Shuts down during start up !

Please help- my computer shuts off half way through startup after the silver screen/spinning wheel, and won't turn on fully!
Is there any thing I can do to preserve my saved files (HD)-- or start up the computer completely?
I thought I could try and clear the hard drive using the Leopard startup disk, but I would hate to do that... Has anyone experienced this? Thanks
-David

mrcool240:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Here are few things you can try. I suggest you try them in the order listed, although that is not necessary.
• Try starting up in Safe Mode. If you are able to get the computer to boot, log in and Empty Trash, the try rebooting normally and log in.
• Repair Disk
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it says anything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior
• Boot from the Apple Hardware Test disk that came with your computer and run the extended test in a loop by holding down Ctrl + L during the tests.
In term of saving your data, if you have access to a second firewire Mac, you can boot your computer into Firewire Target Disk Mode and access your HDD in that way.
cornelius

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MacBook Will shut down during start up.

Why does my Mac book shut shut down during startup?

What to do if your Mac won’t boot up
First, try resetting your SMC.
Resetting the SMC of an Intel-based portable Mac with a battery you should not remove on your own
Note: This will not delete any data.
The SMC is responsible for controlling various system functions. None of your data will be deleted by resetting the SMC.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
On the built-in keyboard, press the (left side) Shift (⇧), Control (⌃), and Option (⌥) keys and the Power Button at the same time.
Release the (left side) Shift (⇧), Control (⌃), and Option (⌥) keys and the Power Button at the same time.
Resetting the SMC of an Intel-based Mac Pro, iMac, Mac mini, or Xserve
Note: This will not delete any data.
The SMC is responsible for controlling various system functions. None of your data will be deleted by resetting the SMC.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Unplug the computer’s power cord.
Wait fifteen seconds.
Attach the computer’s power cord.
Wait five seconds and then press the power button to turn on the computer.
Resetting the SMC of an Intel-based portable Mac with a removable battery
Note: This will not delete any data.
The SMC is responsible for controlling various system functions. None of your data will be deleted by resetting the SMC.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
Remove the battery.
Press and hold the Power Button for 5 seconds.
Release the Power Button.
Reconnect the battery and the MagSafe power adapter.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
Then, try resetting your PRAM.
Resetting the NVRAM/PRAM
Note: This will not delete any data.
The NVRAM/PRAM stores information such as speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and recent kernel panic information (if any). You should reset the NVRAM/PRAM if you experience issues relating to these functions.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Turn on the computer by pressing the Power Button.
On the built-in keyboard, press and hold the Command (⌘), Option (⌥), P, and R keys before the gray screen appears.
Continue to hold down the keys until the computer restarts and you hear the startup chime for the second time.
Release the keys on the built-in keyboard.
Then, try repairing the disk using Disk Utility.
Repairing a disk using Disk Utility on the Recovery HD.
Note: This should not delete any information or files from the disk.
Repairing a disk can help solve various file-related issues.
Make sure the computer is powered off before continuing.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
Press and hold both the R and Command (⌘) keys on the keyboard until the Recovery partition loads. If this does not work, shut down the computer, press the Power Button to turn on the computer, and then hold in the Alt (⌥) button immediately after you press the power button. Then, select the Recovery HD partition to boot up in the Recovery HD partition.
Select Disk Utility.
Once you are in the Disk Utility app, select the drive from the sidebar on the left.
Then, choose the Repair Disk button on the right.
If the Repair Disk button is grey or unavailable, select Verify Disk and then select Repair Disk.
If this does not solve your issues, you may have no choice but to reformat the drive using Disk Utility.
You should also repair your startup disk’s disk permissions as well.
Repairing a disk’s permissions using Disk Utility on the Recovery HD.
Note: This should not delete any information or files from the disk.
Repairing a disk's permissions can help solve various file-related issues.
Make sure the computer is powered off before continuing.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
Press and hold both the R and Command (⌘) keys on the keyboard until the Recovery partition loads. If this does not work, shut down the computer, press the Power Button to turn on the computer, and then hold in the Alt (⌥) button immediately after you press the power button. Then, select the Recovery HD partition to boot up in the Recovery HD partition.
Select Disk Utility.
Once you are in the Disk Utility app, select the drive from the sidebar on the left.
Then, choose the Repair Disk Permissions button on the right.
If this does not solve your issues, continue on and run Apple Hardware Test.
Using Apple Hardware Test to troubleshoot a hardware problem
Your issues might be caused by a hardware problem. Running Apple Hardware Test can help you solve this problem by showing you the faulty hardware.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
Press and hold the D key on the keyboard before the grey starting screen appears.
Continue to hold the D key until the loading screen shows up. You should see a globe.
When AHT has loaded, select your Language and then press the Return (↩) key.
Select the Perform Extended Testing checkbox located under the Test button.
Press the T key, select the Test button, or press the Return (↩) key to start running the diagnostics.
Report any issues it shows in a reply.
If Apple Hardware Test does not show any issues, continue on and reinstall OS X.
If Apple Hardware Test does show any issues, report them in a reply.
Reinstall OS X
Note: This will not erase any data on the disk. However, it is highly recommended that you create a backup before continuing.
Reinstalling OS X can solve various problems such as corrupt system files.
Shut down the computer by going to Apple () > Shut Down…
Select Shut Down or allow the computer to shut down automatically.
Plug in the MagSafe power adapter into a power source and then connect it to your Mac if you have not already done so.
Press the Power Button to turn on the computer.
Press and hold both the R and Command (⌘) keys on the keyboard until the Recovery partition loads.
Select Reinstall OS X and then choose Continue.
Follow the instructions.
If your computer still does not boot up
If your computer still does not boot up, it may be due to a hardware problem or software conflict.
Make an appointment with an authorized Apple service center or by making an appointment at the Genius Bar by going to this link:
http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
Austin

