Macbook startup problem

My macbook will startup only in save boot mode - otherwise it either comes to the login screen and nothing happens or I don't get the login option, only the apple logo and the cursor. . . it worked fine yesterday on the train, since I've neither installed nor deleted anything.

Try this:
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 and 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.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, and 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.1 for Leopard) to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
You may have a corrupted preference file. If the previous doesn't help then create a new user account, log out of your normal account and log into the new one. Set the new account as the default at login and restart the computer. See if this causes the problem to cease. If so then you probably have a bad preference file or cache file. You can use software such as TinkerTool System to help clean out caches.

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Late 2007 Macbook startup problem

I have a problem with my late 2007 Macbook. Originally, when starting up, I would briefly see the startup screen, then get three beeps. Since this is normally the sign of a memory problem, I ordered new memory (supposedly of the correct specifications, although upgrading from 2 x 512 MB to 2 x 2 GB). However, now when I start up, only the power indicator light at the front of the computer comes on. Nothing else happens. Putting the old memory back in returns the old problem, which suggests that I haven't managed to knock out video. I have tried resetting the SMC, but to no effect. Any suggestions, or is this computer fried?

Thanks for the suggestions. X423424 was correct in that the ram was defective; placing it into a MacBook Pro with the same memory requirements led to the same failure to boot.
However, taking the working 2GB memory from the MacBook Pro did not solve the boot-up problems on the MacBook. Fortunately, the memory still works after returning it to its original computer.
Any other suggestions on how this MacBook might be fixed, or is it simply fried?

Macbook Startup Problems, and Problems

When I startup my Macbook, it has been getting stuck on the blue screen typically associated with the startup and log-in. A few unique characteristics of my problem:
The screen regularly flashes white from the blue
Every so often(rarely) the screen changes to the log-in associated with startup, so I log-in, carefully so as to not mess up the user name or password and it immediately returns to the blue(flashing) screen.
My problems first began when I was using my Macbook and it was unable to open any applications that I had. I proceeded to shutdown the computer and then attempt to boot it up, at which point it froze at the gray apple screen with the spinning loader.
From there, I tried to boot in safe mode, got to the log-in and when I entered my information, it returned me to the safe-mode log-in every time.
I then proceed to boot on my Leopard install disk(I have updated to Snow Leopard, but it was a Family pack and therefore I don't have it with me) and repaired the disk, and repaired the disk partitions, both of which went off without a hitch. Once again I got stuck on the grey screen.
I then reset the PRAM and that got me past the grey screen, to this blue flashing one that represents my startup and log-in problems.
Luckily, I have a Seagate Free Agent Drive which has been my Time Machine disk.
My question is, would it be better to boot with and reinstall Leopard with my disk that came with my Macbook and restore the hard drive contents with the Free agent, even though it has been updated since the Snow Leopard install, or can I boot on the Free Agent itself and avoid the hassles.
Thanks for the help everyone

Are you serious?!! Couldn't be anything else? I recall it did this one time a few years ago when I was running a 3rd party backup software. After I removed it, the problem went away.
Replacing the hard drive, in my opinion, is a last ditch effort. Surely there are some other diagnostics to confirm.
Kim

