Start up problems and screen shake

Dear all
I have started experiencing problems when I start up my iMac. Prior to the Blue Apple Screen appearing on startup I get a fuzzy grey screen with thin lines moving up and down the screen. This lasts for about 5 seconds then clears when the Blue Apple screen comes on. It never used to do this.
Once I am logged in my screen tends to have a series of small dots (like pixels) forming short lines across the screen. These change each time I log on.
Also, when this has happened the whole screen goes 'fuzzy' for a few seconds before clearing again. This can re-occur at any moment.
This problem does not always happen but maybe three out of four start ups. If the problem at start up does not occur then I do not experience the fuzzy screen.
Any ideas? I am very concerned that something critical is up.
I have done the most recent updates.
ps I am not a computer whiz!
Regards
Adam

Hi Adam,
This is exactly what is happening to my iMac which will be repaired this week. It is critical but it is due to a known fault on some of the iMacs.
Go to http://www.apple.com/support/imac/repairextensionprogram/
Even if your iMac is out of the 1 year warrenty it will be covered for this.
bw's
Anne

Similar Messages

I've had creative cloud installed and subscribed for more than a year. Recently I started getting problems and couldn't launch PS. This evening while trying to fix the problem I've managed to do something and now I can't launch either LR or PS. I get an e

I've had creative cloud installed and subscribed for more than a year. Recently I started getting problems and couldn't launch PS. This evening while trying to fix the problem I've managed to do something and now I can't launch either LR or PS. I get an error message about verifying my subscription when I click and get my subscription verified it ays "OK" and I clock to to application and then it jumps back to verification needed - and so it goes on and on and on and..

Here are two other examples of this happening..
I expected more from Apple.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6919109
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/6683814

New iMac crashes, start up problems, flicker screen...

Purchased iMac four months ago. It seems to be a bit flaky – as a life-long and loyal user of Apple, not what I was expecting! Often have problems crashing or hard disc error messages at start up. Flickering screen.
Also not sure that I got everything that I requested at the store – I had asked for an additional back up drive in store when ordered and I've looked on my iMac and it doesn't seem to have this. Currently backing up to iCloud and on DVDs to make sure I don't lose anything if my computer gives up the ghost and dies!
Bit disappointed really. Never had problems with any Apple products before and saved up for quite a while to upgrade my very old G4 (which still runs like a dream, and only updated because it's operating system became incompatible with latest software updates) to a new iMac (which seems a bit buggy).
Asked around and a few people have found iMac to be less reliable than previous Apple computers. Anyone else have problems with iMac seeming less stable?

Contact Apple Service, iMac Service or Apple's Express Lane. Do note that if you have AppleCare's protection plan and you're within 50 miles (80 KM) of an Apple repair station, you're eligible for onsite repair since yours is a desktop machine.
You'll have to take up the missing backup drive with the sellers. The iMac doesn't come with one.

My Macbook Pro's navigation is not smooth and screen shakes after after i open folders

I just bought my macbook pro 15" and i am experiencing some problems
For example,
i put safari or any application to full screen. So whenever i move my curser to the top of the screen to i can activate the bar (File - Edit - View - .. etc) It doesn't show and go down smoothly
Whenever I navigate to the right and left with my three fingers, its never smooth ... It keeps breaking and become slow
When I scroll to open my notification center its not smooth
Sometimes the screen shakes when i open an application or do certain things
I guess its a software problem. Please help me find a solution because its getting really frustrating, especially that i just bought it
Thank you a lot

Your warranty includes 90 days of phone support. Call AppleCare.

Start up problems and shutting down problems

i have an hp pavilion all in one desk top computer and i'm having problems with the start up, sometimes when i turn it on i get as far as typing in my password and then the screen goes blank and i have to shut it off manually and turn it back on, but when i do it says failure to configure windows updates and reverting changes, and when i go to shut it down it shuts down but stays running so i have to start it again wait to put my password in then i can get it to shut down but yesterday when i went to shut it down i went to settings and clicked shut down and it wouldn't do anything so i manually shut it off and turned it back on , can anyone tell me what is causing these problems and how i can fix it.