HELP! Crash/shut down during start up

I hope someone can help...about a week ago my iMac was running pretty slow, so I ran disc utility. I got back the message:Keys are out of order. I ran DiskWarrior, and it solved the problem after about 15 hrs.
Now, I'm having the same problem. Ran disc utility and same "Keys out of order" message came up. I tried to boot from the DiskWarrior CD, but my computer froze during the grey apple screen. I then tried to start up from the Tiger CD to erase the HD, but it again froze. If I restart without holding down the C button, my computer just shuts off during the grey apple screen.
The only time it starts up is if I boot into single user mode and run fsck, but that takes about 20 min. for everything to show up on desktop.
I'm running out of options...Any thoughts out there??
Dan

Luckily, my computer is up and running again. I shut it down for a day, and when I started it back up booted from the DiskWarrior CD. DiskWarrior started fine, and I rebuilt my directory(which only took 20 mins. compared to the 14 hours it took the first time!). Everything has been working fine since! Maybe leaving it shut off did the trick. But I'm always going to have a current backup just in case!
Dan

Early 2008 Mac Pro shut downs during start up and restarts to full power fans, Help!

I have searched through all the forums all day and can't find anyone with the exact same problem.
It doesn't matter if I'm booting up to Windows 7 (boot camp) or OS X.The computer will start booting... and anywhere between the "apple tone" and the login screen it will shut off all the displays, shut down the HDDs, shut down the GPU fan and spool up the main fans to 100%.
I have reset the SMC and PRAM. All the diagnostic LEDs are displaying correctly (no overheating, GPU lights on). No RAM LEDs are lit up. The white LED on the front remains lit constantly. It won't stay running long enough for me to run the diagnostic disk.
I first thought it was a GPU (Nvidia 8800) issue, but after removing it and booting up with no video card... the outcome was the same. I'm leaning towards a PSU failure, but I haven't found anything to back up my theory. I'm hoping it's not a logic board failure... I would think there would be LEDs lighting up or something more definitive.
Can anyone help?!?!

There are multiple threads and reports of issues with Icy Dock - there is one on Amazon that lines up properly.
The drive sled length of 2009-2012 Mac Pro are longer. Maybe OWC needs to be clearer.
You'e right half-way and maybe some corrupt plist or interferring process you have, or even another hardware item or cable - external - even printer drivers or something that refuses or does not like sleep. Controller card?
All around I'd have to vote for Samsung 830 model. Then Intel 520. Crucial is out with x4 now (Or is it "V"?)
SSD firmware continues to be trouble. Even May-June the SandForce firmware had major issue and reason to hold off any using theirs. Reason to see if yours needed to be updated. Someone last week with m4 found they had old firmware and needed to update it.

