Stuck in gray screen

Im stuck in gray screen at startup with a spinning gear. Dont have a os disk, worried because i have tons of pics that are not backed up. :"O(

HI
My Macbook Pro also struck in gray screen at startup . I have Mavericks OS on the MAC. Don't have OS Disk.

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Mac Mini Stuck at Gray Screen

Hi, I have an Intel based mac mini running 10.4.6 I believe what ever is the latest tiger version. Upon restarting after installed updates computer can not go past the apple logo with the spinning wheel underneath it. I have restarted and tried all of the different key combinations the only one it will recognize is the option key. I have used the option key to select the c drive where the operating system is installed but it goes right back to being stuck at gray screen. I have used the option key to also let me use the install disc to run disk utility and repair the disc which said volume is verified and repaired and good to go. Only thing I haven't tried is firewire boot but at this point I don't think thats the right answer. Im thinking its hardware issue any ideas or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for taking the time to help me out- Ryan

Will it start up in Safe mode?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
If it can start up in Safe mode, that would point to a problem specific to your account, and probably a Login Item given that it hangs the way it does at the gray screen with spinny wheel. In that case, take a look at this procedure, too.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/21210.html

My imac is stuck in gray screen with spinning wheel

My iMac is stuck in gray screen with spinning wheel. I'm running Mountain Lion, any idea how to fix it. Pls help.Thx.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Press Shift key on boot and check that the computer starts. Finally, restart

Boot stuck at gray screen

I have a 24" silver iMac. Boot gets stuck at gray screen with gray apple showing and wheel continuously spinning. Never gets to blue screen. I have tried booting from system CD and running disk repair and repair permissions. They are fine. I have tried zapping PRAM. I have tried booting with everything disconnected except keyboard. (all recommended elsewhere in these discussions.) So, for the THIRD time in the 5 months I have had this iMac, I am in the process of reinstalling the system from the CDs. THEN, as you know, I'll have to do all the updates. I AM GETTING TIRED OF THIS! (My G4 and MBP don't have these problems (I shouldn't have said that.)) Anyone else having these problems or have any other ways to deal with this? I wonder if it has anything to do with my trying to install, via software update, the latest update for QT. It wouldn't install, saying I didn't have permission or authority or something.

I hate to disagree, but I have had this happen at
least 4-5 times.
1. Happened (Before) I had an external HD attached, as Well as (After.)
(so HD not the issue.)
2. I had only the bare essentials installed on Tiger OS 4.10, B4 buying leopard.
(No other Software Installed, and NOTHING from 2nd install disk. No Optional Programs)
(Makes me rule out Quicktime.
3. I also Had same Grey Screen, Tried Disk Utility from cold boot (DVD)
Removed 1 Simm Chip And reset Pram. (Yes, I waited for 2nd chime.)
No Other OS or ANY Windows Products on this system.
Tried Cold Boot With DVD,
(made sure Active Boot Drive was DVD, NOT HD)
In Addition, Booted While Holding;
a. Shift Key - (Safe Boot)
b. Opt Key - ( I've forgotten )
c. C - Key (Password Change - No Help)
d. D - Key (verify/repair disk or permissions useless.)
Two recurring questions seem to be raised by level 2 Phone Support
to help me recover access, Without Formatting. I refused to do it, and insisted
they walk me out of this problem.
One suggested the Parse file was corrupted. Another Seems to feel that having
once forgotten firmware & or Master Password was the problem.
I disagree, I was able to recover that time by dropping to unix prompt, once I
got in, created root user, deleted My User Account,
then Recreated it, using Same Name ) Then deleting Root Account. (for Safety)
I no longer set Firmware or Master Password, It HAS Happened since.
I'm inclinrd to believe the corrupted Parse image, for all the reasons above.
It can be recovered, without Format Or Time Machine Restore. However several different
methods were used by different tech support people, so I have Messy notes on
what the actual steps were. Due to so much back tracking & Holding, And Different
methods used by different Phone Guys. NEVER attempt to try with level 1, INSIST
on level 2 support or you will not recover. Solution seems to have been successful
Most often, after working at unix prompt, and executing various commands.
If I find the Most Efficient notes, I kept from the 1st guy, who was Very Good.
I will post them. Sorry I couldn't be more specific on the recovery steps.
I remember running: fsck -?? & mount -???? , navigating to root, and not mush else.
Good Luck
PantherSherry

Help =( Mac got stuck on gray screen

Hi
Update went ok a couple of days ago.
Tonight it suddently got "stuck" and after rebooting it, it is now stuck on a gray screen.
Impossible to reboot from the installation disk or from my Lacie disk or from the HD.
When attempting to reboot from the Leopard installation disk, I then get a message telling me that the Mac needs to be restarted, but when I restart, I get stuck again on the gray screen with the Apple logo in the middle.
I am at a loss as to what to do.
Help, please!!! I am now on a friend's computer to access help. So a quick response from someone would be fantastic.
Anyone?