Hello again octopus78,
Based on the information you have given me, I would suggest following this document on when the Screen is Blank after Starting the Computer.
If the issue persists I suggest creating a backup by following this document on Backing Up Your Files (Windows 8). The next step will be to recover your Operating System by Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 8).
If the issue continues after this point, please call our technical support at 1-800-474-6836. If you live outside the US/Canada Region please click the link below to get the support number for your region.
http://www.hp.com/cgi-bin/hpsupport/index.pl
I hope this helps!
Cheers
MechPilot
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Start-up problems, black screen or open firmware

My iBook G4 1.33GHz Dual USB, with 1 gb RAM memory has been troublesome lately. It's installed with the latest version of OS 10.4.9
When starting up the ibook, it will sometimes only show a black screen after the boot chime. Repeated force restart sometimes makes it boot up the open firmware (white screen).
Then I see the error message:
"Illegal instructions at: %SRR0:ff85e778 %SRR1:00081000"
When I continue on with "mac-boot", I get the blue screen with a question marked box. So it can't find the startup disk.
This usually only happens when I'm done working for the day and close the lid on my ibook without manually clicking on the sleep mode when I put in in my drawer,. I've seen several times that the screen is still on when I close the lid, so it will continue to burn battery time.
I've managed to get the ibook to boot properly after removing the battery and letting it "cool-down" for 15-20 min. Also, zapping pram, vram sometimes works, but I don't know how much that actually helped. It worked once when I typed in the reset-nvram in the open firmware screen too.
I'd rather not have this happen at all! Any suggestions? Is this the much-talked about RAM memory failure?
Any suggestions would be very appreciated.
Message was edited by: antony chen

HI,
*"I get the blue screen with a question marked box."*
That can mean several things. One, the drive is failing. Two, your iBook can't find a System Folder to boot from. Try booting while holding down the Option key which will prompt the Startup Manager window.
MemTest
Boot from your install disk and check the hard disk for errors.
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 later) 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. It should say: 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.
When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
Select your start up disk and click Restart
While you have the Disk Utility window open, look at the bottom of the window where you see Capacity and Available. Make sure there is always 15% free disk space. Not enough disk space can cause directory corruption.
If you cannot boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Carolyn

Starting random apps and screen flicker when scrolling

My Touch 2G suddenly started to launch random apps without me touching the screen. Besides starting random apps the screen flickers when scrolling. Any body have experienced the same? It started about 1 month ago and I have always taken good care of it. I have tried every possible thing I can think of when it comes to software. Full restore, jailbreak, full restore, back to factory, back to earlier versions of IOS, but no luck. It is pretty persistent. I am sure it is hardware related and don't mind paying to have it fixed. I tried two repairshops already and they were not able to recover the reason for the malfunction. I wonder whether there is anybody who has experienced the same or even knows what is wrong?

Hey Kimwaldal,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Sounds like the devices are opening things on their own. You may want to follow this article to make sure the screens are working correctly.
iPhone, iPad, iPod touch: Troubleshooting touchscreen response
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1827
Have a nice day,
Mario

Start-up Problem - White Screen Open Firmware

Hi
Just turned my eMAc on and got a new beeping sound, the little light on the front flashed several times and then the screen went completely white with the following message;
Apple PowerMac 6,4 4.8.2f1 BootROM built on 03/11/04 at 09:18:55
Copyroght 1994 - 2004 Apple Computer, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Welcome to Open Firmware, the system time and date is: 07:26:35 10/20/2006
To continue booting, type "mac-boot" and press return
To shut down, type "shut-down" and press return
ok
0 >
I typed in 'mac-boot' and return and everything starts and 'appears' to work as normal.
I have shut down and restarted twice and the same thing happens. I also noticed that the push button switch seems to be sticking.
My question is - Is this a hardware issue (the start button is faulty) or is it a software (firmware, corrupt file)?
Many thanks for help and advice
Mick

It's possible it's a hardware problem, but first I'd suggest you try resetting Open Firmware:
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-nvram
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
set-defaults
and press Return
At the 0 > prompt, type:
reset-all
and press Return.
With luck, that will clear things and you'll be back to booting normally.
Hope this helps.