Shutting down during start up

ello!
ive had my mac book pro for like a week now, and i was in firewire disk mode, transfering files when my dog walked by and tripped out the short firewire 400 cord. my g5 stated the message, "the device was not properaly disconected, and could cause damage"
next i shut down the MBP to restart and make sure my files were transfered.
now when i start up my MBP it gets to the gray Apple and progress meter, takes a few seconds longer then it should and then goes black.
what did i do?
and how can i fix it....
p.s. tried booting in safe mode, and zaping pram any other ideas?
thanks
~JAKE

You could take it to the apple store and see what they have to say. DiskWarrior is one of the "magic" apps for mac, it works miracles on damaged directories and i've seen it resurrect many macs that would not boot up anymore.
If you want to be sure it's not hardware related and want a last shot at accessing your drive before taking it in, DiskWarrior is possibly the only app that can make this happen.
You could run down to the apple store first and see what they say/suggest but if they say you have to take it in for repair... i would definitely try diskwarrior first.
This does sound like a data corruption, not a hardware issue since the S.M.A.R.T. status is ok.

Early 2008 Mac Pro frequently shut downs during start up, Help!

Hello all,
My early 2008 Mac Pro has gradually started having the following problems:
It will often shut down when it goes to sleep.
It has shut down randomly a few times.
And just today it shut down about 5-10 seconds after being turned on. It took about 6 tries before I could get it to turn on.
I have tried all of theusual software remedies (disk utility, different startup drives, resetting the SMC, PRAM, etc.)
I have run apple hardware test on loop for several hours with no errors appearing...
The computer also often loads up to a circle with with a slash through the middle sign, though I am not sure if this is related (it started happening when it switched my system over to a SSD).
I am wondering if this is simply a slowly sying PSU and if replacing it might help? If there any way of monitoring this perhaps? I somehow thought that if it was the PSU then it would simply die completely rather than fade like this...
Any ideas much appreciated!

There are multiple threads and reports of issues with Icy Dock - there is one on Amazon that lines up properly.
The drive sled length of 2009-2012 Mac Pro are longer. Maybe OWC needs to be clearer.
You'e right half-way and maybe some corrupt plist or interferring process you have, or even another hardware item or cable - external - even printer drivers or something that refuses or does not like sleep. Controller card?
All around I'd have to vote for Samsung 830 model. Then Intel 520. Crucial is out with x4 now (Or is it "V"?)
SSD firmware continues to be trouble. Even May-June the SandForce firmware had major issue and reason to hold off any using theirs. Reason to see if yours needed to be updated. Someone last week with m4 found they had old firmware and needed to update it.

MacBook Pro shuts down during start up

Recently my macbook pro battery stopped working, i took it to the apple service and battery has to be replaced which they will do so soon. They told me i can still use it on the power cord. However when i started it up the screen has a spinning wheel and a loading bar underneath the apple logo, which it never had before, and when the bar is 1/3 done the computer just shuts down every single time at the exact same place.
Is this because of the battery being broken or is it a totally different problem?
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Info from this article may be helpful.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3148
Best.

IMac shuts down during start up

I installed Norton antivirus for mac, and to complete the installation I had to restart the mac. So it restarts. (Just to clarify if this does come up, I downloaded and made sure it was the official Norton page).
But it makes the opening noise, shows the apple logo for like 10 seconds. Then it shows a loading bar that fills up in about 10 seconds, then a second load bar pops up that appears for about 4 or 5 seconds, gets to about 10% full and the computer shuts itself down immediately.
It happens exactly like that every single time.
I had no issues with this computer whatsoever until this suddenly started happening.
I tried holding option button and it popped up a harddrive option. Being unable to use my mouse on this screen, my only option seemed to be to hit enter and accept, so i did. It went right back to the 2 loading bars underneath the apple logo before shutting itself down.
I tried unplugging the power cord for 15 seconds (a second time did for 30 seconds) and then back in 5 seconds (second time waited 15 seconds after that) and then starting it up. Nothing changed.
I tried holding down Command+option+P+R, the only thing that changed was the volume of the startup noise got louder (I understand the reset volume is natural with PRAM resetting).
Computer is about 2 and a half years old. I don't have much on it backed up either. Please don't criticize for this decision, I'm aware that I should have had everything backed up. But if there is ANY way possible to redeem my computer and/or its contents; I am all ears.

