Sudden failure to "boot" from pendrive or CD/DVD

I really don't know if this a "hardware" issue. Last Sun. my HP 2000 stopped booting up. It will not recognize either my pendrive w/an O.S. or CD/DVD with an O.S. Right now, it doesn't have an internal HDD. Pendrive worked fine until last week. CD/DVD worked, as well, for I watched video's. The laptop doesn't even try to "boot", it just goes directly to screen and says "No Hdd detected-No O.S. detected--Please install". I know the pendrive is good, for I tried it in another laptop-CD works as well. I'd like to know what to do to "fix" this problem and what may/could have caused this problem.
Thanx:
Rick

Earlier I've posted about problems with mounting pendrive and CD w/ O.S. I, now, need to amend that to BOOTMGR is missing, which i suspect was the root of the earlier problems. UPDATE: I installed a wiped/formatted internal HDD. I WAS going to use either my pendrive or CD with UBUNTU to install the O.S onto the HDD. NO GO!!! BOOTMGR is missing comes up on the screen almost immediately and that's it. Can't do anything. I DO NOT have a MSWINDOWS recovery disc, I DO NOT have a MSWINDOWS O.S. installed on any of the devices. In other words "I DON'T DO WINDOWS!!!" My laptop is a HP 2000. I figure I must repair/rebuild the MBR. With the information I've provided, what can/must I do to get the MBR 'fixed"?

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I cannot boot from HDD nor CD/DVD drive - Satellite C

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> When i log in bios hdd was detected but not available in boot priority menu. Just network adapter was there & now i cannot boot from hdd nither cd/dvd.
Does this means that neither HDD nor CD/DVD drive appears in the BIOS boot option?
Strange what notebook model do you have?
Did you try to set BIOS to default?
If not do this (press F9 and save the changes in BIOS)

MacBookPro updated to 10.5.6 won't boot from 10.6.3 DVD it came with

I have a clone image 10.6.3 on an external hard drive also, and when I try to select it as the start up drive for a machine that often freezes on start it says it won't bless that drive as a startup disk, and it won't boot from the original install dvd. it's only 3 months old - does it go to hardware repair?

Since your machine is so new, I'd definitely make an appointment at the genius bar and have them take a look at it. It's one thing if it won't boot from an external clone, since there could be a problem with the external drive or how it's set up, but if it freezes and won't boot to the install disc, there's something wrong.
The Apple Store can run a hardware test from their store feed and it just takes a few minutes. That might be a good place to start. Take your install DVD along when you go--possibly it is what has a problem.
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LCD/Santa Rosa systems won't boot from external drives or DVDs

A critical issue with supporting the LED MacBook Pro systems is that to boot from (or install OS to) any external FW Hard Drives MUST be partitioned with the GUID Partition Table option, not the older Apple Partition Map.
This also seems to impact utilities like Disc Warrior and Tech Tool Pro -- the lastest versions of these will not boot either of the two LED MacBook Pro 15" models that I've tested. (This is confirmed on the utilities websites.)
In short, to boot from an external drive it apparently must be formatted with the GUID option (I have no un-partitioned external drives to test). And to boot from a utility CD/DVD -- I haven't found any discs other than the included Apple Software Restore DVD's that will boot these systems.
All models Mac OS X (10.4.9) Corporate support

I'm looking at 4 external FW HD's sitting on my desk
next to our second LCD MacBkPro. These drive can,
and have, booted EVERY INTEL MAC IN THE COMPANY --
with the single exception of the LCD Macs.
I'm looking for hard facts here, not theory. Yes, a
hard drive partitioned with GUID will boot earlier
Intel macs -- but IT WASN'T REQUIRED.
Those of you in theory-land can ask yourselves why
Alsoft's Disk Warrior and Micromat's Tech Tool Pro
CD/DVDs can boot every Intel mac made --- with the
single exception of the LCD Macs. Go to their
websites if you don't believe me...
Back to the topic -- the LCD MacBookPro models
require the GUID partitioning, and seem to require
something else for booting that Alsoft and Micromat
are working on right now. But for those of us who
make our living supporting macs, working with these
machines may require reformatting of external drives
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use of our standard CD/DVD bootable utility discs.
You know, you might get a bit more help if your tone was a bit more pleasant. I hope it works out for you.
One might argue that those who "make their living supporting macs" might have done better to keep themselves abreast of what was happening in "Theoryland" some time earlier - say 15 months ago when people first realised that intel macs used the GUID partition system. Then they wouldn't be too surprised. I'm not, neither are the others here who are wading in to HELP.
As for hard facts - April 2006 re: firmware updates
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303609
Best of luck.

