White Screen w/ Apple logo + spinning clock frozen after SL reboot

Hi there,
I bought a Mac Box Set and tried to install Snow Leopard to my Mac Mini (Intel chip with 2G RAM running Tiger) today by inserting the DVD into the original internal DVD RAM drive that came with the Mac Mini. The window shown up and I followed the instruction to double-clicked the Snow Leopard icon. Then I was prompted to click 'restart' and according to the instruction, the machine suppose to reboot and start the installation. Machine started reboot and everything seems ok until the process got stuck on the default white screen with Apple logo and a frozen 'spinning clock' after 3 to 5 min... then, waited for an hour and still showing the same screen.
I tried manually power-off and redo the same process at least 5 times and the results are the same.
Any suggestion is truly welcome and appreciated.

I have actually tried to install SL on a brand-new (internal and unformatted) HDD but same 'frozen' screen shown up. According to the procedure, it supposed to show a screen to let me choose if I want to do partition on my new HDD and then format accordingly. Unfortunately, this screen never shows up...
Any other thought/idea would be appreciated.

Similar Messages

Won't turn on white screen with apple logo and spinning disc

Mac book air won't boot up just has a white screen with apple logo and spinning disc have tried all the startup multiple key pushes , I think

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
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. The easiest way to deal with the problem is to boot from an external drive, or else to use either of the techniques in Steps 1b and 1c 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 boot failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
Step 4
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 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 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.
Step 7
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.
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 8
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 9
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 10
Repeat Step 9, 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 11
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 12
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.

My imac starts up with a white screen, gray apple and spinning gear and is frozen on that screen. What can I do?

my imac starts up with a white screen, gray apple and spinning gear and is frozen on that screen. What can I do?

Start your iMac with the original DVD that camera with the system. Then open disk utility and repair your hard drive, also repair your permissions.

My IPad Air is frozen with a white screen and Apple Logo on it.

My Ipad Air is frozen with the white screen and apple logo. I've tried resetting it several times and that doesn't help. I tried connecting to ITunes, but it isn't recognizing the device.
The battery is fully charged, at least for now, so I am not sure what else to try.

FORCE IPAD INTO RECOVERY MODE
1. Turn off iPad
2. Turn on computer and launch iTunes (make sure you have the latest version of iTune)
3. Plug USB cable into computer's USB port
4. Hold Home button down and plug the other end of cable into docking port.
DO NOT RELEASE BUTTON until you see picture of iTunes and plug
5. Release Home button.
ON COMPUTER
6. iTunes has detected iPad in recovery mode. You must restore this iPad before it can be used with iTunes.
7. Select "Restore iPad"...
Note:
1. Data will be lost if you do not have backup
2. You must follow step 1 to step 4 VERY CLOSELY.
3. Repeat the process if necessary.

HT1349 i upgraded to yosemite last week, now my computer wont start. it stops at white screen with apple logo. what do i do?

i upgraded to yosemite last week, now my computer wont start. it stops at white screen with apple logo. what do i do?

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.

My iMacG5 will only boot to white screen, gray apple and spinning gear. Help?

My iMacG5 will only boot to white screen, gray apple and spinning gear. Help?
Also not totally sure if it's an Intel based computer, but that's what I recall. Any way to check, since I can't get to About This Mac window?
It's running on OSX Leopard 10.5.4
First symptom = running slowly - then it kind of froze with color wheel spinning - thought a forced shut down would help - help power button til off, then white screen, gray apple and spinning gear.
Have tried...
1. Turn off the computer by choosing Shut Down from the Apple menu, or by holding the power button until the computer turns off.
2. Unplug all cables from the computer, including the power cord.
3. Wait 10 seconds.
4. Plug in the power cord while simultaneously pressing and holding the power button on the back of the computer.
5. Let go of the power button.
6. Press the power button once more to start up your iMac.
Then try booting from your install disc again.
- No change
And...
Booting From An OS X Installer Disc
1. Insert OS X Installer Disc into the optical drive.
2. Restart the computer.
3. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the "C" key.
4. Release the key when the spinning gear below the dark gray Apple logo
appears.
5. Wait for installer to finish loading.
- The fan just got louder.
Thanks for your help.

You need to do an Erase and Install or an Archive and Install depending on whether the hard drive is OK or needs to be reformatted.
Start by booting from your Leopard DVD. The rest is just following directions.
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, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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. Now restart normally.
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.
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.

White screen with Apple logo/ not booting

I recently tried to install the software for the "Flip" video camcorder and upon restarting my computer after installation, my computer is stuck on the white screen with Apple Logo, 'thinking" wheel spinning, and fans going full blast. I tried forcing a stop with turning computer off by holding power button in the back until system powered off. When I started the computer back up, it did the same thing.
What is the likely problem and how do I fix this. I bought the computer used and do not have the OS X software that comes with the computer originally.

