My macbook is stuck on the startup screen! help!

Okay so I restarted my macbook when the itunes update came out. And now when I turn it back on it stays on the apple screen with the loading circle. I've tryed all the key commands and stuff. Also I tryed putting my mac os install disc in because some one told me to. And now I have a disc stuck in it. I don't have enough money to take it in. I can't believe I spent 2,000 bucks on this. Someone help!

Okay so it finally made it to the login screen. When the loading screen popped up it automaticly spammed some random letters. I pressed back and it took forever to get back. And now I finnaly got to my desktop. Its SOOOOO slow now. I tryed opening system preferences and its still loading. What should I do?

Similar Messages

My macbook is stuck at the startup screen

i see the apple logo and the loading circle thing and its stuck, it just won't start. Can anyone help?

Hi Justin,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Insert the first of the two disks that came with your Mac. Restart the computer while holding down the C key. This will boot off the DVD. When it's booted, choose "Disk Utility" from the menubar at the top of the screen. Select your hard disk in the left pane of the window and click the Repair button.
After the repair process is complete, reboot the Mac normally and see if it starts up off your hard disk. If not, try booting in safe mode. To do so, hold down the Shift key as you turn the computer on and continue holding it until you see the spinning gear below the Apple logo. If the computer boots in safe mode, restart and see if it then boots normally.

Why does my macbook pro gets stuck in the startup screen?? its the older versiom

its like stuck in the startup screen. i tried a few times and even took out the battery twice. please help!! i have some important document stored inside i cannot retrieve now!!!!
i think the operating system is like 10.7.something

You might have a failing hard drive. If you're running 10.7.x, try booting into your Recovery partition - holding down the Command and R keys whilst booting. Once at the installatio screen, use Disk Utility to verify and, if needed, repair your hard drive. If it can be repaired, you should be good to go - if it can't be repaired then you're going to need to go shopping for a new drive.
Clinton

My White Macbook is stuck at the loading screen, and disk utility, safe mode doesn't work either. What should I do?

I went on vacation a few days ago and in El Salvador, they have this mobile broadband sticks. Well, I was using one until it gave me a network error. After that, it shut down my computer entirely. The first time it happened, I didn't think much of it. I took the battery out and put it back in for it could work. It happened another two times, and after the third time, my MacBook stays stuck at the loading screen, and it will take 5-10 minutes on that screen, before it shuts down, or it wouldn't turn on at all. I've tried booting into safe mode, but it appears to not boot into it. I've tried resetting the Pram, and using disk utility, but that still won't work. I don't know what else to do to make it boot into OS X Lion.
I'm an AP student, and the majority of my work is in that computer, and it is very important! What can I do? Not only that, but I enter school in a few weeks and I need the AP work by the time I enter.
What can I do? Can someone help?
Thanks

Reinstalling Lion Without the Installer
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. Alterhatively, 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 the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

My iPod is stuck on the startup screen, showing just the apple logo. Has anyone had this problem before? If yes, then how did you solve it?

My iPod is stuck on the startup screen, showing just the apple logo. Has anyone had this problem before? If yes, then how did you solve it?

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- Try on another computer
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

Lenovo ThinkPad R500 gets stuck on the startup screen

Hello!
I searched for a solution but couldn't find one.
In my company we only use Thinkpads and I got an R500 wich was replaced by a newer model.
It was working (I saw it), the admin told me he would delete the bios-password. He opened BIOS->Security (did see wich password he changed) closed it and gave it to me.
Now on startup it is stuck on the startup screen saying "To interrupt normal startup, press blue ThinkVantage button", and no button does anything. I removed CMOS-Battery but still the same.
Any help appreciated
Best regard
Proton

Check USB port whether it is broken or pin is touching each other.
Regards,
Jin Li
May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

Macbook stuck at the startup screen

Yesterday I was prompted to install updates on my macbook. After the updates were installed I was told to restart the computer. Once it restarted, it was stuck on the grey startup screen. I let it sit for hours because I thought it was loading. It never went past that screen so I shut it off. This morning I turned it back on and it is stuck at the same screen. What is wrong? and what should I do?

