System locked up, computer won't start up

Thursday night my iBook G4 began slowing down drastically and eventually everything locked up, which is very strange - that's NEVER happened before and I've had it for a little over 2 years. I turned it off and for the next two hours I kept turning it on and trying to get it to start. It eventually turned on and so I let it sleep over night and it was fine all day Friday. Then Friday night it started slowing down again (battery was completely full, by the way) and it again locked up. An hour or so later I finally got it started up but it locked up again. Now it turns on, but it stays in the gray screen with the apple symbol for about 10 min then changes to a blue screen and just stays there. When it's acting like this I hear a strange sound coming from left side of the computer. I really can not afford to get it fixed or get a new computer. Any ideas? please?

I'm having the same problem, and it started last night (11/4). Except, after the grey screen, and blue screen disappear, a black screen comes on with the name of my computer, and then a login.
I tried logging in using the password I created for my main account, but it doesn't work. It also asks for a password. I usually only use one password so I tried that and it still doesn't work.
I'm running Tiger on my computer, but there's a problem there. A co-worker of mine had just bought his computer and it came with Tiger. He also bought Pro Tools but it was compatible with Panther. I lent him my version of Panther so he could use his $500 software, and in exchange, he lent my a version of Tiger. He has since transferred and we never did swap the software for good, so I can't reboot using Tiger.
I fear that if I switch back to Panther (which I don't really have a problem doing) it will erase all of my pictures and music. The music I have backed up, but the photos were going to be backed up tonight when I have time.

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My system locked up, computer won't start up!

I need some help! My computer started taking forever to complete a task! Then it started locking up during the start up process. I started searching for help on here and noticed that others where also having this issue. I did try to repair disk using the disk utility. But unfortunately it didn't get very far. This is what the it says:
Reserved fields in the catalog record have incorrect data (in red)
Invalid node stucture (in red)
The volume could not be repaired (in red)
Error: The underlying task report failure on exit (-9972) (in red)
I am just learning how to use this Apple IBook G4. So everything is COMPLETELY foreign to me. I'm used to the IBM style PC.
Please Help!
Kim
Ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.0.x)
Ibook G4 Mac OS X (10.0.x)

Hi Kim,
Welcome to the Discussions.
An invalid node structure message indicates a damaged directory on the hard drive. You need a more robust disk repair utility like Disk Warrior. It can repair almost all types of directory damage, leaving all of your files imtact.
Your other option is to reformat the drive. This will erase all data on the drive and you'll have to reinstall all of the software.
John

Computer won't start from hard drive or CD, and won't perform system recovery.

I have an HP Pavilion g7-1314nr. Yesterday it froze and I held down the power button to turn it off. After turning it back on, it started a disk check. I turned it off during the disk check, and upon trying to boot it back up, it told me booting failed and to press CTRL-ALT-DELETE to try again. After multiple attempts, it stopped displaying this message. Under system diagnostics, I ran a boot test, and it failed. Attempting a system recovery brings up the start-up windows logo, and then a black screen with an enlarged cursor. This morning, I inserted a recovery disk and told it to boot from internal CD/DVD drive. Like system recovery, it brings the Windows logo, and then a black screen with an enlarged cursor. My computer is incapable of booting from either the hard drive or a CD. What do I do?

Hi @TeridaxXD001 ,
Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forums and Welcome. I have looked into your issue about your HP Pavilion g7-1314nr Notebook and issues with Windows 7 and starting up. I recommend to restore the BIOS defaults. You could restore the BIOS with this document selecting the reloading the BIOS default settings which should resolve the fan issue.
Here is a link to computer won't start for Windows 7. There is a section on getting past the HP Logo screen.
If that does not help at the end of the document it shows you to do a hardware test.
Please note remove any and all USB devices before troubleshooting. Disconnect all non-essential devices
Hope this helps you out.
Thanks.
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 bottom to say “Thanks” for helping!

