My Early 2008 MacBook Pro won't boot correctly

alright so I have always wanted a macbook and I finally bought an early 2008 model from my friend due to he lack of cash to buy a newer one, so after a while it started booting slowly, like it would work but it would boot slowly, I tried to format it but I'd always get and error that said "could not validate source - error 254" any help on how I can fix this ? Ive run fsck multiple times and it tells me everything is ok, is there any other way to format my drive ? Oh and booting from the cd just gives me a folder with a question mark soooo yea any help would be appreciated, it runs mavericks and has been fine up until now

The startup drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.
Back up all data on the drive immediately if you don't already have a current backup. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.
Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.
If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair
Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.
*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

Similar Messages

  • Early 2008 MacBook Pro won't boot after Lion 10.7.1 update

    My 2.4 GHz 4GB RAM Early 2008 MacBook Pro wont boot after downloaded the Lion 10.7.1 upate. Upon restarting the screen went dead and now the system does not boot, as if the bootloader has been wiped out. Screen appears dead but was known to be working before hand. The hard drive spins up but doesn't sound like it is searching for data.
    Can anyone help me?

    Okay, I tried everything I can think of last night. I removed every startup process and every tool or programm that goes deeper into the system (GlimmerBlocker, LittleSnitch, Parallels). Cleaned Up every Cache I could find and refreshed every necessary Cache or Database possible. Took me a couple of hours. But still no luck - the machine doesn't boot, just in safe mode. Right now I copy all my personal stuff to a new external harddrive because TimeMachine doesn't work, after this I will do a clean install of Lion.
    It's not hardware related, it's the 10.7.1 update that doesn't work properly. By the way, the only errors remaining are:
    WindowServer - kCGErrorFailure
    ManagedClient - kCGErrorFailure: CGSPackageGetWorkspaceType: couldn't get workspace type
    SecurityAgent - kCGErrorFailure: CGSPackageGetWorkspaceType: couldn't get workspace type
    and a lot of:
    com.Apple.SecurityAgent.00000000-0000-0000-0000-0000000186A7: CoreAnimation: rendering error 506
    that's also the last one I get before the system hangs…

  • Early 2008 macbook pro will not boot

    Good morning!  Last night I was working on compiling some video footage from a DVD on my early 2008 MacBook Pro.  I put the computer to sleep with a DVD in the drive.  This morning it will not wake up and it won't boot--I never make it to the apple logo.  I do hear either a fan or the DVD drive for a moment.
    Any ideas?  I'm kind of stuck here.  Thanks,Robby

    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3964
    Also hold the trackpad button down when you reboot so the DVD ejects.
    If it doesn't eject, see this tip:
    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1015
    And note, any attached USB device may not support Energy Saver.  Keep those removed until you reboot, after putting the machine to sleep.

  • My Early 2008 Macbook Pro will not boot with anything greater than 3GB of Ram.

    Early 2008 Macbook Pro 4,1
    2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
    3 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300)
    OS X 10.8.4
    Serial: W88450LR1XR
    I keep reading mixed reviews saying that 3GB is the max while others say this system supports up to 6GB.  I have tried both Kingston and Crucial and PNY and I get the same results.  I can have 1x2GB stick and 1x1GB stick but not 2x2 GB sticks.  Both 2 GB sticks work independently but they will not work together.  They are PC2-5300 667 MHz.
    I would really love to have at least 4 GB of ram in this computer.  Is it not possible? 
    Thanks in advance.
    Symptoms:
    If I put 2x2 GB in the computer and power it up, the little light on the front of the computer comes on but the screen stays black.  No post beeps or anything to indicate a failure or that it's running (except the light that comes on when I hit the power button)

    Ok - so no one is replying.   I just contacted Other World Computing who says that my Laptop will support up to 6GB of ram.  I just ordered the memory directly from them.   I have 6GB in the mail and should arrive tomorrow.  I will report that if their guarenteed ram will work.

  • Early 2008 Mac Pro Won't Boot

    I have an early 2008 mac pro that will not boot. Power turns on, power LED turns solid, but no display ever comes up and it never chimes. I have tried swapping out RAM, hard drives, disconnecting all peripherals... any other suggestions? Dead logic board?
    ... and yes, I was too dumb to buy the AppleCare. Stupidest move I have ever made...

