Safe boot problem.

Yesterday my iMac started to freeze up on my desktop and wouldn't open any applications. From my phone, I looked up solutions to this problem. Everybody said to try a safe boot and how to do it, so of course I tried it. Ever since I tried the safe boot my computer is worse. Now, on start up the Apple logo appears as well as a progress bar. The progress bars reaches, i'd say, FIVE % before the iMac just completely shuts itself off. I have tried EVERYTHING I can that doesn't involve physically putting a disk in. I bought my computer off of Craigslist about 2 years ago and was never given the disk so I am unable to follow instructions that involve using one. All the answers I have previously been given I have ALREADY tried countless times and STILL, nothing works. My computer remains on start up with the grey screen, apple icon & progress bar and then shuts itself off every.single.time. I am losing my patience.

What version of OS X are you running?

Similar Messages

  • SAFE BOOT/ CANT LOG IN

    HI? I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOG IN TO MY MAC TODAY, IT WAS JUST SHOWING IN THE RIGHT CORNER WITH RED LETTERS SAFE BOOT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT IS IN SAFE BOOT, RIGHT NOW ALL I CAN DO IS RESTART IT OR SHUT IT DOWN, CANNOT LOG IN. HOW DO I GET OUT OF SAFE BOOT?

    Just take it in and have them fix the key then if you ask them many they can fix your safe boot problem while you have your key fixed

  • My caps lock was stuck and I shut down. Now it's coming back up in safe boot and asking for a password. It won't take my password, I believe because of the caps lock problem. So, how can I get in?

    My caps lock was stuck when I shut down my computer. It is coming back up in safe boot (I had spilled liquid on it).
    It's asking for my password - which has some lower case letters...So now how can I get in?
    Is there a way to change this password or something?
    I have a wireless keyboard, but it wasn't set up - so, It's not recognizing it.
    Any ideas?

    Take your computer to get the keyboard replaced, your lucky it didn't trigger the moisture sensor and brick your machine, so your chances of the machine working well after the keyboard is replaced is likely very good.
    As long as the main keyboard is sending a caps lock signal, it's not going to work even if you get in.
    If you need to remove files off the internal drive, use a Firewire cable (800 to 400 adpater may be needed) and hold T to boot the problem Mac into Firewire Target Disk Mode and connect the cable to another Mac, the hard drive will appear on the desktop which you can then remove/erase files.

  • Why does a Safe Boot fix my video problem?

    After visiting my local Genius Bar twice (and getting two different answers), I erased and reinstalled Snow Leopard 10.6 on my late-2006 "white plastic" iMac.
    I reinstalled the version of SL that came with the iMac, then upgraded it twice to OS 10.6.8. Software Updater says all of my OS components are up-to-date.
    My video-corruption problems ("ghosting", "tearing", pixelation of icon, then the kernel CRASHES within 20 minutes) appear when I boot normally. But they permanently disappear when I reboot into the Safe Mode! 
    I've search Apple.com and every other site I can find without a clear answer to this:
    What extensions, StartUp items, software daemons or gremlins DO NOT load in Safe Mode? Shouldn't one of them be the cause of my problem? Or does Safe Boot work on a hardware-level, too?
    This happens on ALL accounts, both Admin and regular users. No external devices are connected except the wired mouse and wired keyboard.
    I've zapped the PRAM three times, and I've unplugged it for hours. Disk Utility shows everything is good, too. There's about 50 gigs left on the internal 750 GB hard drive.
    The so-called "Geniuses" both ran their Triage OS off an external drive and my iMac hardware passed ALL of their tests. One said it just needed a reinstall (a free fix!!), and the other said my video card is bad ($800, and I have to use an outside repair shop).
    Can someone give me an idea how to proceed? I've been working in Safe Mode for days, but that prevents me from using: Sound, my home network, fonts, Preview, editing in iPhoto, etc.
    Thanks.
    Specs:
      Model Name: iMac
      Model Identifier: iMac6,1
      Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
      Processor Speed: 2.33 GHz
      Number Of Processors: 1
      Total Number Of Cores: 2
      L2 Cache: 4 MB
      Memory: 3 GB
      Purchase Date: March 2007

