MacBookPro won't boot after firmware update; superdrive spins forever

I got my brother to switch to mac recently, but his MacBookPro has stopped booting. He told me that he ran a software update, in fact he said specifically "firmware update" on his CoreDuo MacBookPro, and as a result the machine does not boot. Instead it struggles to power on when the power button is pushed, and nothing happens except for a spinning up of the superdrive. It continues on like this until he holds the power button down again, stopping the spin.
As he put it, he ran a "firmware update" (sounds strange to me) and was told to restart, so he clicked restart. He was later instructed to do a hard restart, holding down the power key. He did so and has since fallen into the spinning drive problem, with no hints as to any cause.
Does anyone recognize this, and could someone please suggest solutions for trouble shooting? Thanks in advance. OS 10.4.x

This sounds like he got a kernel panic, as my FAQ* explains:
http://www.macmaps.com/kernelpanic.html
* links to my FAQ may generate me some compensation.

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MacBook Pro Won't Boot after Firmware Update

So I just upgraded to a MacBook Pro which came in the mail yesterday. I removed the Apple-installed HD and swapped it out for a bigger, faster HD. I installed OS X from scratch, imported everything from my Time Machine backup during the Setup Assistant, and then started installing updates. Everything was running swimmingly until the last updates.
What happened is when I rebooted my MacBook Pro and logged in after a series of updates, I got presented with both a Bluetooth update and a Firmware update at the same time. Both required a restart so I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. I installed the Bluetooth update, and then when it asked to reset I installed the Firmware update instead. However, the firmware update didn't behave as advertised because instead of shutting the MacBook Pro completely down, it restarted and then started installing the firmware update.
Ever since the firmware update (which I think installed correctly but don't know how to verify), I cannot boot my MacBook Pro. Using the OS X install DVD I can view my firmware version using System Profiler, and the number it is reporting is MBP53.00A.B03.
I have tried booting in verbose mode to try and get a feel for the problem, and it eventually hangs on an infinite loop saying something about not being able to find something on disk0s2.
I also thought I would fix the problem by doing an Archive and Install, but it quit at the very beginning of installing with the error "unknown error".
Also I thought I would format the disk with Disk Utility and then try installing again, but Disk Utility reports that it in unable to unmount the volume.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-- Update --
Remember how I'm unable to unmount the drive? I force unmounted it and then used Disk Utility to repair the volume, but still no luck.
I think the key to the problem is this new HD I put in runs at 3 Gbps. I think I read somewhere that the new MacBook Pro's don't support that.
I think next I should try swapping out the new HD in my MacBook Pro with the one it originally came with. What do you think?

I, too, have a brand new MBP 15" that I put an Intel X25 in. At the 1.5 (Prior to Firmware Update) setting, it worked fine. I rant the Firmware Update, all looked fine, but the drive is no longer able to be seen.
Flash the PRAM, per other suggestions to no avail. Boot off of the DVD and disk utility nor Profiler sees the drive.
Replace the drive with the stock that came with the MBP (which I had never even used) and it works.
Put the Intel X25 into a Windows machine and it works fine. Reformatted it (in windows) and put it back into my MBP. Still not able to see it (from the Disk utility after booting off the DVD).
Intel's firmware for the drive says its up-to-date (new drive) and if I attempt to "re-run" the Mac Firmware Update, it says that the machine is already up-to-date.
Seems odd that it worked before an now it doesn't. Also seems odd that the X25 works in other machines. And that my MBP works just fine with the stock Hitachi 7200 320GB drive.
Ideas? Intel says to call Apple Support. Not sure what I can say to them.

Macbook pro won't boot after installing update 10.9.3

macbook pro won't boot after installing update 10.9.3

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards, if applicable. Start up in safe mode.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to start up and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal startup may also be somewhat slow.
The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
After testing, restart as usual (not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

HELP Boot Camp won't start after firmware update

Hi Guys,
I just bought a XP CD and installed 10.4.6 and the latest firmware update for my XP installation. So I downloaded Boot Camp, and when I go to the assistant in utilities a window pops up and it says "You must update your computers firmware to use this assistant"
So when I check MacBook Pro SMC Firmware update also in utilities it confirms I have the latest firmware 1.0.
I have repaired permissions and still nada...
Can anyone determine what is wrong? Any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Pete

i think the SMC update != overall system firmware. did you update ur machine to firmware version 1.01? heres a link http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macbookproearly2006firmwareupdate101.html