update on current situation:
i took my macbook to be repaired first thing this morning.
it is apparently a small part that is damaged and therefore preventing the macbook to reboot.
hence why the hardware test indicated that it found no problems and that when attempting to reboot from a disk or a drive, it finds them, but cannot reboot from either.
the part should be here tomorrow afternoon and i should get my macbook back either tomorrow or thursday.
apparently, it is nothing serious and no loss of data should occurr.
but they will only know this for sure once the part has been replaced and they can actually reboot it. they say this is not linked with the leopard update.
just sheer bad luck from a defective part.

Stuck with gray screen during update (firmware)

Today I completed the routine software update (firmware) on my macbook pro. During the update all I can see is a gray screen with no progress bar. It appears "stuck". Please advise!

See https://discussions.apple.com/message/24334963#24334963
Hold power button down 5-10 seconds. It will restart and all should be fine.

Bash update stuck on gray screen

I received a notification to install the new bash update for Mavericks. I clicked the button and the install process began by rebooting my laptop to a light gray screen with nothing but the cursor.
The software update did warn that it would reboot to a grey screen for a bit before rebooting back into the OS. However its been stuck on this grey screen for over an hour. The screen is completely unresponsive - I can't move the cursor and nothing happens when I press some keys on the keyboard.
Any advice on what to do next? I'd like to just power the thing down and reboot it myself, and perhaps try the update again later, but worries this will effectively "brick" my laptop. What can I do?

One more detail. I unfortunately had my FitBit dongle connected to the laptop during the update.
I've removed the dongle; can I try rebooting with dongle unplugged? Will rebooting from this state possibly mess up my laptop?

MacBook Pro won't start up. Gets stuck in Gray Screen

Ever since two days ago when I did a regular systems update of iLife, iWork and a bunch of other updates to my MacBook Pro, the thing wouldn't restart. It gets stuck in the gray screen and no apple symbol shows up.
Just on a chance, I turned the power off and the MacBook Pro continued to start up, and was fine. I'm wondering if because I didn't update to Leopard yet, there might be a conflict due to my recent updates, or maybe one of my peripherals is causing it to stall in start up? I have my iPhone dock, External Hard Drive, Apple LCD Screen, Mac Mini Style Hub, and HP printer plugged into the MacBook Pro.
This has ONLY started to happen when I recently updated in systems updater. It's happened 2-3 times. After I send this I will check it again, but I think I will have to AGAIN start using only the battery source and not plugged into the outlet.
Maybe installing Leopard will fix this problem? I am getting it fedexed in a day or two.
What could it be?
Help!!
Thanks,
Lainey

I haven't received Leopard yet, so haven't tried to install. It's when I use Software Updater. the last update is what I think is causing the stall.
I tried something though. When it stalled this last time, I pressed the LCD on switch on my 17 inch monitor, and then the start continued. Is there maybe a driver update needed for the 17 inch monitor now that I updated some softwarevia Software updater, or is that just me being paranoid?
Maybe the software updater installed stuff that needs Leopard to run properly. Once I install Leopard, I'll let you know how it goes. MEanwhile, I am going to try restarting a few more times.

Lion won't boot. Stuck on gray screen

Was trying to work with HP support to troubleshoot a problem communicating with the scanner portion of an HP OfficeJet 6500a E710 bought at an Apple Store. They had me run the HP uninstaller to remove all HP software in scrub mode. They then asked to run verify disk permissions. Then reboot.
Upon reboot I get the gray screen with the spinner, and it sits there forever.
Any ideas what could be wrong or how to get around it?
I've used Command-V to get verbose output during boot. Last thing it says is that its running fsck_hfs. But I see no other messages after that. The CPU fan is spun up as if the CPU is busy.
I've booted using the recovery image and checked the disk. Everything checks out ok.
I've booted into single user mode and run fsck and fsck_hfs. Both ran fine.
I tried to startup in safe mode verbose. I let it sit for hours and after 3 hours it booted. But then I rebooted and it got stuck again.
Any suggestions appreciated. This is a machine I use for work and income. Neither of which are happening right now.
I've been trying to research how Lion starts up to see where it invokes fsck_hfs, but I haven't found any reference online to describe how Lion starts up. All references I've found refer to Tiger or earlier which has a very different boot sequence.
Thanks

Call Apple. Seriously.