Start UP problems, blue screen, Imac (intel) 1.83 17"

I posted this Saturday in a different area. So forgive me if I did this incorrectly.
Imac DuoCore 1.83 (originall with 10.4 Tiger)
Upgraded to Leopard several months ago without problems.
Have the lastest updates.
Two days ago the following started:
1. Starts up-no chime
2. Apple logo is seen (grey)
3. light blue screen with progress wheel-not the pinwheel)
4. screen dims a bit, progress wheel dissappears then comes back and it does
the same thing.
I ran the Disk First Aide from the CD, performed verify and repair disc.
Came back with repaired completed. Everything seemed ok.
Restarted...but the problem persisted.
Next I reset the PRAM...
Chime came back on start up.
Ran the CD a few again. Said it was all ok.
Restarted....and back to blue
I ran hardware test from the original CD
all came back fine. Two items were repaired.
Restarted and back to the blue screen.
Tried Single user interface and ran /sbin/fsck -fy
Again 2 items were found and repaired.
Restarted.
Hardware and software seems to be fine acccording to this.
SO it seems it's the PRAM battery. I think. ANy other ideaS???
ALSO...this machine is out of warranty. Not afraid of cracking it open.
But, where is the praam batter located? Like to know what the part number is to have it on hand when I open it.
Any help appreciated.
RLM

I opened up my iMac and replaced the PRAM battery. No change.
I then took out the Hard drive and placed it in my G5 destop.
When i restarted it I could see the hardrive and it's contents. Both HD have
10.5.7 installed so I thought I could restart with the Imac HD
and then back it up. But it wouldn't start up and jumped to the
G5's HD. My question is:
1. Is the reason it would not recognize the iMac HD as a start up disk because
it's from a duo core intel mac?
2.Is it because the iMacs HD has some problems in booting up?
(as I wrote before I have run every test available with positive results
yet continue getting the blue screen)
And since I can read and see the imac drive in my G5, how can I back it up short of dragging everything to a new drive since I can't log into the individual users. Of primary importance are the pictures in iphoto in different user accounts.
Thanks for any help
Richard
Message was edited by: Richard Mora

Start up problem, white screen. Can you help?

Hello, this problem starts with a freeze up normally waking from sleep mode. Hard restart get fan noise,start up noise, white/gray screen with/out the apple or wheel and that is as far as it gets. Once in a while (like 2 in 4 days) it will boot completely. I have run disk utility 3 times, with it finding and fixing errors twice and none once. I have reset pram, I have tried booting booting from disc (holding c down while starting up) with no change. I have reset the sm by leaving the thing unplugged over night. I am in a small town with out a apple store and only one service center with a huge backlog! can anyone help? Oh and I have reinstalled osx and restored from timemachine 3 times and this still happens:-(

Thanks, I failed to write down the errors, but i do recall them coming up while checking the catalog hierarchy...not much help I know. Thanks for the system test tip, but fond no problem. would the power supply cause the top of the computer to heat up? I just noticed it seems to be hot. I have put a fan blowing on it, to help for now. Keep in mind that I could have just never noticed this before! Here is my last question, I have always purchased apple care, a search shows nothing registered for this computer. I moved about 6 months ago and have no clue where the box with my apple care would be. I can not find my purchase receipt. I recall the apple store emailing it to me, but alas, I cannot find it. Do they keep records of these things? Thank you again for all of your help!