    Hi I think I have a similar problem.
    My Mac Pro 8 core doesn't start up. When I turn it on here's what it does: the boot up sound > the grey/white screen with the apple logo and the little turning gear thing > then it freezes.
    Sometimes after that the screen either goes blue with nothing but a mouse pointer that's moveable. but no login window. I can access the hardrive by network and weird enough it's booting on safe mode. I tried setting the SMC firmware but it didn't work. I took it to an apple store and when they plugged it into their displays it worked. When I brought it back, I plugged it into my Cinema Display 30" and the same problem started again. I reset the SMC firmware again and tried different displays I have at home but had the same problem. I plugged the 30" display into a Macbook Pro and it worked fine so I know that the display is not the problem. I've heard the the Nvidia 7300GT has caused problems but why would it work in the apple store? Any help out there?

  • Early 2008 mac pro won't boot from hdd when ssd is installed

    I have Mountain Lion 10.8.3 installed on my 1TB HDD in my early 2008 mac pro.  That is the only OS install on my mac.  I have an OWC SSD formatted but left as an empty drive that I am trying to use but when it's installed my mac hangs on the blank gray screen.
    My mac cold boots fine and runs fine when the SSD is *not* installed.  When I shut down and put the SSD into a drive bay the mac does seem to boot ok the first time, but when the computer is off for a while it will not boot.  It just hangs on the blank gray screen (no apple logo).    As soon as I pull out the SSD, the computer boots fine and runs fine again.  I am not trying to boot off the SSD, I am booting off the HDD.  The correct drive (1tb hdd) is selected in startup disk.
    OWC has been helping me and I have tested 3 SSD's.  So it does not appear to be a problem with their drive.
    The mac will boot into safe mode with the SSD installed.  It will boot if I choose the boot drive with the option key at startup.
    Mountain Lion was clean installed.
    Could it be some sort of library pref or cache issue?
    Any recommendations on what to try?

    A HT does not find a lot of errors.
    It doesn't look for bad sectors or directory or file problems.
    Clone your SSD now that you have a clean OS and has the Apple updates on it. Before you make changes.
    Install TRIM Enabler 2.2+ on it and any boot volume, to enable TRIM and so that Disk Utility's Repair Disk will trim cells. Mountain Lion Recovery won't  which is a shame, so...
    Clone and keep bootable backup clone of your system to use for maintenance.
    A really bad directory on a system drive will cause interference from booting.
    SSDs really need extra care, and even with TRIM, to be repaired from time to time and couple times a year, to do an erase and restore from a current image.
    Of course Mac OS system even iwth apps is small and doesn't need to have any data or media and fits on 120GB usually just fine and still have a good enough amount free so TRIM and Garbage Collection can work properly and not get low on free pages. But 20GB free should be the minimum free, and better to have more, at least whatever total amount is written out in a month.

  • Early 2008 MacBook Pro won't start up

    My early 2008 macbook won't start up. It worked fine two days ago but won't start up now. The battery has full charge and my MagSafe charger is amber. The fan runs but no screen (it's dark), no apple logo, no chime. It sounds like it wants to start but doesn't. I did a SMC  and a PRAM, but to no avail. I know I need to do a disk utility and a disk permissions. I don't know what else to do. Can someone help me?

    Hi,
    Try to boot in safe mode by holding the Schift key during booting your Mac.
    Read this article ...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
    Dimaxum

  • 2008 MacBook Pro won't boot from Leopard DVD or Target Disk

    Yesterday I was working on my MacBook Pro. I use FontExplorer to manage fonts. I ran the conflicts diagnostic looking for missing font files, which returned about 200 results (I was expecting this). I've moved the fonts installed by Adobe/Microsoft out of my fonts folder in my user library (user library, not system). For some reason the computer started to become very slow, to the point of beachballing. The freezing seemed to start and stop. I was able to close FontExplorer and Illustrator without force-quitting. I tried to shut it down gracefully at that point but it froze up again, so I hit the power button to force a restart. It started up but now it hangs on the gray screen right before the Apple logo. The logo doesn't come up, I can hear the drive spinning as normal but it doesn't do anything.
    I've tried booting from a retail copy of the Snow Leopard, but it doesn't work. I can hear the disc spin up in the DVD drive as though the computer is about to read it, but nothing happens. It just stays on that same blue screen. I've tried booting my MBP in Target Disk mode from my iMac. The target disk icon appears, however it just sits in the middle of the screen and my drive doesn't mount on the iMac. I've noticed now that the white status light on the front of the MBP (on the latch) doesn't come on, and if I cover the speakers the backlight doesn't turn off.
    What do I do now? I have an enclosure I could use to try and boot the MBP's drive from, but I'm running out of options. I'm really starting to worry about my data. I have a major school project that's already late which is on there, and I don't have a recent backup. If I don't hand it in... let's not go there. I don't understand how this could happen; I take very good care of my computer, I turn it off when it's not in use, and I run Cocktail on it once a day which does a SMART status check.
    Help?

