Starting up in Safe Mode

I am trying to start up in Safe Mode and I know that I have to hold shift after I hear the "on" sound after turning the computer on from shut down. But I don't hear any on sound... What do I do?

D you hear the boot beep when you boot normally? If not then you may have mute set in the Sound preferences.
If mute isn't set try doing a pram reset. Of course that may be problematic since you need the boot beep for that too.

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My MB is always starting up in safe mode... why? What to do to start-up normally? Please help.

Hi,
I am frequently having troubles with my MB. Different types of troubles. Couldn't solve a single one yet.
I have performed reboot MB in safe mode-- hold down the left shift key after the start up tone till the spinning gear appeared.
Few hours back i performed that, and since then it just starting up in safe mode without holding the any shift key. I have password protected log-in and each time the dialog box shown the safe mode, not the normal boot as it used to be. I restarted so many times, but same result.
I started-up by holding down the Option key, dialog box showing the same thing "safe mode" and same result.
I started-up in single user mode, and then typed reboot, then pressed enter/return button, but dialog box shown the same and it started up in safe mode after entering the password.
While in the safe mode, i have selected the Mac OS X 10.4.11 from the preference pane, then restarted, but all produced the same result, same dialog box showing the safe mode.
I couldn't take the screen shot of that dialog box that appears before starting up.
I am currently using the internet while in safe mode, and using ethernet adapter- a AirStream 1100 F25 external modem attached to the USB port. I don't know if that is good for my MB to use internet on the safe mode.
I used disk utility and verified the disk during the safe mode, i don't know if that is right or wrong to perform that utility in safe mode, but it all appeared as normal. You can see that from the following image.
Few days back, i performed the disk utility to verify disk while on the normal boot. But the result shown the red marks, please see the following image for details.
Hardware Overview:
Model Name:          MacBook
Model Identifier:          MacBook2,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache (per processor):          4 MB
Memory:          1 GB
Bus Speed:          667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          MB21.00A5.B07
SMC Version:          1.13f3
Serial Number:          4*********M
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State:          Enabled
BANK 0/DIMM0:
Size:          512 MB
Type:          DDR2 SDRAM
Speed:          667 MHz
Status:          OK
BANK 1/DIMM1:
Size:          512 MB
Type:          DDR2 SDRAM
Speed:          667 MHz
Status:          OK
System Power Settings:
AC Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Automatic Restart On Power Loss:          No
Wake On AC Change:          No
Wake On Clamshell Open:          Yes
Wake On LAN:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
Battery Power:
System Sleep Timer (Minutes):          5
Disk Sleep Timer (Minutes):          10
Display Sleep Timer (Minutes):          1
Wake On AC Change:          No
Wake On Clamshell Open:          Yes
Display Sleep Uses Dim:          Yes
Reduce Brightness:          Yes
Battery Information:
Battery Installed:          Yes
First low level warning:          No
Full Charge Capacity (mAh):          2745
Remaining Capacity (mAh):          2745
Amperage (mA):          133
Voltage (mV):          12575
Cycle Count:          507
AC Charger Information:
Connected:          Yes
Charging:          No
Hardware Configuration:
UPS Installed:          No
Intel ICH7-M AHCI:
Vendor:          Intel
Product:          ICH7-M AHCI
Speed:          1.5 Gigabit
Description:          AHCI Version 1.10 Supported
TOSHIBA MK1234GSX:
Capacity:          111.79 GB
Model:          TOSHIBA MK1234GSX
Revision:          AH008B
Serial Number:          Z6M7T4FTT
Native Command Queuing:          Yes
Queue Depth:          8
Removable Media:          No
Detachable Drive:          No
BSD Name:          disk0
OS9 Drivers:          No
S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified
Volumes:
Macintosh HD:
Capacity:          111.47 GB
Available:          24.09 GB
Writable:          Yes
File System:          Journaled HFS+
BSD Name:          disk0s2
Mount Point:          /
TOSHIBA MK1234GSX:
Capacity:          111.79 GB
Model:          TOSHIBA MK1234GSX
Revision:          AH008B
Serial Number:          Z6M7T4FTT
Native Command Queuing:          Yes
Queue Depth:          8
Removable Media:          No
Detachable Drive:          No
BSD Name:          disk0
OS9 Drivers:          No
S.M.A.R.T. status:          Verified
Volumes:
Macintosh HD:
Capacity:          111.47 GB
Available:          24.09 GB
Writable:          Yes
File System:          Journaled HFS+
BSD Name:          disk0s2
Mount Point:          /
System Software Overview:
System Version:          Mac OS X 10.4.11 (8S2167)
Kernel Version:          Darwin 8.11.1
Boot Volume:          Macintosh HD
Please help me out. Let me know how to start-up normally. By the way, my superdrive is not detecting DVDs including the OS dvds, but it read and write the CDs. So, It is not possible to reinstall OS early, at least not before the having the back up of the data. Please help me with contingency plan/s or as you think fit.
Thank you. Look forward to your reply.
<Personal Information Edited by Host>