    Hi, Mike,
    Thanks for the quick reply.
    I read the linked post about QE, but I don't see how it could help me troubleshoot my problem. Could you clarify: is QE a piece of "software" (that is, a file -- like an extension)?
    If QE IS a piece of software that is disabled in a Safe Boot, I should be able to move it to my Desktop and restart. If my video problem is eliminated, the QE software is the problem, right?
    But then, if my problem is caused by a file/extension, why would the problem occur (and be eliminated in a Safe Boot) right after I re-installed the OS? Shouldn't all the System software be pristine right after re-installation? But since it's NOT fixed by the re-installation, it seems like a hardware problem -- like the expensive video card. That's what's confusing me.
    So, I'm proceeding as if the problem is caused by a file being loaded into memory and I'm trying to disable the items that don't load in Safe Boot Mode one-at-a-time. I just need a specific list of what those items are (and their locations on my hard drive).
    In OS/9, I used Conflict Catcher to do this automatically, but I haven't found an OSX app to do the same. So I'm trying to do it manually.
    Please excuse my layman's terms. Any help is appreciated.

  • IMac keep ejecting my 2TB external HDD but in safe boot mode it is totally fine. How to resolve the problem?

    Hi,
    I have WD 2 TB external HDD. It has two partitions, one I use for my time machiine backup and one for my personal files and documents. Recently the iMac keeps ejecting the external HDD as soon as it gets connected to the iMac. I tried to reboot the computer in safe boot mode (by holding down the shift key at startup) and found out that problem is not there anymore. I can access my external HDD there and it never ejects the HDD.
    It seems like the HDD is fine, the problem is with the iMac. Can anybody please give any solution to this problem?
    Thanks!

    Thanks Allan for your reply!
    It makes sence that there must be some log in /start up item which is causing this problem. I went System Preference>Users & Groups> Login items> disabled all the items there to make sure, and restarted the computer but the problem is still there
    Is there any other way to stop/configure the log in items?
    Thanks again!

  • First MBP Grey Screen/Boot Problems/Only boots in Safe Mode

    Hi everyone,
    I've spent the last few days researching previous troubleshoots and threads on the subject, but haven't had much luck unfortunately.
    This is a 2011 MBP, 2.2 GHz, 4 gb RAM, 15 inch. As a preface, I use(d) an external monitor via my MBP's mini-display port, and at some points, the monitor (both) would become distorted, vertical lines running down, and then both would freeze, so I immediately thought my GPU was going. Then after a few restarts after the problem occurred a few times, I got the infamous boot issue: the grey screen (after viewing the spinning logo), so to the forums and research it was.
    Now, my MBP will boot in safe mode with no issues. Getting it to boot off of a disc with the "C" option works about 50/50, but I usually end up being able to get to it.
    This is what I've attempted thus far from everything I've read:
    Repaired Disk: repaired
    Repaired Permissions: repaired (both of which I did in safe-mode AND from disc-booting, if that helps)
    Reset SMC
    Reset PRAM
    Reinstalled factory RAM (2 x 2 gbs) ((I had a 2 gb stick and an 8 gb stick) Status of RAM via Profiler: OK
    Removed peripheral devices to give that a shot with no luck
    Reinstalled OS X (Snow Leopard, by the way, from disc)
    Performed both abridged AND extended Apple Hardware Test: No problems found (which is what took me away from Logic Board or GPU issues..)
    Used Time Machine backups to restore from previous working date (I regularly backed up my MBP) and have two seperate external drives with backups, though no clones.
    Reformatted my entire 750 gb HD, last night, reinstalled the OS X, did not try and restore from Time Machine (as I know I could do that at a later date) and following completion of the OS X install and upon the "restart" requested of me, my MBP had a dark blue freeze, so I cold booted to the same problem of the grey screen, which is where I'm at now.
    Summary:
    Can Safe Boot with no issues. Reformatted drive. Reinstalled OS X (10.6.7, software update to 10.6.8). Operating with original RAM, went through trouble shoot procedures.
    From what I've read, a lot of people have said to replace the MBP Hard Drive cable (SATA) cable, which I have ordered per my model, so I'm waiting on that.
    Is there anything else I can do, or try in the meantime? I'd like to know peoples' thoughts on if my HD has failed (thought DU says it's fine) and the fact I can boot in safe mode, and whether a hard drive cable replacement is a probable fix.
    This MBP was purchased NEW in June of 2011 and has been well maintained.
    Thanks for any thoughts, suggestions, critiques,...anything.