Imac intel start up problems and fan runs constantly on high

I got my Imac 17 Intel Duo Core on March 16th and 10 minutes after I started it the screen went black and a little light started flashing on the lower right. After holding the power button it finally turned off but would not boot up, just that black screen and blinking light. I was told by tech to unplug everything for a few minutes then put the plug in just the Imac, then hold the power button down while plugging it in. Well it started after that but the fan was on high constantly. This was remedied by unplugging everything for a few minutes and then starting back up normally. Now it runs in stealth mode being virtually silent. If your Imac intel is making noise it's not normal. Check out this site for noise problems.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303446
Imac 17 in Intel 1.83 ghz Intel duo core 1 gig mem Mac OS X (10.4.5)
Imac 17 in Intel 1.83 ghz Intel duo core 1 gig mem Mac OS X (10.4.5)
Imac 17 in Intel 1.83 ghz Intel duo core 1 gig mem Mac OS X (10.4.5)
Imac 17 in Intel 1.83 ghz Intel duo core 1 gig mem Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I second Dave it needs to go back to service. What I have heard happens sometime is one of the temperature sensors is either not put back on properly during reassembly or it comes of soon after. With an incorrect temperature reading that particular fan will run at full speed. You can check the fan speeds by installing iStat Pro: http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/27037
George

Start up problem and Disk Repair failed...

I recently did an update on firefox and an update on adobe flash. Right after I did those updates, I turned off my computer and couldn't restart!!!
First time I tried to boot, I got to the apple icon with wheels around it. But it just set there like that for several minutes. So I forced it to shot down.
After that, every time I tried to restart I came to a grey screen with a small folder appeared in the center and a flashing question mark...
I then followed instructions in this link: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
It failed to safe boot and disk repair.
I received the following message while doing the disk repair:
"First Aid failed. Disk Utility stopped repairing disk3 because the following error was encountered. The underlying task reported failure on exit."
"Repairing disk for disk3
checking HFS Plus Volume
Catalog file entry not found for extent
Volume check failed
Error: The underlying task reported failure on exit (-9972)
Repair attempted on 1 volume
0 HFS volumes repaired
1 volume could not be repaired"
Can this G5 still survive without changing a HD? Could you please help on this issue? Many many many many thanks!!!

If it's just data corruption, erasing the drive will fix the issue. If it's a physical problem with the drive, then no; you will have to replace the drive.
The next thing to try is starting up from your Mac OS X installation disc (for the currently installed system release); insert disc and restart while holding down the C key.
When you get to the first Installer screen, go up to the menu bar and select to run Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. In the sidebar, select the internal drive; select the drive and not the volume indented under the drive. Go to the Erase tab. Name the volume +Macintosh HD+ and set the format type to +Mac OS Extended (Journaled)+. Then erase, which will re-partition and reformat the drive. This will obviously erase any existing data on the drive.
If the drive is physically OK, this process should complete in less than one minute. If it does, quit Disk Utility to go back to Installer. Run a standard installation on the blank drive.
If the erase process errors out or stalls, you probably have a faulty hard drive.
If the erase process completes successfully, but the subsequent Mac OS X installation stalls (or takes forever) or fails with error, please post back.

Start up problems and full disc

I am having problems with my macbook pro being extremely slow. When I restart, it stays on the grey start up screen for about 5 minutes and then I'm finally able to log on. I check the pie under activity monitor and there's plenty of space. As soon as I start using the internet things come to a halt with the spinning ball and I check my pie again and it's completly full. I went to disc utility and clicked on utilities and then went to repair disc permissions and a whole bunch of stuff came up. The problem returns no matter what I do. But really, despite reading the forums I can't figure out what I'm even looking for and how to repair things. Here are my specs:
I'm running snow leopard
MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:     MacBookPro8,3
Processor Name:     Intel Core i7
Processor Speed:     2.3 GHz
Number of Processors:     1
Total Number of Cores:     4
L2 Cache (per Core):     256 KB
L3 Cache:     8 MB
Memory:     4 GB
Mac OS X
Version 10.6.8
Any help would be most appreciated!

You need to get rid of a lot of files or transfer them to an external drive or dvds. Read the following;
First thing you should do is to Empty the trash!
Seven ways to free up drive space
Where did my Disk Space go?
Slimming your hard drive
Seven ways to free up drive space
OmniDiskSweeper is a free utility that checks HD space.
FreeSpace cost $1 or is a free utility that checks HD space.
SpaceControl is a free utility that checks HD space.
FreeSpace cost $.99 - FreeSpace shows you how much space is available on all local, connected, and network drives with a single click.
Rule of thumb: You should never let your hard drive get to where you have only 10-15% of space left.

