Out of nowhere i get a black & gray screen saying to restart

this has happened 3 times since ive gotten my 12" powerbook less than 3 weeks ago. just out of nowhere, doing normal tasks, i get a black & gray screen that takes up most of the screen. it says to press and hold the power button to restart the computer. why is it doing that? the only thing i can think of is my ram, cuz i upgraded it. but i ran the hardware checker from the installation dvds and it said everything was fine. nothing wrong with the ram or any hardware. so how do i fix this and why is it doing this? im not sure whether i had these peripherials connected the other times, but i use a 250gb firewire hard drive most of the time. and i had a 160gb usb hard drive connected this last time (dont use a whole lot). this time i had both connected though.

Steve,,
I've got an iMac G5 and have exactly the same problem. Mine started after I installed Tech Tool Pro. 4.5 update and eDrive. I took the eDrive off but it didn't help and start-ups were only occasionally successful (the computer was getting confused between my system and the eDrive's system).
I ran Tech Tools, Disc Warrior and Disk Utility - all from disc, but to no avail. I will always get the black and grey "crash" screen when the computer is cold, and may have to restart 3 or 4 times before the computer runs. Then it is unstable for 5 or 10 more minutes and may crash in the middle of any activity. Nothing seems to be lost in the crashes and I run Disk Utility every time I get the system up and running. It always gives me this message:
Determining correct file permissions.
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./Library/Widgets. New permissions are 16877
We are using special permissions for the file or directory ./usr/lib/php/build/acinclude.m4. New permissions are 33060
I'll check my hardware as was suggested by another user. Thanks for sharing your "challenge".
MH

Similar Messages

My MacBook Air can't get past the gray screen with the apple logo. What's the fix?

My MacBook Air can't get past the gray screen with the Apple logo, so I can't login. Does anyone know the fix for this?

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 Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the startup chime, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in the support article linked below, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”
How to back up and restore your files
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 by holding down the key combination command-T at the startup chime. Connect the two Macs with a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable. The internal drive of the machine running in target mode will mount as an external drive on the other machine. Copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode
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.
Before reconnecting 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.* The instructions provided by Apple are as follows:
Shut down your computer, wait 30 seconds, and then hold down the shift key while pressing the power button.
When you see the gray Apple logo, release the shift key.
If you are prompted to log in, type your password, and then hold down the shift key again as you click Log in.
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.
*Note: If FileVault is enabled, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t boot in safe mode. Post for further instructions.
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 damaged and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, 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 above for instructions.) 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 produces. Look for the line "Permissions repaired successfully" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 6
Boot into Recovery again. When the OS X Utilities screen appears, follow the prompts to 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.
Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to use Recovery. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with proxy servers, or with networks that require a certificate for authentication.
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 backup.
Step 8
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.

I get a black capture screen (preview), but video captures fine. What gives?

I get a black capture screen when capturing with CS6 on a Windows 7 machine. I'm capturing through Firewire from DV tape, via the VCR function of a Canon XL2 camera. I have tried restarting, etc.; also toggled the "preview video" radio from the Settings button in the capture Window. Nothing works and I need to be able to preview my video as I'm capturing. It is not good enough that the video actually captures fine. Also, I am forced to turn off Device Control in order to capture because it kicks me out of every capture (an immediate message of : "no frames captured") unless I do. Please help.

I'm not familiar with the process of rolling back to a previous update and I assume that is what you are suggesting? It looks like I'm running 6.05. Are you suggesting I roll all the way back to 6.00 past 6.04. 6.03, etc? And if I do roll back, does that mean I have to completely uninstall and reinstall CS6 first? That would be a royal pain.
A little more updated info: It's not just in attempting to capture from a DV tape that I get the black capture screen, but the live firewire signal is also black, though again it actaully captures just fine, I just cannot monitor the screen while doing it.
And it's definitely not something physical, like a bad firewire cable, because I also have the old 2.0 version of Premiere installed on the same machine so I tried an experiment: I open CS6, then open the capture screen (which of course remains black). So I close CS6 and open 2.0 and then open the capture window. It too is black. But if I restart my machine and open 2.0 without first opening CS6, and then open the capture window, the display is just fine. So obviosuly some service from CS6 is remaining open when I close it and thus affecting 2.0.
This problem is really starting to irritate me.

My mac doesnt start. All i get is the gray screen with the apple and the loading icon but nothing more happens. I tried to start it in safe mode but it doesnt help. What can i do?

My mac doesnt start. All i get is the gray screen with the apple and the loading icon but nothing more happens. I tried to start it in safe mode but it doesnt help. What can i do?

