White screen/occasionally with grey apple

I've encounted the white screen on startup. After the chime, nothing. After I try to restart it, sometimes it gets to the white screen with grey apple, then still nothing. So far, tried to reset the SMC, boot in safe mode, and even tried the Apple hardware test. None of these things will get me past the white screen. Anything else to try? Time to visit the apple store?

How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
2. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Similar Messages

  • My macbook pro won't start up. I get the white screen and the grey apple icon   the spinning wheel......and it doesn't change !

    My macbook pro won't start up. I get the white screen and the grey apple icon   the spinning wheel......and it doesn't change !

    Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
    To restart an unresponsive computer, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power shuts off, then release, wait a few more seconds, and press it again briefly.
    Step 1
    The first step in dealing with a startup failure is to secure the 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 the last backup, you can skip this step.
    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to start. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    a. Start up from 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.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
    b. If Step 1a fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
    c. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start 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.
    d. 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
    If the startup process stops at a blank gray screen with no Apple logo or spinning "daisy wheel," then the startup volume may be full. If you had previously seen warnings of low disk space, this is almost certainly the case. You might be able to start up in safe mode even though you can't start up normally. Otherwise, start up from an external drive, or else use the technique in Step 1b, 1c, or 1d to mount the internal drive and delete some files. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation.
    Step 3
    Sometimes a startup failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
    Step 4
    If a desktop Mac hangs at a plain gray screen with a movable cursor, the keyboard may not be recognized. Press and hold the button on the side of an Apple wireless keyboard to make it discoverable. If need be, replace or recharge the batteries. If you're using a USB keyboard connected to a hub, connect it to a built-in port.
    Step 5
    If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
    Step 6
    Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can start up 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.
    Step 7
    If you've started from an external storage device, make sure that the internal startup volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
    Start up in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start 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 the login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    When you start up 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, the startup volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 11. If you ever have another problem with the drive, replace it immediately.
    If you can start and log in in safe mode, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on the startup 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 restart as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
    If the startup process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
    Step 8
    Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select the 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 restart as usual.
    Step 9
    If the startup device is an aftermarket SSD, it may need a firmware update and/or a forced "garbage collection." Instructions for doing this with a Crucial-branded SSD were posted here. Some of those instructions may apply to other brands of SSD, but you should check with the vendor's tech support.  
    Step 10
    Reinstall the OS. If the Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
    Step 11
    Do as in Step 9, but this time erase the startup volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically restart into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer the data from a Time Machine or other backup.
    Step 12
    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 startup 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 13
    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.

  • G5 Power Mac won't boot past the white screen w/ the grey Apple logo

    Ok trying this again.  Thank you in advance for any help. My dual 2 gig proc power Mac froze during a movie. I shut it down restarted it but it hangs at the apple logo and the fans slowly build speed until it sounds like the box is take off for flight
    What I've done:
    No single user mode. I restart with cmd+s and it it hangs on the black screen w/ white lettering. The last thing it says is Dart enabled. There is a cursor box but it won't allow my to type anything
    I can get into the open firmware mode and it works
    I reset the nvram and the pram. I removed the battery and put it back in
    I pulled all hard drives and attempted single user mode again nothing
    I ran an apple diagnostic disc. All hard ware checks out fine. When I try to run the os diagnostic on the disc it hangs at the apple logo still
    I rearranged the ram nothing going. Pulled all the ram and replaced one set at a time still nothing
    Any ideas?

    See if you can get it to run long enough to get/install some of these...
    Get Temperature Monitor to see if it's heat related...
    http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/12381/temperature-monitor
    iStat Menus...
    http://bjango.com/mac/istatmenus/
    And/or iStat Pro...
    http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/
    If you have any temps in the 70°C/160°F range, that's likely it.

  • Stuck at white screen with grey apple logo

    When I turn on my MacBook Pro, it is stuck at the white screen with grey apple logo. What do I do?
    Thank you!

