Start up disc full, just blue screen

I was getting messages that my start up disk is almost full. Now I get a message that start up disk is full but screen stays blue. I can't get in to delete files. Help please !

Startup in Safe Mode and delete some unnecessary files.
10.7 /10.8
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4373

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Start up disc full, tried everything I can find, no changes, help?

I posted this somewhere earlier, sorry for repeating, but I can't find it. AFter getting the start up disc full message, I backed up everything on an external hard drive with Time Machine, and additionally, copied everything from iphoto on to the same drive, different partition. I have freed up tons of memory, but no change to the start up disc when I check it in the activity monitor area. I have restarted it a number of times, emptied all trash, and checked the console log for messages. I see lots of "failed to count the number of files in the "/system/library/memory/startupItems": No such directory. Other than that, nothing popped out at me. I also ran the diagnostics for the disc and repaired all permission scripts, (I think that's what it said) no help.
I am grateful for any help, could it be a virus or an error I can't detect?
Thanks,
Veronica

Would that have worked if I had tried it before the "archive and install"? Because that is what I tried next and it didn't work, and I'm just wondering if it didn't work BECAUSE I tried to do the Archive and Install first? Or if it just never would've worked because my hard drive's messed up?
I'm just wondering because after I got the last response, I called Apple Care to see if there was ANYthing else I could do before having to either erase everything or actually haul it down to the Apple store, and it's the Apple care guy who told me to try the Archive and Restore first. So I'm just a bit annoyed if this could've been avoided by simply doing a new install first, if it's the Archive and Install that ruined everything...

New memory card installed but getting 'Start up disc full' message?

Running on an old Power Mac G4, 256 MB, I have recently got a new ipod and began filling my itunes when I get a 'start up disc full' message. I've successfully installed another identical 256 MB memory card which the computer is recognizing (now showing 512 MBs of memory) but after downloading another 1 or 2 CDs I'm back to 'start up disc full'. I know I have the correct memory card for my G4 but it isn't allowing me more memory. Any suggestions? Do I have to change something that isn't in my owners manual?

Hi-
Welcome to Discussions!
You need more hard drive space. Although replacing the internal with another, larger drive is an option, it is easy to just add another drive. The G4, any model, can use up to 4 internal drives.
Some have size limits, so you need to tell us your G4 model. Use the "About this Mac" in the Apple menu on your desktop, and the following to ID your model:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58418
Another option is to buy an external firewire hard drive, so you can backup, and store files on it, freeing up space on your strtup drive. You really should have an external, anyways, so you have a backup, and don't lose any data if there is a problem.
Adding a hard drive is relatively easy. You can find Do It Yourself guides in the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31292

Satellite A65 won't start and I get only blue screen!

When I start my satellite A65 a blue screen comes up saying "a problem has been detected and windows has shut down to prevent damage to your computer"
it says to check if I have adequate disk space or to either disable or update the driver if a driver was mentioned in the stop message... or to check bios updates...
I can type out everything it says if I need to, but that the jist
Does this sound familiar to anybody?
It might be because I didn't update enough when it told me to.
It won't start, not even on safe mode, and it won't let me restore, which I would be perfectly willing to do at this point.
help, please
Jamous

Hi
Usually the Blue screen of death happens due to the serious software problem or due to the hardware malfunction.
In your case it sounds more like something wrong with the hardware. Why, because you are not able to restore the notebook from the delivered Toshiba recovery CD!
What to do buddy? I think the notebook must be checked.
Try to contact an ASP in your country and ask for the further handling!
Good luck

RE: Start-up disc full!

I am receiving msg. "start up disc full" and am unable to do updates, download i-tune purchases, etc.... I went into finder and did the command i on "library". Looks like this is my problem. Any suggestions on how to clean it out? Thx!

If you are talking about the Library folder (or the System Library folder) at the root level of your hard drive, DO NOT delete anything in it.
Your best bet is to move some of your content files to an external drive. Items like your iTunes and iPhoto libraries are likely to be largest. Here is how to do it:
Copy the library in question (the iTunes library is located in your Music folder, iPhoto can be found in your Pictures folder) to an external hard drive.
Launch the application while holding down the option key on your keyboard.
In the resulting dialog, select the library on your external drive.
Test to make sure the copied files are functioning normally. If they are,
Move the old library to the Trash and empty the Trash to reclaim that disk space.
Best of luck.

Start up disc is full, permenant blue screen! How can i delete files to create space?

please see above fpr my question

The issue I have is my Mac must be so full that it's not letting me do this. When I try and start in 'safe mode' it doesn't let me. All I get is a blue screen that I've left for over 30mins but does nothing apart from go into a screen saver.
I'm pretty sure I've backed up everything to an external hard drive, so I did have a thought about wipiing the computer competely and then putting everyhting back onto the Mac from the external hard drive. Just a thought but ideally I don't really want to do as I'm not sure how to do it.
Does anyone have any ideas of how I can delete documents or any ideas on what I can delete to free up some space so the Mac boots up properyl...?!?!
Help will be much appreciated!