G4 PowerMac mirrored drives won't boot after software update

This IS NOT about my PB but a PowerMac tower, G4, mirrored drive....running 10.5 (I think).
After some month of neglect, did software update yesterday.... 7 programs including a security update, iTurnes, QT, and I'm not sure what else.
Now it won't boot.
I have a Disk Warrior CD, but I can't get the SuperDrive door open to try to boot from it.
Help GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks,
TD

After some month of neglect, did software update yesterday.... 7 programs including a security update, iTurnes, QT, and I'm not sure what else.
Now it won't boot.
What I like to call a case of computer indigestion. Too many updates at once. See recommendations below.
I have a Disk Warrior CD, but I can't get the SuperDrive door open to try to boot from it.
See if any of these help:
[Topic : Can't open drive door |http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1279497]
A dozen ways to eject or unmount a recalcitrant CD or DVD
http://www.osxfaq.com/dailytips/08-2002/08-12.ws
Ejecting media in Mac OS X: Removing 'stuck' CDs/DVDs
http://www.macfixit.com/article.php?story=20041011075232575
Power Macintosh G3 and G4: About the DVD-RAM Drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=HT3072
PowerPC-based Macintosh: How to eject a disc when other options don't work
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106752
Force Eject (10.3 or later) - Can be used to eject any removable disk that the system will not eject. http://mac.softpedia.com/progDownload/Force-Eject-Download-34780.html
[Article #HT1310 - Startup Manager: How to Select a Startup Volume|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310]
In worst case scenario I wonder if sticking some tape to the door to get access to the drive itself, then using a straightened paperclip in the eject hole (do they still have those?) would work.
<HR>
Updating
Certain steps appear to minimize the risk of an update producing problems.
Number one is to make sure you have a bootable clone backup of your computer in case you do need to back out of it again. This is the only guaranteed way of not having to worry about the results of an update.
Some like to boot from their installer discs or an external backup and verify (and if necessary repair) their internal drives as well as drive permissions. This is done with Disk Utility. You can verify a drive while booted from the same drive but sometimes this produces spurious errors. Repairing a drive (if necessary) has to be done while booted from another disk. Permissions repair can, and is probably best, done when booted from your internal drive.
[Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214]
[Using Disk Utility in Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302672]
[Disk Utility's Repair Disk Permissions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751]
You can also go to the step of booting into safe mode to do the install.
[Mac OS X: Starting up in Safe Mode|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393]
[What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? (Mac OS X)|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392]
[Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107394]
I like to download the update onto my computer and install it from there rather than let Software Update do it. I know a few people who had problems with doing the update via software updater found a manual install to work.
Repair permissions again afterward.
It helps to only install one update at a time and to run the computer for a while to make sure it is behaving well.
The more cautious even like to unplug third party peripherals (see [comment by BDaqua|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9040746#9040746]).
Almost all of the above steps (except backup) have been questioned as to necessity because probably many people have done successful updates without doing them. I say they can't hurt, they can very likely do good (especially if your computer isn't regularly maintained), so why not do them to be safe.
[BDaqua's comments on updating problems|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=8948595#8948595]
[Baby Boomer's comments on updating problems|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9025760#9025760]
[Klaus1's post on updating and removing updates|http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=10257902#10257902]

Mac mini won't boot after latest update Maverick

My Mac mini running Maverick after an automatic update won't boot. " no bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key"
What option do I have here?

Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is
three times faster than wireless.

