MacBook Shuts Down on grey Apple Screen

Hello,
Today I went to turn on my macbook when it then would shut down approximately 15-20 seconds after it has reached the apple boot screen. I've resetted the PRAM twice as well as booted from the Leopard DVD. I tried to run Disk Utility and tried to repair the disks but an error kept happening telling me the Disk could not be repaired.
I have no idea what has caused this as I was using it perfectly fine 7 hours previously.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I also do not live close to an Apple Store and I want to fix this myself.
Thanks,
Josh.

If your applications and system are not backed up, then yes, you will need to reinstall them after you reformat.
Disk corruption can occur for a variety of reasons. One is a failing hard drive, another is improper shut down, yet another is a physical blow to the hard drive while it is spinning. Even if you repair the directory corruption with DiskWarrior, the directory corruption may have resulted in file corruption that cannot be fixed. So you may be up for a reinstall anyway.
Get another external drive or two and use them for backups. I have two myself; one for Time Machine, and one is a SuperDuper clone that I update at least daily.

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Macbook shuts down after grey screen

My MacBook shuts down after the gray screen every time I try to start it it does not work

While we all have MacBooks in this forum most of us don’t run Mountain Lion. There's a Mountain Lion Support Community where everybody has Mountain Lion. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer. https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/os_x_mountain_lion
You should also ask this in the MacBook Pro forum. This is the forum for the white and black plastic MacBooks that were discontinued in 2010.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro

Macbook suddenly frozen at grey Apple screen after shutting down

For the first time, I had a bit of trouble starting up my Macbook yesterday. I would turn it on 3 or 4 times, and it would stick at the grey Apple icon screen. The 5th try worked, albeit a little longer than normal, and led me to the login screen.
After a full day's work, I shut it down. Upon trying to start it up again this morning, I was greeted by the same grey loading screen, and nothing happened. I tried restarting it umpteen times, to no avail.
This Macbook is only 8 months old, and I've never experienced anything like this.
After reading about several similar cases like this in the forum (on my old clunky PC), I inserted my OSX cd, and ran disk utility. It seemed to find a dozen or so files that were misplaced or broken, and repaired them after verifying the issues. All was green and good to go, it said. Restarted the Macbook, and am still stuck at that grey Apple screen.
Unfortunately, I don't have a backup of my files, and a clean install of OSX is not an option (yes, I know, stupid on my part). If anything, I need to get in there one last time, and over several hours back up all my files, apps, and settings, then do a dreaded reinstall.
I've tried booting into safe mode (holding shift before powering the comp on), but it still wouldn't go any farther than that grey screen.
I'm probably going to have to pick up my AppleCare plan tomorrow, but am hesitant, because if they tell me I have to lose all my files, I'll snap. Paying $300 to not even get a straight-jacket, isn't really a bargain.
So a huge PLEASE goes out to anyone that might have some suggestions, methods, secrets, that might allow me to get in there one last time, or fix this bug for good.
An enormous thanks in advance.

This exact thing just happened to me last night. I've had my Macbook for almost a year and a half with absolutely no problems (and for a former windows user, this was astounding). But last night as I was checking accuweather.com with Firefox, the whole computer froze. I couldn't force quit or anything, so I held the power button down and it turned off. I restarted normally and got the grey screen of death with no usual spiraling circle icon. I tried rebooting again with the same problem. Luckily i took advantage of two great Apple offerings: AppleCare when i bought the computer, and then I installed Leopard a couple months ago. Time Machine backed up everything 2 days ago when i last hooked up my external hard drive. Yay for no data loss!! I fear a hard drive failure, but maybe the OS simply needs a fresh install? I have an appointment with a Genius tonight... i'll let you know how that goes and what they say is the problem. Sounds like we're not the only ones with this problem as i've seen multiple threads outlining the issue, but none with clear cut solutions.

Mac won't start up; shuts down after grey apple start up screen :(

Well I have just recently came off a two week holiday from Mexico, and straight away I log onto my iMac, as usuall I try to update it as often as I can so I am upto date.
Well I did that, and I found that I had loads to update because I had been away. Soo as normall I allowed it to update. I left my iMac to its own devices for about 2 and 1/2 hours, so it can update, whilst I was on the PS3. Once I had finished on the PS3 I had came to find, that when the iMac automatically starts up to install/update software, that it had frozen.
So I left it for another hour, to see if it could sort itself out, but just my luck nothing happened.
So I held down the power button, until I forced shut down my iMac. When I came to start my iMac back up again, it chimed like usual, and went onto the grey startup screen like usuall, then it took ages to respond, the wheel thingy, just kept spinning and eventually it stop and my iMac shut down.
And it keeps on shutting down like that and won't boot up, but some how it has gone into Safe Boot Mode.
What shall I do, a go from here on, to get my iMac back to normal?
Many thanks to any posts in advance.