You really need those discs. You can either buy a BLACK retail version of Leopard and use that or you can call Apple at 800-767-2775 and for a nominal fee they will send you the proper discs for your model. You will need the serial number, which you can find on the bottom of the foot of your computer. Do not buy any grey discs, they are machine specific and will not work on yours. In the meantime, try starting by resetting the PRAM and the SMU
1. Shut down the computer.
2. Unplug the computer's power cord.
3. Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
4. Release the power button.
5. Attach the computers power cable.
6. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
You need to make sure also, that the software that comes with your Flip is compatible with the OS version you are running.
Let us know how you make out,

ITunes Store wont open. Only thing appears is the white screen with Apple Logo

iTunes Store won't opeen. Only thing appears is white screen with Apple Logo and takes really, really long to load.

Hi Davin12,
I'm sorry to hear you are having issues acessing the iTunes Store from your Windows computer.
The article below may be able to help you with this issue.
Click on the link below to see more details and screenshots.
I've quoted some helpful highlights for you:
iTunes for Windows: iTunes Store connection troubleshooting
Remove pop-up blockers
Some pop-up or ad-blocking programs may interfere with the ability of iTunes to connect to the iTunes Store. Removing them in many cases will resolve the issue.
Flush DNS Setting in Windows
In some cases, the DNS information you computer uses to connect to the Internet needs to be reset. Follow these instructions to flush your Windows DNS information:
Windows XP
On the Start menu, click Run.
In the Open field type cmd and click OK.
In the resulting window, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Return on the keyboard.
You should see a message that the DNS Resolver Cache has been successfully flushed.
Windows Vista and Windows 7
On the Start menu, point to All Programs > Accessories and then right-click Command Prompt and chooseRun as Administrator from the shortcut menu. If Windows needs your permission to continue, click Continue.
In the resulting window, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Return on the keyboard.
You should see a message that the DNS Resolver Cache has been successfully flushed.
Note: If, in the command prompt, you see this message: "The requested operation requires elevation", close the command prompt and repeat steps 1 and 2 above to be sure that Administrator privileges are used to access to Command Prompt.
The article below will help you troubleshoot the issue from your computer or your iPod Touch:
iTunes: Advanced iTunes Store troubleshooting
I hope this information helps ....
Have a great day!
- Judy

MacBook Pro White screen, No apple logo, No question mark

Hi guys
I've MacBook pro 13 2010 model
The Laptop turn on all the time when i press power button
but It's stuck in white screen ( without apple logo ) . With hard drive connected or no hard drive i still can't see the question mark folder
What i've done
- Reset NVRM ( shift + Command+ option + power ) and it worked as i can see light changed in the charger
- I removed the hard drive put new one, then again removed hard from the board but no luck
- connected the Laptop to a monitor but not even showing video in the external monitor
Why can't i press PRAM button. NVRM work OK but not PRAM ( Option + Apple logo + P + R )
so keyboard is fine

askmeplz82,
if you’re unable to boot into Mountain Lion’s Recovery mode, then that limits your self-help options. These options still remain:
Do you still have the two grey installation DVDs which originally came in the box with your MacBook Pro?
Do you have a bootable external disk?
Do you have access to a FireWire cable and access to a second Mac with a FireWire port?
Do you have a spare SATA disk which can be temporarily installed inside of your MacBook Pro?
If the answer to all of these is no, then your only remaining option is to make an appointment at an Apple store or other qualified service facility so that they can diagnose/repair your MacBook Pro.

Recently when clicking on Safari, it refused to open saying there were some components damaged. It was suggested I backup, remove OSX and reinstall. Now all I get is white screen and apple logo when starting. What to do?l

I Have an iMac desktop purchased in 2010 with OS X 6.1.6 and Snow Leapard. Recently after starting up, I was not able to open Safari. I checked for updates and all was well. I tried again and got a message saying Safari could not be opened because some components were damaged. After using Disk utilities to try and repair, it was suggested I uninstall OS X and reinstall from the disk. I did not at the time because I wanted to backup some info to a USB drive. But now when I startup all I get is the white screen and Apple logo and the loading symbol. What happened and How can Imfix it? I am not very tech savvy and don't know where to turn!