    sig,
    The first thing I tried was booting from the install disk. The 2008/2009 MBP's aren't able to boot from a retail DVD of Snow Leopard, which is why I ended up using the original hardware-specific install disk that shipped with my computer. That didn't boot either. I was able to view the drive in Disk Utility when it was in the enclosure, but the partition with my data on it would not mount. I attempted a repair disk on the drive but that failed. It wouldn't mount in Terminal either. I considered trying to rebuild the volume catalog using TechTool Pro but there's the possibility that could actually make things worse. So I've taken it to the repair shop. They're running it through DiskWarrior overnight, last I heard there were 60-something thread errors. Yesterday my SMART status was fine, today my drive is dead. What happened? Hoping for the best (but expecting the worst).

  • Early 2008 Mac Pro won't boot after installing 2nd DVD drive

    All,
    I purchased a Pioneer DVR-117D from Mac Sales and after installing it in my new refurbished 2008 Mac Pro it won't boot. My MP will boot if I remove the drive. According to the Mac Sales website this drive should work fine in my MP. Any ideas as to why this is happening. I literally just got my MP today and installed the drive. Is it the drive or the Mac Pro. Thank you all.

    The drive was set to master, I switched it to CS before I left for work but haven't tried reinstalling it. I will try when I get back and let you know if it worked. Thank you again.

  • Late 2008 MacBook Pro won't boot; only gray screen with Apple, spinning gear, and then the mouse pointer.

    Thanks to all in advance! Okay, last night I was trying to encrypt a Time Machine BackUp disk (Seagate 500GB Back Up Plus) and a dialog box popped up and said "POSIX could not..." And then whatever was next. So I unplugged the drive, plugged it back in, and the files still showed up, so I was like "oh okay so it's not screwed up." The next I try and boot my MacBook Pro, and of course it doesn't. The gray screen comes up, the logo shows up, the gear is spinnin, the it goes away and the mouse shows up. But that's where it stops. And sits. And sits. And sits. So I force it to shut down. I run through this many more times, as well as attempting the Recovery Mode, Safe Boot, and to no surprise, it doesn't work. So I go grab my trusty Snow Leopard disc, pop it in, ctrl-C on start up and it loads. So I select the option of restoring from a Time Machine backup and plug in the external drive only to not see it in the list. So I go to Disk Utility, and find out that the entire external drive has been erased and renamed disk8s2. So I go to my internal drive, but it shows how much has been used and it matches to how much as of last night. So I tried repairing the disk and restarting and of course it doesn't work. So now I don't know what to do. Really I'll take any suggestions besides buying anything (I'm only a 16 year old guy haha). So yeah. Thanks!

    The encryption never actually followed through.
    You started it, though. That makes the volume inaccessible to any OS X version before 10.7.

  • HELP! macbook pro won't boot correctly!

    Hello all, I hope someone can help!
    I bought my Macbook pro a couple of months ago and everything has been running smoothly.
    The other day when I was trying to connect my Macbook to my LCD TV, my system froze and became unresponsive. I turned the Macbook off by holding the power button. When turning it back on I had some kernel failure or something - I have tried all of the options given to me by the Mac OS X Utilities and have even gone as far as to erase everything from my HDD and reinstall Mac OSX - I have done this twice and still the same error comes up and I cannot boot my system.
    Unfortunately I had not backed up my data, but as it is a relatively new Macbook I have not lost anything of importance - I would like to get it back up and running however!
    The error message I am getting is the following (someone please help!):
    panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8005c902a): "imageboot_mount_image: di_root_image failed: 109\n@@SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1699.24.23/bsd/kern/imageboot.c:142
    Debugger called: <panic>
    Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
    0xffffff80e2f83d50 : 0xffffff8000220702
    0xffffff80e2f83dd0 : 0xffffff80005c902a
    0xffffff80e2f83e10 : 0xffffff80005c92fe
    0xffffff80e2f83e30 : 0xffffff80006fb5cd
    0xffffff80e2f83f90 : 0xffffff8000233210
    0xffffff80e2f83fb0 : 0xffffff8000820057
    BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task
    Boot args: config="\Mac OS X Install Data\com.apple.Boot" container-dmg=file:///Mac%200S%20X%20Install%20Data/InstallESD.dmg root-dmg=file:///BaseSystem.dmg
    Mac OS version:
    Not yet set
    Kernel version:
    Darwin Kernel Version 11.3.0: Thu Jan 12 18:47:41 PST 2012; root:xnu-1699.24.23~1/RELEASE_X86_64
    Kernel UUID: 7B6546C7-70E8-3ED8-A6C3-C927E4D3D0D6
    System model name: MacBookPro8, 2 (Mac-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
    System uptime in nanoseconds: 20315936366