Firmware update progress bar appears and computer won't start up

Hi,
I am on OS X 10.6 (the latest developer build, whose build number I can't remember and can't look up because my computer won't start up) and this morning when I tried to start up my computer, it chimed, the apple appeared but then a grey progress bar (like the one that appears during a firmware update) appeared at the bottom of the screen along with the customary spinner. This progress bar didn't update and after 10-ish seconds, it disappeared and left just the spinner. I left the computer in this state for 4 hours and nothing happened. It still starts up in single user mode (but I can't seem to get Open Firmware mode to load) and it starts Windows XP on another partition of my main HD.
When I start it in verbose mode, it says that my catalog B-tree has keys out of order and it is unable to repair them. Also, I get an error message from launchctl: "Bug: launchctl.c:2033 (23930):17: auditquickstart() == 0". Then later on it tells me to convert a few system plist files to launchd (all in the /etc/mach_init.d/ folder). The very last line says "launch_msg(): Socket is not connected".
I would rather not re-install the system, but if I have to, I guess I will. I appreciate any light that anyone can shed on this problem.
Thanks,
Kyle

Yes, they (the third-party utilities) both come on bootable DVD's. As I mentioned, since Snow Leopard was just released in its final version, the developers may be in the process of releasing updates.
Your situation is likely to be a case where the data corruption issue already existed before installing Snow Leopard, and the installation process made the problem more apparent (because something critical was installed where it was affected by the data issue).
It is a good idea to run +Repair Disk+ in Disk Utility on the startup volume before installing a major system update. Actually, I do it before any system-level update.
You should also have a backup (at least of your personal data if not the entire volume), in case something bad happens during a major system upgrade. If you were using Time Machine, the easiest recovery would be to reformat the internal drive and use the Time Machine complete volume restore utility to restore the volume back to the date/time state just before you installed Snow Leopard. Then, after restarting from that restored volume to make sure everything is working, start up from the Snow Leopard installation disc, run Disk Utility and use +Repair Disk+ (just to be sure), and run the upgrade to Snow Leopard again.
If you have a backup of at least your personal data, you may want to reformat the internal drive, install Snow Leopard and bundled apps, install your third-party apps from their original sources, update everything that needs updating, and restore your personal data.
If you don't have a backup, the best bet is to try either DiskWarrior or TechTool Pro. DiskWarrior is very specialized into repairing this type of data problem. TechTool Pro has similar capability, but it is a more general tool with other features.

What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

There are four general causes of this issue:
1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.
2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.
3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.
4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from the hard drive's location.
(68976)

Help, computer won't start up

Help, my computer won't start-up now. I downloaded one of those free .swf converter softwares from the net and now I think in the restart process, which should've completed the download like it said, instead it's like I don't have any OS on my computer anymore. And if that doesn't make things worse I was trying to reinstall OS X and it wants to go the net to do that but when i try to it asked my to login to the apple store with the ID i purshased it with and I didn't buy it I downloaded it from a P2P site, so of course the apple store tells me when i login to login with the ID I bought it with so now what, I don't want to lose my file's what should I do anybody got any suggestion. This is what I tried so far.
When it starts up I see the OS X Utilities window
I clicked the the Disk Utility, and clicked my HD and clicked repair.
When it was done it said
The volume appears to be ok.
Volume repair complete.
Updating boot support partitions for the volume as required.
Now what, also I did it again after I held CMD + R
Still when I start up I don't see my hard drive just the OS X Utilities window.
Also when I downloaded the OS X 10.8.5 I saved it on an external but its plugged to my only computer and thats the one I'm having the trouble with, sorry about all the miss spelled words if you can read this and help please do...

Try booting from your system CD, run Disk First Aid from your Disk Utility and repair your permissions.
-Bmer
Mac Owners Support Group
Join Us @ MacOSG.com
iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
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New HD not recognized - computer won't start

Powermac G4 MDD
Originally had 2 hard drives -- 60GB (jumpered as master) and 40GB (jumpered as slave)
The 40 GB failed and the 60 GB was diagnosed as failing so I purchased used Seagate 160 GB ATA/100 Hard drive
I installed the new 160 GB Hard drive in place of the 40 GB HD and used SuperDuper to clone the still working 60 GB drive. The files were all copied to the drive and the drive showed up on the desktop as a hard drive icon, and it was recognized in the System Profiler. However, I could not select it as the startup drive from the System Prefs window.
I then took out the 60GB drive and replaced it with the 160 GB drive jumpered as cable select and now the computer won't start up (flashing question mark).
What have I done wrong?