B&W Macbook startup problem - no solution suggested in forums has worked

Hi there,
I encountered a problem using Word on my white Macbook yesterday, so restarted (by selecting the 'restart' option from the apple menu) to try to fix it.
It would not restart: it showed a white screen with the apple sign for ages, followed by a prohibitory sign, then eventually the apple sign again, followed by a flashing folder with a question mark. I have tried the following options (found by searching the forums), to no avail:
(NB #1: almost all my data is backed up, therefore I don't need to worry about salvaging lost data.)
(NB #2: I am not exactly sure what operating system this machine uses, but I think it's 10.5. The model number is A1181, it was bought refurbished from Apple in June 2008, and the info on the barcode label under the battery says 'MB 13/2 16/2X512/120/SD-DL:WHITE'.)
Resetting the PRAM: the problem persisted.
Tried to perform an archive and install using the install disk. On the first attempt, after selecting the 'archive and install option' and then selecting the HD as the 'destination', the process performed some sort of disk check. It either completed the disk check, or nearly completed it (I left the room when it was about 80% done), but then showed an error message saying that it had encountered a problem and that I needed to restart (I think! I didn't write down exactly what the message said).
I restarted and attempted to run the archive and install process again (several times). However, this time, no destination volumes are shown at the 'Select a Destination' step. So, I'm unable either to archive and install or to erase and install.
Tried to repair HD using the disk utility function but encounter a 'First Aid Failed' error message which says: 'The underlying task reported failure on exit'.
Tried booting in safe mode several times, with slightly different unsuccessful results:
1st attempt (with the install disk still in the drive): a grey screen with text appeared along with a message telling me to restart by holding down the power button, which I did. However, the restart just returned me to the install disk process again, and I encountered the same problems with no destination shown at the 'Select a Destination' step and the inability to repair the HD using the disk utility.
2nd attempt (with the install disk still in the drive): would not start up, apple sign followed by prohibitory sign.
3rd attempt (having ejected the disk by restarting whilst holding down the mousepad button): apple sign displayed for a long time; eventually the screen went off then came on again (along with the restart sound), but remained white (no apple sign displayed).
4th attempt (disk still ejected): apple sign displayed for a long time, eventually screen went blank and came on again (along with the restart sound), apple sign displayed, then prohibitory sign, apple sign again, then folder with question mark.
Tried using fsck but failed. Started up in single-user mode, but got an error message saying: "Error loading kernel 'mach_kernel' (0x80000012)"
Tried SMC reset but this made no difference.
I would be hugely grateful for any helpful suggestions!
Thanks very much.
Rebecca

Mr Blumple wrote:
Thanks very much both of you!
If I buy a new HD and then run my install disks, will this return the Macbook to the same state (software-wise) as when I bought it?
Yes, also... if you take the old drive and put it in an external Firewire or USB enclosure you may be able to save some of your data files.
pancenter-

2008 MacBook Startup Problem

I have a 2008 MacBook. When I go to start it up the normal grey apple screen with the spinning gear comes up, but then it switches to a blank blue screen with the spinning gear. It just switches between the two screens continuously and will not start up. I tried taking the battery out but it didnt work. Any help?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
This looks like a GPU or display problem.
Reset the SMC > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964 Reset the PRAM > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 If nothing works, take the Mac to an Apple Store or reseller

Help! MacBook startup problems! Critical!!!

Hello all
(First of all sorry for my not perfect English, I hope you'll understand my problems anyway)
I made a great mistake by changing permissions for 'everyone' to 'no acces'. Now my computer wont start up. I have tried everything (resetting PRAM, starting with opt-down, starting from install-CD, trying to repair with DiskWarrior 4 [everything was fine] and other stuff I could find on different forums), repairing disk (I have no acces to repair disk permissions), trying to start in target-mode (would not work) and now I have this situation:
- when I start up with opt-down I get two options: EFI Boot or Install-CD. From that picture (doesn't matter which I choose) I can go to Disk Utility and choose Disk Control for Macintosh-HD (shows everything ok) and Repair Disk (also ok). I can not choose option for Archive and reinstall, this is inactive. The only possibility I can choose is Install MacOSX as a first time or Delete and install. No one of these options is interesting, because I didn't get backup of most of my files on MB (because extern HD wouldnt work with it for the long time, after one of the system updates).
- when I go to System profile I can see Root and Applications. In Root can I get acces to a map called something as Old/ recovered map with specific date (sorry, I am not sitting at home with my machine and I try also to translate to English) and in that map can I see all of my contents still exsisting One positive thing after all!
- What can I do to get acces to my profile? I have never tried to work with Terminal or other programming things...
Beside MacBook I have an old G4 with OSX 10.3 installed and approx. 2 GB space left. It is terribly slow! I have also LaCie FW with a lot of space, but it wouldnt work with MB before, so I am not very confident with it.
I know that is a terrible mass, but I really hope there is a kind soul to help me out of this situation, I am sure there is a way to do so.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Sincerely
Mignon

If your MacBook and your G4 both have working Firewire ports, you should be able to start up in Target Disk Mode http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661 which would allow your faulty MacBook to mount as an external disk on your G4. You could then copy your significant files to the G4, after which you could erase and install a new system onto your MacBook and then copy your valuable files back to the MacBook. Just be sure you follow the instructions for Target Disk Mode exactly.
Bob N.

