Spinning gear at startup (OS X Panther 10.3.9)

Hi, I have a Powerbook G3 Pismo that runs OS X 10.3.9. I have recently only been seeing only a spinning gear at startup and it will hang there. I tried safe mode, resetting the PRAM, and resetting the NVRAM with open firmware. Upon trying verbose boot, there were problems starting here:
"Creating RAM Disk for syslogd
hdik: attach failed: error e00002f0
syslogd:cannot create /var/run/syslog: Read-only file system
syslogs: child pid 103 exited with return code 1
Creating RAM Disk for crash reporter
hdik: attach failed: error00002f0
Launching Crash Reporter
Jul 4 6:55:32 com.apple.SecurityServer : database /var/db/CodeEquivelanceDatabase opened READONLY (R/W failed errno=30)
Jul 4 6:55:32 com.apple.SecurityServer : error writing entropy file /var/db/SystemEntropyCache
Jul 4 6:55:32 com.apple.SecurityServer : Entering Service"
Then it just hangs there with the big white block below that, but I can't type anything. Would trying to fix the disk by making it read and write via Single-User Mode help?

Hi deuce1981,
Your data will more than likely be "lost forever". Especially if you kept up on your security updates and had at least a 13 bit PW of utter nonsense.
I suggest you report your computer as being stolen to Apple and here's a helpful site link : http://www.freemacblog.com/how-to-prepare-for-a-stolen-mac/
Hope this helps,
Michael

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If you found no solutions to your problem(s) listed in the various Knowledge Base Articles see if the following suggestions are of any help:
Except for the keyboard & mouse, disconnect all devices/peripherals from your computer.
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Hello all - my first post to the community, so be gentle....
I'm having a boot issue with my early 2008 Intel based iMac. After a recent power outage, I can't get the machine to boot to OSX - the spinning gear spins for about a minute then freezes. When I boot to Snow Leopard install CD, it gets to the same point then displays a Kernel Crash screen. I can boot to Windows using the option key on startup, but Windows runds a little weird...mostly graphic display errors (dragging windows and scrolling in web browser is slow and jumpy, games crash with strange graphics displayed). I suspect a graphics card malfunction (the machine has an NVidia GeForce 8800GS), but I'm not convinced and I can't figure out how to test it. Here's more info:
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Any thoughts would be appreciated - I'm three hours from the nearest Genius Bar, so I'd like to try as much at-home troubleshooting as possible.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570 Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
When I boot to Snow Leopard install CD, it gets to the same point then displays a Kernel Crash screen.
OS X: About kernel panics
User Tip: Kernel Panics? Don't panic too!
How to troubleshoot a kernel panic
I'm running OSX version 10.6
Use Software Update or the OS 10.6.8 combo update to update your OS. Also, update everything SU has to offer for your computer. When done, repair permissions and restart your computer.
I'm three hours from the nearest Genius Bar
Apple Stores are not the only places that repair Macs. There may be an AASP that is closer.
International AASP’s & Other Services
AASP's Outside of the USA
so be gentle....
As opposed to....

IBook G3 Freezing at Spinning Gear on Startup.

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Yes, I have tried resetting the PMU with no effect.
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Hello and Happy Holidays,
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A Tiger upgrade over Panther hasn't been the best way to go.
Clone your exisiting boot drive to a blank external drive using Carbon Copy Cloner (visit their forums)
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Update completely and then install Tiger ready apps from fresh sources.
Aviod using Migration Assistant, it misses copy protection and other things, copies blindly, take the time to clean house properly.
Install files from the clone and when your set then erase the clone and make a new clone from your optimal OS install.
Spotlight and Dashboard will take some CPU here and there and is easily disabled using software by searching Macupdate.com
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Hi,
Ok, I only get the spinning gear at startup. Tried starting in safe mode, no go. The ONLY thing I can think of that I did was install the new Safari and Quicktime updates last night. The last time this happened, I installed new software. I had to go to the Apple store and have the OS reinstalled to fix the problem. Problem is, I don't have time to do that, and I need my computer ASAP.
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Joe:
Try this:
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cornelius