I read through all this and still have some trouble. The article says that in Disk Utility if I select the drive a tab named "Partition" will appear at the top of the window among the other tabs. It doesn't.
I noticed some differences in the spec for the 2 drives currently in the machine: specifically, the new 160 gb drive is formatted (right word?) as GUID not AMD as the old drive is. But I can't figure out how to access that "partition" option and make the change. Here are the spec from System Profiler:
160GB Drive:
ST3160812A:
Capacity:    149.05 GB
Model:    ST3160812A
Revision:    3.AAE
Serial Number:    5L****J3
Removable Media:    No
Detachable Drive:    No
BSD Name:    disk0
Protocol:    ATA
Unit Number:    1
Socket Type:    Internal
Low Power Polling:    No
Mac OS 9 Drivers:    No
Partition Map Type:    GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status:    Verified
Volumes:
Seagate 160GB Drive:
Capacity:    148.73 GB
Available:    111.35 GB
Writable:    Yes
File System:    Journaled HFS+
BSD Name:    disk0s2
Mount Point:    /Volumes/Seagate 160GB Drive
60 GB Drive:
ST360021A:
Capacity:    57.27 GB
Model:    ST360021A
Revision:    5.21
Serial Number:    3H****4N
Removable Media:    No
Detachable Drive:    No
BSD Name:    disk1
Protocol:    ATA
Unit Number:    0
Socket Type:    Internal
Low Power Polling:    No
Mac OS 9 Drivers:    Yes
Partition Map Type:    APM (Apple Partition Map)
S.M.A.R.T. status:    Verified
Volumes:
60GB HD Mac OS:
Capacity:    51.26 GB
Available:    12.73 GB
Writable:    Yes
File System:    Journaled HFS+
BSD Name:    disk1s9
Mount Point:    /
<Edited By Host>

My computer won't start up after i tried to install updates

last night my computer told me there were 5 new updates available and i tried to install them, and my computer froze so i manually turned it off. now my computer won't start up. i get to the gray screen with the apple and the circular icon that swirls around which makes you think it's doing something but nothing happens. in the hopes that my computer was loading the updates, i let it run all night, and 8 hours later it was still doing the same thing. now my computer won't start at all, and i know there's power to it.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

chiae:
am i looking for the Leopard installer or the disc that came with my Powerbook all those years ago?
You are looking for the installer disk for the system which is currently installed on your computer, which is Leopard according to your profile.
Will doing these steps erase my hard drive?
No. Running Repair Disk will not in any way affect your data or any contents of your HDD. However, if there are serious directory issues your data might be jeopardized even without running Repair Disk.
Your question suggests that you may not have an up-to-date backup, if any backup at all. That is one of the most dangerous things you can do. I suggest that you take steps to secure your data even before you do much more. If you need ideas on how best to accomplish this, please post back and ask.
While you are waiting to locate your install disk, here is something you can do right now, and it will not in any way endanger the contents of your HDD:
• Shut down the computer.
• Locate the following keys: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously later.
• Turn on the computer.
• Press and hold the Command + Option + P + R keys immediately after the startup chime.
• Hold keys down until you hear the startup chime for the third time.
• Release the keys and immediately hold down Shift key to start up in Safe Mode.
• Log in and empty Trash.
• Restart normally and log in.
Please do post back with an update or with further questions or comments.
Good luck.
cornelius

Computer won't start and light just flashes as if in sleep mode. Does not even make the start chime. displays remain dark.

Computer won't start. sounds like it makes an attempt at accessing a hard drive. but then just goes to sleep. no start up noise. no displays come on.

Resetting SMC could solve the problem.
Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC) - Apple Support

Computer won't start if ipod is connected

My computer won't start when my ipod (nano) is connected. He stucks in the post screen of the motherboard. Before the pc will check what the boot drive is. So, changes in boot devices in bios won't work. What can be the problem?
AMD Windows XP Pro

mardymar: Windows may be seeing the iPod as a bootable disk....the following link talks about confusion as a network drive and could be cuaisng the same.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93499
Did you change your BIOS boot order - I think you might try that if the above link fails to help.