Why won't my Intel iMac boot up, either from the internal hard drive or the DVD drive? It just displays a light grey screen, without any other icons, etc. The fact that it won't boot from the original system DVD is what baffles me the most. Any ideas?

Why won't my Intel iMac boot up, either from the internal hard drive or the DVD drive? It just displays a light grey screen, without any other icons, etc. The fact that it won't boot from the original system DVD is what baffles me the most. Any ideas? It uses the latest version of Mavericks. Thanks!

If the C key for Install Disc or R Command for OS X Recovery startup commands are not working, try holding the Option key for the Startup Manager.
see > Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume
If that does not work and you using a wireless keyboard, it may have become unpaired and you need to dig up a USB keyboard to invoke the startup commands.
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IMac turned off suddenly, won't boot from hard drive/CD drive

Hi guys.
Here is what I have:
27" iMac with:
Core i5 2.7
4GB RAM
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The system had just been recently reformatted so there wasn't really much on the computer itself other than an update to Mountain Lion and a Win7 install via Bootcamp. Other than that, nothing was recentlly installed.
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I am at a loss. I don't think its the hard drive, because the problem occurs even when trying to boot from the disc. My suspicion is the RAM has gone bad. But, before I go the hardware route, is there any suggestions or recommendations anyone could make first?
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Thanks.

Xmotox,
I had the EXACT problem today. EXACT. Discs wouldn't boot, I did get the application disc to run the AHT but it said all was fine.
I called my buddy who said something about unplugging for a minute then holding power button while plugging the power supply back in. I thought it would be futile since we already did all the SMC reset procedures to no avail, PRAM reset didn't do anything, etc, etc... But what do you know, up pops the disc utility and my iMac is now restoring from time machine. It's not done yet, so I can't say it worked... BUT it's the farthest we got tonight. Could not get disc utility up via CMD-R or OPTION keys... but powering down, unplugging for a minute or so, then holding power button while plugging the power supply back in did the trick. Hope this helps!

Macbook Pro (2011 Model) suddenly does not boot from SSD in main bay

I have been using Macbook pro 2011 and Samsung SSD (256GB) for about a year.
All of sudden, the computer will not from SSD from the main bay, but it will boot from the optical bay.
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However, it will boot from the regualr hard drive from the main bay.
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It may very well be a problem with the SATA cable... for some reason (and I don't know why, but...) SSDs seem more prone in 'detecting' a faulty SATA cable than a standard hard drive. Where a hard drive will boot, an SSD will not.
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Clinton

PowerMac G4 (AGP) suddenly won't boot from its internal HDs

Hi, here's a description of a weird and sudden issue on my mac. Hope one of you out there has a cure.
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The problem:
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Other data:
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Thanks, Lo

You can't use the iBook installer on another model Mac. You need a retail version of Panther 10.3 or Tiger 10.4.
If you do a Google search for M9227LL/A (Panther 10.3 retail install CDs) or M9228LL/A (Family Pack), you may find a set. The CDs should be black with a white X.
After you install the base 10.3.x, update to the final Panther version 10.3.9. See Mac OS X 10.3.9 Update (Combo) http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2464
Tiger install DVDs are in short supply. Tiger is no longer available at the Apple Store but may be available for $129 by calling Apple Phone Sales @ 1-800-MY-APPLE (1-800-692-7753). For other sources, do a Google search for MA453Z/A (10.4.6), MA190Z/A (10.4.3) and M9639Z/A (10.4) . Also look on eBay. Be sure & buy a retail version (black with silver X) and not a model specific version (gray). Expect to pay (possibly a lot) more than the Apple list price of $129.
Also check this web store http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type= sku&sku=19521
Possible Alternative if you are currently using Panther 10.3 – Do a Google search for Tiger 10.4 Upgrade DVD . It will upgrade your 10.3 to 10.4, but it doesn’t contain the full retail Tiger installer. Should be cheaper than the retail Tiger install DVD.
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Look at this link Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger Installing Software Support Page
http://www.apple.com/support/tiger/install/
You can also download the Tiger Installation and Setup Guide
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/TigerInstall_SetupGuide.pdf
When you upgrade the OS, do it via Archive & Install. See About the Archive and Install feature http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710
Be sure to select Preserve Users & Settings. Also, repair permissions before and after the install.
 Cheers, Tom