Maximillianmann,
depending upon how full “almost full” actually is, that could be the problem.
You can try this, if you have Mac OS X 10.7 or newer installed, to see if it’s not related to your disk being almost full: boot your MacBook Pro into Recovery mode by holding down a Command key and the R key as it starts up. Once the Mac OS X Utilities menu appears, select Disk Utility. On the left-hand side of the Disk Utility window, select your internal disk’s boot partition (typically called “Macintosh HD”). On the right-hand side, press the Verify Disk button if it’s not greyed out; if it is greyed out, or if it reports that errors were found, press the Repair Disk button. Once the verification/repair is completed, exit Disk Utility and select Restart from the Apple menu to restart in normal mode. Once you hear the startup chime, try booting into Safe mode; does it let you do so now?

Can't Start Up in Safe Mode

I've followed the directions here 8 times now:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107393
I've tried it with various timing alterations, and I just can't seem to get started up in safe mode.
Any clue what I might be doing wrong?
Thanks.

Okay, I solved my own problem. Figured I'd post it here, just in case it might help someone else. Though, it probably won't. My set-up is pretty rare.
My keyboard isn't plugged into my computer. It's plugged into my monitor, which has 4 USB ports. Evidently, those USB ports don't get loaded until too late in the start-up process, for me to take advantage of start-up commands.
When I plugged the keyboard directly into the computer, it worked fine.

I shut down my macbook pro and now I started up and it started in the safe mode

I shut down my MacBook Pro yesterday and when I started up today, it keeps starting up in safe mode, what do I need to do?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
Does your Mac start properly in safe mode? If so, try resetting the PRAM > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379 This will reset the "boot args", so OS X should start into safe mode. Also, you should verify that the storage of the computer is OK, so open Disk Utility, select "Macintosh HD" on the sidebar and verify the drive. If there's a problem, start in OS X Recovery (holding Command and R keys while your Mac is starting) and repair it

Had to start Firefox in safe mode cause it kept crashing after i deleted the file. Now Fire fox Crashes every time I open it and I have to put it in safe mode j

Had to start Firefox in safe mode cause it kept crashing after i deleted the file. Now Fire fox Crashes every time I open it and I have to put it in safe mode just to use it, also it's not syncing with my iPad.

If you use Norton software, try disabling your Norton extensions. As of last week, there were severe compatibility issues with Firefox 24.

Is there a way to change the hotkey for starting firefox in safe-mode?

The current default hotkey is shift. Holding it when starting firefox will start it in safe mode (true story). My super duper favorite handy windows hotkey for starting programs pinned to the task bar in windows 7 is windows_key + shift + #, and that conflicts with the firefox setting, and i always end up starting firefox in safe mode because im that lazy.

