OS X Lion 10.8.2 won't boot into recovery mode

Help! OS X Lion 10.8.2 won't boot into recovery mode, I get a grey screen, the apple icon and the spinning symbol...Does anyone have any suggestions?
Have a MacBook Pro (2009) and had no problems until upgrading to LIon from Snow Leopard... thanks!

Hi there - thanks very much for your suggestion, it did reboot eventually but took a long time to get there.
I've have run Disk Utility. After Verifying the disk it said it needed Repairing - so tried doing that and got the message " Error: Utility can't repair this disk. Back up as many of your files as possible, reformat the disk, and restore your backed-up files" I have got Time Machine but haven't backed-up since Dec 12...Can I use "Restore" to copy the MBP HD to an external HD and then re-install Lion?

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My MacBook won't boot into recovery mode after new hard drive installation. Please help!

I just installed a new hard drive. On boot it keeps on going to the flashing folder with a question mark inside.
I was able to format the new hard drive but am unable to boot into recovery mode to install the operating system over the air.
When I hold down Command -R it keeps on taking me to the flashing folder.
Please help!

A new hard drive doesn't have a recovery partition. It's totally blank.You're going to need either your original install discs or a Snow Leopard retail disc from which partition, format and install OS X.

Yosemite install won't boot into any mode

Really sorry if this has been covered before but I spent a good time searching and couldn't find any existing posts with symptoms to the same extent.
I've got a 2008 iMac 27" and have the latest version of Yosemite installed (10.10.1 I guess). I upgraded to Yosemite probably 2-3 weeks ago and everything has been fine. Then yesterday when I woke it up from sleep it effectively froze - no mouse or keyboard input. So I did a reset by holding down the power button, and when I turned it back on it went to the apple logo boot screen with a progress bar that gets to just below 50% and stuck there. I've restarted quite a few times and left it running up to six hours and still it doesn't boot.
Now this is similar to the issue here - OSX Yosemite won't boot after install on mid 2010 iMac - except I am unable to boot into any mode, and the only startup keys accepted are the P-RAM reset. It won't boot into recovery mode (command+R), safe mode (Shift), startup drive select mode (Option), diagnostics mode (D)... nothing
I've booked into a Genius Bar appointment when the Apple stores reopen after Christmas, but I'm hoping that is a last resort and to be honest I'm unsure what they can do for me except to say it's a lost cause.
Are there any suggestions on what could be happening and why it's ignoring the startup modes? I would have suggested the keyboard not being recognised except the P-RAM command works perfectly, so it's obviously seeing it. I'm a little scared that because it won't let me into a boot device menu (which must operate independent of any HDD) then there's an issue ahead of that in the boot sequence, so possibly the motherboard is shot...
Sorry if I seem a little desperate. I had a HDD crash two years ago to the day (great Christmas present Apple) and it kind of puts a dampener on things.
Happy holidays and I'm grateful for any help that anyone can offer

Hello there, semerton.
Great job on troubleshooting the issue on your own so far. The following Knowledge Base aritcle offers some additional steps to try for resolving your issue:
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup - Apple Support
Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Pedro.

HT201263 What if my ipod touch won't go into recovery mode because it is pw locked?

What if my ipod touch won't go into recovery mode because it is pw locked?

Go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here.

Mountain Lion only boots into Recovery mode after using iCould lock

Hi everyone!
I have searched the forums for hours now, but I can't seen to find an answer to my question, so I'd like to ask it.
Recently my system partition failed due to frequent kernel panics caused by a cable in the screen I think. The kernel panics still occur, but I don't know what to do with them.
I managed to save my files and reinstall my osx, which is Snow Leopard (the disc came with the computer). Then I wanted to install my purchased copy of Lion through Appstore, but it said it's no longer available in my country and I couldn't download it again.
Then I decided to buy a copy of Mountain Lion which I tried to install. I managed to do it, and I tried to explore my new operation system.
I tried the iCloud app as well, including the Lock. It locked the computer, and rebooted, but ever since I couldn't unlock it.
When it asks for the password I enter it and it accepts it, but doesn't unlock, only lets me into Recovery mode. Now I reinstalled the whole thing over again and when the Mountain Lion install finishes, it only boots into the Recovery HD without asking.
So if I reboot my computer, no matter what I do it only boots into Recovery Mode.
Please help!!
Mike