Think I have sorted it guys with a bit of searching:
Solution:
Reset System Mangement Controller (SMC)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543

After I updated my Iphone it shuts down to the apple screen then back on by itseff

After I updated my phone to the newest version it just shuts its self down to the apple icon like the one when it is restoring then after a minute or so it goes back

I would restore from back up. Could be corrupt.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
Try restoring the iOS device if backing up and erasing all content and settings doesn't resolve the issue. Using iTunes to restore iOS devices is part of standard isolation troubleshooting. Restoring your device will delete all data and content, including songs, videos, contacts, photos, and calendar information, and will restore all settings to their factory condition.
Before restoring your iOS device, Apple recommends that you either sync with iTunes to transfer any purchases you have made, or back up new data (data acquired after your last sync). If you have movie rentals on the device, see iTunes Store movie rental usage rights in the United States before restoring.
Follow these steps to restore your device:
Verify that you are using the latest version of iTunes before attempting to update.
Connect your device to your computer.
Select your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch when it appears in iTunes under Devices.
Select the Summary tab.
Select the Restore option.
When prompted to back up your settings before restoring, select the Back Up option (see in the image below). If you have just backed up the device, it is not necessary to create another.
Select the Restore option when iTunes prompts you (as long as you've backed up, you should not have to worry about restoring your iOS device).
When the restore process has completed, the device restarts and displays the Apple logo while starting up:
After a restore, the iOS device displays the "Connect to iTunes" screen. For updating to iOS 5 or later, follow the steps in the iOS Setup Assistant. For earlier versions of iOS, keep your device connected until the "Connect to iTunes" screen goes away or you see "iPhone is activated."
The final step is to restore your device from a previous backup.

MacBook Hanging Up On Grey Apple Screen

I have a problem with a MacBook that I bought in late August. I turned the computer off this morning, and when I turned it on again two hours later, I noticed that it was very slow. It took a long time to start up, the desktop took several minutes to appear, and then automatic log-in applications took another few minutes. I restarted it again, hoping to fix the problem, but now my computer completely hangs up.
The chime goes off, and the light grey screen appears, as well as the apple. The spinning thing at the bottom comes up, and nothing else happens. Even after an hour, the computer still makes its "thinking" noises. Not the loud, grating dead-hardrive noise (I don't think) just the normal one.
I have no idea why this is happening. I've installed nothing new, deleted nothing, or made any big changes. Well, I just moved to England, but I've used the correct power adapter. I don't think that would be the issue.
Oh dear, in the middle of typing this I am hearing a very bad noise. It almost sounds like something in there is clicking. It's hard to tell where it's coming from, but it sounds like two things are rubbing up together, but something is catching and causing that click. I don't think that's a good sign.
I do not have my repair disks with me, unfortunately. I cannot start in safe mode, it hangs up here, too. I've reset the PRAM. I attempted to start up by CD with the AppleCare CD, just to see if I could. I got what I expected, nothing. I'm assuming it's a harddrive problem.
Any help will be very appreciated. Thank you.

I'm replying to this in case anyone else searches with a similar problem. Directly after I wrote that message, I tried to start it up again, and was greeted by everyone's favorite question-mark folder icon flashing on the screen. The Geniuses couldn't do anything with it, including startup with an external drive, and my hard drive has been replaced.
Back up your stuff, folks.

Macbook Pro wont boot (Grey apple screen + thinking wheel)

Hello.
When i turn on my mac, the apple logo comes, and the thinking-wheel comes - i've left it on for about 2 hours, and it just keeps going.. I've tried for 6 hours now, to reboot, googling and browsing forums.
I dont have the installation CDs, they are somewhere down in the basement collecting dust (already looked, i gave up)
I can get into terminal - i can also click "Option" and the harddrive comes up.
I dont care if i loose everything, i dont have anything important on it.
How do i get this stupid wheel away? It wont boot in safe mode neither, when i click left shift the apple shows up, but the thinking-wheel never comes (which makes me think its stuck) I've only let it wait for 3-4 minutes after clicking the left shift key, but nothing happens.

