My Mac HD doesn't start up, I get the reinstall prompt and do not see a macintosh HD icon while starting up using option key

My Mac HD doesn't start up, I get the reinstall prompt and do not see a macintosh HD icon while starting up using option key.
When start up I land into the Mac OSX Installer. Has my LION crashed or the HD is not responding?

Try booting while holding down the Option key but make sure there aren't any disks in the optical drive first.
I just found this:
Select a startup disk *(on some computers)*
Option (To open the optical drive when choosing a startup disk, press ⌘-period.)
here. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.5/en/cdb_strtup.html
Carolyn

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I upgraded to 9.0.1 and every time I start Firfox I get the welcome screen and checking add on compatability Why?

I upgraded to 9.0.1 and every time I start Firfox I get the welcome screen and checking add on compatability Why? How can I just start with my homepage and not be welcomed every time I start Firefox?

See these articles for some suggestions:
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/Firefox+has+just+updated+tab+shows+each+time+you+start+Firefox
*https://support.mozilla.org/kb/How+to+set+the+home+page - Firefox supports multiple home pages separated by '|' symbols
*http://kb.mozillazine.org/Preferences_not_saved

I can't use firefox after upgrading to 4.0. I get the message I have to restart my computer for upgrading, but ik doesn't start. I get the message over and over

I can't open firefox after upgrading to 4.0
I get the message over and over again that i have to restart my computer for upgrading to firefox.
I tried new installation. But i got problems on all my accounts

Start your '''Computer''' in safe mode. Then start Firefox. Try '''Safe''' web sites.
Starting The Computer In Safe Mode;
If running, turn your computer off.
Remove any disks and thumb drives that are in your hard drives or ports.
Now start your computer but also;
'''Windows; '''Press the <F8> key repeatedly.
'''Mac: '''Hold down the Shift key.
'''Linux; '''Using the command line, Linux/Unix computers can be booted
into various run levels that determine which resources are loaded.
For example, "runlevel 1" is typically the equivalent to Windows and
Mac safe modes.
* Source; '''[http://encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Linux+Safe+Mode Safe Mode; Free Online Encyclopedia]'''
When the '''Boot''' menu is displayed, release the key you were pressing.
You must now choose what mode to use. The most used are;
* Safe Mode; The computer runs with only a minimum set of programs.
* Safe Mode '''With '''Networking; Same as above, but with internet access.

Everytime I start Itunes, I get the Welcome Screen and everything is reset

Hi,
everytime I start ITunes 64 bit on my Windows 7 64 bit PC, I get the Welcome Screen and all is reset.
Seems to be ITunes can not store the settings after closing.

I am having the same problem! Everything worked fine last week and now it looks as though iTunes is brand new. I can't sync my iphone without restoring. and I if I reload my library or even a song, nothing saves when closed. It just sits there empty.

At start up, I get the background picture and there is some kind of audio. Can't access anything. Help?

My Mac Pro was running slow, and finally wouldn't wake up from the screen saver, necessitating a hard reboot. Now, I only get the starry background picture with no icons. An audio program comes on for awhile, and then it goes silent. Is there a combination of keys I can press or something else I can do to get the icons back?

I fixed it myself. It had something to do with my TV connected as a second display. All of the icons were there. Fixed it by selecting mirror displays.

When i Start Firefox I get the following error message: Could not initiate the application's secutity component. Then I am unable to open any websites.

It says the mostly likely cause is problems with files in your application's profile directory.

Hi,
Please try this: '''Help''' ('''Alt''' + '''H''') > '''Troubleshooting Information''', click '''Open Containing Folder'''. This opens your [http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder & Files]. Exit Firefox and rename '''cert8.db''', '''secmod.db''' and '''key3.db''' in the profile folder. You can delete them later.
Useful links:
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Options%20window All about Tools > Options]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config Going beyond Tools > Options - about:config]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/About:config_entries about:config Entries]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Page%20Info%20window Page Info] Tools (Alt + T) > Page Info, Right-click > View Page Info
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Keyboard%20shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Viewing%20video%20in%20Firefox%20without%20a%20plugin Viewing Video without Plugins]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Profile_folder_-_Firefox Firefox Profile Folder & Files]
[https://developer.mozilla.org/en/Command_Line_Options#Browser Firefox Commands]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Basic%20Troubleshooting Basic Troubleshooting]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/common-questions-after-upgrading-firefox-36 After Upgrading]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Safe%20Mode Safe Mode]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Problematic_extensions Problematic Extensions]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20extensions%20and%20themes Troubleshooting Extensions and Themes]
[https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Troubleshooting%20plugins Troubleshooting Plugins]
[http://kb.mozillazine.org/Testing_plugins Testing Plugins]

When I "share" to DVD the file is transcoded. When it reaches 66% it starts to "finishing", but the process stops and does not proceed beyond 66%. When I stop the sharing process I receive the following message "the share operation dvd has failed".