If you have a external USB enclosure - trying installing your hard drive in that enclosure and connect it to your usb port - restart your macbook while holding down the options key. If you Macbook boots to your desktop then you have a faulty cable. If you get the same error, then your hard drive just died on you.
good luck.

HT4095 I have a downloaded movie that has frozen 90% of the way thru watching it. When I try to launch it I just get a black iPad screen. Any way to remedy this?

I have a downloaded movie that has frozen 90% of the way thru watching it. When I try to launch it I just get a black iPad screen. Any way to remedy this?

This is a Microsoft problem. Contact them for assistance: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/295539
mitch86 wrote:
... However, for work, I still have to use Microsoft.
Are you certain about that? There are many alternatives to Office today. Consider
LibreOffice (donation-supported)
NeoOffice ($10 but older version is free)
OpenOffice (completely free)
In addition to the above I also recommend Apple's Pages ($19.99). All of these options allow you to open, edit, and save Word-formatted documents and spreadsheets. I use OpenOffice and Pages and have been completely Microsoft - free for over a year now. Life is better without Microsoft.

Stuck on gray screen on warm restarts

I just wanted to add a data point to the problem of getting stuck gray screens with warm restarts.
My Mac Mini 3,1 (early 2009) started arresting at the gray screen with the logo upon warm restarts. If I shut down entirely and waited for a while, or if I unplugged the mini for a few seconds, it would start up fine and work normally. I tried replacing the hard drive (it was due for a bigger one anyway) and installing Mt Lion from scratch; but that did not affect the problem one bit.
I took the Mini to the local Genius Bar, and when we couldn't reproduce the problem, I noticed we were using a VGA cable with an old monitor. My Mini was hooked up with a Monoprice mini DVI to DVI cable at home. When I got home, I swapped the Monoprice cable out and replaced it with an Apple mini DVI to DVI adaptor connected to a standard DVI cable, and my Mini runs like new. It also runs 10-15 degrees Celsius cooler. I postulate that the Monoprice cable was stressing the video chip and causing other problems.
I'm bummed because I was all set to get a new Mini or iMac.
I hope this helps someone out there.

I got a message from Monoprice's returns department verifying my shipping address; so I guess the lifetime warranty applies. I'll see if the problem goes away with a new Monoprice cable; but the computer is running like a champ right now.
I'm not totally happy about that. I was getting pumped about needing a new computer; and how I'll have to put off the upgrade until the current Mini won't handle OS updates.

HT2173 my iMac will not get past the start screen, after i restarted it after it not being able to upload my photos from my iPhone 4S to iPhoto app on my iMac bc a visa vas about 3:15 min

my iMac will not get past the start screen, after i restarted it after it not being able to upload my photos from my iPhone 4S to iPhoto app on my iMac bc a visa vas about 3:15 min. What should I do to get my imac past this?

According to your posted Profile here you are running a PPC based iMac. This Forum is only for "Intel iMac's", and so to get the expert and correct help you need you should repost your question in the "PPC iMac Forum".
Hope this helps

My Macbook Pro won't get off of gray screen, can't get to recovery screen either.

My Macbook Pro 15" early 2011 (not even two years old darn it) decided to not play nice. It was going slow and then it just went blank to the gray screen after rebooting. I have done EVERY step that I have been told to do. I have been reading everything I could find on this since last Friday. I have 2 back ups now from CCCloner but no time machine. I was able to get into the recovery screen yesterday but could not get in it today. I tried to click option on start up and run recovery 10.8.2 but then it just goes to the dark blue screen with lines. I even put in my snow leopard disc to see if it would start up and no go. It just shows apple and then wheely thing.. and then either dark blue screen with lines or gray screen. Ive reset pram, fsuk,single user mode, etc etc... all the steps except going to a "genius" and now I have an appt in the am. I am comfortable with my back ups.. wish I had a time machine back up but that was corrupt. Oh and I did the disc utility on friday and it said that my permisions were not correct.. etc etc. so i did a repair and everything is fine. I have since done that 3 times while in T mode during my back up and it says my hardrive is ok. I can not access disc utilty unless its in T mode and I access it from my hubby's computer.
Bottom line is this... nothing is working. I have done all the steps that I have known or read about. Even my techie is stumped. Is there anything else that I should do before going in to the darn "genius bar" ? I live in Key Largo and its not easy to just make a trip to the mainland to Miami. Of course I am willing but I am hoping I can atleast install mountain lion myself. Oh I also made a mountain lion recovery assistant with my usb... and tried to boot from that.. no luck.
Again its always the blue screen with vertical lines or gray screen.
Any ideas? Suggestions?
I'm a loss and NEED to start working again. I've lost almost a weeks worth of work and I am a wedding photographer. My brides will be bridezilla's before long.
thanks!

