'Wobbling' Apple logo - Strange Behavior on Start-Up

Couple of days ago my iMAC started behaving strangely on starting-up.
Having pressed the on button the grey Apple logo appears on the white background but there is a lot of distortion. The logo is wobbling and there appears to be hashes all over the screen.
After a while the blue OS X screen appears with the progress indicator, which looks fine. Then it goes to a grey screen with hashes all over it and does little else.
When I turn the machine off using the power button it normally restarts okay and I can use the machine normally with no problems occuring. Turn the machine off for more than an hour or two and the problem recurs!
The only piece of software I've downloaded recently was iStumbler because I was having issues with interference from neighboring wireless modems but I can't see how this would affect the start-up routine.
Any help would be most gratefully received.
Duncan
PS: I’ve performed a hardware test and everything passed OK!?

Sounds like a classic case of the iMac G5 first generation capacitor issue to me, Duncan.
Check out http://www.apple.com/uk/support/imac/repairextensionprogram/ for details about the free repair program.
Cheers
Rod

Similar Messages

HT1560 Apple tv 1st Generation, Apple Logo steady but not starting page?

Got an used Apple tv 1st Generation, Turn on Have only Apple Logo steady but not starting page? What to do ?

No way to go to meny or any other screen. Every time I reboot ATV, stays to the same screen, Apple Logo. Is any posibility to do factory restore thru iTunes? let's not forget this is a Apple TV 1st Generation.

My macbook pro won't start up. Instead of the apple logo appearing in the start up only a grey folder with a ? At the center appears

My macbook pro won't start up. Instead of the apple logo appearing in the start up only a grey folder with a ? At the center appears

Boubert,
the question mark in the folder typically represents the inability to recognize a valid filesystem on the volume being booted from. You can try this, although it might not make a difference: boot your MacBook Pro into Recovery mode by holding down a Command key and the R key as it starts up. Once the OS X Utilities menu appears, select Disk Utility. On the left-hand side of the Disk Utility window, select your internal disk’s boot partition (typically called “Macintosh HD”). On the right-hand side, select the First Aid tab if it’s not already selected, then press the Verify Disk button if it’s not greyed out; if it is greyed out, or if it reports that errors were found, press the Repair Disk button. Once the verification/repair is completed, exit Disk Utility and select Restart from the Apple menu to restart in normal mode. Is it able to boot normally now?

On start up i just get a grey screen with the apple logo-this has suddenly started happenin. Please help?

on start up i just get a grey screen with the apple logo-this has suddenly started happenin. Please help?

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.

Grey Apple Logo when trying to Start Up Mac-OS. Halted.

So far I have been very satisfied with my Mac. This is my first one, so I am learning the ins and outs. A few days ago, my Mac suddenly started going to sleep on it's own. I think, hindsight, that it was due to the lightning storm. So I reset my PRAM and also that thing where you remove the battery and hold the POWER button for 5+ seconds. Now, my Mac chimes and shows the grey apple logo but nothing more. I put in the install disc and ran a disk utility a few times and it says A-OK. Also ran the Hardware Test a few times with no problems flagged. I Upgraded the OS from the disc (not a total reformat, so I hopefully don't lose data) and still the same persistant grey apple logo abides. I have left it on for an hour and still it doesn't advance past this screen. I am willing to Reformat as a last resort (my files were backed up less than a month ago, but I would still lose a few important files). Thank you for your help.

This thread posted elsewhere; under Power and Battery section. Please do not reply to this posting. I appologize for any confusion.

Why did my Apple logo turn blue at start up?

At start up, the Apple logo turned blue (originally gray). The outline of the logo also became pixelated, containing the colors red, green, yellow, etc.
I also have this problem where whenever I am using an application (during the first hour after start up) they would deactivate during the first five seconds of use. I would have to constantly click the application to reactivate it. For example, as I am typing in Microsoft Word, the application would deactivate enabling me from typing, until I select the program to reactivate it.

Hi tessira_c,
I would suggest starting to troubleshoot this issue by starting your MacBook Pro up in Safe Mode. See this article for the procedure -
OS X Mavericks: Start up in safe mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14204
Does the issue (blue Apple at startup) occur when starting this way? If so, use the steps in this article to continue isolating the issue -
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L

My macbook pro will not start up. I get the apple logo and the little start up waiting avitar. I tried everything including starting with my back up drive and nothing happens.

My macbook pro mid 2012 will not start up. I was running bitdefender and when I went to see if it was done, I had the apple logo and the loading (winding circle) on the screen. I can not get out of this. I used my back up external drive and it did nothing. It did light up.

samnleosgpa,
you may have faulty RAM. Are you able to boot into your MacBook Pro’s Apple Hardware Test (“AHT”)? If so, try running it to see if it can detect a problem. If you’re not able to run its AHT, and you’ve upgraded your MacBook Pro’s RAM before, try reïnstalling its original RAM and see if you can get past the “-6002F” error code. If you aren’t able to run its AHT, and you haven’t upgraded its RAM or you no longer have its original RAM, then I’d recommend that you make an appointment at your nearest Apple store to have them diagnose the problem.

What do I do when my ipod shows me the white apple logo but doesn't start?

what do I do when my ipod shows me the white apple logo but dosent start? by the way it ran out of battery but when I plug it in this happens.