When I "share: to DVD the file is transcoded. When the sharing process gets to 66%, it changes to "finishing" "CreateDVD:waiting fro create disk to finish. The sharing process does no go beyond 66%, and when I stop the sharing process, I receive the message "the share DVD operation has failed."
Is this a problem with FCPX or Create DVD? How can this problem be resolved?

The handshake between FCP and a hidden app called Create Disk wasn't completed.
Try this. Select a short range and Share>DVD. In Output Settings. set it to Hard Drive to save as a disk image. (Save to your Desktop so you can find it.) For menu Background, click the Add button, then cancel. That is often enough to wake up the disk burning part of this process. If it makes a disk image, try a physical disk.
Russ

Mbp won't start I get the Apple symbol and turning clock forever?

My MacBook Pro will not start. I get the Apple symbol and the timer but no start.

Hello CRG37,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information on this, take a look at:
iTunes 11.1.4 for Windows: Unable to install or open
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS5376
Check for .dll files
Go to C:\Program Files (x86)\iTunes and C:\Program Files\iTunes and look for .dll files.
If you find QTMovie.DLL, or any other .dll files, move them to the desktop.
Reboot your computer.
Note: Depending on your operating system, you may only have one of the listed paths.
Uninstall and reinstall iTunes
Uninstall iTunes and all of its related components.
Reboot your computer. If you can't uninstall a piece of Apple software, try using the Microsoft Program Install and Uninstall Utility.
Re-download and reinstall iTunes 11.1.4.
Best of luck,
Mario

My macbook pro won't start up. I get the white screen and the grey apple icon   the spinning wheel......and it doesn't change !

My macbook pro won't start up. I get the white screen and the grey apple icon   the spinning wheel......and it doesn't change !

Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
To restart an unresponsive computer, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power shuts off, then release, wait a few more seconds, and press it again briefly.
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 a desktop Mac hangs at a plain gray screen with a movable cursor, the keyboard may not be recognized. Press and hold the button on the side of an Apple wireless keyboard to make it discoverable. If need be, replace or recharge the batteries. If you're using a USB keyboard connected to a hub, connect it to a built-in port.
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 in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is 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.

My mac pro wont start. I push the power button and I get a click sound. A few seconds later another click sound and that it.

My mac pro wont start. I push the power button and I get a click sound. A few seconds later another click sound and that it. I've tried different power plugs. Going direct into the wall, through a power strip. By iteslf, with other devices plugged in. I removed hard drives, and some RAM, and nothing. Sometimes it would not turn on, and then some minutes later it works. So its was sparatic, but now its been the same situation for three days where it wont turn on.
I'm guessing power supply, but I wanted to see if anyone had a similar expereince and what the solution was, before I drag this beast to my local Apple store and have them look at it. Its a real pain to get it there and back and I want to be armed with some info for them. I already dragged this to them when it first started to do this, and of course it started up just fine for them. And you know if it works for the Genius then theres nothing wrong with. No matter what you explain to them.
I figure if anyone had a the same problem and was able to resolve it, I can relate that experience to the Genius even if it start up for them.
Thanks

Try a SMC Reset using the extended method:
Remove the AC power cord.
Press the power-on button. [This drains the stored charge from the power supply]
wait a quarter minute.
Restore the power cord, being certain to JAM it into the socket, as the big block of rubber inhibits proper seating.
wait a quarter minute
attempt to power on.
If no joy, examine the button battery half-hidden behind the graphics card. Remove it to measure the Voltage. A new battery should not cost over US$5, and measures a little over 3 Volts. BR-2032 is used in garage door opener controls and car door locks controls. The geeks at Radio Shack can measure it for you.

