My Apple Mac won"t boot up i might have acidentaly deleeted some of my settings

i need help booting up my  macbook pro it won"t get past sign in

Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing the Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. 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 main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Similar Messages

  • HT201177 Only get Apple logo and system busy clock logo at startup. Mac won't boot up

    Mac won't boot up. I only get the Apple logo and the "system busy" clock when I turn on my computer.  Tried unplugging and restarting but to no avail.

    Go to > Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup and work thru all the setps in that article.

  • HT1199 My mac won't boot up it goes to a apple sign then the spin thing then gives me a error msg on a 10.5.8 imac what do I do?

    Plz help
    My mac won't boot up it goes to a apple sign then the spin thing then gives me a error msg on a 10.5.8 imac what do I do?

    Hi LIsa,
    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.
    4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
    5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
    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.
    (Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
    If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
    Or..
    Tough without the Install Disk problems, but try fsck...
    To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
    1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup.
    Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
    2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
    (SPACE between fsck AND -fy important)
    3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
    The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
    If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
    ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
    Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
    4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

  • Mac won't boot, starts with white apple screen and spinning wheel. Also has grey loading bar which disappears after loaded then stays at white apple screen.

    Mac won't boot, starts with white apple screen and spinning wheel. Also has grey loading bar which disappears after loaded then stays at white apple screen.

    Hi cybertoof,
    Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
    It sounds like you're seeing a startup issue with your Mac, it's booting to a gray screen with an Apple logo. Try the suggestions in the article linked below, they will resolve most issues related to starting up your Mac.
    Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    I hope this helps.
    -Jason

  • I've recently update to Yosemite, ever since my Mac won't boot up from the grey screen

    ive recently update to Yosemite, ever since my Mac won't boot up from the grey screen, I've checked on the utilities and disk can not be repaired. I'm gutted is it dead?.........how can I solve this......help please
    <Re-Titled By Host>

    Did you mean Command + Option + R for internet recovery?
    The only key commands I know that involve P is a PRAM reset:
    https://support.apple.com/kb/PH11243?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
    Or maybe I am missing or misunderstanding something?

  • My mac won't boot up, just has a white screen with a blinking ? mark, any suggestions?

    my mac won't boot up, just has a white screen with a blinking ? mark, any suggestions?

    this usually means the software and hardware can't find each other for whatever reason the following article addresses this issue:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
    can also do apple hardware test, following article on that:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
    if you can't access the apple hardware test in the above article you can also do fsck command to check the hardware as well, following article tells how to do that:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1782
    hopefully one of these articles helps w/ resolution!!

  • Mac won't boot after power chord became unplugged accidently.

    Mac won't boot after power chord became unplugged accidently.
    I have a Mac Mini running very latest version of OSX. I was making a recording with QuickTime; when I needed to plug in a USB recording device into the back of the Mac Mini, as I pulled the Mac off my shelf to do this, the power cable came out and the Mac lost power.
    I plugged it back in and powered up the Mac. I get the grey screen with Apple logo and the spinning grey wheel; then it goes to a blue screen (as usual) and I get the "starting OSX..." progress bar. When the progress bar finishes, I'm left with a blue screen only, no dock, no apple icon at top left, nothing across the top, no nothing.
    So far, I've booted from the original disc and repaired the permissions as well as the disc, then re-booted, but same old blue screen.
    I have another iMac G5 machine, so is there any way I can at least retrieve the important HD files from the Mac Mini to my G5, before throwing the broken Mac Mini away?
    Can anyone advise please?

    Hi, Nigel.
    Not to differ with my colleagues here, but there's an important question that wasn't asked.
    1. You wrote: "So far, I've booted from the original disc and repaired the permissions as well as the disc, then re-booted, but same old blue screen."Did Disk Utility report any errors it could not fix when you ran Repair Disk? I suggest you run the procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.
    2. You may also want to run the Apple Hardware Test that came with your Mini to be sure nothing shorted when the power cable was removed from the computer. I've seen it happen, hence I usually recommend removing the power cable at the wall before disconnecting the power cable from the computer. See my "Apple Hardware Test" FAQ.
    3. Repair Disk gives your Mini a clean bill of health, the blue screen may be the result of some Startup or Login item that was corrupted due to the sudden power outage. My "Troubleshooting Startup and Login Items" FAQ can help you pin that down if such an item is causing the problem and may help you avoid and Archive and Install.
    4. If you elect to go the Archive and Install route, see my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ for some important tips on this process.
    5. As FYI, this is the kind of problem that makes one glad they've implemented a comprehensive backup and recovery solution. For advice on the backup and recovery solution I employ, see my "Backup and Recovery" FAQ. Computing without a comprehensive backup and recovery solution is like driving without auto insurance.
    Good luck!
    Dr. Smoke
    Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
    Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
    I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

  • Mac won't boot after leopard install

    hi - installed leopard on my imac but now my mac won't boot:
    i have already tried the following:
    1) safe mode - but won't boot
    2) single user mode - ran fsck - said no issues
    3) did target mode with firewire cbale to my macbook and ran disk utility - no repairs needed - and i can see all my files on original computer
    4) reinstalled leopard from holding down options key - leopard installed again
    but for all of abv - when i reboot i still get white apple logo screen and the spinning wheel...
    any other way to get into safe mode - as that is only thing i have not been able to start....
    thanks!
    susan

    tigerswim, welcome to Apple Discussions.
    Did you already have Tiger installed or did you have Panther 10.3 installed? Tiger is not a free upgrade; you have to buy it & then update (for free) using the download updates from Apple. Also, you have to use a universal/retail install DVD (or CDs) to install Tiger. You cannot use the install DVD from another model Mac.