I dont have the installation CDs
What about your system dvds? The ones that originally came with your computer? If they are also gathering dust bunnies you can get replacement System DVDs from Apple's Customer Support for a nominal S&H fee. *You'll need to have the model and/or serial number of your Mac available.*
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/intlstoreroutingpage.html
Mac OS X (10.6)
Update to 10.6.4 when all of your issues are resolved. Check Software Update for other needed updates you have missed.
Message was edited by: CMCSK

TS1599 Macbook shuts down every time I use iPhoto

Since upgrading to Lion (amonsgt other really frustrating things that make me wish I never had!) my macbook shuts down to a black screen every time I open and use iphoto.
It normally occurs when I attempt to manipiulate a photo, or scroll down, or open an event - basically as soon as I attempt to do anything in iphoto using any function - it shuts to black screen.
The computer still appears to be switched on and the keyboard is lit - however there's nothing I can do except force a complete shutdown and then switch on again.
This shut down does not occur unless I am using photos in iphoto or imovie. So basically I cannot use either of these applications.
Hopefully someone can help!
In the meantime I can offer any snow leopard users some valuable advice - Upgrading to Lion really is a waste and has absolutely no benefits whatsoever!
Thanks in advance

Can you give any more details? Does it happen when you apply the filter? When you make an adjustment, if so what are you doing? Also, what version of Motion are you running, what type of footage?

My macbook pro will not boot. It gets the grey screen with the apple until the bar is half way across and then shuts down. The only screen I can get to is in safe mode and I don't know what to do with that

my macbook pro will not boot. It gets the grey screen with the apple until the bar is half way across and then shuts down. The only screen I can get to is in safe mode and I don't know what to do with that

Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup - Apple Support

I have a MacBookPro1,1 running mac os x 10.6.8. It keeps freezing whenever i use it, and often takes 5 or more attempts to turn on. It just stays at the grey apple screen, causing me to force shut down. Is there anyway i can fix this?

When i am using the mac. often it will suddenly freeze, only the coloured loading wheel still moving. I will leave it for hours to unfreeze but nothing. The only remedy is to turn it off by the button. Moreover, sometimes when i turn it on it gets stuck at the grey apple screen and i have to turn it off by the button and on again. This can happen up to 10 times until it turns on! What can i do?

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.
If you are able to reach your desktop take note of how large your hard drive is and how much hard drive space do you have left?
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.
If your computer is still under warranty or you have Apple Care, take full advantage of it by letting tech support deal with your problems. It's what you're paying them for.
Out of warranty - take the computer to an Apple store or an AASP. Whichever is more convenient for you.

After prompted to update 10.9.1, my MacBook Pro updates and went thru restart but failed...I tried to start my book and gray screen, Apple logo both on, chime sounded, then went to progress bar, less than half macbook shuts down...did few times, same!!

After prompted to update 10.9.1, my MacBook Pro updates and went thru restart but failed...I tried to start my book and gray screen, Apple logo both on, chime sounded, then went to progress bar, less than half macbook shuts down...did few times, same!!
Go to system repair, there is a prompt that cannot repair live etc....I don understand!!! Help, I need the book for work tomorrow!!

Thanks clintonfrombirmingham...
After clicking "repair disk" it says DISK UTILITY STOPPED REPAIRING MACINTOSH HD, DISK UTILITY CAN't REPAIR THIS DISK. BACK UO AS MANY OF YOUR FILES AS POSSIBLE, REFORMAT THE DISK, AND RESTORE YOUR BACKED -UP FILES....
written in red: ERROR: DISK UTILITY CAN'T REPAIR THIS DISK,,,DISK, AND RESTORE YOUR BACKED-UP FILES.
how can I back up when I cannot even start my macbook? I am stuck here and have lots of important files in the hd... Please help me? Thanks you!