Macbook startup problems

just got a black macbook from a friend, was running fine for about a week. now i'm getting just the gray screen. i've tried starting up from a cd-nothing. i've tried connecting to my imac via firewire and the macbook hd doesn't show up on the imac desktop.
also i don't have the cd/dvds for the macbook
both are running 10.4.11

try the SMC update and updating the system regularly! If that doesn't help, send it in for AppleCare.
deltatux

After a startup problem with my macbook pro i put it as slave and formatted the internal Hard drive. Now i want to install OS X Mavericks from USB

After a startup problem with my macbook pro i put it as slave and formatted the internal Hard drive. Now i want to install OS X Mavericks from USB
How can i do that?

What did you "put as slave?" What Mac model do you have, exactly?

MacBook pro when windows 7 has startup problem and Mac os doesn't work

I installed windows 7 on my MacBook pro and it did work well. But now windows has a startup problem and "startup repair" couldn't solve it, so I can't use both Mac os and windows and my laptop has become completely useless. Any suggestion?

Reboot and hold down command-R at the sound of the chime, that should take you to the Lion recovery partition, if it does go to disk utility and see if you have an OSX partition at all.

I am having an MacBok Pro 13inch,having an Startup Problem, the time i press the power button after few seconds the apple symbol appears w/a loading sign below it

i am having an MacBook Pro 13inch , having an Startup Problem , the time i press the power button after few seconds the apple symbol appears with a loading sign below it and wont go further ahead of it . My data is all in the hard drive .. . I even tried the Internet recovery but no use !!!! but still no respons and the recovery and macintosh hd is now lock! but earlier only the recovery is lock and after both of them is lock. i can reinstall,... and i didnt try to back up any data bec i dont know how? so please help me to resolve my prroblem.?

luoie wrote:
This thing happend,, it say Disk utility stopped repairing "Macintosh HD" disk utility can't repair this disk
Sorry, possibly you need a new hard drive or try reformating. First
you can try something like http://www.alsoft.com/diskwarrior/ it has been known to repair disk that DiskUtility could not. YMMV and they don't give it away.
If Disk Warrior can not repair then you need to Reformate the drive. Make sure you have a back-up in place no matter what.
http://www.apple.com/support/backup/
Disk Utility will tell you something about it's SMART status:

Can anyone diagnose my startup problem from this screen pattern?

After failing to startup my Mac on about 8 consecutive attempts today, I finally got it to boot up, and now I'm afraid to turn it off for fear that I won't be able to re-boot.
Here's a photo of what kept happening:
http://www.doctorkeys.com/startup-problem-screen.html
This screen came up immediately, along with the spinning cog and the apple logo, both rather faint. But then those two disappeared, and all that was left was the gray screen with the pattern as shown in the photo. And that's as far as I got each time.
The display itself seems to be fine, because even when I couldn't use it with the Mac Pro, I was able to hook it up to my MacBook Pro and it worked fine.
Can anybody tell me what's happening?
Thanks,
Bruce Siegel
Message was edited by: Bruce Siegel

Hi-
To be honest, though, I was hoping that the pattern in the photo was so specific and common that someone would look at it and say, "Oh, of course! I've seen THAT one before. Do this and your problem is solved."
I have seen graphics cards produce that type of screen as a result of a few of situations.
One, if the card is miss seated.
One other is if a capacitor on the card has failed, while VRAM failure is another cause.
The first case is easy to fix; remove and reseat.
The second and third require replacement of the failed graphics card.
Cleaning the gold contacts with 99% isopropyl alcohol and thoroughly dusting the card while it is out is a good idea.
I have been able to replace a bad capacitor to restore a card, but luck was a big part of determining which one it was....

Macbook wifi problems

I have a 2.1 c2d macbook and a network based around a d-link dsl-g604t. I have the macbook since christmas and it connected perfectly for the first few days but now it won't connect at all and it gives the error code '88001006' and says 'There was an error joining the airport network "the_ether"'. There are also a g4 aluminium powerbook, a g3 powerbook, and a clamshell iBook which all connect to the network fine. Is the macbook the problem and if i change to 10.4.7 will this fix it?

Hi, I had similar problems and eventually the Airport card just disappeared from the system.
At first I thought it was dead but I reset the P-RAM, and it came back.
This is from Apple support:
# Shut down the computer.
# Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
# Turn on the computer.
# Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
# Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
# Release the keys
You can also try holding down the on button til the computer beeps. I did that too, which of the two solved my problem I don't know.
If the above doesn't work it could be a loose antenna on the airport card, check that the antenna is properly fastened (unfortunately, this isn't as easy as on the early macs)
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/MacBook-Core-2-Duo-Airport-Card/519/1
If this doesn't work you probably need a new airport card.
I'd take it in for repairs if you're not comfortable or very able at fiddling about with the internals of a computer.