Arch won't boot after rEFInd update

I've followed https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/UEFI_Bootloaders as closely as I can, but still can't get Arch to boot. It doesn't even get to the boot loader.
uname -m
x86_64
Partitions:
Device Type Name
/dev/sda1 Linux filesystem root
/dev/sda2 Linux filesystem boot
/dev/sda3 EFI System efi
/dev/sda4 Linux filesystem var
/dev/sda5 Linux filesystem home
lsblk
Name Type Mountpoint
sda disk
sda1 part /
sda2 part /boot
sda3 part /boot/efi
sda4 part /var
sda5 part /home
Directory tree:
/boot/
efi/
EFI/
arch/
initramfs-arch-fallback.img
initramfs-arch.img
refind_linux.conf
vmlinux-arch.efi
refind/
icons/
refind.conf
refind_x64.efi
initramfs-linux-fallback.img
initramfs-linux.img
vmlinuz-linux
/boot/efi/EFI/arch/refind_linux.conf:
"Default boot" "root=PARTUUID=d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab ro rootfstype=ext4 add_efi_memmap system.unit=graphical.target"
"Boot to terminal" "root=PARTUUID=d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab ro rootfstype=ext4 add_efi_memmap system.unit=multi-user.target"
ls -l /dev/disk/by-partuuid/
lrwxrwx 1 root root Jan 30 1:08 d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab -> ../../sda1
efibootmgr -v
BootOrder: 0018, ...
Boot0018* Arch Linux (rEFInd) HD(3,0,0,74930800)File(EFI\refind\refind_x64.efi)
Anything else I'm missing? By the way, I think this is related to the Jan 27. update to refind. Today was the first time I've rebooted my computer since then.
Also - I tried both commenting and uncommenting scan_all_linux_kernels in refind.conf. No dice.
Thank you very much!
EDIT: Some updates...
I was poking around the UEFI shell. The following commands caused my computer to hang (I had to hard-restart):
Shell> fs0:
FS0> ls
I could ls just fine using shell 1.0, but shell 2.0 caused a hang. Then, after the hard restart, more strange behavior:
Shell> bcfg boot add 0 fs0:\EFI\refind\refind_x64.efi "Test"
Error. The file 'fs0:\EFI\refind\refind_x64.efi' did not open.
Also, I can "bcfg boot dump" just fine, but if I want to scroll through the output, I get an error, and it hangs, so I have to hard restart again.
Shell> bcfg boot dump
// bunch of output
Shell> bcfg boot dump -b
// after printing five boot entries...
Press ENTER to continue or 'Q' to break:
ASSERT_EFI_ERROR (Status = Not Ready)
ASSERT c:\dev\edk2top\ShellPkg\Library\UefiShellLib\UefiShellLib.c(3223) : !EFI_ERROR (Status)
Not sure if any of that last but is relevant. Thanks again.
Tried downgrading kernel to 3.6, still won't boot.
Last edited by MitchellSalad (2013-01-30 20:05:10)

MitchellSalad wrote:
Partitions:
Device Type Name
/dev/sda1 Linux filesystem root
/dev/sda2 Linux filesystem boot
/dev/sda3 EFI System efi
/dev/sda4 Linux filesystem var
/dev/sda5 Linux filesystem home
/boot/efi/EFI/arch/refind_linux.conf:
"Default boot" "root=PARTUUID=d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab ro rootfstype=ext4 add_efi_memmap system.unit=graphical.target"
"Boot to terminal" "root=PARTUUID=d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab ro rootfstype=ext4 add_efi_memmap system.unit=multi-user.target"
ls -l /dev/disk/by-partuuid/
lrwxrwx 1 root root Jan 30 1:08 d368616d-a423-4511-88df-f2f645079bab -> ../../sda3
Shouldn't that be sda1? Your root-partition is /dev/sda1.

Acer aspire 5560g Failing to boot after Firmware update

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Okay, I tried each stick at a time in both slots with the same results. Windows blue screened on both the HDD and the bootable USB. Isn't it too much of a coincidence that it started acting up after the firmware update?
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Weird...
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Epson won't print after firmware update

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MacBook won't boot after installing update 10.9.2

Hi there,
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I managed to find a way to backup my files using the recovery mode and the Disk utility, however this wasn't straightforward to me since I was using FileVault..
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The login screen appears as usual, and I am able to put username/password. Then, it fails to login and it returns the user to the login screen without mouse or keyboard working.
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HP Omni 10 5600 Tablet won't boot after BIOS update

The tablet is not loaded (boot) after update bios. The screen was dark during update bios in windows 8.1, there is vibration when you press the power button 5-10sec. Or vibration when you press the touch button Win. Help please.
Tell me at least what type of BIOS
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Greetings,
My Jaguar (10.2.8) will not boot after I installed (via Software Updater) the iPod Updater 2005-11-17 on my iMac.
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Figured it out.
I couldn't boot to OS X because, it seems, the iPod updated caused Jaguar to behave in it's predictable pattern of not booting properly from a partition > 8Gb in size on this iMac (a 233Mh model that Apple says is affected in this way, http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106235). In my case, I had Carbon Copy Cloned my 10.2.8 to a 18Gb drive. No problems occurred with running it. However, this was the first set of updaters I've installed on that OS since that cloning operation. And it simply wouldn't boot.
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I could have used a repartitioner (FWB Partitioner Tool for OS 9, <a class="jive-link-external-small" href="http://">http://www.publishingperfection.com/fwb-software/fwb201/, other dynamic partitioners are available for OS X) to make the < 8Gb partition within my OS 9 boot and avoid deleting everything on the drive in the process. But I didn't figure this out until I'd already backed everything up. Plus, I didn't want to pay the extra bucks and wait for shipping. So I used Disk Utility on my Jaguar install disk to create my < 8Gb partition for Jaguar. Now I have a fresh install. But I'd rather not have had to spend the time figuring all this out!!
Richard<br>
eMac Mac OS X (10.2.x) multiple systems

MacBookPro won't boot after firmware update; superdrive spins forever

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