I was afraid the Apple Store wasn't going to be an option.
Based on your previous post, I was under the impression you could download Mountain Lion, but when you installed it, it locked up again. Not true?
I don't know how to remove it. You can try contacting Apple support through the link below to see if they can help you get this unlocked.
Apple Support Contact
Are the kernal panics new since all this happened?
Here is some information about kernal panics.
Kernel Panics - About
Kernel Panics - Avoiding and Eliminating
Kernel Panics FAQ
Kernel Panics FAQ (2)
Kernel Panics - Understanding and Debugging
The articles discuss where kernal panic reports are filed. After you have a kernal panic, copy the report and post it here. Please copy and paste rather than using a screen shot. There are several people who can read them and they can suggest what to do next. Reading kernal panic reports isn't something I've totally figured out yet.

Won't boot into safe mode

My 2012 iMac 27" was randomly rebooting itself, while in Sleep. I assumed this was due to the cheap 32 GB memory I bought, but before I could change it back to the original memory, to test, the Mac booted into Safe Mode (I assume - a progress bar showing at the bottom of the boot screen, below the Apple logo), and did not get further than a half the way, and then shut down. I swapped the memory to the original 8GB. I tried booting again, no buttons held down, as then it wouldn't get further than a quarter of the way. Further attempts to boot do not work, even when holding down Option to choose the boot disk, pressing Shift for Safe Mode, or Option-S for Single User Mode. I assume it's trying to boot in Safe Mode, but failing?
I also tried using a good Mac with the bad Mac as the Target Disk boot mode - the good Mac does not see the bad Mac...
I have an external DVD drive, but that isn't an option as I can't go into boot drive select mode. What are my options, apart from sending the iMac back?

Booting into the Recovery HD should allow you to effect repairs - that's the point of it, so it's a bit concerning that it won't allow you to. The Recovery HD is a partition on the internal drive that should allow you to effect repairs to the Macintosh HD, albeit part of the same physical disk.
I'm no expert, but I'd be concerned that the hard disk is on the way out. Do you have backup of everything - Time Machine or a bootable clone, perhaps?
Maybe have another try with Command+r. If it fails I'm not sure what would be the best next step - it depends if you have a full and up-to-date backup of your disk so that you can restore.
One of the options of the Recovery HD is to allow you to re-install the OS, which won't delete your data.
The more extreme step would be Internet Recovery which would involve erasing everything and re-installing via the internet.
Worth reading this carefully before proceeding: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
Disk Warrior from Alsoft (not cheap) is another possibility for recovering damaged disks, although it's not a guaranteed solution.

Macbook Pro won't boot into safe mode or via bootable USB key

Hi,
Am running OSX Lion latest version on my Macbook Pro 4,1 and can't get the thing to boot from any source. Always get's stuck at the grey screen with apple logo. Have tried all the following...
- Straight Boot (power on)
- Boot via Recovery HD (hold option on bootup then select)
- Boot via Safe Mode (Holding Shift on bootup)
- Boot via Safe Mode Verbose (Shift, Command, V)
- Boot via bootable Lion USB Key (Hold option, and choose the USB drive - not the same USB key works on my other macbook pro)
On every one (except verbose) it just get's stuck on the grey screen with spinning timer thingie.
I have done PVRAM reset, SMC reset and have reseated the RAM and all to no avail. I'm pretty sure the problem was caused by removing battery at wrong time (device not responding after sleep mode started and I plugged in power - should have been more patient!)
I have a Time Machine backup but it's a bit older than I thought and very much want to get my newer photos off it before rebuilding - not that Time Machine would work in current state anyway.
So what are my remaining options? Will I have to open it up and remove the HD as next step or is there anything else left to try? Can I remove the HD and connect it via a USB caddy to my existing Mac to recover info (hardrive spins and sounds ok to me)?
Any advice appreciated...

