My iMac won't boot up past the white screen with a grey apple and spinning icon

My iMac won't boot up past the white screen with a grey apple and spinning icon...please help!

command R did not result in anything different - still the white screen, etc. I do you Time Machine with and external hard drive, but I unplugged that.  I have the installation DVD, but it doesn't seem to be reading it either.

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  • HT1758 Power failure in the middle of a software update and not the computer will not boot up.  The computer just has a white screen with a grey apple and just loads non stop.

    My iMac will not boot up after a software update.  the screen is all whute will show a grey apple in the middle and will look like it is working but nothing happens; this can go on forever.
    Does anyone have any suggestions?

    Do you have a backup in the form of a bootable clone or Time Machine? Restore that and then try the update again.
    Some things to try here (Safe Boot)
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    Another option might be to download the standalone from Apple Downloads on another Mac and try installing it in Firewire Target Disk Mode to the Mac that was interrupted during the update.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

  • My 2011 IMac will not boot up past the White apple logo screen with the whirly circle

    My 2011 IMac will not boot up past the White apple logo screen with the whirly circle. I have tried various commands but to no avail. does anybody have any advice?

    Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
    Step 1
    The first step in dealing with a startup failure is to secure the data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since the last backup, you can skip this step.
    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to start. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    a. Start up from the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
    b. If Step 1a fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
    c. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
    d. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
    Step 2
    If the startup process stops at a blank gray screen with no Apple logo or spinning "daisy wheel," then the startup volume may be full. If you had previously seen warnings of low disk space, this is almost certainly the case. You might be able to start up in safe mode even though you can't start up normally. Otherwise, start up from an external drive, or else use the technique in Step 1b, 1c, or 1d to mount the internal drive and delete some files. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation.
    Step 3
    Sometimes a startup failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
    Step 4
    If you use a wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, replace or recharge the batteries. The battery level shown in the Bluetooth menu item may not be accurate.
    Step 5
    If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
    Step 6
    Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can start up now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
    Step 7
    If you've started from an external storage device, make sure that the internal startup volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
    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. Post for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know the login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    When you start up in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, the startup volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 11. If you ever have another problem with the drive, replace it immediately.
    If you can start and log in in safe mode, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on the startup volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then restart as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
    If the startup process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
    Step 8
    Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select the startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
    This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then restart as usual.
    Step 9
    If the startup device is an aftermarket SSD, it may need a firmware update and/or a forced "garbage collection." Instructions for doing this with a Crucial-branded SSD were posted here. Some of those instructions may apply to other brands of SSD, but you should check with the vendor's tech support.   
    Step 10
    Reinstall the OS. If the Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
    Step 11
    Do as in Step 9, but this time erase the startup volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically restart into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer the data from a Time Machine or other backup.
    Step 12
    This step applies only to models that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery: all Mac Pro's and some others (not current models.) Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery, if there is one, is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a startup failure. Typically the failure will be preceded by loss of the settings for the startup disk and system clock. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
    Step 13
    If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

  • MBP won't reboot past the white screen with the grey apple. Why? How do I fix it?

    MBP won't reboot past the white screen with the grey apple. Why? How can I fix it?

    Which OS are you on.
    try doing an SMC reset http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    How long do you wait until giving up??

  • When my phone is not plugged into the charger or computer, it will not turn on at all; even though it is not dead. When it's plugged into the computer, it will go to a white screen with a grey apple icon and then it will turn off again and repeat. IOS7

    When my phone is not plugged into the charger or computer, it will not turn on at all; even though it is not dead. When it's plugged into the computer, it will go to a white screen with a grey apple icon and then it will turn off again and repeat. IOS7 and iPhone 5.

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808
    Try this step and if you cannot get your device into recovery mode there is a chance you have a hardware failure and you need to call apple to see what service options you have.

  • My MacBook will not boot up past the white screen and rotating circle

    Tried to start up my MacBook. Can't get past the white screen and rotating circle. Left it on for 10 min. same results. Any solutions before I bring it in for repair? Thanks.

