in advance
scott

Hey, I recommend backing up all your files manually via USB hardrive and then format your mac's hardrive, here's a link for instructions on how to format your mac's hdd: http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-format-your-macs-hard-drive--mac- 53986
Also I recommend downloading the latest Mac OS X via the app store. The reason why I've recommended to back up all your files and programs manually and install a clean and new os is because when you put your data on manually, you significantly reduce the chances of the problem happening again and it looks like you have something inside your os that's slowing everything down. You'll also have the latest updates and support if you download the latest mac os x. You should also back up your Mac via time machine as well so you have a image of your OS. I recommend installing a SSD drive inside your MacBook as they make a huge difference in performance, your computer will preform almost instantly, it only takes 7 seconds for your mac to boot into the os and everything else you do is pretty much instantly. They can be a little expensive but they're coming down in price and they're with it! http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT480M500SSD1-2-5-inch-480GB-Internal/dp/B00BQ8R HJ2
I've had the same problem before and I hope that helps.
Good luck

MacBook Air Boots to OS, then screen goes dark.

I have recently been working on an older style (A1304) MacBook Air with the 128GB SSD. I've been working on Mac's for years, and have worked on hundreds, but this is the first time I've ever come across this particular issue.
Liquid damaged MacBook Air. Keyboard and Trackpad mainly took the brunt of the spill. Popped off the keys, cleaned it all up. Button for the trackpad no longer works, but everything else does. Entire computer was disassembled, no other liquid was found.
MacBook Air boots up normally, and I was using it for a few hours to make sure everything was working fine. Left it to charge. Came back two hours later, and the screen was dark (but the image was still visible, as if the backlight was not on). Could see the mouse pointer moving, but backlight won't come back on. Turned off computer, turned it back on. Backlight works just fine, and it boots to the OS. Within 10 seconds of booting to OS, the screen goes dark (screen goes completely black with no image). Couple seconds later, light on the front starts to "breathe" indicating it's sleeping. Wake it back up, and image appears on the screen, but no backlight. Then it "goes to sleep" again.
Boot computer to a Flash Drive with Snow Leopard Installer and once the blue screen comes on as if the installer is just about to pop up, it "goes to sleep" immediaetly. Though, the backlight and computer will stay on in the Apple Hardware Test for as long as I want. (ran it several times, "no trouble found". Also reset the PRAM, nothing helps.
I was wondering if anyone has ever come across this. Completely baffled on whether it's a software or hardware (or combination of the both) issue I'm having.

The keyboard and trackpad reside on top of the motherboard and all the components of the computer. The keyboard and trackpad are not liquid proof. It is VERY likely that the liquid made its way to the motherboard and has affected those components. If EVER there is liquid spilled on a computer, the last thing you want to do is A. Turn it on to make sure it is working.. and B. Plug it in and charge it. Do the EXACT opposite. Unplug and turn off all power, and, if possible, remove the battery from it. The liquid itself doesnt do the damage...the damage is done when the liquid comes in contact with the circuits and shorts out the contacts and components. You could try to connect to an external monitor, if you have the means to do so, to see if it makes a difference, but it probably will not. I seems that the motherboard is not functioning correctly.

I can not boot past the blue screen, but safe mode is fine...

I have no clue what I did...
Everything was working fine on my iMac (which is from like 2008). I did a file migration transfer from my Macbook pro to the iMac and everything seemed to be good. I could see everything, etc. I went to update the software on the iMac since the computer has not been used in a while. After everything updated and installed the computer restarted and has not been able to move past the blue screen when booting. I can start in safe mode just fine. I have done everything I can find on how to trouble shoot with no luck.
I have reinstalled the OS X
I have held down every combo of keys when restarting the computer
I have made sure the correct disk is highlighted for starting up
I have done everything I could find online...
I do not have the option to erase under the disk utility, or repair?
I am so lost and have no idea what to do. Did the migrate do this? I could use any help! Thank you.

Clean Install of Snow Leopard
Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase
the drive and everything on it.
     1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came
         with your computer. Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.
         After the chime press and hold down the "C" key. Release the key when you see
         a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.
     2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue
         button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
         After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive
         size.) Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window. Set the number of
         partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button
         and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended
         (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.
     3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed
         with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.
     4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup
         Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same
         username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup
         Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh
         install of OS X. You can now begin the update process by opening Software
         Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Macbook only boots to a blue screen!!

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for