ds store wrote:
Yes, once the data is off you can use Disk Utility to Erase the entire drive (Lion + Recovery) with the Zero option (one selection below 7x) then use the Lion USB to install it fresh and stick it back into the machine.
Thanks for the info - I removed the HD and data is all ok on there so very happy about that. Before I wipe the data (all backed up now) I thought I would try booting the mac without any harddrive installed - using a OSX Lion bootable USB. However, still can't get past the grey apple screen and circle icon whirling away. I know the USB works ok, as tried it in my 2011 Macbook Pro and it boots absolutely fine.
I am happy to wipe the HD now and start again, but seeing as the DVD Drive is broken I'll probably need a USB drive boot to install OSX onto the wiped HD anyway. I'm a bit lost as to what to try now.

Serious imac problem. Won't boot into safe mode, can't click anything when os loads up.

I'm trying to recover my files through the boot camp option on the windows side. Is there anyway to run something like disk warrior or windows alternative to repair the partition from the windows side. I don't think I'm going to be able to get all the files off my computer cause the hard drive is messed up and not working well. But I'm not completely dead. Safe mode won't work and I tried the fsck from single user which didn't work either. Any help would be great, please save my wounded mac!

I didnt change anything. Literally nothing. I am typically pretty good with computers but this is kinda driving me crazy. I didnt mess with anything in disk utility or partition sizes. I installed boot camp years ago so i dont really understand why i was moved to this forum. I use it for music production and web surfing. (windows for a little gaming) but havnt gamed or installed anyting in.. a month or longer.
I am thinking the hdd is having a problem. I never did anything with permissions which i heard could get messed up. But i cant do anything on the Mac side now just a spinning ball.

2011s MacBook Pro won't install Yosemite neither reboot or boot into recovery mode.

Hello everyone, I've searched all around the web and didn't find a solution.
Sorry about my english, btw, I'm from Brasil lol!
I have a 2011s MacBook Pro, used to run Snow Leopard until 2 days ago, when I downloaded Yosemite and restarted the computer to run the installation.
During the process, it stopped at 22%, and said: FILE SYSTEM VERIFY OR REPAIR FAILED.
I tried to reboot on Macintosh HD as usual, but it's not possible, I can't unmount the HD to repair it, can't erase it and I'm a little desperate.
I have a good backup of important files on an external drive, so the best solution for me would be to format the HD again, with the Yosemite image which appears to be running at startup.
Command+ anything at startup doesn't work, probably because the Yosemite install is trying to run...
Any suggestions???
Thank you!

Hey Vince,
I have the same or similar issue. Please forgive my English, as I attended American Public schools
So last night, my MacBook Pro told me hey you want to download this free and amazing new OS called Yosemite?
(I'm adding to your post to hopefully grab more attention and then maybe grab a solution from someone out there..)
I thought yea, no, maybe, okay it's free, they say it is amazing-- why not?!?
So I downloaded and clicked okay to restart and install the new OS.......but it won't install the OS and I get stuck here on this screen.
I have tried restarting about 10 ties. I have tried quitting the install but it won't allow me to boot from Mac HD or my time capsule HD. I tried going into the menu options above but it won't let me repair or reboot or anything to get my MacBook to work again.
It is pretty frustrating. I went from having a working MacBook Pro to having a nightlight.
Vince- if you get a solution or a fix, Please let me know.
Thanks
john

Hard drive won't boot into safe mode

My mid 2010 Macbook Pro has suddenly decided to not boot up after installing BitDefender and running a scan.
I installed it on a whim when I saw minor malware that hijacked Safari, and decided to run a scan. While I was working on Photoshop, the scan must have finished because all of my windows disappeared and I was left with my desktop and the spinning gray loading at the bottom of my screen. I waited 20 minutes, realized it wasn't going anywhere and force shut down the Macbook by power button.
Now, I cannot successfully get it past the grey apple loading screen. Attempting to boot into safe mode still leaves it at the same screen. Tried to reset the PRAM, still can't get past the loading screen. I still have my OS disk, however it is Snow Leopard and my current is Mavericks and I'm unsure if it is a wise idea.
15 inch mid 2010 Macbook Pro running OS X Mavericks, how dead in the water am I and how much would this cost me to "fix"?

