Why won't my MacBook Pro get past the login screen

My MacBook isn't getting past the login. I log in but it stops and keeps a blank screen

Please read this whole message before doing anything.
This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.
The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, or by corruption of certain system caches.
Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.
Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.
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. Test while in safe mode. Same problem? After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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How do I get past the login screen?

Hey all,
I just bought a nice new MacBook Pro 15" 2.66 GHz and am happy with it so far.
The problem is I had to buy it because my PowerBook G4 12" decided to die on me. It happened slowly over the course of a weekend. The PB started to get really slow, and I knew it wasn't because of the internet, just figured I had overloaded the hard drive. So I started to move files to an external hard drive. It was slow and every hour or so an application would freeze, and I couldn't force quit, so I would have to shut down. Eventually it got to the point that I wasn't even running other programs, just trying to transfer files, and I would get the swirly rainbow circle.
I transferred most of the files, except for my iTunes collection. I figured, no problem, I have my iPod.
I ordered the new computer, and have realized, that I can't transfer my iTunes collection through my iPod. And now, my PBG4 can turn on, and get me to the login screen looks like it's going to boot up, but goes right back to the login.
Is there anything I can do to bypass the login? I've tried to start it in safe mode, but the PB won't even get to the login screen after 30 minutes of waiting. I also tried holding shift while logging in, but no dice.
I have an ethernet cable, and know that if I can log on, I'd be able to move my info somehow, please help!
Thank you, Lindsey

artschic:
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Congratulations on your new MacBook Pro. You'll love it.
In terms of your PowerBook G4, apparently your Hard Disk Drive has failed completely and I am not sure what else it wrong.
First, try this:
• 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.
If that does not work try Repair Disk
Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel, and report if it says anything but Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior
If still no dice, try the procedure outlined in the article Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck.
cornelius

Why won't my MacBook Pro start up? White screen and flashing question mark.

Hi,
I've had my MacBook Pro for almost 2 years now and I installed OS X 10.8 about 4 months ago.
Today I turned the MacBook Pro on and a white screen with a flashing question mark appeared. I tried then getting the startup manager up: turning on the laptop and immediately holding in alt (option). But nothing appeared for about 25 seconds until a rotating Earth labelled 'Internet recovery' appeared that gave me options to join wireless connections. However, my internet wasn't in the options and when I tried typing in the information required to join my internet the laptop would just load and never find it.
I then tried putting in my Mac OS X install DVD (10.6.7) and help in C until the apple logo appeared on the screen and the little rotating loading circle appeared. That then disappeared and a cicle with a cross through it appeared (similar to a no entry sign). Then after about 30 seconds a blue screen followed by a grey screen appeared until eventually the disc ran properly. I then went into Disk Utility but there was no option called Macintosh HD, only the discs content. It wouldn't let me first aid, erase or repair anything.
I'm totally stumped and have 4 exams at university within the next 2 weeks. I'd really appreciate it if anyone could help me out here?
Thanks,
Best wishes,
Connor

The support article linked below is somewhat outdated. Where it refers to starting up from an installation disc, you should instead start up in Recovery by holding down the key combination command-R at the chime. Release the keys when you see a gray screen with a spinning dial.
If you don't have a current backup of all the data on the startup volume, and you want to preserve that data, then you must try to back up before you do anything else. Ask for instructions if you need them.
Note: You need an always-on Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection to the Internet to reinstall OS X from Recovery, if necessary. It won’t work with USB or PPPoE modems, or with proxy servers, or with networks that require a certificate for authentication.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

Macbook Pro stuck at the login screen

This morning I dropped my laptop by catching the charging cable the laptop fell on the floor but everything seemed to be normal.
I then decided to back up straight away so I started time machine. I stupidly started doing some user instensive things on my mac whilst this was going on e.g. playing a game which can sometimes crash. When it did crash I left it for half an hour or so to see if it would bring up force quit or switch out of the crashed programme. This didn't happen so, like i've done in the past, I hard reset holding down the power button.
When I turned on the mac everything seemed normal I got to the login screen and it offered to startup the computer as it was before I restarted. This was a bit odd as I normally get this message when i've actually logged in. My Backup drive also asked for a password which was also strange for the same reason. I then attempted to login to the computer I typed my password in. It was accepted and the screen went white and then went back to the login screen.
I repeated this a few times, restarting etc before I tried using disk utility in recovery mode. When verifying the disk no problems were found. Disk permissions found two problems, which unfortunately I can't remember (1 was to do with the library), I then repaired disk permissions. I tried to start again but got the same problem.
I then stared in safe mode. I'm now meant to be in safe mode but i'm not 100% sure as everything seems the same except everythign is very slow.
Midbackup my computer crashed so i'm wondering if there are any problems there (especially as it was the first backup I made on my new external HD). I'm now trying to backup in safemode but i'm not sure if that's the best thing to do (as not everything might not copy over and I could potentially ruin the first backup to my new external HD). Can anyone give me any advice on what to do next, tell me where I can test whether i'm in safe mode or not and let me know if I should be backing up in safemode.
Thanks in advance
Alex
Macbook Pro August 2011 13 inch
500GB HD
4GB RAM
2.3 GHz Intel Core i5
Lion 10.7.3
UPDATE
After entering successfully what appeared to be safe mode, I restared the computer and tried logging in normally. I got the white screen (as normal) before I reached the login screen, and after entering my password it eventually did log me in. Everything seems normal but I still want to be sure. My computer seems very slow. I only have 1.25GB/4GB free of RAM and I only have two safari tabs open. I'm backing up now but i'm still a bit concerned.
Message was edited by: Alexander Richardson