IMac Start up problems, and installation problems

Apple iMac
I've recently purchased a copy of 10.6.3 as a substitute for my 10.6 disc.
On trying to re-install my internal hard drive, after it wouldn't boot.
All Documents etc are on an external 1TB External Drive, also my documents are on my MBP.
1) Been trying to install for well over an hour, and still it says 28mins?
2) Tried to clone my MacBookPro hd over, via Firewire, and waited nearly 12+ hours to no avail. Going down the route with Carbon Copy Cloner, and also Disk Utility, and even tried to install via Firewire cable, on that occasion it got to 45 minutes left, and all went quiet.
3) Have run disk utility loads of times to check the integrity of the drive, it says Verified,
4) Have now tried to reinstall with the original disks that came with the mac, after reformatting the hard drive, and selecting my options, the installer starts, and when reboots, take ages, white screen, I don't even get the prompt to insert the the second cd.
5) On this basis, a) Is my hard drive failing
b) Is my problem the superdrive.

You cannot install an earlier version of OS X than the machine came with that is why your installation won't work. The problem probably is that your Original Install Disc that came with the machine is a later version than 10.6.3.
If you are trying to determine if your HD is failing there are a couple of things you can check. First in Disk Utility (Applications - Utilties - Disk Utility) check the S.M.A.R.T. status of the HD. If it says anything but VERIFIED yes your HD is in trouble. The next thing you can do is run Apple Hardware Test. Here is an Apple Advice Letter that will provide instructions. Remember you will need the ORIGINAL Install Disc that came with the computer. Run AHD in extended mode to be the most thorough.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509
It would also help to advise us exactly what are you trying to achieve, then we can advise you.
Roger

Start up problem and loose screw?

Hi everyone,
I opened up the MacPro last night to check what brand of HD and Memory it came with since I'm thinking of expanding to do video editing and to have a back-up internal HD.
As I layed the MacPro on its side to put back the memory carrier, a screw slid out from the bottom right of the box. It had a bit of green grease on it.
I looked inside but did not see where it could go. I left it out and closed back the side panel. I repluged everything but all I got at restart was a constant blinking light.
I rebooted a few times but nothing changed. Then, I opened her up again and removed the HD and the memory again and blew on them a bit to remove a bit of dust (as if it help).
I put everything back together and closed her up again. This time, at startup OSX opened. I was really worried about this. Now my router died on me too. I'm still worried about this situation.
I have a Western Ditigal Caviar SE 250 GB and the 2x512 MB had no name (just a blue "M")and codes. I heard nothing but good reports about Western Digital HDs.
1) Is my Mac a mellon?
2) Should I purchase another Western Digital HD anyway?
3) What brand of memory to get next?
PS: I will also post my situation on the Expanding Your Mac to get the most feedback possible since I'm worried.
Any help and opinions would really be appreciated!
Rio.
2x2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon Mac Pro Mac OS X (10.4.8) 1GB RAM

1) Is my Mac a mellon?
I think you mean lemon, but no, I don't think so. Getting NO screen at boot probably indicated that your memory wasn't seated properly (maybe got jarred loose a bit when you originally opened it up). Clearly, re-seating the memory fixed this.
As for the screw, I'd check your hard drive sled. I haven't peered around my Mac Pro long enough to know where all the spots with screws are, though.
2) Should I purchase another Western Digital HD
anyway?
If the problem had been with the hard drive, you probably would've got a blinking question mark, or some sort of boot screen. Of course, more hard drive space never hurts, and WD are a good brand.
3) What brand of memory to get next?
Most people go with Crucial or OWC. I bought some TechWorks sticks from Newegg, though, and haven't had any problems. I would suggest you buy new memory in a matched pair (2x1GB or 2x512MBs) and fill up slots 1 and 2 of Riser B with a pair (in other words, 2x1GB on slots 1 and 2 of Riser A and 2x512MBs on slots 1 and 2 of Riser B).

Start up problems and screen shake

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for