Magic Computar Machine wont start. (Stalls at Grey Screen)

A friend of mine is having trouble with a "beloved" 12-inch G4.
On startup computer makes chime noise, displays apple logo and grey screen and then forgets what its doing. There is no loading spinner, or further action. It just sits there.
We've tried reseting PRAM, booting in Safe Mode and booting as a FireWire drive. None of these seemed to work.
Additionally, the PowerBook's internal DVD-ROM drive does not work. We are trying to obtain a boot disk to see if it will work through an external FireWire DVD drive, but after reading all the warnings about disconnecting peripherals, we're not sure if this is even an option.
Aside from relegating this device from "laptop" to "doorstop" are there any other suggestions?

Additionally, the PowerBook's internal DVD-ROM drive does not work. We are trying to obtain a boot disk to see if it will work through an external FireWire DVD drive, but after reading all the warnings about disconnecting peripherals, we're not sure if this is even an option.
This is an option. You just need to be sure to disconnect it after it powers off. You'll know when it has powered off.

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Start here > OS X Lion: If you see a gray screen at startup
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A Safe Mode boot takes longer than a normal boot so be patient. Once you are in Safe Mode, click Restart from the Apple menu.
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Hi i am having a big trouble. MY mac wont start past the gray screen. I tried starting on safe boot, single user user mode , recovery mode. Everything it gets stuck on the gray screen i even tried reinstalling it , same thing what should i do?

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orshikhfromsc,
boot from the Mac OS X Install DVD that originally came in the box with your MacBook Pro (by holding down the C key as it starts up). When the desktop appears, select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu and erase your internal disk. After it’s been erased, reformat it. After it’s been reformatted, exit Disk Utility and reïnstall the version of Mac OS X from that DVD onto your internal disk. After that version of Mac OS X has been reïnstalled, boot from your internal disk and run Software Update to get it up-to-date within that version; that should allow you to redownload and reïnstall Mavericks, if desired. If Mavericks is reïnstalled, run Software Update again to get it up to date.
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Hi all, first time here so please bear with me,
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Hi ino,
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Select the language you wish to use, and then choose "Disk Utility" from the menu bar (which menu it is in depends on which version of OSX you are using).
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If Disk First aid is able to complete the repair now click on the "Repair permissions" button.
Once this process has been completed try restarting the computer.
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i found the answer to my question on this forum - see below, hallelujah.....
This solved my question by Franco16 on Jun 13, 2012 3:13 AM
I found the solution, thanks to MrE_the_Great (read following cut and paste)
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1) Hold in command-r while rebooting (or from cold start) to boot to the recovery partition.
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I tried this but it didn't work. I think it is my keyboard because even when I turn the computer on the green led on the caps lock button doesn't light up. I even tried a regular USB keyboard and I had the same result.
I guess I will have to find my leopard CD.
Is it possible to just restore system settings from the leopard cd so that I don't lose all my data?

Attn: macbook pro won't start up past grey screen NO MATTER WHAT

my macbook pro won't start up past the grey screen, NO MATTER WHAT I DO. i've searched all the discussions on this, and NOTHING WORKS. nothing caused this either - i was just browing the internet and using ichat, and my computer shut down, and that is when this started.
I am EXTREMELY disappointed with this bullstein. My computer works great, etc., and I support mac and apple to the nth degree, but then some stupid crap like this happens and I can't use my computer at all. I have to use my sister's **** ibook g3 to even do this.
PLEASE HELP. do NOT post what you have already posted in the other discussions, and i've already been welcomed to the boards. I can't go to an apple store because i'm on vacation in new mexico for the summer, and there no stores anywhere near here. is there any real advice around here? I need to use my computer. That is why I spent close to $4,000 for it with upgrades and software.

where can i get an install disc for the macbook pro?
You really need to use the one that came with your MBP. If you don't have it, a retail Tiger OS X disc should work.
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No, it will actually use more space, so you will need at least 6G of free space. To clean your hard drive, use WhatSize.
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Mac mini won't start up. Grey screen with apple just freezes.

Mac mini won't start up. just get a grey screen with the apple and it freezes. Please help.

Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
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If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
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MacBook pro won't start up past grey screen

Ive tried a PRAM reset four or five times- nothing. Won't boot into safe moDe. Tried the command line with fsck-fy and it says there is no problems with my had drive but still won't load up.
it shows the grey screen with a clear spinning cog, then a blue screen, then the grey screen again, then blue, then grey before it goes to blue and stays there. I can move the cursor
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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 and log in to the account with the problem. You must hold down the shift key twice: once when you turn on the computer, and again when you log in.
Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is 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.

Magic Computar Machine wont start. (Stalls at Grey Screen)

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