    Kernal panics are usually hardware related.  You make no mention if you tried to get rid of the issue by disconnecting your computer from the tv.
    Mac OS X 10.7 Help: If “You need to restart your computer” appears
    Kernel Panics? Don't panic too!
    Mac OS X (10.7), OS is OS X but version guessed
    Apple/About This Mac - the window will tell you which os version.  If you are not updated to 10.7.4, use Software Update to update your os and anything else that needs to be updated.

  • MacBook pro won't boot correct anymore...

    Hi,
    I put my MacBook Pro to sleep yesterday evening, did nothing special, just closed the lid and it started breathing. Today I wanted to wake it. Putted my usb mouse in the left port, it woke up, lid was still closed. Opened the lid, no image on the screen, no reaction to keys or mouse. Waited a short time, then turned it off and back on. Still no reaction, it starts running, I hear the harddisk, but no screen, the front led is always on and it seems as if it reacts to the light sensors of the keyboard. No chime at boot up, no grey screen nothing. No target disk mode, I'm not able to boot into Apple Hardware Test. In fact, after I inserted my OS X DVD I'm unable to get it back out because it doesn't react to keyboard input anymore. The drive starts spinning the DVD and after some second it stops. Resetted NV Ram, nothing, no chime. Took the battery out and resetted/drained it with the power button, nothing.
    Any ideas what happened or some people whose MacBook Pro went to sleep an never came back, too? It's one week old, I think my heart is broken :'(
    Greetings,
    Arne
    MacBook Pro   Mac OS X (10.4.6)   2Ghz, 1GB Ram, 100GB HD w. 7200rpm

    I got exactly the same symptoms after 1 month and a half of daily use and after a few failed startups.
    I must say that on day 1, when I first started my freshly unpacked MBP, I got a kernel panic that made me weary. I thought it was Apple's memory and since I had 2 fresh 1Gb modules from another seller, I decided to go home and stick them inside instead. But strangely, after 5 minutes of walk to my home, the MBP started up at the first try ! I put my 2x1Gb of ram nonetheless.
    But last week, during my holidays, I got a KP while unpausing a DVD. Then each restart went worse than the last. I got the three beeps, grey screens, black screens, sometimes boot chime, sometimes not until I finally managed to eject the DVD and stick the install disk. I launched hardware diagnostic : after 3 freezes, I was able to run the lenghtier test wich found nothing.
    Then my MBP was able to boot a few times in a row but had repetitive Kernel panics when I tried to use it for more than a few minutes. But I had been able to launch (and achieve) a backup of my files before launching a new extended HW diagnostic. That one found this time something about memory.
    I then decided to reinstall Mac OS X from scratch but it failed 2 times because of Kernel panics. And after 2 or 3 startups stuck at the wheel stage, my MBP achived the same state as yours : black screen, HD working, DVD spinning, activity light on (no blinking) but nothing else.
    I tried all : reset NVRAM, reset PMU, C pressed, D pressed, option pressed, single-user mode, safe mode, verbose mode, after/before removing the battery, reinstalling the RAM and checking it twice etc. But nothing : I can't even get the OS X install disk to eject… (tried F12, spacebar or eject pressed during startup but to no avail…)
    I will try with Apple original memory but I am a little suprised that the memory I used instead went fine for 7-8 weeks of daily use and would suddenly fail…

  • Late 2008 Macbook Pro Won't Boot

    Hi,
    I have a late 2008 MBP with an Intel chip that isn't booting. I quick run-through with my computer before it wouldn't boot:
    my fans would spin really fast, even on non-CPU heavy tasks
    my computer would lag (this was a huge issue)
    the spinning beach ball would appear frequently
    the computer would get really hot
    the computer was used heavily since it was bought
    and other things
    The reasons listed above was why I had to completely shut off my computer.
    Last night I completely shut off my laptop, it was frozen, and this morning I couldn't reboot. I went online (using another computer) and look into the solution. I have tried to troubleshoot using instructions online; like resetting the PRAM and SMC, booting in Safe Mode (it won't load), booting in Recovery Mode (it just doesn't work), holding "option" key upon startup chime (after I select a drive, I tried both my regular one and the recovery drive, it would just go to the white screen with the Apple logo and the spinning wheel, sometimes I see the prohibitory sign for a while), and other things. I don't quite think it is the Nvidia issue, because I don't have any graphic issues, so I guess it's not the Nvidia issue.
    I do not want to reformat my computer, but if last resort I will, because I do not have my data backed up (yeah, not a smart move).
    So any ideas? Do you think that a trip to the Apple store will fix it?