Hey Man I have the same problem, One day the screen just went black and from then onwards it has been reall problematic, I went to the apple store but they wanted about 100 bucks to have a look at it, although they did a diagnostic for free, but it didnt reval anything.
They said it was either the screen or the graphics card, and each one cost 750USD but 100USD to find out which........ I didnt fork out the cash though, a bit expensive!!!!!!!
However I did get the computer back up and running, by holding Opt on start up, mostly it goes to the f**king dark blue screen with the vertical lines. But every 10 to 15 goes I can get to the disk utility, If you run the repair disk and repair premonitions, then start up again it should boot up, you may get a day or two out of it before BOOM back the blue screen of vertical death.
I believe its the graphics thats busted, (which is soldered to the logicboard) so the only to fix it according to the apple guys is to get a new one at 750USD and about 2 weeks to get it done. here is a app called gfxCardStatus, and it tells you which card ur using (there is 2) when the card switches the computer crashes, you can set the app to only use the "Intrergrated card" but you cant watch movies or iweb, camera, just web browsing and text stuff....... the other HD card does all the other heaver graphic processing............
I hope this helps, but all in all, lots of people have had the same problem and Apple have not declared it a fault on there part, they boast about the quality of there products but in essence my last macbook died suddenly........ I invested in a macbookpro (early 2011) the graphics card is broke, the trackpad doesnt work properly and the screen has screenburn all over the edges and sides........... Seriously!!!! and the reply was buy another computer from the apple guys!!!!!! Pretty disappointed.

I can't get past the gray screen after update of 10.10.3

downloade the new software on my 2011 Mac this morning, and after the download when the computer restarts a gray screen appear. I don't know how to get rid of it. It was working fine before the updat. Anyone have this problem?

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.

I can't get past the gray screen.

I can't log in to my MacBook. When I turn it on, the gray screen comes up and the cursor moves, but I can't click through.
What's going on? 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 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 you use a wireless keyboard, trackpad, or mouse, replace or recharge the batteries. The battery level shown in the Bluetooth menu item may not be accurate.
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, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a Fusion Drive or 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.

Macbook Pro takes long to boot up, Freezes easily, Gets Gray Screen saying restart

I've had my Macbook Pro 13 since November 2010, I am still running Snow Leopard, never upgraded or anything. Since last March, my computer takes a long time to turn on, get to the screen where I log in. If I click anything when it gets to the screen right away, I can't click anything, the mouse moves, but nothing responds. I have to wait a good 15-20 minutes before I can click anything. I usually turn my computer on, and leave, come back 25-30 minutes later, and log in. When I have over 3 applications open, ex Firefox, MS Word, Spotify, my computer lags, and sometimes freezes. The freezes last from 30 seconds, to me having to restart the computer. Sometimes the computer freezes randomly when I'm just browsing. Around 70-80% of the time, when I play a video, using flash player like youtube, my computer lags, and after watching a video or 2, the computer freezes. Most of the time, the freeze stays frozen, and around 10 minutes later my mouse can move, but the screen is frozen, and the rainbow loading symbol starts. I just restart the computer. Sometimes, around once every 2 days, or sometimes it happens around 10 times in a couple of hours of me using the computer, my computer gets a gray screen that descends down the screen, it says in multiple languages that I have to immediately restart my computer by pressing the power button down and then pressing it again. Oh, and the bottom of my computer always gets really really hot when I use it.
It is a huge hassle, I can still use the computer, but I would love it if my computer was fixed.

I am still running Snow Leopard, never upgraded or anything.
What about updates? Check software update.
How large is your hard drive and how much hard drive space do you have left?
Shut down your computer and disconnect all peripherals (keyboard & mouse if pertinent) from your computer. Now reboot.
If the Mac starts up normally, shut it down again and then plug in one of the peripherals (keyboard or mouse first) and start up your computer again. If it does so successfully repeat the process, adding one peripheral at a time until your Mac acts up. At that point, disconnect the last peripheral you added, reboot your Mac and search the peripheral vendor's website for an updated driver.
If no driver exists or the problem remain after installing the new driver, try a different cable or a different port on your Mac.
If none of the above works, again disconnect all peripherals from your Mac, hold down the "shift" key to start up in "Safe Boot" mode.
If the Mac starts up correctly, restart without pressing the "shift" key.
If your computer still does not start up properly, shut it down and restart it while holding down the Apple+Option-P-R keys; keep holding "all 4 keys" down until you hear the startup sound "twice."
If none of the above work Disconnect all peripherals from your computer. Boot from your install disc & run Repair Disk from the utility menu. To use the Install Mac OS X disc, insert the disc, and restart your computer while holding down the C key as it starts up.
Select your language.
Once on the desktop, select Utility in the menu bar.
Select Disk Utility.
Select the disk or volume in the list of disks and volumes, and then click First Aid.
Click Repair Disk.
(If Disk Utility cannot repair, you will need a stronger utility (3rd party) - Diskwarrior or Techtool PRO)
Restart your computer when done.
Repair permissions after you reach the desktop-http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=25751 and restart your computer.
Remove any 3rd party ram.
Reinstall Snow Leopard - This will install a "fresh" copy of Snow Leopard without archiving old system files but leaves the rest of your files in place.
Oh, and the bottom of my computer always gets really really hot when I use it.
User Tip: How to deal with MacBook Pro and MacBook heat?
Per your user manual: Do not operate your MacBook Pro on a pillow or other soft material, as the material can block the airflow vents. Never place anything over the keyboard when operating your MacBook Pro. Never push objects into the ventilation openings.
From MacBook Pro: Care, Use, and Safety Information
For prolonged use, place your MacBook Pro on a flat, stable surface. Do not place your MacBook Pro on your lap or other body surface for extended periods of time. Prolonged body contact can cause discomfort and potentially a burn.