My Mac Mini doesn't recognize my Avengers DVD--it keeps saying "Supported disc not available." I've tried other DVD's which work, but not this one. itunes and everything else has been updated to the newest versions. Help?

My Mac Mini doesn't recognize my Avengers DVD--it keeps saying "Supported disc not available." I've tried other DVD's which work, but not this one. itunes and everything else has been updated to the newest versions. Help? Also...It doesn't recognize the digital copy DVD.

I have ALL the exact same symptoms as on my home computer.
It sure sounds to me like something on the iPod is broken. If it's under warranty then I would send it back for repair. If not, check out some of the web repair services, such as iPodResQ etc.

Problems with using Option key when starting up

I have 3 internal drives using a PCI card (2 slots) that allows me to use large drives with more capacity than stock allowance on my G4 Quicksilver 867 mhz 1.5 GB RAM tower.
All drives are Seagate Baracudas ATA: 2-400GBs and 1-200GB. I bought the 400s at the same time.
My main drive has OSX 10.4.11 (#1), and it is backed up to Baracuda #2 (400GB) which is a slave to my Main drive (using SuperDuper All files for a mirror bootable copy). The 3rd drive has Leopard 10.5.1 for learning and trying Leopard.
On the second PCI slot is the smaller 200GB Baracuda.
After backing up using SuperDuper (Main to #2) as a mirror, I see #2 in the Apple > Prefs > Start Up Disk.
After the first backup I can see all 3 drives when using Option key at startup, but instead of seeing the names of each drive under the normal hard disk icons, #2 has a SCSI icon underneath the hard drive icon, it's name (Mac BU) is missing and I can't start up to it. The other #1 and #3 looked as expected. I chose #1, it launched, fine.
On second backup, #2 is still in Prefs > Start up Disk panel, but this time doesn't show up on when using the Option key at start up. I have replicated this, but erasing #2, rebacking up twice.
With only the #1 and #3 drives showing at start up with Option key and #1 selected in the Start up Disk panel, I chose #3 (Leopard) in the Option window view, and my G4 froze at the gray apple screen. I hard shut downed, powered up and the G4 defaulted to Main (10.4.11)
I selected #3 Leopard in Prefs > Start Up Disk, restarted OK.
I restarted with the Option key (only #1 and #3 show) and now my main drive didn't have it's name only the SCSI icon under the normal hard disk icon like #3 was doing. UGH!
Nervously, I chose #3 with Leopard and the G4 started up to it OK.
I then reselected my Main #1 drive in the Start Up Disk panel, restarted to #1 OK.
OK, problems summary:
1) I can't use SuperDuper to create a blessed bootable #2 drive at Option start up, but I mention this for more info about a possible problem at Option startup, more than I want comment on SuperDuper potential bug / conflict.
2) I didn't try choosing #3 in the Start Up Disk panel, as I was affraid the G4 would freeze and then I might not be able to select either of the other #1 or #3 at Option start up as something is wrong with using Option key start up, and #3 would have been selected in Start Up Panel, which I was afraid I might not be able to get to again.
2) When I start up either of #1 or #3, I get momentary black screens after the gray apple screen at Option key start up and then again after the apple progress bar. This doesn't happen when I start up directly either drive when the drives are selected using the Start Up Disk panel
When using the Option startup, I am experiencing the above problems.
Whew, I know, but does anyone have any input and fixes?
Thanks, in advance,
Steven