  • Mac won't boot, stuck on grey screen if the external hdd plugged in

    as the title.
    if i plug my external drive, via usb port, the mac won't boot and stuck at grey screen.
    unplugging it, the boot process will continue.
    the hdd is a LaCie mobile hdd
    any help?

    Hello jason(?)
    It's a LaCie external mobiel hdd, formatted as exFAT. without adapter. take power directly from usb port.
    i tested it on my iMac and it works fine. boot up as normal. the only difference is my iMac is on 10.6.8 and my Air is on 10.7.2
    I tested on both USB port on my Air and the problem still persist.
    the read/write speed is normal (bought it like a day ago).
    another thing is I don't have this problem with my external WD drive.
    One thing to notice is that, I accidentally left like for like 2-3 mins and it boots. So why the question now is why it's taking so long to boot? normally it just takes <20 seconds. Seems like it tried to boot from the external hdd, doesn't it?

  • My mac won't boot up..  I've tried PRAM resets and fsck.

    My mac won't boot up anymore. This problem started quite randomly, as I had just used my mac an hour a go. At first, it just wouldn't finish loading up, but now it loads up for a bit, then suddenly shuts down. I've tried resetting my PRAM and using fsck but nothings worked. Any ideas what could be wrong?

    Yes I have seen a similar problem quite recently, and ended up having to perform a software reinstallation as not even Disk Warrior could see the Hard Disk.
    Before you go to that extreme insert your System Disk 1, reboot holding down the "C" key and go through the first two steps until the "Utilities" menu appears on the top left of your screen.
    Select Disk Utility and (assuming your hard disk appears) click on it and select the "First Aid" tab > Repair Disk.

  • I had multiple copies of the library and i tried to move 1 to trash and now i have broken icon and my mac won't boot up any more can i fix this from home or do I need to go to the genius bar?

    I had multiple copies of the library and i tried to move 1 to trash and now i have broken icon and my mac won't boot up any more can i fix this from home or do I need to go to the genius bar?

    Go to the genius bar. You've mucked up your MBP OS and it requires a hands on repair.

  • We have a newish apple mac and this morning all our files have vanished - all photo's, vidoes, music etc.  How can we get it back?  Thanks

    We have a newish apple mac and this morning all our files have vanished - all photo's, vidoes, music etc.  How can we get it back?  Thanks

    First of all, look in the garbage. It's easy to move a folder there without knowing it.
    Second, do a Spotlight Search (Cmd-Space), and search for a file you know should be there. If you find the file, there's a good chance that the other files you're looking for are there, too.
    If you're in kind of a crisis mode, coming up with pat advice probably isn't a good policy - but I suggest investing in a backup drive in case anything goes wrong. A program like Time Machine can be a life saver.
    Post with your results!

  • I have an imac and macbook pro. my creative suite 5.5 design premium is on them both. I'm about to take them in to the apple store because they are running bad and have them completely restored to factory settings. when I get them back will i be able to r

    I have an imac and a macbook pro. my creative suite 5.5 design premium is on them both. I'm about to take them in to the apple store because they are running bad and have them completely restored to factory settings. when I get them back will i be able to re-install my adobe creative suite to both of my computers using my same product code from when i first bought it?

    Yes. Just make sure to deactivate the license on both systems using Apple menu --> Deactivate while one of the suite programs is running.
    Mylenium

  • Mac won't boot: stuck on apple logo and spinning wheel

    My MacBook pro 13 inch(mid 2010) won't boot. It just gets stuck on the apple logo with the spinning wheel under it. I have done the following but they have not solved the issue:
    Zap pram
    Attempt to boot in safe mode
    Try to access windows partition( resulted in flashing folder with question mark)
    I am dying to try to insert the Mac os x install disc and use disk utility, but it is not going into the drive. This all started when I had to turn off my Mac because it had completely froze. Any help would be greatly appreciated, especially if there is a way to insert the install disk.
    Thanks in advance for any assistance.

    Try this:
    Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
    1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
    2. Restart the computer.
    3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
    4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo appears.
    5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
    If you have a problem with the above, then try:
    1. Restart the computer.
    2. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "OPTION" key.
    3. Wait for the boot manager screen to appear, then insert the installer disc into the optical drive.
    4. Wait until the disc is recognized and appears in the boot manager screen.
    5. After the disc appears select it then click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
    If you are running Snow Leopard, then reinstall it.  Your HDD will not be erased, and all your data will be preserved.
    If you are running Leopard then do this:
    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
    1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
    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, Leopard or Snow 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 and/or Tech Tool Pro 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.
    2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
    3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
    4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
    5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
    6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

  • HT1750 My I mac won't boot, I have gone to restore but the apple hard drive next to the main hard drive says the drive is "locked" ??????  What to do?

    I have an IMac which won't boot up and when I tried the restore function the Hard Drive next to the Main Hard Drive says it is "locked" when I tried to use it to restore my system.  I have Mountain Lion which was working fine until recently.  Now I can sit LITERALLY for an hour waiting for the gear to stop spinning but not results for loading the program.   HELP!!!

    As of 10.8.4,  the volume must be unlocked first.
    Here’s how the unlock procedure works for Disk Utility:
    Boot your Mac and hold down ⌘-R (Command –R) to boot from the Recovery HD partition.
    Open Disk Utility.
    Select your locked hard drive.
    Under the File menu, select Unlock “Drive Name”
    When prompted for a password, enter the password of the authorized account on the drive.
    Once you unlock the disk, hold down the Option key on your keyboard and click on the File menu.
    Under the File menu, select Turn Off Encryption… with the Option key held down, it is no longer grayed-out.
    When prompted for a password, enter the password of the authorized account on the drive.
    Disk Utility should display a progress window labeled Starting conversion to JHFS+
    Your drive should now be unlocked.

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