    Zap the pram
    Maybe wait longer and see if it does anything or if anything comes up.

  • My imac wont  get past the white screen with logo and rotating wheel

    i was trying to turn on my imac when suddenly ot took forever on the white screen
    i tried taking off everything connected to it-no change
    i tried a safe mode after a few minuted a heard the second chime then a blinkin
    question mark folder showed up so i turned it off again and tried a nvram/pram reset but it still stuck on the white screen
    is it time to visit the apple store or is there something else i should try?

    A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac
    Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing 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
    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 then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks
    OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
    OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
    OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
         Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
                     if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • I shut down my iMac (intel based) whilst it was doing an update, now when I turn it on, I hear the apple chime but won't go past the whit screen with the a grey apple logo on. What do I do to get past this?

    Can anyone help?

    That's a really bad thing to do. See if it will Safe Boot. Hold the Shift key down at startup. Give it lots of time; it's checking and repairing the drive, if possible. If that won't work, try booting from the Install DVD holding down the C key, open Disk Utility and repair the drive.
    For instructions, see "Try Disk Utility" here.
    If neither of those works, it's time to restore from a clone or Time Machine, or to use the Install DVD for a reinstall (NOT erase and install.) This will give you new system files while preserving everything else. When you are finished, bring the OS back to 10.6.7 using the Combo Update. Also, check in Software Update for anything else that needs updating. This shouldn't be all that painful.
    My procedure for a major OS or Security update
    I never run a major update right away. I always wait at least a week or so to see what develops. Most problems I see here are the result either of a specific incompatibility with a third party application or plug-in, or some pre-existing software or hardware issue related to that unique user, which only comes to light due to the stress an update writing many thousands of new files causes. Then, there are occasionally, presumably, as in the instance of font and PDF problems with the 10.6.7 update, bugs in the update itself, which affect the majority of users.
    External drives are not that expensive these days. I have two clones on externals and if I'm concerned enough about an update, I can install it on one of these and test it first.
    Here's my own updating procedure. Major updates don't come along that often. It's worth going to the trouble to do this.
    1. Have a backup so if something does go wrong, you won't be left in big trouble.
    2. Verify and if necessary repair the drive from Disk Utility. (To repair, you must be booted from the Install Disc or an external clone.)
    3. Disconnect all peripherals except the keyboard and mouse.
    4. Download the Combo Update from Apple Downloads. It's generally more reliable to update from the standalone Combo than from Software Update, and the Combo, as it includes all updates from 10.6 onwards, may correct any files that have been corrupted or somehow gone missing.
    5. Boot in Safe Boot. Hold the Shift key down at start up. Give it time, it will take longer. (The Safe Boot will also actually check and repair the drive if necessary--and if possible.) Safe Boot loads a stripped down system which may reduce any chance of incompatibility while the update is running. Keep all Applications closed.
    6. Repair Permissions from Disk Utility while booted in Safe Boot.
    7. Install the update from Safe Boot. Keep all Applications closed.
    8. Restart when prompted and give the system up to five minutes to finish the final touches of the update with all Applications closed.
    9. Verify the Drive and Repair Permissions again.
    10. And then I like to restart again.
    One other caution. If you are running updates from Software Update, run them one at a time, never all at once. This gives the system a chance to assimilate each one, especially if restarts are involved, and not choke on them.
    I also prefer to get "non-major" updates as standalones from Apple Downloads, rather than from Software Update.

  • Mbpr won't boot up, stuck on white screen with apple logo when I turn it on

    This morning I noticed the apple logo on the outer shell of my mac was lit up, I thought this was very odd because the lid was closed and like all laptops when thier lids are shut the display ect. are supposed to switch off/go to standby?
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    Read this article... It recommended something you did already but there are other troubleshooting tips I'm not sure you've tried.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
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    Hello all,
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