there is no installation cd, i have hit the command r function and attempted to reinstall from the recovery option stored on the computer. I am connected to the internet. It keeps saying downloading extra components and then once completed just goes b ack to main screen with my old log in informaiton as if nothing has happened. I also attempted to try to do a back up from a restore log and nothing on that as well.

Can't get past the login screen - Login fails [SOLVED]

Dear Arch community,
I have just installed xfce4. To make it perfect, I've installed slim and added it to the daemons. It works flawlessly...unfortunately I am not able to login. It does not seem to recognize my user name and/or password. After going back to the prompt (strg+alt+F5), I am able to login. Also: If I log in and try to go back with srtg+alt+F7 I am stuck at the login screen again.
The problem:
Slim is not able to access user and password - How do I get it to do so?
On the other hand...from my point of view it could be anything.
Any help is very appreciated.
Last edited by 3xp10r3r|X13 (2012-08-26 18:05:14)

3xp10r3r|X13 wrote:
all I've got in it is:
exec xfce4-session
I guess that is a bit too less.
Actually according to the wiki it should be just
exec startxfce4
when using slim. Have you made your .xinitrc executable?
chmod +x ~/.xinitrc
Last edited by bgc1954 (2012-08-26 16:18:53)

Why won't my Macbook pro connect to the internet, yet my desktop PC will?

My 13 inch Macbook Pro was purchased back in March of this year, but recently I've been unable to connect to the internet. Within the network settings it says that my Airport is on and has a self assigned IP and that both the ethernet and firewire are not connected. Yet when on my desktop PC, everything seems to be working fine. I've concluded that it couldn't be my router, at least I'm pretty confident it's not.
I've tried the usual reboot, unplug router routine but it still won't budge.
Please help!

Just connected my ethernet cable directly to my macbook, and the internet is working fine. So is this an issue with my router then?

Why won't my macbook pro recognize my replaced lcd screen?

I replaces a cracked lcd screen in my unibody macbook pro early 2011. Under About this Mac, Displays, I could still see the old monitor plus the external monitor I was using with thunderbolt port. After changing out to a new lcd, and reassemblying the mac body, the computer did not recognize the new monitor. Why? I only connected the lvds cable to the motherboard and did not completely close the unibody and rehook up the camera and some other cabling which I think is unrelated to the display. I think that with only the lvds cable connected to the new lcd screen, it should light up and show up under displays. No?

You can try VLC, I belive it supports playback for AVCHD. It I am wrong, it's free, so no harm no foul. You can find it and videolan.org.
As for iMovie, it should recognize AVCHD, unless your camera has some sort of new or proprietary version of the AVCHD codec, in which case you can only cross your fingers and hope Apple updates iMovie as there is no codec plug-in architecture to expand iMovies native support.

PowerBook G4 1.67GHz Won't Boot, Doesn't Get Past the Grey Screen

The other day I was attempting to Safe Boot, and during the grey screen with the rotating cog, I could hear the hard drive spin down, the the display would turn off. The computer worked fine for the next few days, and now when I attempt to boot it (with nothing in the disc drive as well), it does the same thing. It simply shuts down before getting to the "Log In" screen.
When I used the Tiger install disc (note that it was a Tiger disc that came with our iMac Core 2 Duo, my other disc is at my parents' house), and held the C key while booting, I experienced my first kernel panic. I restarted and ejected the disc, but the computer still won't boot. I tried resetting the PRAM by restarting and holding CommandOption+PR, and I've even let it cycle a few times with no luck. I also did what was suggested on an Apple support page, where I remove the AC adapter plug, remove the battery, hold the Power button for 5 seconds, re-insert the battery, reattach the AC adapter, and try starting that way, and that didn't work either.
I have no idea what the problem is, I've never had an issue with the computer before at all. Any suggestions?
(I tried posting this in the Tiger forums, but it was suggested that I post here instead)

Ah, I believe I do have the a TechTool CD that came with my old iBook, perhaps I'll give that a shot.
I first noticed the issue when trying to Safe Boot because I was attempting to install the Flash 9 player. Apparently many people are having issues with it, and it was suggested to me on the Adobe forums that I try installing it in Safe Mode (the install software hangs at "Items Remaining to be Installed: 4").
I'll bring my PowerBook to my parents' house this weekend and see if I can give it a shot with the correct disc. I'll try to post back here to let you know if it worked out!