My keyboard for whatever reason usually keeps de-activating (just replaced batteries) halfway in the middle of startup, so the Shift key to start up in safe mode doesn't register.

Powermac g4 shuts down during start up after installing Leopard and upgrade

I have a powermac g4 (agp), 1ghz, 120gig hd
I successfully installed Leopard. After install the updater came up so I updated the files. I think they were OSX update, quicktime, itunes, and a couple of others I can't recall. I was prompted to restart for updates and when I did it will get to the white screen with the grey apple and spinning wheel then it just shuts off. I have tried to start it up several times and it does the same thing each time. I can't start with the leopard disk since I can't get the dvd drive to open without it running. I've looked at other similar posts on this subject but don't see any that are similar to mine. Any help would be appreciated.

Hi, Claire -
I can't start with the leopard disk since I can't get the dvd drive to open without it running.
Couple of ways to work around that -
• Restart or boot the machine, immediately press the mouse button, keep it held down. This is a hardware command to the Mac to eject all removable media, which should open the drive tray. Insert the disk and close the tray, restart and press the C key.
• Try restarting or booting the machine, then immediately press the Option key (ideally before or simultaneous with the startup chime), keep it held down. This should bring up Startup Manager (a vivid blue screen with a few large icons showing). Once Startup Manager has fully loaded, press Command-. (Command-PeriodKey). This should open the optical drive tray. Insert the Leopard disk and close the tray; wait a bit for the drive to spin up; then click the circular arrow icon on the left. This will cause the machine to rescan the available buses and find the Leopard disk. Once that has displayed, click it to select it and then click the straight arrow icon on the right. It should now boot to that disk.
Article #HT1310 - Startup Manager: How to Select a Startup Volume
powermac G4 (agp/sawtooth), 1ghz....
The fastest G4 (AGP), aka "Sawtooth", machine shipped was 500MHz. If your machine is 1GHz, then it has either had a processor upgrade, or it is a later model. It helps us to know which it actually is. These articles can help you identify it -
Article #58418 - Power Mac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models
Article #42739 - Power Mac G4: How to Differentiate Between Models (part 2)
The fact that it may have an AGP graphics card does not make it a G4 (AGP), or Sawtooth, model - all G4's after the G4 (PCI) model shipped with AGP graphics cards, including the Quicksilver and MDD models.

G5 shuts down during start-up

When I turn my G5 on it gets to the apple logo and spinning gear for a few seconds, after that it shuts off. Tried zapping PRAM, same result. It will not boot up on OS CD. I put the drive in my other G5 assuming I had a hardware issue, same result. The other hard drive inserted into original problem G5, boots up and all is well. I can't believe it is only the hard drive problem, it should boot up on a CD, right? If only to run diagnostics, etc. on the bad drive.
Is there something else I can try?

Hi! Sounds like the hard drive to me. A bad one will keep one from booting often times even with the install disc. Had it happen this week on one! The fact that the swapping of hard drives fixed the problem is a sure bet that IS the problem. Tom

