Start up problem - stuck on grey screen

I can't get past the grey screen - I have an apple and a rotating gear but it never advances. I tried disconnecting peripherals, restarting, restarting in safe mode but nothing seems to work. Help!

Last night the electricity went out and my power surge protector was not working so my iMac just force shut downed.
So, when the electricity came back i turned on my Mac but it is *Stuck in the Startup/Boot Screen with a Grey Apple Logo,a Empty Progress Bar with stays for 1 or 2 minutes and a small Spinning Wheel which would Spin Forver! I Have tried the SMC and Pram reset but no use, i have also tried to insert my OS X Lion 10.7 Installation disk and it would not load if i hold the C Key in the Startup, I Have Managed to go to Disk Utility Through "Recovery HD" but the Volume "Macintosh HD" is Greyed out and Unmounted and i cannot repair it. There are some files that i'd like to Recover if there is a way to fix it without deleting files.
**PLEASE HELP ME FIX THIS!**
Details about the iMac:
iMac 21.5 Inch i think from Mid 2010,
OS X Lion installed maybe 10.7.2 or 10.7.3 (im not sure)

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G5 start up problem: stuck at grey screen with fans running full strength

hi, i'm new to discussions, so i hope this question and my technical knowledge and descriptions will be OK: problem: G5 20" stuck at grey screen with fans running full strength..
so far i've tried but did not work:
- power off by pressing the button for 5 secs,
- checked all cables connections etc, take out the power cable try again, etc.
- removed all USB connections, re-did
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Scroto,
You may not actually have a bad processor. On the Dual G5's it's not uncommon after a few years for dust and corrosion to build up between the processors and their sockets. You can fairly easily remove the processors and clean the connections yourself if you're at all handy. Basically, snap off the heatsink covers, loosen a few screws and the processor and heatsink come out as a unit.
Clean the contacts on the processors (carefully). And clean the sockets. Be sure to put the same processor in the same place or you'll have issues.
I used 90% isopropol alcohol to clean mine last year. Let it air dry and blew both the socket and the cpu off after with canned air. That done, I reinstalled the processors, buckled everything up and no more "bad" processor... The machine worked perfectly from then on and I assume it still does today. Don't know, someone stole it last month:(...

Old iMac won't start up and stuck in grey screen with spinning wheel

Hi, I have a very old imac which I purchased back in 2005, and has been working fine. I have left it in storage about 1 and 1/2 years ago.
Just now I try to restart it, the screen is forever stuck in the grey screen with the spinning wheel.
I tried many times off-on, hold down the apple function key but none worked.
I no longer have the rebooting CD with me. I wonder whether the computer can still be saved?
I have already backed up the contents so it doesn't matter if fixing the computer requires me to delete all my old files.
Thanks
If I am not wrong, I think it's tiger or earlier that it's using.

Do you have the Install Disc to try to boot from?
Might be time to replace the PRAM Battery, 4 years is close to their lifespan, far less if ever without AC power, & can cause strange startup problems...
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/BAA36VPRAM/

Boot up problem - stuck a grey screen

My 2008 macbook pro that won't start up all the way. When i press the power button, the grey screen comes up and freezes there. No apple icon, just the grey screen.
I can zap the PRAM, but it won't respond to any other keys such as safe mode, option key, boot DVD or CD keys.
I used to be able to unfroze by plugging and unplugging a USB device. However this trick no longer works.
Anyone have any suggestions to fix, or maybe know what wrong?

You want to start by removing all USB and firewire devices. If the ports were already going bad, requiring you to remove and reinsert them, then odds are they've degraded to the point where if they are present at all, they will cause problems. It might even be that the damage is so extensive that you'll need a new logic board. But start by just removing any device attached to your system that isn't part of the computer itself.

Unable to start my g5 stuck on grey screen

Turn on Mac goes to grey apple screen cog wheels spins but its stuck there tried control option p and r doesnt do anything tried turning it on while holding shift key to try and get it in safe mode but that does not work either. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

This forum is for intel imacs.
You might get more replies in the power pc forum.
https://discussions.apple.com/community/desktop_computers/imac_powerpc
You can try doing a PMU reset (Power Management Unit)
Turn off the computer by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu, or by holding the power button until the computer turns off.
Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord.
Wait 10 seconds.
Plug in the power cord while simultaneously pressing and holding the power button on the back of the computer.
Let go of the power button.
Press the power button once more to start up your iMac.
Note that this will only work on some G5 iMac models. I don't know what model you have.
See these articles for more info.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1767
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2173

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.

Stuck on grey screen screen at start up...apparent Qmaster bug.

