My iMac won't get past little apple screen icon

When I turn on iMac, it never goes past the white apple screen and the little wheel just turns and turns for hours if I let it. I turn it off, unplug it, turn it back on...but nothing! Any ideas?
Thanks

Have you tried booting from your install disc? You should also have a disc with Apple Hardware Test on it, try and see if you can start up from that and run the test.
It would be helpful to know which model you have (how to identify your iMac).
Also, see if anything here helps: won't complete startup.

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Imac won't get past start up screen

My iMac can't get past the start up screen (white screen with apple logo). How can I get past this?

The following support article is somewhat outdated. Where it refers to booting from an installation disc, you should boot into Recovery (if running OS X 10.7 or later) by holding down the key combination command-R at the chime. If your startup volume is encrypted with FileVault, you’ll have to unlock it in Disk Utility before you can do anything with it.
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

Macbook won't get past grey apple screen

So my computer was being stupid so I had to manually shut it down. When I went to restart, it would never get past the grey screen with the apple logo. It didn't even get the spinning wheel thing. I don't have the discs for it, but I do have them for a white macbook (early 2008). I tried clearing the PRAM etc but to no avail, and instead of booting from the disc it seems to just do the exact same thing, only sometimes it turns off, back on, and does the same thing. When I started it holding cmd v it gave me stuff saying it couldn't find file (insert many file names here)
Help!

I went to the mac store and they told me it could be two things 1. need an archive update or 2. need a new hard drive. It ended up being the hard drive is shot. It seems many people are having this problem even though it hasn't been out for long, so if you are having trouble restarting it (error reading 0x7 or any error reading driver messages) you should take it to the mac store.

My iMac won't get past the loading screen, it has a little loading bar which won't move

I had the finder and Safari windows open. Safari was on youtube then it froze so I shut it down. It turned back on once to get to the login screen but then froze once again. Know it only turns on the apple loading screen with a little loading bar which won't move.

Please carefully read and methodically follow the instructions in http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570.
Good luck.

Another G5 iMac won't boot past grey Apple screen!! HELP!!!

Last night I tried to put my iMac to sleep. it took about 3 times, and it finally went to sleep. Today I tried to wake it up but I got the little spinning disk, and it would not wake up. I could not restart it from the screen, so I pulled out the power cord as I have had to do a few times in the past with no problems. Today when I plugged it back in it got to the grey Apple screen, but no little progress circle. I waited & waited, nothing happened so I cycled power again. This time I got the progress timer circle, but again after about 20 minutes nothing happened. I then put the install disc in and booted from that. Tried verify disc, but it failed saying it could not un-mount the volume. Tried verifying permissions, but it seemed to get stuck with just a fraction left on the progress bar, so I quit & tried again (basically where I'm at now). I have also noticed that if I choose the "start up disc" (while running from the disc) the only thing that shows in a network icon. My HD does not show up as an option. For about the past 5 months I have noticed my HD has been a bit noisy. Kind of a whirling sound that seems to get louder then quiet down & repeat....not real loud, but loud enough so I have noticed it. I have been worried that something like this might happen.
update: while repairing permissions I just got a "Disc utility error" says Disc utility has lost it's connection with the disc management tool and cannot continue. Please quit and relaunch Disc Utility. This is the same message I got the last time I tried to run it. I also have an OSX Leopard install DVD...should I be starting from that disc, or the install disc that came with it? If I should be using the newer disc, how would I get the other disc out of the machine?
So....am I up the creek with out a paddle, or is there anything I could try?
any advise would be greatly appreciate as ALL my data is on my iMac and not this POS PC I have to use now.
Thanks,
Jeff

Using Target Disk Mode is an excellent, idea, you should be able to drag your data on to the new machine.
Let us know how you made out,

MacBook Pro won't get past the apple screen on startup

The laptop won't startup. I get to the Apple logo and a spinning gear. I've tried starting it 3 times with the same result.

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.”
b. 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.
c. 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 either of the techniques in Steps 1b and 1c 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 10. 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
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 10
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 11
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 12
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.

IMac won't reboot past the apple screen. 2009 10.6?

My iMac wont reboot past the white apple screen! What do I do?

Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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. 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.
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. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

Start Up won't get past grey Apple screen

Trying to start my computer for first time in 6 days. When turning on it gets to Grey Apple logo screen and then a bar appears underneath, the bar doesn't fill and then the computer powers down. Please help.

Boot from your install disc & run Repair Disk from the utility menu. To use the Install Mac OS X disc, insert the disc, and restart your computer while holding down the C key as it starts up.
Select your language.
Once on the desktop, select Utility in the menu bar.
Select Disk Utility.
Select the disk or volume in the list of disks and volumes, and then click First Aid.
Click Repair Disk.
Restart your computer when done.
If you make it to the desktop, repair permissions-http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751

IMac won't get past the Apple page when turned on...

I just bought a new iMac about a month ago. It is the 21.5" basic system. Of course the first thing that I did with it was update the software and have set it to update automatically, so everything should be golden there... Today when I walked by and turned it on it came on like normal, but that was it. The white screen with the Apple in the middle came on and then the loading icon popped up underneath it. It has been loading since... After about an hour and a half, I shut it off by holding the power button in, unplugged the modem, unplugged the iMac then plugged only the iMac back up. Turned on the power again. It powered up but did the same thing. Is something loading, updates maybe? If so it is something different than any of the other updates it has uploaded so far. THis is a new one on me.
I might add that this is my first Mac. I went with it because I get tired of rebooting my PC each year (I actually just did my PC again...bummer). Now if the iMac has already crashed, I am severely dissapointed in Mac. I have not downloaded anything that I shouldn't have, or anything that was even suspicious. In fact the only real things I have downloaded are Firefox and some of the add ons and a trial version of PS.
Can anyone help me, tell me it is normal and it will be ok?

It sounds like the update may have bee interrupted somehow and became corrupted, possible a power spike at your house. However I wouldn't get too upset. You have 90 days of free telephone support so now is a good time to use it. The number is in your owners manual.
You can also try doing a SMC and PRAM resets, this is probably what Apple will have you do to begin with so you can be pro-active and try them and if they don't fix the problem you can just let the tech know. The instructions for doing each reset are:
_SMC RESET_
• Shut down the computer.
• Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
• Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
• Release the power button.
• Attach the computers power cable.
• Press the power button to turn on the computer.
_PRAM RESET_
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
• Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
• Release the keys.
Also this is a good time to plug AppleCare. AppleCare will extend your warranty and phone support to 3 years from the date of purchase. If you don't already have it I'd recommend it, Apple charges $169 however you can pick it up from Amazon for less. You can only get it while the machine is covered by it's one year warranty. Let it go 366 days and you're out of luck.
Roger

Powerbook will turn on but won't get past grey apple screen

My powerbook will turn on but it will never get to the operating system screen where you enter a password. I don't know what to do and sometimes it will get to the all blue screen but not past that... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, is there anyway to get my files off of the laptop regardless? There are 3 weeks until my final exams and I have all my notes on my laptop. Any help is greatly appreciated.

If you can boot off the installation DVD, then your computer's fine, and there is something broken with the system software.
You could try re-installing Mac OS X (not a clean install, or an erase-and-install, but just an upgrade of the existing OS), but that may lead to having your apps broken, which may be more work for you.
Another thing to try is to hold the Shift key down whilst you are booting into the login screen. Doing this will disable the startup of some system extensions and daemons (StartupItems), which may get you going. However, if you can go to the login screen without too much trouble, try logging in with the Shift key down. That will stop Mac OS X from starting up items in your "Login Items" list in the Accounts system preferences.
This is the most useful tips I can offer short of re-installing Mac OS X on your computer.
Cheers!
--tonza

MacBook Pro OsX won't get past loading apple screen?

I have tried all the steps besides reinstalling. This is what I think may be the problem at startup:
It says "Bug: launchctl.c3817....." and about 30 lines of similar code then it gets to "bootcachecontrol: could not unlink playlist..." and "launchctl: please convert the following to launched: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist" then it goes "launch_msg(): socket is not connected" followed by "bootcachecontrol: could not create temporary playlist file: invalid argument" and finally it says "bootcachecontrol: could not write playlist." that is where it stops loading during the start up. Any ideas of what to do?
Thanks!