Macbook Startup

I got the first gen of Macbooks with the Intel duo core processors during the summer of 2006. Recently, I have encountered a major startup problem with my Macbook. I recently set it to sleep for the night and awoke the next morning to discover that when I flipped the LCD monitor up, the login screen didn't appear. I attempted a hard restart, but the LCD monitor didn't show the usual startup signs. I could feel and hear the hard drive start up briefly, and that would be it.
I'm wondering if anyone out in the Mac community has any ideas of what could be the problem?
Message was edited by: Eksfactor

My friend just called me from Paris and said his 1st generation MacBook Black is starting to do the same thing. When he boots up, it's verrrry slow to get to the blue screen. He can move the mouse, but that's it.
This all started after he accidentally pulled the power plug from his MacBook while it was dumping trash. After that, it just wouldn't reboot normally. Even putting in the Tiger DVD to reboot the machine and run disk utility fails.
Anyone else have any luck?
Message was edited by: Kiki Splash

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

Read these.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10330118-263.html

Dual Monitor Startup Problem on MacPro - Solved

I have a model 53135LL/A = mid 2010 MacPro with 8 cores, DUAL monitor cards and monitors, 24GB memory, running Lion 10.7.3. It is important to note that I am also using the Apple bluetooth Magic Mouse and the smaller, bluetooth keyboard (no numeric keypad). This unit was supplied with Lion in December 2011 and has had a startup problem from the beginning as follows:
1 - when starting from a cold start the dual monitor positions are reversed from the correct position
2 - additionally the USB and firewire connected devices (e.g. Wacom tablet, 2 card readers) do not function properly.
The workaround for me has been to start the system, wait for the logon screen, then click restart. Upon restart everything comes up and functions correctly.
Specifics on my setup and starting problems:
1 - My main monitor (Monitor #2) is a large gamut monitor that is located to the right. This monitor is connected to card slot 1 as that is the faster card slot (pcx16). The second monitor (Monitor #1) is an ordinary unit and connected to card slot 2 (pcx4). The monitors are set up as an extended desktop.
2. The Wacom tablet (Intuous 3 wide) is connected to USB port on rear of machine. CF card reader by Delkin is connected to Firewire on rear of machine, and an SD card reader is connected to USB on the rear of the machine.
3. My dock is positioned on the left side of the left monitor. The menu bar is along the top of the left monitor, and all desktop icons are on the left monitor. The right monitor has no items on it.
On a typical cold start, as mentioned above, the apple logo appears on the right and then the logon screen appears on the right.
If I proceed to logon at that point, all the desktop items move to the right monitor and the computer thinks the positions are reversed. In other words, it behaves as though the right monitor (#2) is on the left of the desktop and left monitor (#1) is on the right.
Additionally, the Wacom tablet using either pen or mouse does not map over the full desktop range. If I use either card reader and then eject the card, no further card insertions will be recognized.
To fix this, I simply restart the machine thru the apple menu and everything comes up correctly.
I had discovered, that instead of completing the logon on a bad cold start, I could simply restart from the logon screen and all would work correctly.
On occasion, the logon screen would come up on the left monitor (as it should do) and in that case, if I log on all works correctly.
I have worked with Apple support on the phone, clearing setup ram etc. Have had the unit in to Apple store for hardware check, all OK. Next suggestion was reload OS and start over - no thanks.
SO - Here is the latest.
If I turn off my keyboard and mouse before starting the machine, then wait for the logon screen to appear - It starts correctly, with the logon screen on the left. I can then turn on my keyboard and mouse and all works as it should.
Bottom line - there appears to be a startup issue with Bluetooth devices from a cold start. Note that once the machine has been used for a bit, I can turn it off for short periods of time (e.g. 30 minutes) and it will start correctly even with the mouse and keyboard turned on.

mkaito wrote:
That's how dwm behaves. I believe dwm's multihead support is rather lackluster out of the box. You might want to check out some of the patches they have, and ask around in the dwm hackers thread.
I currently have dwm simply draw status on all monitors, but I'm investigating separate status bars per monitor. We'll see where that takes me. Dwm is a tinker's WM!
i found the patch , thanks!

Macbook startup problem

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