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We have a MBP which will only boot up in safe mode. It won't boot normally, or in internet recovery mode (just get a grey screen). Whilst it's still usable it would be nice to fix it!
I've run disk utility and it reckons the HDD is fine. I've repaired permissions, reset the PRAM and run the Apple Diagnostic tests (hardware is fine apparently) all to no avail.
If this was a Windows machine I'd be looking to reinstall the OS at this time. Not had to do this before with a Mac - is it likely to fix the problem? The disc that came with the computer can't be located - I've tried another disc (and a USB key) and it won't boot off either although this might be expected as apparently some Mac laptops will only boot from their specific disc? I guess if I do try to reinstall OSX I will do it using another Mac and Target Disk Mode.
Not having reinstalled OSX before, would this effectively wipe the computer or could it just repair the OS and leave the apps/docs intact? The laptop is fully backed up so reinstalling everything is not a problem, just looking to minimise downtime really.
Or is it likely to be a hardware issue (despite what Apple Diagnostics says)? This MBP had it's mainboard replaced earlier this year due to the graphics card/screen corruption issue. There was apparently screen corruption when it originally crashed although none since.
Any ideas?
what version of OSX?
have you tried booting holding the option key and see what boot options you get?
Can you get your hands on a 'live' Linux distro, on CD/DVD?
If you can get it to boot from that, it would be useful to prove the h/w is in general good nick. (I did this on my A1161, which showed a duff HD- IIRC, disk utility showed it as good.)
It's running Snow Leopard. Holding Option lets me select which drive to boot from - it can see the DVD/USB key and attempts to boot but doesn't get very far!
Linux is a good shout, as you say will at least tell me whether the hardware is working properly.
If you have a firewire cable, will it start as an external drive connected to another Mac, that way you can get your files off it before risking a OS reinstall...
Or,
http://www.wikihow.com/Boot-a-Mac-from-Firewire
hold down d during boot to run apple diagnostics.
The laptop boots and works fine in safe mode, plus is fully backed up in any case.If you have a firewire cable, will it start as an external drive connected to another Mac, that way you can get your files off it before risking a OS reinstall...
Done that, it reckons the hardware is fine!hold down d during boot to run apple diagnostics.
when you get a list of drives do you the snow leopard recovery disc to boot from? It's normally installed as a second partition on the main drive
if so boot from that and reinstall from the recovery boot. then restore your back up
no this doesn't seem to be an option!when you get a list of drives do you the snow leopard recovery disc to boot from? It's normally installed as a second partition on the main drive
ok, when the dvd that was shipped with the computer is in the drive power off the machine and power it back up holding down the C key. it should then boot off the DVD.
Then follow instructions to reinstall found at the following address:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3910
Also may be useful to state which MBP it is - if it is a core duo (not core 2 duo) it will only run Snow Leopard as Lion is only 64 bit and core duo is 32-bit.
Just in case a mate turns up with a copy of Mavericks or something and tries to install as it won't work.
...The disc that came with the computer can't be located -
appointment with a genius in the apple store.. they are pretty good..
A tale of my recent, very impressive, experience:
4 yr old MBP, crashing, restarting, freezing. Took in to Stormfront, an apple retailer (no apple store nearby). They did their thing, couldn't solve it, so sent it to their techs in a service base in Exeter somewhere. They rang me, told me a new logic board was needed, which was £400 plus. I'm thinking it's a disaster, when nice lady on the phone goes on to tell me that, if I prefer, apple will pay for the repair under a European ruling stating 6 years should be reasonable time for laptops to be fit for purpose. Hooray! Signed an electronic form, all sorted and returned to store within a week, at zero cost to me. I had never had any dealing with stormfront before, and was not their customer, but they were excellent!
[i]appointment with a genius in the apple store.. they are pretty good..[/i]
Just to be clear though, they're not really geniuses.
or even genies, or jean jeanies..
Kcal missed that bit sorry.
Did you follow this link:
http://www.wikihow.com/Boot-a-Mac-from-Firewire
/p>
To basically boot up from another Mac ?