Boot from pendrive

Satellite m30x...
I can't boot from a bootable pendrive.
I tryed different pendrives (USB1 & 2) and boot system files.
Any hint ?
Ciao from Italy

Hello fabri22,
I have found this on Toshiba knowledgebase.
Maybe it will help you.
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_dtlView.jsp?soid=403623&moid=835431&BV_Sessi onID=@@@@0865842190.1106466178@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccc hadddjhjfhddcgfkceghdgngdgnn.0&ct=SB
Bye

My Macbook has a Kernel Panic when trying to boot from Mac OS Install DVD

It might also be relevant that my Accounts Preference Panel crashes System Preferences when I try to open it. Disk Utility sees no problems with my drive, and booting into single user mode and doing a disk check has no results.
I am running a 2010 Macbook
2GB Ram
2.4 Duel Core Processor
Mac OS 10.6.8
Windows Installed Via Bootcamp, but problems occured before Windows was installed as well.
Anything Else that I need to add?

Try reinstalling Snow Leopard. If you continue getting a kernel panic booting from the DVD, then either you have a bad installer disc or you have a hardware failure.
Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
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If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install the Combo Updater for the version you prefer from support.apple.com/downloads/.

10.5.2 Update Failed - Computer No Longer Boots from HDD NOR Leopard DVD

Hi. I hope someone can help me. I have one of the new 24" iMacs that has been working perfectly in 10.5.1. I started downloading the 10.5.2 update last night. About 130MB in, it said it had lost internet connection and stopped. I ran Software Update again and it resumed where it had left off, then said it had to be restarted to install, and went on its way. Then I got a pop up that said it could not be installed, or the install failed.
Now when I boot, it spends a long time on the grey screen with the apple logo and spinning disc. Eventually it turns to the blank blue screen and just sits there. Then I tried booting from the Leopard DVD (i figured i would just restore from my latest Time Machine backup and try the whole process again), except when it gets to the part of verifying that Mac OSX is on my computer it pops up with a system log and says I can't do anything. I can restart, shutdown, or save log.
What can I do?

When you tried again in the morning did you have anything connected to the computer apart from your keyboard/mouse? If yes, then try again leaving the computer to "cool down" - you could even remove the power cord. When you come to try again, only the power cord and keyboard/mouse should be connected - and to go the shortest route, press the C key immediately after hitting the power button. Keep the key down until something happens ...if you get a black cursor, you're in business and can relax for as long as it takes to boot from the DVD. Try not to give up - I believe that constant powering down and troubled restarts stress the machine, perhaps causing it to overheat.
If you do give up, try one more time to boot with the T key held down (again with nothing else connected) and if you boot into the Firewire logo screen, then connect a firewire cable to your other Mac and hopefully you will be able to get in.
Simon

Can't boot from Windows XP Install DVD

A couple months ago I wanted to use Boot Camp for the first time to install Windows XP Professional (SP3) on my iMac8,1, but I ran into a lot of trouble. I got a lot of support from you guys but I ended up scratching the mission because of a problem that nobody could help me with at the time (I sought support on IRC, too). I will adduce the links to the threads regarding the issues that were more or less solved at the end of this post.
Today I decided to make a thread here and hope that this time somebody knows what to do, how to solve the weird problem that I'm having when I try to boot from the Windows XP Install DVD right after I partition the hard drive with Boot Camp Assistant.
So when the iMac restarts, after I have inserted the disc, and tries to boot from it, I randomly get one of the following three possibilities on the screen (and nothing happens after it):
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/6725/p3201160.jpg
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/105/p3201161.jpg
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2076/img0472zt.jpg
I burned the disc myself, so it's not the original disc from Microsoft. I did try re-burning the .iso file multiple times (both with Disk Utility and with the application called Burn), to no avail. The disc works fine with VirtualBox!
Please let me know if you have a possible solution and I will thank you for it greatly!
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Weird Behavior After Multiple Failed Partitioning Attempts
I Can't Partition My Hard Drive (Files Can't Be Moved)
How should I go about this? (resetting my system with minimal losses?)

