On Startup, Stuck at the Gray Apple Screen & No Bootup
I used my powerbook last night and shut it down. Upon getting to work and turning it on, I haven't been able to get past the Gray Apple logo screen and loading dial.
I've been on several different boards and one gave me the steps to restart w/ the OSX install disk and hold "c". This worked, got me to the disk utility tool and I was successful in running a verification and repair. Here's the list of info it gave me:
Verify and Repair volume "Core HD"
Checking Journaled HFS Plus Volume
Checking Extents Overflow File
Checking Catalog File
Checking Multi-Linked Files
Checking Hierarchy
Checking Extended Attributes File
Checking Volume Bitmap
Checking Volume Information
The volume Core HD appears to be ok (in green letters)
So, from that, it "appears" to be ok, but I tried to do a restart from this area booting from the Core HD that contains my working content and I go right back to the gray loading screen.
_Any other advice before I take it to the Apple Genius Bar?_
_Possible issues to look for or tricks to try out?_
==========================
*Back info:* My battery has been going out lately and I noticed for the past week that I have to have my powersupply plugged into the powerbook in order to run (battery isn't keeping juice). So when I've had to disconnect the power supply to put the powerbook in my computer bag, the system shuts down and I have to restart w/ the power supply in.
_Could this have screwed up my HD or anything else?_
Thanks for any help in advance!
Rick in LA
*: SUCCESSFUL UPDATE! :*
So, I tried it all w/o success at home, but was optimistic since I could still see my files when running the disk utility.
I went to the Apple Store near my house and I explained the situation to the Mac Genius guy. Again, he was able to boot from another disk, but still not my internal disk.
Final Determination: Corrupted OS & the need to Archive & Reinstall OSX 10.5
*Result = SUCCESS!*
He said, that the OS must have gotten corrupted by way of an update that didn't fully take or a newly installed program that may have disrupted the system.
So, we reinstalled (took about an hour and some change), I got to play with all the new Apple toys and got access to my desktop again all for free. No charge and of course the customer service was friendly and accommodating.
So, I guess the stuck gray screen w/ apple logo could always mean a couple of things, but if the data is still there and you've run through all other options, you can always try an archive and reinstall. Worked for me and I'm posting this message from my operable Powerbook now.
Thanks for the helpful advice TJK. And thanks for sharing your experience Wim138. Hope this helps anyone experiencing the same issue.
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See Here for Troubleshooting Grey Screen on Startup:
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So today I had a little scare with my Macbook. It was stuck on the grey apple startup screen with the loading icon. Switching it on and off did nothing and neither did waiting. I did a lot of browsing to try and find a solution but all the forums ended in 'looks like thats the end of my mac' or 'I think i've lost everything' or 're-install Os' blah blah etc. I DID NOT WANT TO LOSE ANYTHING!!! and I'm guessing neither do you! Ok so enough talking, in the end I found a solution which worked perfectly for me and I did not lose anything!!!!!:
Step 1
If the Mac is on switch it off.
Once it is off, switch it on again but this time as soon as you press the power button to switch it on, hold down the Apple cmd key + S.
Hold this down untill the 'safe boot' screen appears.
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/sbin/mount -uw /
[press enter]
then type:
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[press enter]
then type:
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Could someone help me, please? I apologize for the long message but I want to be as detailed as possible.
My MacBook (purchased early 2006, white 13", upgraded to Leopard about a year ago with no problems until now) will not boot past the grey screen and spinning wheel.
Here' are the list of 6 steps I've followed so far and still is not working. Oh, and I do not have any peripherals attached to my MacBook:
1. Reboot in Safe Mode: tried pressing down the Shift key before the powering up sound AND after the sound. Could not get into Safe Mode. Did this several times, holding the Shift key for as much as a minute or two. Nothing but grey screen and spinning wheel.
2. Reset NVRAM/PRAM: CMDR+POption: Computer restarted but still goes into Grey Screen, spinning wheel and stays there forever.
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5. Disk Utility Repair Disk Permissions: got several error messages and this time some could not be repaired:
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Stuck at the Gray Apple Startup Screen
I've got a bit of an issue here I could use some help on. Let me first start by saying that I've already researched this some on these boards, but the folks with similar issue threads didn't seem to cover my issue.
I have a PowerPC G4 with 1Ghz/1Gig Ram (I'll call it "Server" for this discussion), that I use as a storage center for my files. It has 2 hard-drives in it that segregate my jobs. I normally connect to each of these hard-drives from my work station to work.
I was gone on vacation for the past 5 days, and left only the Server turned on so I could hook up to it remotely if need be. I returned this morning, booted up my work station, and went to connect to the Server. When I did, neither of the hard drives were showing up over the network, although each was accessible directly at the Server. I decided to reboot the Server to see if they would then show up. This is where my trouble begins...
The computer promptly booted up to the gray screen. I let it sit here for about 10 minutes with no progression. I then decided to try and startup from my OSX install CD so that I could run the disk utility. Oddly, it would not boot from the CD. I tried this a few times, holding down the "C" key each time, but it would just boot to the gray screen and sit idle there.
I then decided to try booting in safe-mode. So I restarted and held down the "shift" key. This seemed to do nothing as well. I discovered online that sometimes it takes awhile for a safe-mode boot, so I have left the computer with a weight holding down the shift-key for the past 30 minutes. Still nothing. Sitting at the gray screen with the small revolving circle of lines.
