Upon bootup there is a loading bar below the apple logo- TAKES AGES!

Question

When I turn on my macbook pro 13" 2.4 intel core 2 duo with *snow leopard* installed, i get to the normal grey screen with the apple logo and a new addition, a *grey loading bar below that logo*. This new addition is the bane of my life as it *takes 5 minutes+ to load* (this is approximate as i have not timed it accurately.
This never appeared the first few times id turned it on after receiving it for christmas '10. The problem means that I nearly never turn my mac off which is probably not the best thing but I cannot bear the loading time when I need my laptop to turn on at college etc... Any advice?
p.s I only created a new thread as when i searched similar problems, others also had side issues that the system didnt work properly or there were further issues after the loading bar.i do not have these problems, My mabook works fine once it is on but its the time it takes to get there that is not normal.

Answer 1

The use of Safe Boot mode should be ventured into with some familiarity; to
understand a little more about it. There are articles, documents, information...
(Actually, some of your Snow Leopard's slow starting is likely due to it's own
way of trying to negotiate past some issues it finds, in the boot process; so
that is why a +third-party disk utility+ may help, if a 'verify' of the hard drive by
use of your native OS X boot disc's version of Disk Utility can't fix problems.)
• Mac OS X: *What is Safe Boot*, Safe Mode?
+Safe Boot is a special way to start up when troubleshooting. Safe Mode is the state+
+Mac OS X is in after a Safe Boot. To perform a Safe Boot, hold the Shift key as your+
+Mac starts up. Starting up into Safe Mode does several things...+
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1564
• Mac OS X: *Starting up* in Safe Mode (safeboot)
+Learn how to start up in Safe Mode.+
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1455
• Safe Boot takes longer than normal startup:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1884?viewlocale=en_US
{Advanced tip: If you want to see the status of a Safe Boot as it progresses,
you can hold Shift-Command-V during start up (instead of just Shift).}
+Note: A Safe Boot takes longer than a typical start up because+
+it includes a disk check and other operations.+
There are other levels of access into the system, but without
some background or understanding of Terminal utility and a
grasp or feeling/experience in single-user boot, the methods
used by this process are best for GUI access for this task.
When a user can't get into a computer this way, is where
other methods of access are essential; or better tools and a
good backup clone on external boot-capable hard disk drive.
You can find Console in the utilities folder, by using GO in the
Finder menu bar, and choosing Utilities (folder) to open; then
launch Console. Several kinds of logs are reported here by
the running OS X system; those pertaining to the OS X and
all of the computer's basic running would be first to look into.
There are error logs, system logs, crash logs. See what the
system logs has, especially for date and time of the problem
where the computer takes forever to start. There may be no
log reports at all; if the system won't write them on startup.
A possibility in Directory issues contributing to this slow startup
or some damaged system startup files, exists. So, troubleshooting
may include checking the hard drive with the booted install disc's
version of Disk Utility, to see if it sees an issue, and then if it may
be able to repair the drive's issue. (not a permissions repair.)
This can be problematic, do not actually run the Installer on the
booted (hold C key on start with Install DVD in optical drive) disc
since the options and tools available there are to be found in a
menu bar and that is like a regular application window. When
done, the way to exit Disk Utility, is quit; To exit Installer, you
use the menu bar options to get and use Startup Manager; in
which you can choose to start the Mac from its hard disk drive.
If the Disk Utility can't repair a reported problem, then it may be
something to consider the purchase of a retail third-party disk
utility, such as those named. And they do require some learning
to know what they can do, and how to make them work.
The visit to an Apple genius, may be helpful. To have a complete
backup of your computer, (a clone; see Carbon copy cloner, etc)
you can restore or run/boot the computer from, is recommended.
You should check the computer to be sure it can start up in SafeBoot
and also not have peripherals attached to it, while troubleshooting.
They could contribute to symptoms, or be a cause of issues.
This article covers several symptoms on start up in OS X later than 10.3.9:
• Mac OS X: gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
There's so much more, but these may tend to distract from initial checking of
the basics. Perhaps a finer set of insights and help may be offered by another
reader who can sense this problem from first hand experience?
Good luck & happy computing!
+{ edited to add more, don't ask why }+