Hi Justin,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Insert the first of the two disks that came with your Mac. Restart the computer while holding down the C key. This will boot off the DVD. When it's booted, choose "Disk Utility" from the menubar at the top of the screen. Select your hard disk in the left pane of the window and click the Repair button.
After the repair process is complete, reboot the Mac normally and see if it starts up off your hard disk. If not, try booting in safe mode. To do so, hold down the Shift key as you turn the computer on and continue holding it until you see the spinning gear below the Apple logo. If the computer boots in safe mode, restart and see if it then boots normally.

My Macbook is stuck at the loading screen (the apple with the spinning circle beneath it). I went to Best Buy, they told me to call Apple Help and ask them to restore my unit. But Apple help wont help me without charging me. Help please !!

My Macbook Pro is stuck at the loading screen (the apple with the spinning circle underneath). I went to Best Buy to get help, and they told me to call Apple Help and ask them to 'restore my unit', which he said is a matter of only about 4 mouse clicks. If it was so easy, I didn't understand why he couldn't do it for me. But he said that even though I have a 3 year warranty and protection plan with them, they were not responsible for this type of problem. Whatever.
Anyway, so I called Apple Help, and even though he was familiar with my problem, it's been more than 90 days since I purchased the laptop, therefore I'd have to set up a service agreement to get his assistance, meaning I'd have to PAY him. So now i'm stuck, and I'm just hoping somebody knows what to do to help me
I don't have any disc that I apparently need, and I don't remember ever getting one. However, if there is some other way to fix this issue, please let me know. Thanks for your time and assistance
Brenna

HI, have you blown the dust out lately?
Does it boot better/further if allowed to cool?
If you're sure the RAM is good, try the Hair Dryer trick...
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=13240047#13240047
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15223603#15223603
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15499912#15499912
https://discussions.apple.com/message/15613068#15613068
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3270112
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16053892#16053892
No power light at all...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3692775?tstart=0
It can show on any G5, and even many other computers & electronic devices of the period.
http://www.macintouch.com/reliability/pmg5.html
http://lowendmac.com/ppc/power-macintosh-g5.html
And see this last one in particular...
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16781690#16781690
Heat gun better...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3916312?tstart=0
If we don't get more help or answers here, feel free to join my site & ask...
http://x704.net/bbs

Macbook pro stuck at gray startup screen w/ apple and spinning dial

Hi, every time I try to start my computer, it gets stuck at the gray screen w/ the apple logo and the dial just keeps spinning and spinning like it is loading or something, but nothing changes and I've waited for an hour. What should I do?

First,
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and Leopard.) 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. Now shutdown the computer for a couple of minutes and then restart normally.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger, and 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.6.1 for Leopard) 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.
If this doesn't help (and it probably will not) then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with the OS X installation until you reach the screen where you select a destination drive. Select your hard drive then click on the Options button. Select the Erase and Install option then click on the OK button. Finish installing OS X.

Macbook getting stuck on the gray screen with the apple

Please help!
I had to turn off my computer this morning manually becuase it froze and when I went to turn it back on, it just gets stuck on the gray screen at the beginning. It will have the apple logo on it for a while and then switch to a "folder" with a questions mark in the middle, then to circle with a line through it and will never actually boot up. Please, any thoughts would be wonderful!

Do you have your install discs with you? If so, insert Install Disc 1 into the optical drive and boot the computer while holding the C key. The OS X Installer should load. Choose a language to proceed. Once that window is gone, menus should appear at the top of the screen. From the Utilities menu choose *Disk Utility*. In the left-hand column, highlight your hard drive's icon--the one that lists the xx.x GB capacity/manufacturer. If you have installed Windows via BootCamp, choose the *Macintosh HD* icon. Choose the *Repair Disk* button. If anything cannot be repaired, post the error here. If nothing needs to be repaired, click the *Repair Permissions* button. Also check the *S.M.A.R.T. status* of the drive in the lower-right corner.
Best of luck!
~Lyssa

My mac is still on the startup screen help!!!

Today I did a system clean up with a program called macsweep and then i restarted my computer because my safari wouldnt open after the clean was complete and now my macbook is stuck on the start up screen with the little circle animation (for the last 25 minutes), i am wondering if it is possible that the clean up program may have deleted some start up stuff that the computer needed HELP ME!!

Some system files are apparently damaged. Do this:
Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
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.
If you have Leopard installed or earlier then do this:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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. Now restart normally.
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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Finder quit, won't go past the startup screen - Help!