I have tried all the steps besides reinstalling. This is what I think may be the problem at startup:
It says "Bug: launchctl.c3817....." and about 30 lines of similar code then it gets to "bootcachecontrol: could not unlink playlist..." and "launchctl: please convert the following to launched: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisoryd.plist" then it goes "launch_msg(): socket is not connected" followed by "bootcachecontrol: could not create temporary playlist file: invalid argument" and finally it says "bootcachecontrol: could not write playlist." that is where it stops loading during the start up. Any ideas of what to do?
Thanks!

My iMac starts, but won't get past the loading screen?

My iMac starts up, but won't even get past the white screen with the Apple logo.
It kept giving me black screens, and would not start in safety mode. After command + option + p + r, the black screens stopped coming, but it still won't get past the loading screen, if I let it load long enough the Apple logo is replaced by a "denied" symbol but that is the only thing that happens. By hitting command + d, I was told nothing is wrong. When pressing command + r and going to disk utility, it found an issue while verifying and repairing. At first it stated "invalid journal" but now it only says to reinstall everything and that the problem couldn't be solved. I cannot mount the harddrive, and Time Machine just searches for copies without getting anywhere. When I try installing OS X (Mavericks) again, the harddrive doesn't even show up. What do I do?

The HD sounds like it has crashed, take it into your local Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP), if you bought AppleCare this will be covered. If you don't have an Apple Store in your area and don't know of any AASPs then please click https://locate.apple.com/country to begin finding one.

IMac will not get past chime & white screen

iMac will not get past chime & white screen. I have tried all the start up key combinations I can think of (d or c etc) with a start up disc, but no joy. The disc drives seems ok - you can hear it working & it will eject OK.
Any other start up ideas, please?

Have you tried a safe boot? If not, hears how (it's straight from Mac Help):
To start up into Safe Mode (to "Safe Boot"), do this:
Be sure the computer is shut down.
Press the power button.
Immediately after you hear the startup tone, press and hold the Shift key.
Tip: The Shift key should be held as soon as possible after the startup tone but not before.
Release the Shift key when you see the gray Apple and progress indicator (looks like a spinning gear).
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.2 through 10.3.9, you will see "Safe Boot" on the Mac OS X startup screen.
During the startup in Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you will see "Safe Boot" on the login window, which appears even if you normally log in automatically.
To leave Safe Mode in any version of Mac OS X, restart the computer normally, without holding any keys during startup.
To learn more about Safe Boot check this page:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392
Intel iMac (Early 2006) Mac OS X (10.4.8) 2.0 Ghz, 1 MB

My iPhone 4s (bought today) won't get past the activation screen. It says 'it may take a few minutes to activate your iPhone' and then skips to another screen saying 'activation failed - try again'. Any solutions?

my iPhone 4s (bought today) won't get past the activation screen. It says 'it may take a few minutes to activate your iPhone' and then skips to another screen saying 'activation failed - try again'. Any solutions?

Apple's activation server is down.
I called Apple and the support team had the same issue.
All you can do is be patient.

POWERBOOK G4 14 1.33 WONT GET PAST THE APPLE SCREEN

I have a powerbook G4 14 inch 1.33 mhz processor with 256 mb of ram. The screen will not get past the apple screen. I have tried 3 seperate hard drives none of them would boot past the apple screen. The disk drive is broken, I will be replacing it shortly to put a OS X CD or disk warrior cd in it. Does anybody know what would cause this? I reset PRAM, PMU and tried booting in safe mode. It gets to the apple and then the little circle spins and spins and it doesnt load..

Heres some history of the computer. I orginally put a 12 gb hard drive cuz it came with no hard drive in it and it was working great, but then became slower and slower until it got stuck on the apple screen. i tried 2 other hard drives and they didnt work. i then replaced it with a brand new 60 gb hard drive. i also bought a new optical drive and put that in because the optical drive never worked. i have tried two different ram sticks. i have tried pressing shift,c,option none of that works. option makes it freeze on the boot screen. open firmware works...command S did work until recently...command v does not work...reset pram and nvram. reset PMU. I AM AT A LOSS. is there something i forgot to leave connected during the process that could be causing this? I get USB BOOT ERROR 0 1 1 in open firmware. I DOUBT its the logic board, because it makes the chime and I can get into open firmware and the start up screen.

My iMac won't get past little apple screen icon

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