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

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

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

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Mac won't boot after leopard install

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hi LIsa,
Could be many things, we should start with this...
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
If perchance you can't find your install Disc, at least try it from the Safe Boot part onward.
Or..
Tough without the Install Disk problems, but try fsck...
To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup.
Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
(SPACE between fsck AND -fy important)
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22" iMac desktop OSX 10.6.6 Snow Leopard and it won't boot. I've tried shift start, option command+P+R. It's stuck at the restart, all I see is the spinning wheel below the apple logo.

I have a 22" iMac desktop running OSX 10.6 Snow Leopard and it won't boot. I've tried shift start, option command P R. It's stuck at the restart, all I see is the spinning wheel below the apple logo. And I lost my OSX DVD is there any way to fix this? I just did a software update yesterday and have about 20GB left on my Hard drive. The last thing I did was try to install some plugin's for Pro Tools 8, but it wouldnt let me install so I restarted and now I'm screwed. Please Help!
other specs for my computer: 3.06GHz Intel core 2 duo processor 500 GB Serial ATA hard drive, iSight, magic mouse, wireless mac keyboard
iPod classic 160GB (Late 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.6)

You have to consider the possibility the hard drive may be dying. If your data isn't backed up, try one of the tools below:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1689
Once you are sure your data is backed up, we can examine other possibilities. In the meantime call AppleCare for your original installation DVDs. You may need them.

Macbook won't boot up anymore after trying to reformat

So my White Macbook won't boot up anymore after trying to reformat. While trying to install a fresh copy of Snow Leopard, the Macbook just froze and I had to reset. Now, while trying to boot it up, it hangs at a white screen with a folder with a question mark.
My install disk is still in there, so when I try to boot up while holding C, nothing happens. It either goes to the folder with a question mark or the screen stays white. So after that I tried holding option to go to the drives nothing happens. I just see a white screen and a cursor.
I tried resetting PRAM and tried booting in safe mode and everything but to no avail. Everything results in just a white screen or just a folder with a question mark.
Can I do anything before I have to bring it to the Apple Store? The optical drive should work because before I reformatted it, I could see that the disk was in the drive because the icon was in the upper right.

it hangs at a white screen with a folder with a question mark
Startup your Mac while holding down the Option key. That should prompt the Startup Manager window where you can select the startup disk.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

HT3964 my iMac won't boot up. I hear the chime and the Apple symbol appears but there is no whirling indicator that appears and after a while the computer screen goes black and the whole cycle starts again. There have been occasions when it has actually s

my iMac won't boot up. I hear the chime and the Apple symbol appears but there is no whirling indicator that appears and after a while the computer screen goes black and the whole cycle starts again. There have been occasions when it has actually started and I have the dashboard appear but then the screen freezes

Since you have Lion v10.7.4 installed, use Lion Recovery to repair the startup disk if necessary, or reinstall the Mac OS X.

Won't boot unless I hold the power button and shuts off after closing

My mac book pro (current gen) shuts off after closing the screen and won't start up unless I hold the power button for about 10 secs.
Any suggestions?

Do a SMC and PRAM reset and read this guide

I have mac os x10.4.11 Tiger , i tried to update and after I did that when I tried to use itunes, but it doesn't open.. can anyone tell me what I have to do to fix this ??

I have mac os x10.4.11 Tiger , i tried to update and after I did that when I tried to use itunes, but it doesn't open.. can anyone tell me what I have to do to fix this ??

Hello,
Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Classic/OS9 Apps no longer supported.
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
There are workarounds if the 867MHz CPU is the only hangup...
http://sourceforge.net/projects/leopardassist/
http://lowendmac.com/osx/leopard/unsupported.html
So we know more about it...
At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, report the version of OSX from that window, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: eMac
Model Identifier: PowerMac6,4
Processor Name: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Processor Speed: 1.42 GHz
Number Of CPUs: 1
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.9.2f1

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

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