Hi nancy mfromamity harbor,
Welcome to the Support Communities! It sounds like reinstalling the Snow Leopard operating system is your next step. This should not affect the documents and data that you currently have on your iMac. I'll include the information to show you how below.
Mac OS X 10.6: Reinstalling Mac OS X
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH6606
Under some circumstances, you may need to reinstall Mac OS X. You can reinstall Mac OS X while keeping your files and user settings intact.
Note:To reinstall Mac OS X from another computer on your network, see:
Using another computer’s DVD or CD drive
To reinstall Mac OS X:
Insert the Mac OS X installation disc and double-click the Install Mac OS X icon.
Follow the onscreen instructions. In the pane where you select a disk, select your current Mac OS X disk (in most cases, it will be the only one available).
If you want to control which parts of Mac OS X are installed, click Customize, and then select the parts you want to install.
To start the installation, click Install.
If you purchased a standalone version of Mac OS X, these installation instructions are in a PDF file located on the Mac OS X installation disc.
If you need to reinstall the version of Mac OS X that was on your computer when you purchased it, or if you need to restore all the software on your computer (including Apple software, third-party applications, and other printer drivers), refer to the documentation that came with your computer.
If you need to reinstall Mac OS X and you’ve been using Time Machine to back up your applications, files, and user settings, you can easily restore this information from your Time Machine backup disk after you’ve reinstalled Mac OS X.
Nancy, here is the contact information if you need technical assistance to get your iMac up and running.
Intel-based iMac - Contact Support - Apple Support
http://www.apple.com/support/imac/intel/contact/
Good luck!
- Judy

Imac does not start white screen with apple logo.......

Hi guys, my brand new Imac 21.5 got stuck on the white screen with apple logo and nonstop little wheel, but it never gets out of it....Disconnected everything else restarted but still nothing...stuck at the same screen. Please i need help, the machine is only 3 months old!!!

Hi, do you have AppleCare?
Call AppleHelp in any event 1-800-275-2273
You could try booting from your discs (Disc#1) that came with your Mac -
...L

I get a white screen with apple logo and progress bar on my imac mavericks

I get a white screen with apple logo and progress bar ,then computer shuts down
when I turn my imac back on same thing happens,every time same thing
pprogress bar only goes half way then computer shut down
is there a solution ?
if not is there a way to at least salvage some files and docs?
i Have the latest imac 27

Thanks I tried it but after I repaired my disk via disk utility at start up, it told me that
my disk can't be repaired and to try to back up my files so I can format it
but is there to back up my files?
also what I get is white screen with the progress bar not grey

My macbook 13' (older version) starts only to white screen with apple logo tried to rebooot by pressing shift at the opening but it didn't finish starting before stopping please help anybody please

is anbody there how does this work never done it before my macbook won't start past white screen with apple logo any ideas ?

Are you using a 10.6 Snow Leopard Install DVD? If yes, you can erase and install following these directions: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910
You'll know whether or not it is a hard drive issue when you get to step 8 under "Part One: Erasing the hard drive". If you do not see your hard drive in the list on the left side of the Disk Utility window then you know the Mac isn't seeing it—could be a loose cable, but more likely hard drive failure.
If you can see it on the left, click on it and look at the bottom of the Disk Utility window. If you see something like "S.M.A.R.T status: failing" that is definitely a hard drive issue. Otherwise, you can just follow the directions for an erase and install!
Might be worth fixing depending how much a repair would cost. Genius Bar could at least diagnose it for you and give a repair estimate. I'd look at what a new or refurbished one with your same specs would cost though to see if the price differential is worth it...

Mac book pro is unable to display desktop ,only white screen with apple logo is appearing

Hi
I have a Mac book pro, since today morning the Mac book pro is not starting. It just displays the white screen with Apple logo and search signal. Despite waiting for a long time desktop is not coming up.
I have tried to restart it several time but the status remains same. Kindly help.
Thank you
Kind regards
satish

Gray, Blue or White screen at boot, w/spinner/progress bar

Computer doesn't boot, stuck in white screen with Apple logo

I got a friend that has a MacBook 2.0GHz, Black. The computer had some sort of problem so he took out the HD and placed it into another computer (MacBook 2.2GHz, Black). For some reason whenever the computer boots, it gets stuck in the white screen with the gray Apple logo, and shows up a bar, as if it's loading some sort of firmware update. It never advances, and it doesn't go thru.
If he takes the same HD and puts it into an enclosure, first it would take a while to mount in another computer, and afterwards it would give some errors, but now it doesn't even load.
Before he had the issue with his original computer everything was working fine, and there was no update going on when the computer got broken. The problem that that computer has isn't related to the HD.

If you have physically removed the drive and connected it to another computer and it "took a while to mount" then it sounds like the drive itself is failing. Hopefully he maintains backups.
Boot the MacBook in "verbose" mode (press and hold down option+v while powering up)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492
In this mode you will see all the boot messages scroll by instead of the typical white screen with Apple logo. You will likely be able to see messages indicating what the computer is trying to do -- for example messages indicating that having failures or retrying to read the hard drive.
The access arms on hard drives have to be precisely located above the "tracks" on the disk in order to read data. As the drive ages & wears, the accuracy of the arms can become sloppy, causing the read/write head to no longer be precisely located over a track. This results in failure to read correctly. Most drives have a useful life of about 5 years -- after which the failure rate will go up substantially. Fortunately, replacement hard drives are cheap.

White Screen w/ Apple logo + spinning clock frozen after SL reboot

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for