IBook G4 Incomplete Start-up / Post-Apple Icon Blue-screen

My brother's iBook G4 is acting strange and I've run a number of tests to sort the problem, none of which have yielded any useful results. This is a summary of what I've tried/seen:
• iBook was running 10.4.?? - not totally sure which version he had last updated - I suspect 10.4.9
• iBook starts to boot up, but after showing gray Apple logo and "load progress spinner" below
it then displays a blank blue-screen and sits there. No pointer, no loading - just sits
• His machine is Target-Mode access-able from my machine (MacBook Pro), and Target Mode symbol correctly appears and moves around the iBook screen. I was able to copy/archive his most important files just in case - though some picture files seemed to cause the transfer to hang
• *iBook seems unable or unwilling to boot off of OSX disk - no matter how many times we try. It doesn't appear to see it even when holding down 'C' at startup. The disk in his drive, however, shows up fine and readable on my desktop via Target-mode. Odd.*
• Running Disk Utility from my machine and looking at his drive in Target-mode reveals that his drive checks out 'OK'... however it doesn't appear to see a valid OS on the drive as options to "Verify/Repair Disk Permisions" are grayed out.
• Have reset PMU & PRAM successfully - and have run 'fsck', which says disk is fine.
I cannot think of what else the problem might be. He doesn't run any complicated/odd/non-standard software as his needs are simple. I would like to clean-install from his original disks, but see no way to do this as my machine does not allow me to boot from his older OS disks in order to do so by remote.
Any additional suggestions before considering the repair-shop? Much appreciated.
ant.

Welcome To  Discussions ant!
"My brother's iBook G4 is acting strange..."
Please post what the strange behavior is.
Exactly which model ibook G4 is it?
What size is the Hard Drive, and how much space is available?
How much RAM is installed, and is it original or added?
What happened between the last time the iBook functionmed properly, and when it didn't?
Had he made any changes, like upgrading the system, updated or installed any applications or programs, etc?
Have there been any unusual occurences, like freezes, crashes, power outages, etc?
"iBook seems unable or unwilling to boot off of OSX disk - no matter how many times we try."
Are you sure you are using the correct disc, for the iBook, and the installed version of OS X?
What version of OS is on the original system install disc, if that is not the disc you are using, and will the iBook start from that?
If you are using a disc other than the original, is it the Full Retail Version, of the Tiger Install DVD?
ali b

Can't Start Up: staying in the blue screen for 8 hours...

HELP!!!!
My powerbook G4 can't start up
All goes well during StartUp untill it gets to a Blue Screen
then it stays there
its been 8 hours so far...
( i can see the mouse pointer )
This is my 3rd try -- but every time it just stuck in the blue screen stage
Please help.

First, I'd review the troubleshooting procedures on this page:
http://www.apple.com/support/powerbook/
Other things to try: remove the main battery and let the PB sit with the A/C adaptor connected for several hours. This will make sure the backup battery has some charge assuming it's not completely dead.
Then try starting the computer with the SHIFT key depressed ("Safe mode"). This does some directory repair. If you get a desktop via a safe boot, do not try to use the computer just yet. Do a normal restart, then see if it is usable.
If you have your system disks or the disks you used to install Tiger, dee if the computer will boot from them by holding the "C" key during boot.
How full is you hard drive? You need a minimum of 15 percent free space for the OS to work with any efficiency.
Because there are several variants of the 17" G4 PowerBook, it would be helpful to people here if you would add the processor speed to your equipment line. Showing how much RAM you have is also useful. That way you can get help faster because people don't have to ask first.

Start-up hangs on a blue screen - any ideas?

My iMac, which is running 10.5.7, is hanging on a blue screen at start-up. Goes through the pale gray Apple screen then cycles between two blue screens, one with the little circular progress bar and the other plain blue. No prior problems.
I've tried unplugging peripherals, reset PRAM, safe mode and repairing disk and disk permissions using install disc, all to no avail. Any suggestions before I try to archive/install?
Update: just found that, with my MacBook connected by FireWire, all my shared info on iMac still visible and fully accessible.
Many thanks!

Already tried that stuff, but thanks for the help. Exhausted all the usual troubleshooting recommendations, and had to resort to archive/instal in the end. Now seems fine, but no wiser as to what happened.

HT6114 Since updating my mbp it has started freezing on a bright blue screen with verticle lines.

Hello, II have just used teh software update and it updated my macbook pro - I think I am now using Maverik, 0SX 10.9.2
My computer keeps crashing with a bright blue screen and verticle lines. One time it crashed so it looked like my desktop was a split screen. I reboot and it starts up OK but then it happens again. I have run disc utility which says I there are no problems. Does anyone know what is happening and how to fix it?
Thanks

Might be a hardware issue. (graphics card)
Run the Apple Hardware Test
If you don't want to do that, take your Mac to an Apple Store or Apple certified repair provider.
Locations listed here.