My G5 shut down + when it restarted it won't go past the grey apple screen

here's a general rundown of how I got to this point...
last yr the hard drive on my '05 G5 went, so i had it replaced (6-7 months ago) and for the last 2-3 months i've had problems with involuntary shut downs (cut to black) it started happening once a day and then there were days where it would happen more often and then less often and eventually got to a point where it was happening every 5-20 minutes, so i brought it in to get looked at and was told that it was the power supply that was malfunctioning. I mentioned that I would likely be buying a new mac in the coming weeks ( i did yesterday) and was told that I should be ok between now and then without having it fixed and then when i did get my new computer they would transfer all of my old data onto the new computer and would be installing the new power supply before selling it to a local school. then, 3 days before I was going to get my new mac, it shut off yet again, but when it rebooted it never went past the grey apple screen. after 4 or 5 minutes the fan comes on and is amazingly loud and this is where it stays until i shut it off. i'm not sure if this is simply the power supply finally going going gone or if this has something to do with the very new hard drive or who knows what else; i just want to get my info from the old computer onto the new and hopefully get the couple hundred dollars that i was told my g5 was worth. is there something i can do to get past the grey screen before i bring it in?
thanks in advance,
Jeremiah

I doubt that your data have been lost, the hard drive should be fine. Too bad that you're going to sell it, you could have used the hard drive in an enclosure to back up your new computer to. Please remember to make frequent backups/clones, I use SuperDuper! and it works perfectly. I have used it to re-clone a drive from the external when things have gone bad, you can also boot from a SuperDuper! clone.
Anyway, let us know how things go, I'm pretty sure your drive will be fine.

MacBook stuck at grey apple screen with spinning logo

I have a 2010 White MacBook that is stuck at the grey apple screen with a spinning logo. This seems to have happened after I installed the newest version of iTunes. The system slowed down a lot and when I ran the system monitor It said all of the memory was being used up. I had to force shut down by holding the power key. Upon reboot, I got the grey apple logo screen, a spinning wheel, and a progress bar. The progress bar gets about a quarter of the way and disappears. The spinning wheel remains. Initially, I let it run for awhile. Nothing different happened. I took off the Mac jack adaptor, and replaced the battery. Nothing happened. I kept trying to start it up and one time it worked. I backed up my files to two external hds via time machine.
Upon the next boot, i have been stuck at the grey apple logo screen, spinning wheel, and progress bar. Each time the progress bar remains and then disappears after going about a quarter of the way. I have tried cmd-D, cmd-s,cmd-opt-p-r, cmd-v but I don't think any of those work (I don't know of i'm doing them right) . It just stays on the grey apple logo screen. I tried using the option button at the startup and it goes to a lock screen. I typed in the administrator name. That didn't work. I tried the apple password. That didn't work. I tried every password that I know. None work.
What can I do to fix this?
Thank you.

See if this Apple note will help. When it gets to Disk Utility, boot holding the command and r keys down so you get into recovery mode, and run Disk Utility from there. Assume you have OS X 10.7 or later. If you're still on OS X 10.6, then follow directions to boot off the OS X DVD sent with your system or a retail OS X 10.6 DVD.

My Macbook Pro will not load past grey Apple screen...

Last night my Macbook Pro froze so I closed it and went to bed. Today when I opened it, it was still frozen, so I held down the power button and rebooted it. It got as far as the grey Apple screen with the spinning wheel and will not load any further than that. I've rebooted a couple times since and it continues to do the same thing, stays on the grey screen forever.
I searched this problem on the Apple Support Communitites and none of suggestions (holding Shift after the startup tone, holding Command+R) have worked so far. Is there any way to fix this problem without losing my data or having to pay to talk to Apple Support? PLEASE HELP! :(

Zzoozu wrote:
None of that made sense to me or helped me. Anyone else? Maybe someone who has answers dor someone not a computer genius?
Then we can't help you as we need you to be able to help yourself and the instructions are complicated and long to paste here over and over again for the same proceedure.
Hire the services of a local Mac computer repair before you delete your data by accident.
You can jump down and do #8, that might clear the issue right away, but some programs are not going to work and require updating or reinstalling again.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac

My macbook from 2008 which I bought used worked fine for 3 weeks and then suddenly it started restarting and now it restarts, goes to grey apple screen and a code saying something about a kernel panic appears and it restarts again and again. Help?

My macbook from 2008 which I bought used worked fine for 3 weeks and then suddenly it started restarting and now it restarts, goes to grey apple screen and a code saying something about a kernel panic appears and it restarts again and again. Help?

Restart the computer and immediately hold the Option key down.
Select the Recovery partition and continue.
On the next pane, select Disk Utility and continue.
When DU opens, select your hard drive in the left column, click the First Aid tab, the click Repair Disk.
When that is done, quit DU and restart in the usual way.

MacBook Shuts Down on grey Apple Screen

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