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i believe i have tried everything i could find, so any info is good.
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reset nvram
repair disk and disk permissions.
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Welcome to the Apple discussions.
Find your original OS X disks that came with your system. Insert the first one and reboot holding the C key down, which will cause it to boot from the OS X disk. From the utilities menu bar, bring up Disk Utility and run repair disk on the internal hard drive. While there, also repair permissions. Does repair disk give you any error messages? I know this will sound repetitive to doing the check disk from the boot volume, however, let's be sure it's not a hard drive issue.
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My imac won't startup past the spinning gear and my apple keyboard is wireless but it won't connect, how do I fix the problem so I can get into safe mode?

My imac won't startup past the spinning gear and my apple keyboard is wireless but it won't connect, how do I fix the problem so I can get into safe mode?
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Please follow Apple's advice in http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570. If you need to get your hands on a wired USB keyboard, even a PC one will work fine.
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Shturts,
Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
How long did you give it to Start Up in Safe Mode? It can take upwards of 20 minutes for an eMac to start in Safe Mode as a faceless version of Repair Disk runs in the background at the gray screen / Apple logo / spinning gear stage.
If Safe Boot isn't finishing after 30 or more minutes, use your OS X install disk to boot the computer and run Repair Disk, as described in Using Disk Utility and fsck. If any errors are reported repaired, repeat Repair Disk until it either reports no erros found or unable to repair, in which case you should consider investing in a copy of DiskWarrior.

Computer wont go past grey apple startup screen with spinning gear help!!!!

Hey everyone Im hoping someone can help. I just did a software update download from Apple. It came back and said that not all of the items were installed and the computer needed to restart. I did the restart. Now it wont go past the grey apple screen with the spinning gear.
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Hi Ghost516, and a warm welcome to the forums!
You have corruption on your Hard Drive, likely before the updates even.
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Tiger Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it finishes.
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Some people get away without Repairing Permissions for years, some for only days.
If Permissions are wrong before applying an update, you could get mixed OS versions, if Directory is the slightest messed up, who knows!
If many Permission are repaired, or any Directory errors are found, you may need to re-apply some the latest/biggest updates again, or even do an A&I if you have enough free disk space.
The combo update for PowerPC-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateppc.html
The combo update for Intel-based Macs...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/macosx10411comboupdateintel.html
Repair Permissions before & after re-install, then reboot again each time.
If all the above do not resolve the problem, then it's time for a relatively painless Archive & Install, which gives you a new/old OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space, and don't have any Disk Directory problems...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Be sure to use Preserve Users & Settings.
I only use Software Update to see what is needed, then get them for real via...
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
That way I can wait a week or so, check the forums for potential problems, and get Permissions & such in order before installing.
If it appears to be time for An Archive & Install, which gives you a new OS, but can preserve all your files, pics, music, settings, etc., as long as you have plenty of free disk space...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120
Be sure to use Preserve Users & Settings.
If none ofthis works report back.

Mac Book Pro Mavericks OS 10.9.5 stops at apple logo with spinning gear.

After working fine for a year, suddenly I cannot get past the apple logo with spinning gear page,
Already tried:
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The startup drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.
Back up all data on the drive immediately if you don't already have a current backup. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.
Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.
If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair
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I opened the back cover according to the instuctions in the manual to check the internal battery (which is fine and strong according to my little battery tester). I followed the steps in the support article "iMac G5: Troubleshooting when your computer won't turn on". According to the LED, my power supply is fine. I turned on my computer with the back cover off using the internal power button. It turned on, chimed, did the usual SuperDrive sound and did a complete boot. I took a peek at the screen by lifting a corner cause it was laying face down on a soft towel on my bed. And I saw the user prompt asking me my password, and the galaxy theme desktop picture. So I turned this off and placed the cover back on. But it still won't start using the external power button. Thanks with all your help Miriam. I'm now gonna look for a solution with the external power button issue.

Spinning gear at startup (OS X Panther 10.3.9)

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