    Hi everyone,
    I've spent the last few days researching previous troubleshoots and threads on the subject, but haven't had much luck unfortunately.
    This is a 2011 MBP, 2.2 GHz, 4 gb RAM, 15 inch. As a preface, I use(d) an external monitor via my MBP's mini-display port, and at some points, the monitor (both) would become distorted, vertical lines running down, and then both would freeze, so I immediately thought my GPU was going. Then after a few restarts after the problem occurred a few times, I got the infamous boot issue: the grey screen (after viewing the spinning logo), so to the forums and research it was.
    Now, my MBP will boot in safe mode with no issues. Getting it to boot off of a disc with the "C" option works about 50/50, but I usually end up being able to get to it.
    This is what I've attempted thus far from everything I've read:
    Repaired Disk: repaired
    Repaired Permissions: repaired (both of which I did in safe-mode AND from disc-booting, if that helps)
    Reset SMC
    Reset PRAM
    Reinstalled factory RAM (2 x 2 gbs) ((I had a 2 gb stick and an 8 gb stick) Status of RAM via Profiler: OK
    Removed peripheral devices to give that a shot with no luck
    Reinstalled OS X (Snow Leopard, by the way, from disc)
    Performed both abridged AND extended Apple Hardware Test: No problems found (which is what took me away from Logic Board or GPU issues..)
    Used Time Machine backups to restore from previous working date (I regularly backed up my MBP) and have two seperate external drives with backups, though no clones.
    Reformatted my entire 750 gb HD, last night, reinstalled the OS X, did not try and restore from Time Machine (as I know I could do that at a later date) and following completion of the OS X install and upon the "restart" requested of me, my MBP had a dark blue freeze, so I cold booted to the same problem of the grey screen, which is where I'm at now.
    Summary:
    Can Safe Boot with no issues. Reformatted drive. Reinstalled OS X (10.6.7, software update to 10.6.8). Operating with original RAM, went through trouble shoot procedures.
    From what I've read, a lot of people have said to replace the MBP Hard Drive cable (SATA) cable, which I have ordered per my model, so I'm waiting on that.
    Is there anything else I can do, or try in the meantime? I'd like to know peoples' thoughts on if my HD has failed (thought DU says it's fine) and the fact I can boot in safe mode, and whether a hard drive cable replacement is a probable fix.
    This MBP was purchased NEW in June of 2011 and has been well maintained.
    Thanks for any thoughts, suggestions, critiques,...anything.

  • My Mac Book pro recently started in safe boot mode and ever since I have had endless problems - To start with the keyboard will only input capitals and symbols althougth no locks are on and now I have a green wave on all white backgrounds! HELP!

    My Mac Book pro recently started in safe boot mode and ever since I have had endless problems - To start with the keyboard will only input capitals and symbols althougth no locks are on and now I have a green wave on all white backgrounds! HELP!

    Hi it's puzzled of Evesham....I didn't ask the question but have experienced exactly the same. I switched the computer on and it went straight to safe mode

  • MacBook will not start. I have restarted with original CD. I have used Utilities and "no problem" with hard drive. I have reset PRAM. I have tried safe boot. Nothing is work. Gray screen with Apple logo and rotating wheel. Thanks for any suggestions!

    MacBook will not start. I have restarted with original CD. I have used Utilities and "no problem" with hard drive. I have reset PRAM. I have tried safe boot. Nothing is work. Gray screen with Apple logo and rotating wheel. Thanks for any suggestions!

    Snow Leopard is a Mac OS X version. You say that it's the version you have in your Mac (10.6.8). Do a back up of your files, format the hard drive (using Disk Utility) and reinstall again

  • Safe boot solves PowerPoint problem; how do I fix problem at source?

    I was trying to display a slide show in MS Powerpoint 2011 on my MacBook Air, but PowerPoint crashed every time I tried to launch the slide show. I found a Microsoft support article, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/975723?linkId=11072873, that suggested booting my computer in Safe mode and seeing if PowerPoint worked then. In fact, it does!
    My question is, what has Safe boot revealed about why PowerPoint crashes when I try to display a slide show? Is there a way to fix the problem that causes PowerPoint to crash so that I don't have to boot into Safe Mode every time I want to do a PowerPoint slide show?

    Put the disk in the computer and restart while holding the C key down. You pretend you want to reinstall the OS and go through the first two steps, until the screen just after the language selectiion screen.
    On this screen you will see a menu bar. Click Utilities in the menu bar, and select Disk Utility. When DU is up and running, do this:
    In the list at the left, select your start up disk- the item you want to repair. (Be sure to select an item that’s indented to the right in the list, not an item at the far left.)
    Click First Aid.
    If Disk Utility tells you the disk is about to fail, back it up and replace it. You can’t repair it.
    Click Repair Disk.
    When the repair is completed, quit DU and restart the computer.