So I found what appears to be a bug. At least for me...and at least in 10.6. Not sure if this effects other OS versions.
I was having an issue with start up getting stuck on grey screen. Symptom is eventually start-up circle segments would stop spinning and left hanging there on the grey screen.
There are Apple doc's and ample google hits on this subject. But I have found nothing pertaining to Qmaster as being a possible cause.
It took me awhile to figure it out and was not an obvious issue.
I thought it might be helpful posting this here to bring this up on a google search for someone who may be having the same problem.
My issue:
Doing image sequence Maya render's. However, I doubt it is Maya related.
If I pause the render in the Batch Monitor. And shutdown. Something with Qmaster still being active hangs my startup. It is repeatable behavior.
I have to start up holding shift key for safe mode.
You will note, if you have 'Show Qmaster service status in menu bar', under the Advance button of QM's System Pref's pane, that the green light is on.
That green light being on, gave me the clue that it was something to do with Qmaster.
Clicking; Stop Sharing and restarting clears the start up hang.
It appears, whatever permutations Qmaster expresses with a paused render on start up, is somehow preventing normal start up.
Since I have read that menu bar items may be one possible cause for start up issues. It's also possible and therefore worth mentioning that unchecking "Show Qmaster service status in menu bar". May also resolve the problem. I have not tested that.

Issues like this are often caused by startup jobs that are taking far too long to finish. It definitely looks like a serious bug so it's worth reporting it to Apple at either of the following places:
http://www.apple.com/feedback/compressor.html
http://bugreport.apple.com

Powermac G5 stuck on grey screen start up and fans running wild

Hi All
I also have the recurring problem all of a sudden - yesterday all seems well, today am stuck on grey screen and fans getting stronger by the minute. NOTHING works - have been through all sorts of forums and the most I got was to try disk utility - which says all is well - replaced the battery - tried just about anything short of pouring some acid on the **** thing, won't boot from original install CD either - I really need this machine as I earn my living with it and cant afford a new one and why as it was working just perfect - now this mess. In a way don't know why the excellerating fans are not built to simply pick up speed and then eat into the PC board and CPU - at lest this way we know for sure there is nothing we can do.
Does no one here know why the mac is doing this - not even the mac fundies? Unbelievable. I live in Namibia and Apple Mac support here is similar to that on this website - might as well write this on a wall - that is why I am really frustrated... **** Mac

Follow these steps in order:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
The G5 is also subject to solder failure around the RAM slots and memory controller.
It is a fatal condition, but one that can sometimes be temporarily sidestepped by heating the logic board between the RAM slots with a hair dryer.
Heat the board until very warm (hot) then start.
If your machine starts after heating, then you better just leave the machine on all the time.
You never know when the trick won't work......

Start up screen stuck on grey screen with apple logo and spinning gear

Start up screen is stuck on grey screen with apple logo and spinning gear. What should I do?

See this thread with dominic23’s suggestions: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5783326?tstart=0

STUCK ON GREY SCREEN! !PLEASE HELP!

!!HELP!! STUCK ON GREY SCREEN
I have a MacBook 10.5. Its a few years old anyway it seemed to be working fine up until a couple of weeks ago then it started taking ages to startup.
I started it in singlemode then typed /sbin/fsck -fy then a message came up "harddrive appears to be ok" next i typed "reboot" and the system started booting.It started as normal with the apple logo and spinning chime,next the screen turns blue where the login screen normally appears but then the screen turns grey with no logo with just the pointer arrow on it and it doesn't seem to load past that point.Can anybody please help me solve this problem i have my kids photos and stuff on it that are unreplaceable.
Hopefully there's a command line that can help also I don't have a installation disk so is there a way I can download 1 onto USB??
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Hi Eug07349,
Thanks for visiting Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like you may be experiencing a software issue. I'd suggest trying the first two steps in this article (Disconnect, test peripheral devices and network cables, Perform a Safe Boot):
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Best,
Jeremy

Macbook pro retina 2012 mid year stuck on grey screen

Hi everyone.
I've just update for the lastest mac os x mountain lion update, when half way the progress and it goes stucked. All the function are unable to function, so i've force shut it down. After mac shutted down and i tried to boots it back it stuck on grey screen which below apple logo forever loading icon. i've tried Reset the PRAM, but it still not working for me. Also, i tried when when start up hold with cmd + r to reinstall the os x , but it just won't let me to reinstall it , it wrote you can't upgrade this version of OS X because a newer version is installed?
Help please! need a solution that wont delete all my files at the same time

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 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.”
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. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
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.
If you've booted from 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. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
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.
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 corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 5.
If you can boot and log in now, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on your boot 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 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 Step 1.) 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 may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then reboot as usual.
Step 6
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.
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 Time Machine or other backup.
Step 8
This step applies only to older Macs (not current models) that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery. Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a gray screen at boot. Typically the boot failure will be preceded by loss of the startup disk and system clock settings. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
Step 9
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. If you can't get to an Apple Store, go to another authorized service provider.