    I was looking at this and it helped! http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    1) Disconnect, test peripheral devices and network cables - didn't work
    2) Perform a Safe Boot - didn't work
    3) Reset the NVRAM / PRAM - worked, yay!

  • Macbook starts up with chime  then white screen with grey apple logo and spinning gear appears and continues to spin

    Help,  Turned on MacBook Pro this morning and just get a white screen with grey apple logo and spinning gear.  Cannot access desktop.

    Computer starts up in Safe boot by holding down the shift button.   But when I go to restart the same thing happens.  What should I do?

  • HT4177 My mackbook pro suddenly freezed and when I swiched off and on again, a grey screen appeared with an apple logo then a loading circle underneath, and after a few hours, a blue screen appeared. What shall I do with this?

    My mackbook pro suddenly freezed and when I swiched off and on again, a grey screen appeared with an apple logo then a loading circle underneath, and after a few hours, a blue screen appeared. What shall I do with this?

    What operating system version, and do you have any backups of your data off the machine? TimeMachine? Option Key bootable clones? Storage? DVD's?
    A reinstall of the operating system may be in order as a last resort, so if any of these steps on these links get you into the machine, make sure to backup your personal data (Music, Pictures, Documents, Movies) off the machine to a non-encrypted  powered external drive regular storage drive (not TimeMachine as it might be corrupted too) and disconnect as soon as possible.
    Good Luck and report back all what you tried.
    Also report what change occured before this tragedy happened, was there a  Software Update? A EFI firmware update? Etc.
    https://support.apple.com/kb/TS3148
    more:
    https://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.6/en/8963.html
    To boot off the 10.6 install disk, hold c or option key while the disk is in the machine.
    To boot into 10.7 Recvoery mode, hold the command and r keys down while booting.
    To use Safe mode, hold down the Shift Key while booting.
    Other assistance
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
    https://support.apple.com/kb/ht1782
    https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1564

  • Mac has white screen, sometimes with apple in middle, sometimes not.  Besides bringing it in for hands on what can I do?

    On start I get a white screen, sometimes with apple in middle.  Besides bringing it in for a hand on what might I do?
    thanks

    The Gray Apple appears only when it has been loaded from the boot device. Its failure to appear suggests the Boot device may be the problem.

  • HT3964 My iMac turns on and a white screen appears with the mac apple and the wheel just sits and spins for a long period of time. Any ideas?

    My iMac turns on. A white screen appears, then a apple appears, then the wheel starts to turn but my computer never boots all the way on?

    Please carefully read Apple's Gray screen appears during startup advice letter for steps on how to troubleshoot the issue.

  • Hi i have a white screen problem with my macbookpro mid2009 15".I installed a ifixit  battery and i think it screwed up one owc ssd drive.I just installed a new one and at 13min battery left it shut down and then all i got was a white screen...

    Hi i have a white screen problem with my macbookpro mid2009 15".I installed a ifixit  battery and i think it screwed up one owc ssd drive.I just installed a new one and at 13min battery left it shut down and then all i got was a white screen...I tried every feasible command and all i got was some more white lol.I dont have my tools to open the case right now but do you guys think my cpu board is done?

    Have a look at this help document for suggestions that you haven't tried yet:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570

  • Hi can anyone help with a mac that had magnet put on it. I turned it on and then off but a white screen appears with a file with a question mark on it?

    Hi can anyone help with a mac that had magnet put on it. I turned it on and then off but a white screen appears with a file with a question mark on it?

    File icon with ? mark on it means it can't read from the hard drive. The hard drive is now wiped or bad. If just wiped then you will need to reinstall your operating system, OS X. If bad you will need to replace the drive.
    Start with booting the computer from the OS X install DVD that came with your system. If the Mac came with Lion Pre-Installed then you use the Lion internet recovery system to reinstall (Hold down Command+r keys or Command+Option+r keys to boot the computer from over the internet to the Lion recovery HD system).
    Good Luck.