Greetings!
I'm an irssi user, and I have awesome mouse gesture addon for it, and I'm afraid I can't live without it anymore.. But it requires Shift key for opening links, therefore Firefox, as my default browser, always starts in Safe mode :(
I'm not a programmer, easiest workaround would be modifying the irssi addon, but I suck on that, too.
If there's a way to bypass Safe Mode in Firefox, or at least a way to change the Shift key to something else, that would make my miserable life a tad easier.

Lost user profile and disk0s2: I/O error during start up in safe mode

My almost 2 year old Mac Book Pro (10.7.5) started lagging and rainbow spiraling last week and now it usually doesn't make it to the login page after boot up. It stays on the gray apple screen until I hold the power button to power it off.
If it makes it to the login page, after 10-20 minutes on the gray apple screen, my primary user profile is not there but the standadr guest user and my blank student user are still there and do work with many rainbow spirals interruptions.
I started it in safe mode and have also tried starting it with command-option-p-r to reset the PRAM and it went through the double start up sounds but still did not load my primary user profile on the login screen, still after a very long boot up process.
I then started it up in safe mode and watched the progress it seemed to run cleanly through lines and lines of code until it hit a bunch of lines of "disk0s2: I/O error" ...
Are my computer's brains toast??? I just did a Time Machiene back up to an external hard drive as few days ago ... but what needs to be done with my computer?

"disk0s2: I/O error" ...
This indicates a disk failure, though a hardware failure involving the connection between the HD and logic board is also a remote possibility. If you are able to successfully repair it with Disk Utility, it will probably recur.
Replace the disk and restore from your Time Machine backup. Hard disks are not expensive and it's easy enough to replace it yourself.

IMac won't start up in safe mode

Thanks to those that have helped getting my so far. Really appreciated.
When attempting to startup in safe mode the grey progress bar runs to about 1/3 of the way then drops out & am stuck on the grey screen again.
Tried starting up in safe mode with report Shift-Cmd-V
Lots of tech jargon so am not sure what to look for or how to rectify it (short of reinstalling system discs)
the last 3 lines are as follows (if that's any help)...
fsck_hfs: Volume is journaled. No checking performed.
fsck_hfs: Use the -f option to force checking.
launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc/mach_init.d/dashboardadvisory.plist

Yes, I have backed up and deleted old files using target disk mode with an old macbook. It's just the larger files I didn't have enough space and disks for. I really appreciate your help on this as I've never had any mac issues before this so am not really sure what to look for.

Can only start up in safe mode

mac g5 running tiger can only start up in safe mode
I already ried the following: zap pram// open-firmware startup// repair permissions// turned off all startup items// disabled automatic login// tried booting from startup disk// started up in single user mode - it said all is fine - but it could not boot// connected via firewire to my other computer and ran disk warrier from my other computer - it said all was fine
STILL - cannot startup normally. can ONLY start up in safe mode. Suggestions please

btw - my harddrive checks out fine - no errors

Always starts up on safe mode!

Everytime I start up my iMac (2011, 27 inch, OS X 10.7.4 Lion) it starts on what seems to be safe mode. After starting up on safe mode, I restart (not shut down, just restart) again, then it comes back normally. What's that?! How to solve it??

Well, after a few tries, I figured out the problem is with the keyboard, as sais in one of the threads!! Amazing hoe Apple leaves this unsolved!!! Btw, zapped the p-ram just in case. Anyway, if I don't turb on the wireless keyboard when booting, it works fine!
Thanks! I couldn't stand my 5-minute boot process anymore!
--JP

HT1752 my powerbook g4 will not boot up. i get a blue screen. i have tried to start up in safe mode, but get the same blue screen.

My Powerbook G4 (with Snow Leopard operating system) will not boot up, I get a blue screen. I have tried to start up in safe mode by holding down shift key after startup tone, but end up with same result...blue screen. I need important photos and documents of this laptop, Even if I can just get it started up one more time. Need help fast! If you know what to do, please message back.