  • Safe Boot restart problem

    In SnowLeopard I never had this problem... but in Lion 10.7.2 on my 27" iMac after doing a Safe Boot a simple restart doesn't work.
    The system hangs with a blank gray screen (not the gray linen login screen)(and a moveable cursor... i.e. system does not appear to be locked-up) after choosing Restart from the Apple menu.
    The only workaround I've found is instead of doing a hard restart (which I had been doing until I found this workaround) is to then hit the power button on the back of my iMac for just a fraction of a second (i.e. not hold it down for many seconds as when doing a hard restart).
    After this the gray linen background (login screen) appears and I can click on its "Restart" to restart my system.
    Anyone else having problems restarting after a Safe Boot?
    Ron

    This problem still persists in 10.7.3.
    After doing a Safe Boot it requires a HARD restart.
    What the _____ is going on?
    Apple you've had several updates of Lion and you still can't get a basic troubleshooting function to work properly?
    Lay off the finger-swiping 'enhancements' for a while and pay attention to the basics.

  • Login Problems:  computer freezes except in safe boot.

    My MBP 15" starts up fine in safe boot. But:
    First, it froze at the login screen. After following the directions from:
    http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/help/2/#2
    I was able to boot back into my account. But once my desktop appeared, the computer froze: the mouse cursor moves, but that's it.
    I made a NEW admin account. Logged in, was able to click on Mail.app, but the icon froze MID BOUNCE, and the same thing holds true: NO keyboard input works. The CAPS LOCK key responds (light goes on and off). Same for NUM LOCK.
    I have removed all third part Startup Items. There are no login items.
    ANy help would be really appreciated.

    Hi..
    I had the same problem after doing the software upgrade from apple. I could log in with SafeMode as well. I called AppleCare and they took me through re-installing the operating system.
    All works fine now.
    Thanks,
    Kane

  • IMac early 2008 ram problem after safe boot

    Hi guys! I have an early 2008 iMac 2.4ghz with 4gb of ram. After some failed attempts to connect an external display through the mini-dvi to dvi adapter (including nvram resets and smc reset, with no success), i updated from ML 1.8.5 to mavericks 1.9.1 . Everything was fine, but here comes the problem. The system used somewhere around 500 to 700mb active memory at startup, and 300mb wired. I entered safe boot to check one more time if I can connect the external display, and in safe boot, the active memory at startup was 1.5gb. The problem I have is that the same ammount of ram is used now in normal boot (1.5gb), leaving me only 2gb free. I tried memory cleaner and it didn't help too much. Any suggestions for getting back the same ram usage before the safe boot (500mb vs. 1.5gb )? I really don't want to reinstall a clean OS if I can do anything about it.
    Thank you very much,
    Dan Avram

    Thank you guys for your time! Yeap, it seems mavericks is handling ram in a different manner. Running the imac for 3 hours didn't help with the ram, unfortunately. I plan to do a clean reinstal of Mavericks, because I think some processes got stuck in the memory after the safe boot, because I see alot more processes now. I booted only with 2gb of ram, and at startup, 75% was full. So probably, after the nvram resets and the safe boots, something weird happened and the best solution would be a clean reinstall afterall.
    One curios thing, 1 million page faults is ok? The number doesn't reset after restarts or shutdown, and I see 2 encrypted swaps aswell.
    Thanks again and all the best,
    Dan Avram

  • TS2570 Still cant access my computer, followed instructions to perform a safe boot and last line of script it shows: BootCacheControl: Unable to open /Var/db/BootCache.playlist:2 No such file or directory. Any idea?