Hello,
I was happily using my ibook when out of no where, my entire desktop disappeared. I tried to reopen the finder, but it wouldn't budge, so I thought I'd restart.
After trying to restart a couple times, the applications in my dock would work but my entire desktop was still missing and finder was not opening...
I shut it down and left it alone for a bit. I came back and turned it on and now it will get to the startup screen and then proceed to the blue screen with the white box where the computer begins to load and it freezes. I hear no sounds at all. It just stays frozen.
Does anyone know what this problem might be and are there any solutions to getting it fixed? I hope to God this does not affect any of the files I have on my computer. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to Apple Discussions!
It's hard to know what the problem is, and I suspect that it will take more knowledgeable people than me to solve it, but there are a couple of things you can try first.
One thing is to run the Apple Hardware Test. It will be on one of the Cd's that came with your computer, either on one of the install discs or as a separate disc. It will look for hardware problems and give you an error code if it finds one. It doesn't find everything, but it is supposed to detect serious hardware failures.
Did either of you get a flashing question mark when you tried to start up?
Another thing to do (just on general principles) if you can access your utilities is to use Disk Utility to verify and repair if necessary both permissions and the disk. If the disk indicates that it needs repair, you will need to boot from your install disc and use the Disk Utility on it to repair the start up disk.
Please try these and post back if you have any questions about how to do either of these. If you get any error codes from the AHT or any indications of hard drive problems from DU, please post back with these.
Akamoe 243, welcome to you too! It sounds like you have a similar problem on the face of it, but it's hard to say if it will have the same cause. You can also run the AHT and DU and just follow this thread. But if you get an error code or a problem shows up with DU, it would be advisable to start your own thread so that your problem can get the attention it deserves.
Good luck to both of you!

HT3964 What can I do to fix my macbook pro when it's stuck on the startup screen, grey apple with spinning timer?

Please help!

The SMC Reset is for power related issues which you don't have.
The Gray Screen issue occurs if there is a incompatible or outdated third party at boot kernel extension file or if there is a corruption in one of the files of OS X itself.
You can bypass the kext files at boot by holding the Shift Key down while booting the machine, this will hopefully allow you to get in and backup users files off the machine first.
The best method to quickly fix Gray Screen issues is simply to #8 Reinstall Just OS X method, that way it kicks out any and all at boot kext files and gives a new copy of OS X itself, without touching most other programs or your files.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac
You will need to Software Update fully until clear afterwards to bring your security and Apple programs up to date, then evaluate which third party programs are no longer working (no at boot kext files) and seeing if there is a update for them that is compatible with your latest OS X verison before reinstalling them.

My MacBook is stuck on the loading screen. Please help! Not sure what to do

Hi, so my MacBook has stopped working for some reason
I've just tried switching it on but it has stopped on the loading screen.
I am scared and not sure what to do.
Please help!!!

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 boot failure is to secure your 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 your last backup, you can skip this step.
There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to boot. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
a. Boot into 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, boot 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
Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to boot, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can boot 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.
If you've booted from an external storage device, make sure that your internal boot volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
Step 3
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
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 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.
When you boot 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, your boot volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot 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 reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
If the boot process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
Step 4
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 5
Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select your 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 reboot as usual.
Step 6
Reinstall the OS. If your Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
Step 7
Repeat Step 6, but this time erase the boot volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer your data from a Time Machine or other backup.
Step 8
This step applies only to older Macs (not current models) that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery. Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a gray screen at boot. Typically the boot failure will be preceded by loss of the startup disk and system clock settings. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 9
If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. If you can't get to an Apple Store, go to another authorized service provider.

My Macbook is stuck on the grey screen and we don't have the original installation discs. Please help

Hi there,
We have a late 2008 Model MacBook (Serial No: 45920ccp9gu) It has suddenly stopped working and is stuck on the grey start up screen, I have tried to press the Command and R Keys after chime and also the hold of Option key, but both don't work, I can't tell what version of software is installed, (we bought it second hand) but I thin it is Snow Leopard. Any ideas how to fix this? Many thanks

. The 10.6 Snow Leopard DVD is in the Apple online store. You can get it for $19.99. http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Command + R is only for 10.7 Lion or 10.8 or Mountain Lion. For 10.6 Snow Leopard or lower you need a DVD install disk.
Put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

My macbook is stuck on the startup screen! help!

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