Mack Book Pro Stuck on Gray Screen

My Mac Book Pro is stuck on the gray screen. I have done the following
-Start computer using shift- nothing happens
-Started computer with option + R, when asked where I want to instal the Mac OS Lion it gives me two options Mac HD and Recovery HD but I cant click
on either because they say they are "locked"
-Started my computer by pressing option- attached a recovery disk I created- clicked recovery disk- clicked reinstall- clicked disk where I want it installed and it says- this disk does not use GUID Partition Table Scheme. Use disk utitlity to change the partition scheme. I CANT ACCESS DISK UTILITY!!!!!!
FYI I did create the utility disk using my MAC that has mountain lion on it.
HELP!!!!!

Vivian1220 wrote:
My Mac Book Pro is stuck on the gray screen. I have done the following
-Start computer using shift- nothing happens
Safe Mode is not working, thus it's not a thrid party kernel extension file problem.
-Started computer with option + R, when asked where I want to instal the Mac OS Lion it gives me two options Mac HD and Recovery HD but I cant click on either because they say they are "locked"
You mean command option r and that's Internet Recovery and it installs the OS X version that came on the machine, in your case it's 10.7, not 10.8, this is why you get the "Locked"
Obviously you can't install a older OS X version over a newer one or it's RecoveryHD partition without first erasing the ENTIRE drive (and losing all your programs and files)
this disk does not use GUID Partition Table Scheme. Use disk utitlity to change the partition scheme.
FYI I did create the utility disk using my MAC that has mountain lion on it.
You didn't correctly format the drive to be bootable first.
OS X can only be hold option/alt key bootable from GUID and OS X Extended Journaled formatted drives, then if OS X is installed by a OS X installer or cloned there to "bless it" to make it bootable.
Most commonly used backup methods

My Mac Book Pro is stuck on gray screen when booting up

When booting up on my Mac Book Pro side it gets stuck on a gray screen and wont boot even when in safe mode. I have cleared the P/Ram and still have acces to the partioned windows side on the same computer. How should I procede to get my Mac OS running again.

See if these are of any assistance:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.7/en/mchlp2889.html
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
Ciao.

Mac pro is stuck on gray screen

Ok I think this month has been the worst month of my life. My Mac Pro showed me the gray screen with a question mark on it. I took it to the apple store and they told me NOTHING can be done for me other then install a new hard drive ( so untill today 2 weeks ago I am still trying to retrieve my photos from my hard drive I took it to a place where they asked for $6K to do that ) I installed a new hard drive last week and installed every thing I need and yesterday in the morning my computer gave me the ORDER to shut downwith that dark gray screen with many different languages so I obeyed the MAC I shut down and turned it back on, then later that same night it told me to shut down again so I did and just NOW when I went to turn it on it got stuck on the GRAY screen. WHAT is happening? my comp. is on 10.6.8 can someone plse help me. I am LOST. ever since I bought this computer I had my main hard drive changed twice and my power supply was changed 1 year and half to 2 yrs ago.

The Directory on the Hard drive can get messed up. In 10.4, the cleanest way to deal with that is to boot from the Installer DVD, but do not Install. Wait a quarter minute for the menuBar to be drawn, then choose Disk Utility off the Menu.
Chose your Hard drive by Hardware_name and ( Repair Disk ).
When you are done, choose Set Starup Disk, and use it to set your startup disk and then Restart.

Stuck at gray screen at start up

I am trying to start my computer and it gets stuck at the gray screen with the spinning wheel also tried starting in safe mode and can't get it to start, I just moved and I don't have the discs, what do I do?

Is there an apple store near you? You can make an appointment with them and I'm sure they'll put a disc in so you can run some quick diagnostic tests. Maybe just needs to repair the boot sector or something.
But right now you can reset your PRAM - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

Startup unsucessful stuck on gray screen with spinning gear-type thing

I think it may have been because i tripped over my macs powercord and it shut down that my computer wont start anymore, i tried safe boot etc... but nothing works it's just stuck on the startup screen, if anyone has any clue as to how i can resolve my issue, i'd be extremely greatful

Shturts,
Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
How long did you give it to Start Up in Safe Mode? It can take upwards of 20 minutes for an eMac to start in Safe Mode as a faceless version of Repair Disk runs in the background at the gray screen / Apple logo / spinning gear stage.
If Safe Boot isn't finishing after 30 or more minutes, use your OS X install disk to boot the computer and run Repair Disk, as described in Using Disk Utility and fsck. If any errors are reported repaired, repeat Repair Disk until it either reports no erros found or unable to repair, in which case you should consider investing in a copy of DiskWarrior.

Mac mini stuck at gray screen HELP!!!!!!!!!

Hi,
i have my mac mini stuck at a gray screen can you help me

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
Sometimes a boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 3
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 4
If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
Step 5
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 6
Boot in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled, 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 6.
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 7
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 8
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 9
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 10
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 boot 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 11
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.

Stuck in gray screen

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