Brand new hard drive and still can't get past the gray screen

i was having problems with my mac last night going to the gray screen, sometimes i'd get the folder with the question mark. i looked up for solutions and i tried every one i could find short of reformatting the hard drive. nothing worked, getting the start-up disk causes the mac to freeze on the screen with the picture of a disk and an arrow after i press the arrow to go into disk utilities. i took it to the apple store, which i wasn't really happy with my service there- i was called up immediately but then was never able to explain what was happening to the guy he just plugged in the computer, went back to helping someone else and periodically looked at my screen. i understand that they probably take care of multiple people at once so they don't get complaints about wait times, but i don't think i was really helped at all, he just ended up saying that i needed a new hard drive and if i knew how to put one in i was better off doing it myself then sent me on my way. well i bought a new hard drive and upon installing it and putting in the mac os x disk it still freezes and no solution has worked yet.

So all you need then is to know how to format the drive and install Snow Leopard.
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910

My macbook pro will not get past the gray screen with the apple logo and a loading bar.

My macbook pro will not get past the grey screen with the apple logo after attempting to load for hours. I have already tried resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and a couple other tricks and no luck. Anyone out there have suggestions for my problem? Help would be much appreciated since i use my computer for everything at school and i am in desperate need to get this baby working again.

You didn't say which OS in your tag, but maybe you might find something here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4191
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7213
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4125
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2213

I am using a new Mini Mac via HDMI, I get the First gray screen then nothing else

I am a First time user of a Mac and I've gone toturn it on fr the first time today, i conected it to a HD ready LCD tv via HDMI and get the first gray 'loading' screen then an 'English' over the speekers then nothing else
Any help would be apreciated

Make sure the TV's menu is actually set to connect to that HDMI port.
Make sure the TV is 1080p and is setup to use that resolution on the HDMI port in question.
Try zapping the PRAM, by following these instructions:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

When I start my computer up, all I get is a gray screen...

Last night my macbook froze on me. I couldn't even restart, so I pulled the battery and the charger to restart it up. When it came up, all I got was a gray screen with a flashing folder with a question mark in it. I wasn't able to get onto the internet last night, so I don't think its a gasp virus, but for some reason the computer just crashed on me.
1. What has to be done to get my computer working again? I don't have my restart discs (I am at school and they are at my home 2 hours away), and I tried holding OptionCommand+RP and nothing. Are there any other quick fixes I can try besides taking it to a specialist?
and
2. Anybody know my chances of saving my information on my hard drive? I have all my notes on there for school, as well as over 1,000 pictures and nearly 13 gigs of music. I am going to be sick if they are gone. I know that it is hard to say one way or another without actually troubleshooting the computer, but being that I didn't do anything to it, it just went down, is it more than likely just an OS problem and my files will be okay?

Basically something is preventing access to the system folder if all you see is a continuous flashing ? folder. It could be a bad directory, a misplaced file, or a damaged drive. My recommendation is to get a Firewire hard drive at least as large as your internal drive from http://www.macsales.com/ and Subrosasoft Filesalvage to see if it can recover your data. If that can't try Prosoft Data Rescue II. Both may be available from your school store at a school discount. If neither works, sometimes Alsoft Disk Warrior 4.1 might work. If that still doesn't work, unfortunately a data recovery specialist which may cost thousands will have to be used such as http://www.drivesavers.com/ This is why I recommend you ALWAYS backup your data*:
http://www.macmaps.com/backup.html
Good luck!
- * Links to my pages may give me compensation.

Out of nowhere i get a black & gray screen saying to restart

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for