  • My mac book air turn on with grey apple icon and spining wheel. then it wont turn off.

    my mac book air turn on with grey apple icon and spining wheel. then it wont turn off.pls help

    Have exactly the same problem with my wife's MacBook Air. After restaring in Restore mode and trying to repair the disk (Disk Utility showed errors in the verification), the system tells me to backup as much data as possible (how?), re-format the disk and restore backed-up files. Error comes up when "updating boot support partitions for the volume as required".
    Original restart action was done due to software update requesting it, if I remember correctly, iTunes was updated.
    I don't want to start a painful back-up procedure (although I do regular back-ups): how should I know, where iPhoto stores it's data or where my mails are (yes, still using local mail)? How can I access the data if I can't boot?
    My iMac's disk crashed also a couple of months ago and I'm still recovering. I have four Apple devices, two of them have failed. Can Apple afford such a ratio?

  • HT201210 ipod touch gen2 white screen , ive tried everything apple says to try ,still no change,what am i supposed to do now

    ive tried everything apple says to try ,still no change,what am i supposed to do now

    See  Display Shows White Screen Here
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2771
    If that does not work... try letting the battery fully drain.
    Then Charge for an Hour and try the Reset again.

  • My iPod Touch 4g keeps rebooting. ( sometimes it freezes on the white screen; sometimes on the Apple symbol) What should I do to make it stop? My iPod's warranty has expired. It happens every 10-15 minutes. Help!

    My iPod Touch 4g keeps rebooting. ( sometimes it freezes on the white screen; sometimes on the Apple symbol) What should I do to make it stop? My iPod's warranty has expired. It happens every 10-15 minutes. Help!

    First, try a system reset.  It cures many ills and it's quick, easy and harmless...
    Hold down the on/off switch and the Home button simultaneously until you see the Apple logo.  Ignore the "Slide to power off" text if it appears.  You will not lose any apps, data, music, movies, settings, etc.
    If the Reset doesn't work, try a Restore.  Note that it's nowhere near as quick as a Reset.  It could take well over an hour!  Connect via cable to the computer that you use for sync.  From iTunes, select the iPad/iPod and then select the Summary tab.  Follow directions for Restore and be sure to say "yes" to the backup.  You will be warned that all data (apps, music, movies, etc.) will be erased but, as the Restore finishes, you will be asked if you wish the contents of the backup to be copied to the iPad/iPod.  Again, say "yes."
    At the end of the basic Restore, you will be asked if you wish to sync the iPad/iPod.  As before, say "yes."  Note that that sync selection will disappear and the Restore will end if you do not respond within a reasonable time.  If that happens, only the apps that are part of the IOS will appear on your device.  Corrective action is simple -  choose manual "Sync" from the bottom right of iTunes.
    If you're unable to do the Restore, go into Recovery Mode per the instructions here.

  • I switch on my iPod,apple logo comes and a white screen comes after the apple logo and it restarts again

    I switch on my iPod,apple logo comes and a white screen comes after the apple logo and it restarts again

    Try here:
    iPod touch: Hardware troubleshooting
    iPhone and iPod touch: Frozen and unresponsive
    You may have to let the battery fully drain and then charge and try again..

  • Hello guys!! I have a problem! My old mac book today when I am switch one appears and after seconds white screen continue with one interrogation mark?? Someone Knows whats happen?? How can I solve this trobleshooting?? Sorry, my english is poor!!

    Hello guys!! I have a problem with my old mac book. Today when I am switch on one white screen appears and after seconds this white screen continue with one interrogation mark!! Someone knows whats happen?? It does not starts !! I have a feel of work inside and I am afraid!! someone may help me??

    your English was quite good enough to tell us that you saw this
    Niel has advised you well.
    If you have a more complicated problem, you can write in your language. Most all of us can translate with Google very easily... see
    Español
    Si usted tiene un problema más complicado, se puede escribir en su idioma. La mayoría de todos nosotros puede traducir con Google muy fácilmente ... ver
    Português
    Se você tem um problema mais complicado, você pode escrever no seu idioma. A maioria de todos nós pode traduzir com Google com muita facilidade ... ver
    buenos tardes
    ÇÇÇ

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