Hi Dave.
Well... good news / bad news
Turns out, I have an Acard 6280M and have 3 drives connected to it as mentioned (#1 & 2 are mirrored using SuperDuper with 10.5.1, #3 is a clean install off a new Apple OSX disk 10.5, then updated to 10.5.1)
I also have a Firewire external drive, that I used SuperDuper to make it a mirror of #1, using the same procedure backing up #1 to #2, to test SuperDuper.
The firmware update directions tells you to start up off a drive not on the PCI card, I used #4.
While running off #1, I selected #4 in the Start Up disk pref and it booted OK! This seems to rule out SuperDuper being the problem - of creating a mirror from #1 to #2 (both on the Acard) and then not seeing #2 in the Option key boot screen.
I applied the firmware, which directs you to first update the Acard driver to 2.06, which is included in the folder with the firmware updater.
I did this and then applied the firmware updater.
I then applied the driver upgrade to drives #1 and #2 (10.4.11) while running off #4. I did not apply the driver update to #3 (10.5.1) and restarted, using Option key.
All 4 drives appeared successfully on screen as expected with their names!
Then I selected each drive one by one:
#1 = kernal panic. Hard shut down, used Option key again
#2 = kernal panic, same as #1
#3 = froze at gray Apple screen - no spinning gear. Hard shut down.
Tthankfully, left Start Up disk pref to be #4 external and on restart, let the system boot off without going to the Option screen. #4 booted OK. Whew...
So all 3 drives on the Acard, won't boot. I was concerned it was the 2.06 driver, but since it wasn't applied to #3 Leopard drive, I'm assuming the firmware is the issue and perhaps not compatible with 10.4.11 or 10.5.1?
Two things I've not tried:
1) With #4 selected in Sys Prefs, then using Option key and selecting #4 there too to see if using the Option key selector is a problem too.
2) Selecting any of #1, #2, or #3 drives in Sys Prefs and restarting without Option key selector.
My fear is that if my last working drive #4 isn't the default drive set in Sys Prefs, if Acard isn't the problem alone and there is also a problem selecting any drive using the Option key - even #4, then if #4 isn't the default and all 3 Acard drives panic on regular boot (non-Option key) and I have to hard restart, will keep defaulting to whatever drive I set in the Sys Prefs and not be able to get back to #4.
Should I just go to my local computer store and see if they have a newer model PCI card and trash my existing one as I may have ruined it with the firmware updater?
Thoughts?

Is there any way to insert a pop up calender and tick boxes into pages on the ipad? And if not if I do it on a mac will the document work on pages on the ipad?

Is there any way to insert a pop up calender and tick boxes into pages on the ipad? And if not if I do it on a mac will the document work on pages on the ipad? I'm trying to set up a document with quick check boxes to tick and a date to choose rather than type? I know it possible to do it on pages on a mac but i haven't been able to find anything on the ipad to create such a thing, and I don't know if it will work on the ipad if I create it on the mac

RGA,
Unfortunately, I do not believe that it is possible for a DAQ board to generate an AI Start Trigger from an analog trigger, but not be triggered itself until it receives a digital trigger.
Spencer S.

A magnet fell on my macbook "late 2007 series black" and it stopped working. When i start my macbook up it sits on the white screen. i tried inserting the snow leopard disk to do a clean install but the disk ejects and all i see is the pointer.help please

A magnet fell on my macbook "late 2007 series black" and it stopped working. When i start my macbook up it sits on the white screen. i tried inserting the snow leopard disk to do a clean install but the disk ejects and all i see is the pointer. i even bought a new hard drive to do the clean install but the same thing happens. Please Help

Your problem is not Boot Camp, in fact, is your optical drive. Win XP requires indeed sp2, but also the internal drive, does not work from external optical drive.
For other possible tricks, please use the appropriate Boot Camp forum, not here. Mac OS X may be installed from both external and internal optical drive and/or internal/external partition of a disk, any disk. Windows is not so generous.

I just restarted my mac then suddenly when it boots,disk utility came and says different option like repair disk, get help, reinstall OSX and I tried to click disk repair but it says that I am um able to repair the disk

i just restarted my mac then suddenly when it boots,disk utility came and says different option like repair disk, get help, reinstall OSX and I tried to click disk repair but it says that I am um able to repair the disk

It sounds like your hard drive either has a software problem that Disk Utility cannot fix or that the HD has failed (mechanically).
Your Mac may have booted either to your recovery partition or to internet recovery in an attempt to repair the drive- I can't tell from your post.
I'll assume that it was the recovery partition.
Try to boot into internet recovery (hold down option command R at restart), and see if you can repair your HD with Disk Utility. You should also repair permissions while you're there.
If that doesn't work, try to boot into single user mode (restart, hold down ⌘S until you see a black screen with white text) and repair your hard drive. Here's a reference with directions: Repair Your Hard Disk in Single User Mode | Everything Macintosh
If that doesn't work you have a few options:
If your mac originally came with installation disks, you can try to boot from the installation disk and then see if you can repair the HD.
There is a small chance that Techtool Pro 7 will be able to repair your HD if Disk Utility can't.
If none of that works then your HD has probably failed and will need to be replaced, which is not too difficult to do yourself if you can use a screwdriver.

My Mac HD doesn't start up, I get the reinstall prompt and do not see a macintosh HD icon while starting up using option key

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