My phone won't load. i cant get past the loading screen

my phone died last night so before i went ot bed i put it on the charger. when i woke up this morning my phone was stuck on the loading screen.im afraid i will have to restore my phone

A Sprint phone is a CDMA phone and it will be the same as Verizon, which is also CDMA. You will not need a sim card for a CDMA phone to work in the US - it connects to the correct network and you can only use a Sprint iPhone on the Sprint network.
There should be a sim card slot, but this is only for use when travelling with local sim cards - if you are in the US you have to use the phone on Sprint because it is a Sprint phone and you then don't need a sim card to connect to a CDMA network which is why you probably never received one.
If the phone won't work, then you need to return it for a full refund as has already been suggested and purchase another iPhone either from Apple or from the phone carrier that you wish to use your phone with.
You also need to be aware of what phone you are purchasig before you do so from a source like Craiglist.
Ultimately, you can only use a Sprint phone on the Sprint network and you don't need a sim card for that.

MacBook Pro won't stop rebooting. Options to get past the gray screen?

I made an adjustment to sharing on HD and ever since then the MacBook is rebooting again and again. Any suggestions?

Thank you for the response. I have tried starting in safe mode and it is not taking. The cycle continues to reboot after about a minute or two. Once when I tried starting in force OS X mode holding down "X" when starting I did get the scrolling text but then the prompt asked to exit or enter a command. Not knowing what command to enter, I typed exit. This did not resolve the problem obviously. I am supposed to get a call from an Apple person later this morning. I am hoping he/she can help.
I am not sure I know how to get to Disc Utilities if I can't get past the grey screen. Any suggestions? Should I boot off of my system discs?
Thanks again for your response.

Macbook Pro won't get past admin login screen

2.53 ghz 13" MBP osx 10.6.4
It starts up and gets to the login screen where it usually has the box to put in the password. But now it just shows the account name and little icons below in that window for sleep, restart, shut down. But it's not responsive to any clicks. I can move the cursor, but nothing else. All I can do is hard shut down but then it does the same thing whenever I restart.
Any ideas? Thank you.

I figured it out. A track pad option was deselected in System Preferences that messed it all up. I got past the login screen with key commands then used my 17 MBP to share screen and changed the track pad settings on the 13 MBP. Phew, that was weird.
It was nice having this exchange with myself in a public forum though...

My macbook pro wont get past the grey screen at startup. Help!!

After doing a run of the mill software update on my macbook pro (running snow leopard) it froze during the "moving items into place" stage. I forced a shut down and now it wont get past the grey screen with apple logo and spinning wheel. I have tried booting from the original DVD but it still freezes. When I boot it in verbose mode it seems to stop at "jnl: unknown-dev: update_fs_block: error reading fs block # 3597880! (ret 5)", the Apple AHCD Disk Queue manager :: set power state is timing out and there is a disk I/O error. I have tried to reset the power manager (not sure if it worked or not) and I have also tried clearing the PRAM (again, not sure of that worked). When I try to look at the hard drive using target mode on my imac the hard drive doesn't come up but the DVD does. I'm concerned that my hard drive is fried. Any suggestions?

It would help to state in your post which remedies you tried that didn't work.
Start here > OS X Lion: If you see a gray screen at startup
If nothing there helped, try Starting up in Safe Mode
Safe Mode deletes some system caches that may help.
A Safe Mode boot takes longer than a normal boot so be patient. Once you are in Safe Mode, click Restart from the Apple menu.
If a Safe Mode boot didn't work, since your Mac has OS X v10.7 installed, restart your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys so you can access OS X Recovery built in utilities. The startup disk may need repairing.
Tip: Hold down the Eject key while starting up your Mac to eject a disc.

My macbook pro will not get past the gray screen with the apple logo and a loading bar.

My macbook pro will not get past the grey screen with the apple logo after attempting to load for hours. I have already tried resetting the NVRAM/PRAM and a couple other tricks and no luck. Anyone out there have suggestions for my problem? Help would be much appreciated since i use my computer for everything at school and i am in desperate need to get this baby working again.

You didn't say which OS in your tag, but maybe you might find something here.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4191
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH7213
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4125
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2213

My husband has 1 of the newer macbook pros that runs off of lion and know his computer wont let him get past the starting screen it keeps telling him to put in a bootible disk he cant use his key board or anything what should he do?

my husband has 1 of the newer macbook pros that runs off of lion and know his computer wont let him get past the starting screen it keeps telling him to put in a bootible disk he cant use his key board or anything what should he do?

Hi...
Use Lion Recovery to repair the startup disk if necessary, or reinstall the Mac OS X.
he cant use his key board
You'll need to use a wired (USB) keyboard.

HT5616 Why won't my MacBook Pro 10.9.2 take my Apple ID to sign into iCloud?

Why won't my MacBook Pro 10.9.2 take my Apple ID to sign into iCloud?
I've verified my Apple ID and iCloud is working on my iPad with this same Apple ID.
THANKS.

I have the same problem. After updating to 10.9.2
My ipad and iphone works perfect. It's a certificate problem. Try to reset the keychain http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5813
Didn't work for me, so I'm calling apple support or maybe reinstall maverick if they can't solved it
Maybe it works for you :-)

Why won't my MacBook Pro get past the login screen

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