Try:
- iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
- Also try DFU mode after try recovery mode
How to put iPod touch / iPhone into DFU mode « Karthik's scribblings
- If not successful and you can't fully turn the iOS device fully off, let the battery fully drain. After charging for an least an hour try the above again.
- If still not successful that usually indicates a hardware problem and an appointment at the Genius Bar of an Apple store is in order.
Apple Retail Store - Genius Bar

After update, Apple TV just shows the Apple Logo, but won't start. up.

I updated my Apple TV 2 today with the new update, it downloaded everything and then installed it. Now it is showing the startup screen (the silver Apple logo) but won't go past that. I tried unplugging it, I tried holding the plat and menu button together to reset it, it still just pops up with the logo and never starts up. I don't know what to do. Any suggestions?

Grab a micro usb cable and restore through iTunes

When trying to statup with install disc inserted,all i get is an apple logo.when i try starting using command v it seems to see the cpu,but does not list any drivers.any thoughts appreciated!

when trying to startup with install disc inserted,all i get is an apple logo.when using command v keys,it seems to see the cpu, but doesn't list any drivers.any idea what,s wrong?

That is the wrong system disc, the Mid 2007 Mac Mini's originally came with Tiger 10.4. You must have been sent the wrong disc, because that gray 10.6 system disc is obviously for a later Mac.
Mac mini (Mid 2007) - Technical Specifications
At this point I'm afraid that your options are very limited.
1. Call Apple, have your serial # handy and ask for a replacement Tiger disc set. Problem is that it wouldn't be of much use, except for maybe running the Apple Hardware Test.
Apple - Support - iMac - Service FAQ
2. Purchase a Retail Snow Leopard Upgrade disc.
Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.)
As for the RAM, if 2GB is shown in both Apple / About This Mac and in the Activity Monitor then there is a pretty good chance that's it OK. Of course it is hard to test without the original disc set and in your case may need to be done with a third party RAM checker like Memtest OS X

My phone is blinking with the apple logo and will not start

my iphone is blinking the apple logo but will not load or turn off?

my phone is blinking with the apple logo and will not start

Apple logo appeared when first started, but no longer comes up

I like the apple logo comming up when i booted up. problem is it doesn't do it anymore unless i reset. Is there a way to have the logo appear when ever i turn on my ipod?
ipod video 5thGen Windows XP

Thanks! So i guess that means there is no way to have that logo appear regularly other than that long sleep it would have to take

Black screen after Apple Logo on Boot up / Start up

I am curious to know if others have experienced this? After iOS 8 update on my iPad 3 (The New iPad) 3rd Gen. the screen stays black for like 8 to 10 seconds after the Apple Logo disappears? And I have noticed it is not snappy / quick as it was before and when open apps it seems sluggish and freezes up. Is this a bug? If someone can help it would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for help.

Thats exactly The issue I am having. i turn my I pad 3 on and the Apple logo comes on. Then it goes blank for a couple of minutes ( black screen) then enter passcode screen comes on. Then it completely goes off again for another couple of minutes.Then decides to come back on. None of my apps work properly at all now, and when I load safari it's lob sidded. If you get a solution can you help me too

IMAP Gmail + Apple Mail = strange behavior?

I'm using Apple Mail 3.0 and Gmail IMAP. I have several mailboxes (Gmail calls them "labels", I guess) set up in Gmail's webmail application, and they are mirrored on Apple Mail. I have also set up Gmail to download mail from three different POP account.
Here's the problem: for some reason, when I click on a message that has been downloaded from one of the POP accounts in the inbox in Apple Mail, it still appears as "unread" in Gmail webmail and in the "All Mail" Gmail folder in Apple Mail.
Somehow Gmail doesn't know that I'm clicking on the message, so it stays marked "unread". Because it stays marked unread, it is not automatically deleted after 30 days as it should be (I've been told that the 30-day period is not related to the date the message was sent, but to the time it was first accessed.) This means that I have several months of old messages stored on the Gmail server (and in my Gmail folders in Mail) that I don't want there.
Or it means that I have to manually go into the Gmail "All Mail" folder, either on Gmail webmail or in the "All Mail" Gmail folder in Mail on my computer, and manually click on the messages to mark them as read. This gets VERY tedious throughout the day.
Anyone else encountered this issue and figured out how to resolve it?

Sorry, I just noticed something. The problem is not only with the mail that comes in from the Fetch accounts. It also happens with mail sent to Gmail.
In the left-hand column of Mail 3.0, there's a folder called "Gmail" with a triangle next to it. Let's say a new mail comes into my inbox to my Gmail address. If I click on it in the inbox, it gets marked as unread in the inbox. However, I still see a "1" next to the Gmail folder indicating there's an unread message. If I click on the triangle to expand the folder, and then click on "All Mail", the folder seems to "update" itself and the unread email is marked as read (without me clicking on the actual message).
Otherwise, it seems to stay marked unread. Why is this?

HT1414 i wanted to reset my iphone from the phone settings and i started with no problem but now my i phone got stuck i can only see the apple logo and my phone does not start what to do please help

i wanted to reset my iphone 4 from the phone settings and everything started okay until i realised it was not working at all now my phone is tuck with the apple logo and won't start can not connect to the itunes store as well what to do please help

Place your iPhone into recovery mode as described here. You may have to try to enter recovery mode more than once to succeed.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

'Wobbling' Apple logo - Strange Behavior on Start-Up

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for