MBP will not boot if external drive is plugged in

This has been a long-standing problem with any Mac I've used, but now that I use one on a daily basis it is more of a problem.
I have an external enclosure with a 500GB SATAII hard drive. I connect it to my MBP via the FW800 port. For some reason if I have the drive plugged in before I am in the OS, the computer will sit on the gray startup screen indefinitely (with no logos at all, simply a gray backdrop). As soon as I do a hard shutdown, unplug the drive, and restart the OS will boot fine. I use Boot Camp with Windows Vista, and since I store many large files the drive is formatted using NTFS. Could this be causing my problem? Any ideas on how to correct this?
15.4" MacBook Pro 2.4 GHz Windows Vista

Hi Ryan,
it might be a wild guess, but is it possible, that the external harddisc is a 'Dynamic Drive' and not a 'Basic Drive'?
While in Vista have a look with the 'Disk Management'
To access the Disk Management console, right click Computer and select Manage. Under Storage, click Disk Management. The drive configuration of your computer will be displayed in the details pane.
It seems that OSX has problems even recognizing Dynamic Drives.
Also is there the possibility, that you use 'Drive Encryption' on the external HD ?
Regards
Stefan

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MBP slow to boot and WILL NOT boot from external drive

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Robert,
I have no idea what you mean by Apple is not responsive to the issue. If you want help, please start a new topic thread so someone can help you identify the problem without the distraction of other people's problems around yours. Blaming people does not solve problems.
This is the link to post a new topic on this board:
http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=1149&start=0
This is a user to user board. If you need help from Apple, call AppleCare directly here:
http://www.apple.com/contact/phone_contacts.html

Mac Mini Will not boot from external drive or install disk

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I just bought a new 2.0 ghz mac mini 1 gb ram. 120gb hdd.
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When i plug it into the Mac Mini and start up with Option key. It recognizes it.
I then click on it. It automatically reboots.... then grey screen comes on. It goes black after about 10 seconds. then boots into original operating system.
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I have MAC Install DVD on an external drive too. Same issue.
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Hi,
Thanks.
It is running 10.5.8.
I am trying to boot up an external drive with 10.5.8 on it. It works on my Macbook Pro which is running 10.5.8, runs on my IMAC running SL. But doesnt work on the mac mini?
It had been running SL, however there are a number of programs I have like Windows Live Sync which are not yet compatable with SL so i downgraded to 10.5.6 which came with the Mac Mini then loaded all updates.
It seems to just go into an auto reboot as soon as i click on it.
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Core i7 mbp will not boot from external disk

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Model Identifier:    MacBookPro8,1
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I'm trying to boot my core i7 from any external disk without success getting only the grey restart screen. The machine will neither boot from the 10.6 upgrade disk, nor the external firewire disk.
I'm not sure, but it seems that you're suggesting that I rebuild the OS as though it were a brand new machine without any of my s/w or data, and I cannot conceive of such a monumental task. If you mean that I should reinstall the OS, that would be fine, but I can't boot from a DVD, which is what prompted this query to begin with.
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http://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Operating-Systems-e-g/HP-PAVILION-A6109N-amp-windows-8-System-w...
Hi,
just recently upgraded to Win Pro on my HP PAVILION A6109N. I also bought a toshiba canvio desk 3TB. What I notice is that if I reboot my pc with the extermnal HDD connected, my system will not boot.
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Hi guys,
My late 2011 17" MBP after having a server error on Mac Recovery, freezing, and being force shut off, now will not boot.
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Ejecting the disk:
Try these various remedies: http://guides.macrumors.com/Force_Eject_a_Stuck_CD_or_DVD
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Backup: Do you have a recent backup? If not I suggest you create one before proceeding. You might not need it but it is especially important to have a backup whenever your Mac is sick. Post back for instructions for an emergency backup, if needed.
Blue Screen:
From the Recovery Partition you should be able to repair the disk and reïnstall OS X (without erasing you existing data).

Can not boot to external drive

Hey there
I have a MacBook2,1 running 10.7.4
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Drive Preparation for Lion
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AndyPeardrop wrote:
if I forget to UNPLUG the Lacie (by pulling out the Firewire cable), when I boot the Macbook it will give me the Question Mark.
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hi k4pew,
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Solid Cruver
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Mac will not boot from hard drive or install disc

Hello All
In dire need of advise...my intel Mac will not boot, even tried booting to the Snow Leopard install disc and all I'm getting is the white screen, apple logo and the wheel.
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well of course I'm going to do that, but since they couldn't figure it out the first time I figured it may be helpful if I could ask here first and if somebody else has had this same problem and knows what's going on it would be easier for them to find the real problem, because I don't think the logic board is the problem, or at least it isn't the only problem.

IMac will not boot up when printer is plugged in USB

After buying my new iMac (with Tiger) I successfully transfered everything from my old iMac (with Panther) and all was well.
The problem is that when my printer (Canon Pixma MP130) is plugged in on start up, the iMac will not boot up (no gears turning on the white/grey screen). When I unplug the printer from the USB and start it up, it works fine. Its not a super big deal because I can just plug the printer in when I need it. But why does it do this?
I foound on the internet someone else who had the same issues. It was suggested to him to search the printer manufacturers website for updated drivers. I did this, installed them etc..... still no luck.
I am without any mac guru's here in Yellowknife......help!
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Hello there,
I hope it is OK to recycle this old thread.  I did not want to create a new one since I am experiencing the exact same issue as the original poster *flying girl* as well as other posters in the following threads:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4190807
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=3950255
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4201169
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4490899&#4490899
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4470944
I have two Macs, a PowerBook G4 and an Intel iMac 20" (Aluminum)--please refer to my signature or profile for the specs of these machines.  Of course, I got the PowerBook before I got the iMac.  I am running the latest version of the Canon MP130 drivers, printer drivers version 4.8.3 and scanner drivers version 12.11.0, on both machines.
When I turn on my PowerBook with the Canon PIXMA MP130 multifunction turned ON and connected via USB to the PowerBook, the PowerBook boots up just fine.  I have even experimented with both a USB hub and a direct connection to the Canon MP130, and the PowerBook boots fine in both instances.
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I would like to mention the following link:
http://www.ehmac.ca/anything-mac/50389-intel-imac-wont-boot-when-canon-printer-p lugged.html
If you go to page 2 on that above thread, it shows one user who allegedly physically disconnected the card reader connection from the inside of the Canon MP130 (I would NOT recommend that myself).  I just wonder if there is a more feasible resolution to this issue.
Does anyone else experience the same issue with other printers or multifunctions?  Also, why does the issue occur only on my Intel iMac 20" (aluminum), and NOT on my PowerBook G4?
Please let us know about your experience as it seems many of us are at a loss for a solution.
Thank you very much for your help; we await!  :)
Cya!
\m/ Mad Metal Mage \m/

MBP will not boot if external drive is plugged in

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