Intel-based iMac stuck in grey screen with spinning wheel. SMC::smcReadKeyAction ERROR THOP kSMBadArgumentError(0x89)

Hi guys,
since yesterday my Intel-Based iMac doesn't boot normally, its stuck in grey screen with a spinning wheel.
Its an Intel-based iMac 21.5'' purchased in 2011, and i recently (2 months ago) upgraded it to Mavericks.
-2 weeks ago, i installed smcFanControl app
-Tried start up in Safe Mode by holding Shift but its not working. i think i hear fans are working more than they were before the problem occurs.
-entered Single User Mode and i get an error
SMC ::smcReadKeyAction ERROR THOP kSMCBadArgumentError(0x89) fKeyHashTable=0x0xffffff8029fa1000
-followed some instructions found online, but can execute the correct commands in SingleUserMode
tried to remove FanControl as explained here: http://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/110667/errorr-kernel-smcsmcreadkeyactio n-in-console
any ideas what may caused this and how can i fix this?
Thanks in advance

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, boot 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 10. 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
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 10
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 11
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 12
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.

Power Mac G5 stuck on grey screen after swapping machine

Greetings Friends,
I have changed my two HD out of one casing to another casing. Both HD worked fine, Both machines worked fine.
I have booted up the computer and now the computer sits on the Grey apple logo, with no loading wheel. After 2 mins, the fans kick into overdrive.
It does not boot.
I have tried alt + command + P + R, but it does not work
I have tried holding ALT down on start up of the machine, which directs me to a menu where I can select either one of my HD or the start up disc that is in the optical drive. I have tried selecting all of these with no success.
I then tried to swap all the internals back to the original machine to see if it still works, and now the same problem exists. Grey screen with APPLE logo, no boot.
Could any body give me any help or direction. I love these machines and would like to continue working with one of them as soon as possible.
They are a G5, 4 GB ram, OSX 10.5.8 & the other drive is 10.5.1.
Both have been working well until today.
Thanks.

Hello, first thing that comes to mind is a BAD HDD, does the other one boot with only the one original drive? Maybe I'm misunderstanding if it was added in the second slot or not!?

Need Help For iMac G5 Stuck On Grey Screen Or Apple Logo No Spinning Gear!

Hello everyone i'm new here and i'm new for using iMac for some reason i was trying to clean or to fresh installation the iMac that my brother gave it to me that he bought it into the flea market without the original disk on it! when i erase the Macintosh HD and some of the partition o iMac then reboot it now the iMac stuck on grey screen or apple logo no spinning wheel shown. and i also try to search and try all the tips of all mac user's like all the command key's and follow the instruction of them but still nothing happen..
Holding CMD & R just to go disk utilities nothing shown up only apple logo and the noisy fan.
Holding alt and it go to blue screen and show my mouse Pointer Refresh Logo, Hard drive Icon, Arrow Sign.
i can click Arrow Sign and it go Apple Logo and within 2-3 seconds and it change to Power Sign Logo,
i can click Refresh Logo but nothing happen .
i can't click the Hard Drive icon.
CMD, Option, P & R to Reset i also try and it's the same nothing change.
CMD, Option, ESC no action shown.
Is there anyway to fix this issue or problem please and thank you for help.
Hoping to get result for all of you guys P.S
iMac G5
v10.5.8
Leopard

You need to have the install DVD that was issued with the iMac
You can call Apple at 1-800-275-2273

My macbook pro is stuck on grey screen with apple symbol in center with the progress circle under it continusly spinning. After I had turned it on. Prior to turning it on I had to force close and shut down a few hours prior. Please Help?

My macbook pro is stuck on grey screen with apple symbol in center with the progress circle under it continusly spinning. After I had turned it on. Prior to turning it on I had to force close and shut down a few hours prior. Please Help I have tried everything I know to do

Unfortunately this means that there is a problem in the boot sector of your hard drive. It might be indicative of a fundamental corruption in the coding that allows your computer to boot your operating system from your hard drive. I had this problem twice and it resulted in me having to get a new hard drive and restore my data.
In other words, your computer can't talk to your operating system so you can't access your data.
Here is my advice: DON'T CALL APPLE TECH SUPPORT though they are kind and usually helpful it will take you an hour just to explain the situation and they will only tell you to do what I'm gonna say here.
First: Shut down your computer completely
Two: boot up while holding down the following keys: command, option, p, and r. The computer will reboot 3 times. This solution will likely fail so if you're frustrated skip to the next step.
Three: Boot up while holding down the option key. Select recovery drive. Select your default language. Select disk utility, click on Macintosh HD, and select "verify and repair volume." Likely the verification will produce some line like "unused node not erased." Or something like that. If anything using the words "node structure" comes up, you need a new hard drive.
If after verification and repairs you still can't boot I sincerely hope you have apple care because you will need a new hard drive. Set up an appointment to come in to the apple store, they will tell you to go and get data recovery, just ask them to give you the old hard drive. Unless you have an up to date backup in which case you can just restore from that. If you're lucky the only issue is with the boot sector which means that if you ask them to give you the old hard drive, you can buy an enclosure and you have effectively been given a free external hard drive. It still works to store data just not to load an operating system.
If you have a back up drive bring it to the apple store and they'll do the whole thing right there, it should take around an hour and a half but may take longer.
Hope this helps, it's annoying but it's your safest bet.
All the best.

Start up problem - stuck on grey screen

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