Only thing that comes to mind is did you try multiple types of burn media? Also, did you try burning at the slowest burn speed?
~Lyssa

T430s: boot from an external USB DVD drive

I wanted to change boot sequence to boot from external DVD drive to install Win8. To access the BIOS I hit Enter (empty password I guess) but in the BIOS everything is greyed out: I can't make any changes. What is going on?
Solved!
Go to Solution.

@kaja69...
As Rich has stated, you have a supervisor password set, and as Jin Li has stated, there is no default password.
For information on the various BIOS-level passwords, please see your T430s Hardware Maintenance Manual (manual pages 36-38).
Per the Community Rules, discussion of passwords is sensitive territory and may risk a thread lock, so please keep that in mind if/as this discussion progresses.
Regards.
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Why can't I boot from the OS X DVD on my Intel iMac?

I'm trying to boot from the Mac OS X Tiger CPU Drop in DVD that came from the Apple Refurb Store with my Intel iMac.
I have tried holding down the C key on start up and it doesn't work. It boots like normal to the hard drive
I have tried using the Start up Manager, but all it can see to boot from is my installed OS X system on the hard drive and my Windows Boot Camp partition.
The CPU Drop in DVD is all that shipped with my machine. Can one even boot with it?
My problem is Photoshop Elements refuses to start up, giving me EXCBADACCESS and KERNINVALIDADDRESS alerts. It crashes every time about half way through starting up. Trashing it's preference folder doesn't fix the problem. In fact, my Preference folder keeps filling up with folders labeled with jibberish names.
I found a discussion thread that I should boot from the original disk that came with the machine and use Disk Utilities, but I can't even boot from the DVD drive.
What step am I missing?
TIA
Kathryn

Hi knittsings!
It's only possible to boot an Intel-based iMac from a grey-labeled DVD, so if you received a black-labeled DVD, someone made a mistake packaging your refurb. The correct DVDs should have been in the smaller box with the User Guide and other small, square documents, along with the mouse and remote. If you find the grey-labeled DVDs in there, just keep the drop-in DVD, they won't need it back since they make them:)
If you don't find them in there, call Apple, or log into your account on the Store page and find your order's link for customer follow-up/issues.
Message was edited by: myhighway

SL install seemed to fail - now my MBP can't boot from HD or SL DVD

H E L P. Just bought SL family edition - upgraded my iMac 24 - worked fine so then I tried to upgrade my MBP (2+years old). At first the MBP just ejected the SL DVD - found lots of similar issues on this board. I finally got it working by holding my MBP at an angle while inserting the DVD - the install commenced. Since it would take some time I left the room and came back some time later (< 1 hour) - the screen was blank so I thought it had finished and gone to sleep. I had a lot of trouble waking up my MBP but finally it started to re-boot. It ejected the SL DVD then (I presume) tried to boot from the HD - this failed - screen just showed a folder icon with a question mark in it. So I assumed that somehow the SL install had not run to completion and the Mac OS image on the HD was corrupted. So I tried to boot from the SL DVD - this seemed to start working - screen shows Apple logo and spinning wheel for about 45 seconds (just like any normal boot) but then the screen goes blank and nothing happens. By holding down the power button for 15 seconds or so - the boot restarts but the same thing happens.
So now the SL DVD is "stuck" in the player and I'm not sure what to do next. I was going to try my Leopard disk (thinking maybe the SL DVD was dodgy) but I'm not sure how to eject the SL disk. It's Sunday here so I can't call the Apple support center and the Genius Bar at my local Apple shop is booked out until next weekend.

Before anyone jumps in I have fixed the problem - found it in the Snow Leopard forum. Issue was screen was too dim to see anything. As a result I must have accidentally aborted the SL install which corrupted something so I had to re-install from the SL DVD but it looked like that was not working due to the dim screen. VERY irritating to say the least - lost many hours on this.

Sudden failure to "boot" from pendrive or CD/DVD

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