    Brand new Mac Book Pro
    Purchased in Mexico's Department store Liverpool on June 20th 2012
    Purchased Memory upgade to 8Gb, on june 27th, at Apple Store Memorial City, Houston
    Upgraded memory from 4Gb to 8Gb on June 28th.
    Tried to write on my external HD (previously written on a windows based PC) with no success.
    Upon reccomendation from a Mac assistant, copied all my external HD contents into my Mac Hard drive.
    Then formatted my external HD and copied back all my information to it.
    deleted all the  information from my MacBook Pro HD.
    Attempted to repeat the same operation with another external HD, but got a message saying there was not enough epace on the computer HD (even though I have a 750Gb Hard Drive.
    Looked in the trash bin and there it was, all the information previously deleted..
    Could not empty the trash bin, although I got a message asking me to safely delete all the information from the trash bin,
    Could not get enough space released, after several attpempts the trash bin was finally emptied.
    All happy getting acquainted with my new MacBook Pro. Two days later, got a gray screen and not able to start the computer.
    Looking in to Mac support I found article http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570 and followed instructions to perform a safe boot:
    "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.
    The following is the script that appears on the screen upon safe boot. and halt after the last line.
    AppleACPICPU:Processor Id=6 LocalAplicId=255 Disabled
    AppleACPICPU:Processor Id=7 LocalAplicId=255 Disabled
    AppleACPICPU:Processor Id=8 LocalAplicId=255 Disabled
    calling mpo_policy_init for TMSafetyNet
    Security policy loaded: Safety net for Time Machine (TMSafetyNet)
    calling mpo_policy_init for Sandbox
    Security policy loaded: Seatbelt sandbox policy (Sandbox)
    calling mpo_policy_init for Quarantine
    Security policy loaded: Quarantine Policy (Quarantine)
    Copyright (c) 1982, 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993
            The Regents of the University of California. All Rights Reserved.
    MAC Framework Succesfully initializad
    using 16384 buffer headers and 10240 cluster IO buffer headers
    IOAPIC: Version 0x20 Vextors 64:87
    ACPI: System State [SO S3 S4 S5] (S3)
    PFM64 (36cpu) 0xf10000000, 0xf0000000
    Aplconsole relocated to 0xf1000000
    PCI configuration changed (bridge=16 device=4 cardbus=0)
    [ PCI configuration end, bridges 12 devices 16 ]
    Firewire (OHCI) Lucent ID 5901 built-in now active, GUID 3c0754fffe9b2aa2; max speed s800.
    Pthread support ABORTS when sync kernel primitives misused
    com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib kmod start
    com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless kmod start
    com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib load succeeded
    com.apple.AppleFSCompressionTypeDateless load succeeded
    AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient: ready
    BTCOEXIST off
    wl0: Broadcom BCM4331 802.11 Wireless controller
    5.100.98.75
    AppleUSBMultitouchDriver::checkStatus - received Status Packet, Payload 2: device was reinitializad
    rooting via boot-uuid from /chosen: 6E918706-FC0D-37460-A3A0-6268A51DF93B
    Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>
    Got boot device = IOService:/AppleACPIPlatformExpert/PCI0@0/AppleAPIPCI/SATA@1F,2/AppleIntelPchSe riesAHCI/PRT0@0/AOAHCIDevice@0/AppleAHCIDiskDriver/IOAHCIBlock
    storageevice /IoBlockStorageDriver/TOSHIBA MK7559GSXF Media/IOGUIDPartit
    BSD root: disk0s2, major 14, minor 2
    Kernel is LP64
    com.apple.launchd 1   com.apple.launchd 1   *** launchd[1] has started up. ***
    com.apple.launchd 1   com.apple.launchd 1   *** Verbose boot, will log to /dev/console. ***
    Running fsck on the boot volume...
    ** /dev/rdisk0s2 (NO WRITE)
    ** Root file system
       Executing FSCK_HFS (version diskdev_cmds-540.1~25).
    BootCacheControl: UNable to open /Var/db/BootCache.playlist:2 No such file or directory
    launchctl:Dubious permissions on file (skipping): /Library/LaunchDaemons
    launchctl:Dubious permissions on file (skipping): /System/Library/LaunchDaemons
    Any help or suggestions on what to do next would be welcomed.
    I am in the middle of the Atlantick, stuck with a brand new, non working Apple MacBook Pro.
    Best regards
    Sergio Ramos

    Reinstalling MacOS does NOT fix the problem for me.  I'm still searching a solution !
    Bernard

  • My macbook pro ended up in safe boot mode randomly twice in a row...how do i fix this permanently??!