Powerbook G4 Powers Down during start up

Hi There,
I have a 15" Alum. Powerbook G4, 1.5 GHz, with 1.5 GB of RAM. I shut down my computer last week and the next time I went to turn it on, it shut down during start up.
I can hear the computer working, the chime plays and then i hear the system power down. I did this 3 or so times before it booted all the way up. I shut it down a few days later and the same result. This time it took a couple more times to start it up. Today I shut it down and it took 15 times to get it to boot.
It's like trying to get an old car to turn over, but it just doesn't want to!
I have it started now, and I keep it in sleep mode. I'm backing everything up, but does anyone have a suggestion as to what I should do?
Thanks,
Lucas
Powerbook G4 15 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I would recommend to boot in safe mode.
1) Wait for the startup sound
2) Hold down shift for a while
You know you are in safe mode when the login window appears and above the user names there's a red text: Safe Mode.
Then restart. Safe mode does some HD checking/repairing so it takes a lot longer to boot up - that's normal, be patient.
On my Powerbook, whenever it crashes (not often) it won't start up at all unless I start it up first in safe mode.
Other than that, resetting the PRAM also often helps (reboot and hold down option-command-R-P, all 4 keys, wait for the boot jingle to ring a second time).

I can only start my iBookG4 after deleting preferences. I have to go into single user mode to do so. If I don't go into single user mode, the computer shuts down during boot up. What might be the problem?

I can only start my iBookG4 after deleting preferences. I have to go into single user mode to do so. If I don't go into single user mode, the computer shuts down during boot up. What might be the problem? How can I fix this?

I do not have a startup disk. I did try fsck (based on what I learned from your reply-thank you). This failed (fsck); here is the message:
** Checking catalog file.
Invalid key length
(4, 8198)
** Volume check failed.
/dev/rdisk03 (hfs) EXITED WITH SIGNAL 8.
I am sure this is an easy fix; I just have no clue how.

Purchased the Sony Tablet in June 2012, started to shut down during regular use (blank screen, swirl

I am a long time Sony customer… mostly TVs and other entertainment items.
Purchased the Sony Tablet in June 2012, started to shut down during regular use (blank screen, swirly lights comes on, and soft reset required) in September 2012.
December 2012, issue started to take place more frequent (to the point it was too annoying).
Sent the tablet in for repair before X-Mas and just got it back from the TX repair center yesterday (1/14/13).
They replaced the motherboard.
1/15/13, 11:49AM, the same issue happened.
I am asked to mail it in again, so they can fix the issue.
I like Sony products, but this is something new for me.
I like to know if this is common for the tablet, please share story.
My concerns are:
They replaced the motherboard (that is pretty much the core of the tablet!)
What do I do when my warranty expires in June 2013 and the issue is still there?

I and many others have the same issue. You can an find some links to reported issues in my thread.
Sony has yet to acknowledge the issue and define whether it is software or hardware based. This lack of communication is very disheartening.

System shut down during F110 payment run

During the F110 payment run, the PRD system shut down. There were 259 items in the proposal and according to the status 42 posting orders were generated and completed. What is the process to handle this problem? Can the payment run be re-started?
It appears that clearing documents were created for some open items before the system shut down but no checks are showing in the check register. Has this happened to anyone before and what steps should be taken to resolve this?

Is it a matter of...
1. deleting the output of the payment run,
2. deleting the proposal
3. canceling the the payment check by check using FCH8 if any occurred
4. reseting and reversing the clearing documents created using FBRA before the system shut down
5. start a new payment run

Re: Restoring windows after sudden shut down during updating

Hi everyone,
Last night I was updating my windows on my Toshiba laptop, however, my laptop had a sudden shut down during the updating process.
Now when I start my laptop, I am prompted that a system error occurred and I have to insert my windows CD to continue. I never got a windows CD, and nor have I made a recovery disc yet, so is there any possible way for me to log into windows again? I am using windows Vista.
Any suggestion would be grateful.
Thanks in advance

hi dDk,
what is the first rules of using a computer?
*never touch a running system* and of course: *read the f... manual* and *make backups often*
ok this was a bit hard... but this is a common failure to make an update without saving....
now lets see what we can do....
- i assume that there is no possibility to start in safe mode...
- hdd recovery is not possible...
- you have neither a systemdisk of vista nor a system backup
now you are in operators hell....
- see a servicepartner and ask for assistance, for a small fee he is able to setup your original system
- get a vista/win7 istallation cd and install it, be aware you loose your hdd backup funktion!
- try to repair with a "system-on-a-disc" like winpe or bartpe
- try to make the hidden recovery partition visible to a os booted from cd and run recovery agent from there
if you killed your recovery partition.... bad luck

Shuts down during start up !

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