In the text you say you are using Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard will not operate on a G4 (or any Mac with a PowerPC processor). Leopard OS 10.5 is the max OS for PowerPC processor Macs. Your profile shows OS 10.5.6. What OS are you using (or trying to use)?
Will the PB boot using a systen install DVD?
 Cheers, Tom

HT1455 What if my computer will not start up in safe mode? What next?

What is the remedy for a MacBook that will not start up in safe mode? The gray apple icon and progress wheel appear, I let go the shift key and the whole thing shuts off again. Please help. Thank you.

My understanding is that the Apple logo is produced by the disk and the spinning wheel shows that the software boot process has started.
1 - Shut down your Mac
2 - Press the power button to start and
3 - Immediately press and hold the Command (Apple) key and the S key
4 - At the prompt type the following and then hit return:
/sbin/fsck -fy
fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issues were found:
** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK
If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 4 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do). When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type the following at the prompt and hit return:
reboot
Your computer should start up normally and allow you to log in.
Good luck.

My mac doesnt start. All i get is the gray screen with the apple and the loading icon but nothing more happens. I tried to start it in safe mode but it doesnt help. What can i do?

My mac doesnt start. All i get is the gray screen with the apple and the loading icon but nothing more happens. I tried to start it in safe mode but it doesnt help. What can i do?

If you have a external USB enclosure - trying installing your hard drive in that enclosure and connect it to your usb port - restart your macbook while holding down the options key. If you Macbook boots to your desktop then you have a faulty cable. If you get the same error, then your hard drive just died on you.
good luck.

Start Up in Safe Mode - Empty Trash Afterwards?

Hi!
Did a Retrospect clone backup. Started up in Safe Mode to stop indexing before backup. Per an article I found throgh Dr. Smoke: "Starting up in safe Mode moves to the Trash all font caches normally stored in /Library/Caches/com.apple.ATS/(uid)/ , where (uid) is a user ID number such as 501."
Should I trash the caches moved to the Trash? I believe upon restart new ones were created.
Thanks!
pcbjr

upon restart new ones were createdYep. Empty away!

Help: Can't start up in Safe Mode!

I'm trying to fire up in Safe Mode to do a few Spotlight housekeeping tasks but my Mac won't have it. When I try start up Safe it gets no further than the Grey Apple Logo and spinning wheel. After a short while the fans spin up to full speed and nothing else happens. I have to force the Mac to shut down and I can then start up again normally.
Any help on this would be much appreciated as there may come a time when I NEED to start up in Safe Mode.
Thanks in advance. Derek.

Hi-
Might want to try a Single User mode boot (command +s) and run fsck.
-Startup in Single User mode.
-At the command-line prompt, type */sbin/fsck -fy*. Press Return.
fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
The volume (nameofvolume) appears to be OK
-If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED
Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command again, until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
-When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.
-Your computer should start up normally and allow you to log in.
After this, try a Safe mode boot, again.
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck

Why does my macbook pro only start up in safe mode?

Last night i updated my macbook pro, and when it restarted it stopped at the logo with the spinning wheel, and it kept spinning for 20+ minutes. I shut it down by holding the button, and it will not start up again, every time the wheel just keeps spinning. I tried holding down shift, and starting it in safe mode, and that seemed to work. But that is the only way it will boot up, and I am limited to what I can do. How can I start my macbook pro up with out safe mode. I do not have my installation disk with me, and I do not have any of my stuff backed up, but I plan on purchasing a external hard drive within the next week to back up everything, incase I have to wipe my hard drive. But I will only do that at last resort...

MacBook Pro 3,1 15' 2,2 Core 2 Duo Late 2007.
I used the same buss speed (667 mhz) and the same type DDR2. Same number of pins.
I also checked what happened with 0 ram in slots, and then it started blinking constantly.
So it must see the RAM but the RAM seems useless for some reason...

Starting up in Safe Mode

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