    And I think this issue is coming from a few different problems I've had with my MacBook Pro on lion...one major thing was probably the fact that I changed from Lion to Mountain Lion...and then changed right back (I think I did back up my stuff first), but somehow it didn't agree with my computer.  Also I've been wearing it out a lot by throwing it with the case into my car frequently...maybe a bit much, idk...also though I have a lot of trouble keeping up with the numerous files that build up on my desktop and don't know where to begin.  Let's just say my computer has pretty much had it, although for months it's been functioning normally.
    ...oh yeah and did I mention I had to get a brand new hard drive, with that not really making a difference as to how bad I, um, throw my computer around (it's not as bad as you think but to be candid, blech). I did bang my computer at one point in a rage attack and made sure no one really knew when I took it to get it fixed?  TMI...that's what I deserve....so.
    I did try this web link the second time in a row this happened which was about an hour or so that I managed to, uh, kind of fix it with the bottom advice on the page:
    http://applehelpwriter.com/2012/06/24/mac-keeps-starting-in-safe-mode/ 
    (sorry I couldn't get this to click)
    Anyways at the bottom of this help article you will notice the very end of PRAM reset directions where you hear the start up chime two times.  That did not happen, but somehow out of nowhere the computer stopped the safe boot mode routine and the progress bar didn't show up as I continued to hold down the given keys.  I really don't know where my luck came from there...and I also found an article that fixed my computer the first time and I cringe to say that it came from a person on Apple Discussions complaining about something similar that one of my friends helped me google. Planning to actually bookmark the applehelpwriter article in case I just happen to need it but i'm pretty sure someone will be on here with an answer at some point.
    SO....I did get my comp fixed twice now, but I hope that somebody will go back and read the beginning of my question explanation to see if I'm doing something that may be overwhelming my computer. If this safe boot thing happened to me instead of me testing the computer myself AND MORE THANA ONCE yikes...something needs to be done. Take note that the only reason I'm asking the community's advice is that I'm past my computer's contract so if I wanted to I couldn't take my computer to get it fixed and I planned to take one or two more classes in college again to complete my certificate.
    Please help, some people must run into this situation at some point, either way if they ask or don't I'm sure they're lucky to get it fixed somewhere.
    chels

    Only if your home/renters insurance doesn't cover such damage without raising your rates/dropping you.  Ask first of them if it is worthwhile the claim once you get an estimate for repair.  These repair places are pretty good:
    http://www.dttservice.com/
    http://www.powerbookresq.com/
    http://www.microdocusa.com/
    http://www.macspecialist.com/
    http://www.techrestore.com/

  • I have late 2006 iMac 24" and I cannot boot it up. I have tried everything but it will only come up in safe boot. I can, at last, boot up on the option key and it now gives me the option of the Recover HD but when I select this, it still won't boot up?

    When I select the Recovery drive it tries and then I can't get further than a white screen. My curser so has 2 columns of marks like a horizontal barcode. I think it's a software problem. When I boot up in safe boot, I have run the disc utility and it says the disc is fine and I have run the repair permissions  but it makes  no difference.

    Thanks AAndy but I had read all of that and tried everything but I have no disks as I upgraded from Snow Leopard over the internet.  I have my Snow Leapard box but the disk is missing so I can't use that and anyway, I can only boot up in safe boot so it wouldn't recognise the superdrive.  I had a copy of the recovery on a flash but it doesn't recognise that.  I have redownloaded it but cannot get it onto an external because of safe boot.  I have done the following
    Reset the PRam, reset the desktop.
    Tried the D key - no responce
    Tried opt D and Command D - no responce
    Comant R, jusr R and opt R - no responce
    By no responce, I mean that the wheel goes round under the apple and then it goes white - and stays like that.
    The only thing that I can do, is to boot up on the option key when it give me a choice of drive.  If I select Recover, wheel turns under apple - white wcreen
    If I boot up on the shift key, it boots into safe mode and there it stays, quite happy surfing the internet and playing stupid Facebook games, so long as I don't want to use any search engines (none of which work (not finder, not mail, not anything) and then after a few hours of forgotton pleasure, it crashes!
    The only thing I can think of to do is to redownload Lion - it appears in my purchased account in the App Store but, Sod's law, our satellite internet is not working and I don't think my phone account has enough MBs - anyone know how many Lion is?
    I can't backup because I can't use an external drive and old one stopped working a few months ago, so I haven't been backing up and as this is the first problem I have ever had with my iMac in 7 years, I had got a bit comlascent! However, I am pretty certain that I can re-install Lion without wiping my hard drive - I have done it years ago with an older system and an older Mac.
    Do you think that downloading Lion again and re-installing it will help?  Does anyone else have any suggestions?
    Thanks for responding so far.

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