G4 start up problem, stuck in blue screen

Hello all. So, after mistakenly unplugging the G4 it will no longer boot. I get the gray screen, which then goes to the blue screen where it stays. The mouse pointer will appear, then periodically disappear while a status icon flashes in the lower center of the screen.
I've already tried resetting the PMU. When I attempt to use safe boot i get to the login screen. I enter my login/pass, which brings up a black prompt screen asking for login/pass again. I can login, but what if anything am I supposed to do at this point?
I thought safe boot just launched OSX without some features enabled?
Any suggestions. Tonight I'm going to try to use my laptop to open the G4 in target mode.
Thanks,
D

You could try the following. From the hatter. It was for a abit different problems, but may work.
Unplug the machine, pull the clock battery, hit the power button to discharge. Then plug it in without the clock battery. The machine should boot perfectly. Shut down, reinstall the clock battery, and now the system is fully functional. From Macosxhints.
To help you understand Safe Mode check the following:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107392
Also when you login with Safe Mode, go into system preferences/accounts/Login items, and remove any that are there.
Then restart without holding any keys.
The problems could be a third party application at login that would allow the boot.
If the problems continues, and there are any files she needs, I would start again in Target mode, pull the files. Than do a complete reinstall, with a zeroing of the hard drive which will take a while depending on its size.

IBook G3 will not start up-hangs up at blue screen

My IBook G3 will not start up. I can get the gray apple screen with pinwheel and then after a really long time it will go to a blank blue screen. A couple times it went to the login screen instead but in the user id it says "other" and when I try to enter my username and password it won't recognize me. I am a college student and one of the Apple geniuses here did a check of my hard drive and it checked out okay. We were not able to get it to start up in safe mode; it seemed like it was starting in safe mode but then it came to the login screen and would not allow me to login with my usual information. I was able to start up in single user mode and run fsck which found a couple things and after another fsck it said everthing was fine. But, it still gets hung up at startup. When I try to boot from the OS X installation CD it doesn't seem to be booting up with it, it only goes to the screen to install OS X. According to the directions on the Apple support site when I insert the CD and start up holding down the "c" key it should start up and then I should be able to repair permissions but I can't get that far.

Hi, and welcome to Apple Discussions.
To post a new topic when you are on a forum's topic list page, at the top left (under the word Forum), you will find a link to "Post New Topic." Click on that link, title your topic, and post in the box provided.
There are many things that can happen when you bounce an iBook off the floor.
It sounds like something may have been knocked loose, perhaps a connection? Probably it is going to take an analysis by a technician to tell you exactly what's going on. I have links for firms on both coasts, but you should be able to find an Apple Authorized Service Provider (or just someone who advertises that he/she works on Macs) in a metropolitan area like Chicago just by grabbing your Yellow Pages or local classifieds. I would think you would have a fairly competitive market there. Maybe you can find someone who does free diagnostics who will tell you what it will cost so you can decide whether its worth the cost to repair it.
Good luck.

HELP! START UP DISC FULL...What do I do?

My computer says start up disc is full. I have 59GB of photos in my iphoto library. I have copied them all to external hard drive, but nervous to delete it. What is the best 2nd option to save them to? I can't do updates or much at all right now. I can't even upload photos from my library to snapfish or shutterfly to make photo book. Do I invest in $50 a month for cloud service? Buy a second hard drive? Move them all to discs? I just can't believe 21,000 pics have completely filled my memory.
Thanks!
Juli

You might look through this for ideas on freeing up some space....
http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/freeingspace.html

Start up disc full-warning!

Hello
Just received a warning saying my start up disc was nearly full, i remember there was a simple little widget or programme that tells you what uses up most of your hard drive space (is that the same thing as your start up disc?) any way, does anyone know a good programme that tells you what applications use most space? so I can see where all my memory is going, then I can take some action. (i back up often and store a lot of photos etc on an external hard drive)
Thanks as always
x

HI!
the program you are looking for is the activity monitor that is found in the utilities folder under applications. buttttt thats not the same thing as your start-up disk being full . that little warning means you have just about filled up your hard drive. That means it is either time for an upgraded hard drive or for you to do some cleaning off of it.
so you should either delete movies, music, programs that you don't use anymore or look in the store for a reasonably priced new hard drive
Billy

Can't turn computer start up disc full

My computer gave me a message that my start up disc was full but then my computer battery died and by the time I got it charged it had turned off and now will only make the initial turn on and then shows a black screen. Why should I do ? I don't want to lose my information on my computer! Thank you!

10.6.8 or 10.7 or later?
For 10.6.8, boot from your Installer/Utilities DVD, but do not install. Wait a quarter minute for the MenuBar to be drawn and invoke Disk Utility, select your Hard drive and ( Repair Disk ).
For 10.7 or later, hold Command R at Startup, choose Disk Utility, slect your Hard drive and (Repair Disk).

Start up disc full, just blue screen

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