I have disconnected every peripheral except the monitor and network cable. It is almost like the keyboard isn't being read. I can't eject the CD while at the gray screen, although if I mash the eject key right after the "bong" on reboot, it will eject.
I'm at a loss here and would appreciate any help or insight. I'll keep a close eye on this thread and reply asap to any who has some ideas. Thanks in advance.
Chris Zimmerman
The Nicholson GroupHi, Chris.
1. For the inability to start up from a CD:1.1 Try resetting resetting PRAM and NVRAM.
1.2 Try resetting the PMU (Power Management Unit). Depending on the type of G4 you have, one of the following should apply:• "Power Mac G4 (AGP Graphics/Gigabit Ethernet): Resetting the PMU on the Logic Board."
• "Power Mac G4 (PCI Graphics): Resetting the Logic Board."
If you are unsure as to which model PowerMac G4 you have, start with "PowerMac G4 Models."
2. If you can then boot from a CD:2.1. Run the Apple Hardware Test that came with the affected computer. See my "Apple Hardware Test" FAQ for comprehensive advice on using the Apple Hardware Test in troubleshooting, including running the test in Loop Mode.
2.2. Run the procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.3. As a guess to cause, a power failure may have occurred while you were away. That may have damaged either the affected Mac's hardware or corrupted its startup disk in some way. I recommend all desktop computers have their own UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) to prevent such power-related problems.
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 got this emac from my uncles friend, and they said it's still working so i was likeok lemme see. and when i turned it on i was like "nice it really is working" but right after it went to the loading screen (Gray apple logo with a whiteBG and the loading icon that keeps circling) it wont go any further.. it just stays like that forever.. OMG any ideas???? thanks
Hello, do you have the Install Discs for it?
"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. -
I can't get past the Gray apple screen during start-up Help!!!
I went to open my system pref. folder and when it wouldnt open I restarted it and now I can't get past the first screen of the Gray screen with the apple in the middle and the little spinning circle under it. Can anyone help me? have had several problems with this computer!!! I just had to have a whole new harddrive put in about a month ago.
powerbook g4 15 inch Mac OS X (10.4.8)Welcome to the Discussions!
The first thing to do would be to boot from your original Disk 1 by:
1. Inserting the disc, pressing the power button, and immediately after the startup chime, press and hold the C key until you see the spinning gear icon appear on the grey splash screen.
2. After the machine has booted, pick your language, and when the Installer window appears, do not press Continue, but go to the Utilities menu in the menubar and open Disk Utility.
3. In Disk Utility, choose your normal startup volume in the pane on the left and then click Repair Disk. If any errors show in the window, run Repair Disk again until you see 'The volume appears to be OK' in green.
4. Quit Disk Utility, quit the installer and attempt to restart into your regular startup volume.
Please update your profile so we have a clearer picture of your particular machine.
Joe
<img src="http://homepage.mac.com/joeuu/.Pictures/groundzero5.jpg"width="20" -
HT4623 After I downloaded ios7 my phone is stuck on the black apple screen. Help!
After downloading ios7 my iPhone 4S is stuck cycling through a black screen and the apple screen and will not turn on.
Hi Jessica,
If your iPhone won't progress past the Apple screen, you may find the following article helpful:
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3281
Regards,
- Brenden -
My MacBook pro is stuck at the gray loading screen. How do I fix it?
It's only a month old!
I have tried resetting parameter ram, restarting and holding option to. Load the lion recovery, but nothing seems to work.
Thanks for any help you can offer. This is very frustrating.Resolution
Note: Some steps below may reset preference settings or registration settings.
Disconnect, test peripheral devices and network cables
Note: "Peripheral devices" refers to external devices other than what came with your Mac, such as hard drives, printers, or hubs that you connect via a USB or FireWire cable.
Shut down your Mac. If necessary, hold your Mac's power button for several seconds to force it to power down.
Disconnect all peripheral devices such as external hard drives or printers (leave only the display, a keyboard, and mouse connected).
Disconnect any Ethernet cables.
Start up your Mac.
If you can start up this way, one or more of your peripheral devices (or installed software related to the device) is probably causing the gray screen issue. Connect one device, then restart your Mac to test for the issue. Repeat the process until you locate the device at issue. Make sure the device is powered if it needs to be to operate correctly. Check with the manufacturer of the device for support or possible software driver or firmware updates that may be available for the device. Try a different cable with the device if possible (such as a different USB or FireWire cable).
Note: If you have multiple peripheral devices and the issue only occurs when they are all connected, but not when each device is the only peripheral connected, see the Additional Information section below.
If you are using a desktop Mac with a third-party keyboard and/or mouse device, and the issue still occurs, try starting up with an Apple keyboard and mouse connected instead. Try starting with no keyboard and mouse connected, then connect them after start up. Also, try a different USB port on your Mac.
If the gray screen issue persists with no devices connected, go to the next section (with the peripherals still disconnected).
Perform a Safe Boot
Simply performing the Safe Boot may resolve this issue.
Shut down your Mac. If necessary, hold your Mac's power button for several seconds to force it to power down.
Start your Mac, then immediately hold the Shift key. This performs a Safe Boot. Advanced tip: If you want to see the status of a Safe Boot as it progresses, you can hold Shift-Command-V during start up (instead of just Shift).
Note: A Safe Boot takes longer than a typical start up because it includes a disk check and other operations.
If your Mac starts up as expected, immediately try restarting.
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