My mac desktop computer won't start and just beebs

My mac desktop computer won't start it just beens loudly. I don't have any lights showing on the keyboard but can hear the drive switching on. I have unplugged the computer, waited and replugged and waited and then turned it on again without and results. Please help.

Use this tip to identify your Mac:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6413
If indeed it has a PowerPC processor (the PowerMacs use that, and have been around since early 2006 simultaneously with some of the Intels), see this tip on beeps:
Power On Self-Test Beep Definition - Part 2
If it is Intel, see this tip:
Mac computers: About startup tones

Mountain Lion update, and now computer won't start up?

Writing this for a friend, as his computer is inop at the moment. Hence this message.
He has a new 27" iMac. He upgraded to Mountain Lion a few weeks ago, and then had intermittent problems with apps unexpectantly shutting down.
Now he did a ML update this morning, and his computer won't start up. It gets to the point of the Apple logo coming up, a progress bar, and then the spinning wheel, but then shuts itself down right afterwards.
A safe boot yields the exact same result.
Any thoughts out there on what he could try to get it up and running again?
Thanks much for any and all help.

Thank you for the fast response.
He was able to get into Disk Utility with the Command and R keys, but when he tried verifying the disk, in red it said 'Invalid Node Structure, volume could not be verified completely'.
He went ahead and verified it anyway, then proceeded to repair it. Howver, it stopped repairing, said it cannot repair, and that he should back up files and reformat the disk.
How can he back up his files? He cannot see a way to do it. Is there anything else he can do besides having to reformat the disk?
This is his first Mac (after much prompting from me to go Mac), and he's afraid he's now lost everything on there.

HELP PLEASE!!! Computer won't start up

Help Please!
My computer won't start up, when I click the start up button the light comes only once, sounds click (once) and that's it, no power up.
Because of the age, I knew that the battery could be the reason, so I ordered the exact same battery and replaced it today (following the instructions very carefully). Nothing changed. Then I read about the button for resetting the power management (the one below the ram memory), did that too...and nothing.
I read the manual, it talks about recently installed components (which I have not) and explains the meaning of the numbers of blinks the power light makes with this type of failure, 2 blinks=ram memory, 3 blinks...4 blinks..more than 5 blinks= take it to service.
If somebody could please help me, I would really appreciate
All the best,
Veronica

I had similar problems with my G5 2ghz dual PPC. Mine would turn on, sometimes the startup chime would sound, sometimes not. The fans would run and continue to run faster and faster until I shut it off.
The red light comes on by the way, when the internal plastic shield is not installed or seated correctly.
Anyway, I determined after fooling with the machine for several hours that the symptoms pointed to the video card so, on a hunch, I grabbed a hair drier, pulled the video card and warmed up the video card with the drier. Then reinstalled the video card, hooked up the monitor and hit the power button. Bingo, the machine booted normally. BUT, it would intermittently hang or act odd while running so, I ordered a replacement video card. Installed it and the problem never returned. Sadly someone stole the machine last month but it was in perfect working order at the time:(

Computer won't start up after changing permissions.

I accidentally changed the permissions for all of the files on my hard drive. Now, Leopard won't start up. And to top it all off I conveniently can not find my Leopard disk. I did, however, locate my Tiger disk but the computer won't start from the CD drive either.
I also thought that I could install Tiger on an external Hard Drive using my sisters computer but Tiger would not install on the USB Hard Drive because it said Mac OS X could not start from the external hard drive.
It won't start up in "Safe Mode (holding the SHIFT key)".
Anybody have any suggestions?

You can, in addition to Barry's excellent suggestions, reset the SMU.

HELP! Battery drained and now, even with a power plug, computer won't start

My battery drained completely...and I went to charge it. When I plug the power cord in, it shows "green" not "red." When I remove the battery and just plug in the power cord, the computer won't start either.
Anyone encounter this before after a full battery drain? It's very odd.

I had the same green light non-charging problem. Turns out, I had to replace my wall adaptor. A dealer will have a good power supply you can try.
Wayne

System locked up, computer won't start up

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