Use the original Snow Leopard installation disk and start the MBP as if you were going to reinstall the OSX. Early in the process you should see a menu bar on the top of the display. Click on UTILITIES and from the dropdown menu select Disk Utility. Run Disk Utility>First Aid, Verify and Repair. If it is not successful, the HDD will have to be replaced.
Ciao.

IMac won't boot into safe mode

Hello. I hope this is the right forum.
I have an iMac (2010 ish) that recently encountered system slugishness and then eventually would not start. All we got was the white screen, the apple logo, the spinning gear and the progress bar. It is currently stuck on the white screen with the aple logo and the spinning gear after trying to start in safe mode. Do any of you kind folk have some suggestions on what to do next? Thanks in advance.

Thank you for your reply. I have just attempted an AHT where I followed the instructions for OSX 10.7 and above. I chose this, even though I have the 10.6.4 Install disk because we upgraded this computer to 10.7. The machine did not do the test. It just repeated the same behaviour as before, white screen, apple logo, spinning gear and progress bar for several seconds and then the bar dissapears. Should I have tried the AHT by using the install disk as noted?

OS hangs at grey startup screen, won't boot into safe mode

I rebooted my G5 this morning and when it came back up, it hung on the grey screen with the Apple logo and the spinning 'gear' progress bar. I tried rebooting several times, but that didn't help. I tried booting from the install DVD (which it did) and ran disk utility (both verify & repair on the start up drive and on permissions. It claims to have found permission errors and fixed them.) I hunted for answers online and tried to boot into safe mode, which did not work.
Someone mentioned booting into verbose mode and I saw that the load sequence was choaking on the login.
What could the problem be and how can I fix it?

Hi Yosarian,
Minor permissions repairs are no concern: The good news is that your data is probably OK.
Three things can be happening: Some of the machines boot settings are corrupted, or the OS files or settings are damaged, or there's a hardware problem.
Resetting the machines power management chip, called a PMU or SMU, depending on your computer, and the PRAM will resolve machine boot settings problems. Run a google search for your model of Mac plus reset pmu OR smu for instructions. After that, reboot your computer and hold Option-Apple-P-R down as you power on. Hold all 4 keys until you hear the startup chime a second time.
You can test your hardware with the grey disk that came with it that ays AHT in little letters. Boot from the CD and run the extended test. Be patient: AHT can take a long time to boot and run.
If you reset your PMU and PRAM and pass a hardware diagnostic but still can't boot normally, in safe mode, or in single-user mode, the problem is system software. Reinstall from your latest installer, checking off Archive and Install and Preserve Users and Settings from the Options screen available at the screen where you choose which disk to install to.
Good luck,
John

Ipod Won't Go into Recovery Mode

I tried holding down the home button as I am plugging it up to my computer, and I keep holding it after I get it in waiting for the Recovery Mode Icon to Pop up. But all it does is go to the home screen as if I turned it on. Help.

- Try these instructions:
Recovery Mode
- Try using this program
RecBoot: Easy Way to Put iPhone into Recovery Mode

HT201263 Ipod touch won't go into recovery mode

When I press Home button, I either get picture of battery charging with red strip or apple logo . I never get the picture of itunes logo with a USB cord .

Try:
iOS: Not responding or does not turn on

My iPod touch won't go into recovery mode

I have a first generation iPod touch, with a slightly broken home button (I have to press it really hard to work).I had just erased the memory off of it, and it had rebooted. As it starts up, it keeps getting stuck on a screen with an Apple logo, wth a loading circle below. The circles spins for a few seconds and then stops. I have tried hard reset (home and power button). I have also tried home and power button for ten seconds, and then just home button for ten seconds. I have tried that numerous times, while in iTunes, and while out of it. I really need some help, as it has no warranty left, so I cannot return it.
Thanks in return,
P.S I really would apprecciate any help.

This program my place the iPod in recovery mode:
RecBoot iPod-1.0.2-Mac-Jaxov.zip - File Shared from Box.net - Free Online File Storage

OS X Lion 10.8.2 won't boot into recovery mode

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