    Unfortunately, you cannot use Internet Recovery with your model. Get out your original installer disc or the retail Snow Leopard DVD you have and see if you can:
    Drive Partition and Format
    1. 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 Utilities menu.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    Steps 4-6 are optional but should be used on a drive that has never been formatted before, if the format type is not Mac OS Extended, if the partition scheme has been changed, or if a different operating system (not OS X) has been installed on the drive.
    If you cannot see your drive listed in the Disk Utility sidebar, then the drive is dead. If you aren't able to repartition and reformat the drive successfully, then the drive is defective. In both cases you must replace the drive.
    But if you are able to complete the above successfully, then you can reinstall OS X then upgrade it eventually to Mavericks.

  • Early 2008 MacBook Pro won't start up (Nvidia Chip?)

    Even though over the last 4 hours I have read many threads on this, I thought I would start a new one just incase as my particular issue didn't start the same as the others
    I sould start with explaining what happened…
    In OsX Lion I was having some problems with Launchpad so I decided to quit the process in Activity Monitor in order to restart the feature (admittedly this may not be the correct way to do this) then almost immediately after I clicked, the screen went a kind grey/green colour and the computer didn't respond to anything at all.    I then preformed a force "shut down" on my mac.  Unfortunately my machine would not start up again at all.  
    I have tried all the tricks given in the many threads on this and will be taking my laptop to an expert in the New Year but in the meantime it would be great if anyone had any suggestions or advice?! 
    Thanks in advance.

    smallcolin wrote:
    Here is how my situation stands as of now (if anyone cares)…
    I need to replace the logic board entirely.  As it turns out the problem does not lie with the Nvidia chip but with an electrical fault somewhere else on the board.  Its frustrating as **** (and expensive) but instead of getting the repairs done I bought a brand new 13" MBP yesterday.   It is very nice so every cloud and all that…
    I hate to tell you this but if the computer will not boot Apple will tell you it is not the video chip. That is becasue without the system starting Apple can not run any diagnostics on it and in trurn can not go back to NVidia for the cost of some of the repairs.
    It very well may of been the video chip that caused the Ligic board failure but you will never get Apple to admit it.
    Good luck with your new MBP.

  • I am using an early 2008 MacBook Pro and am having issues with it deleting text on its own (in word, emails, etc.). As I am typing it all of a sudden starts deleting and I can't stop it. What can I do?

    I am using an early 2008 MacBook Pro and am having issues with it deleting text on its own (in word, emails, etc.). As I am typing it all of a sudden starts deleting and I can't stop it. This happened once before and it was due to a buldging battery pressing on the track pad. I checked the battery and it appears to be fine. What can I do?

    Please read this whole message before doing anything.
    This procedure is a test, not a solution. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
    Step 1
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is localized to your user account.
    Enable guest logins* and log in as Guest. For instructions, launch the System Preferences application, select Help from the menu bar, and enter “Set up guest users” (without the quotes) in the search box. Don't use the Safari-only “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac.”
    While logged in as Guest, you won’t have access to any of your personal files or settings. Applications will behave as if you were running them for the first time. Don’t be alarmed by this; it’s normal. If you need any passwords or other personal data in order to complete the test, memorize, print, or write them down before you begin.
    Test while logged in as Guest. Same problem?
    After testing, log out of the guest account and, in your own account, disable it if you wish. Any files you created in the guest account will be deleted automatically when you log out of it.
    *Note: If you’ve activated “Find My Mac” or FileVault, then you can’t enable the Guest account. The “Guest User” login created by “Find My Mac” is not the same. Create a new account in which to test, and delete it, including its home folder, after testing.
    Step 2
    The purpose of this step is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party system modifications that load automatically at startup or login.
    Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode* and log in to the account with the problem. The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
    Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
    When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
    If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
    Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.  The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in 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.
    *Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode.
    Test while in safe mode. Same problem?
    After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of steps 1 and 2.

Maybe you are looking for