Kerosity

Q: Macbook Pro 2009 Stuck on Logo Loading Screen

I have an older macbook pro (2008, or 2009 not fully sure). When I boot it up it gets stuck on the apple logo loading screen. Eventually the fans will start running really hard and then die off, but nothing other than that.

 

I've tried booting it in Verbose mode and it usually gets stuck in the same spot.

 

Previously, I would have this issue and it would eventually boot up (if I left it to load long enough, or tried enough times). Now I can leave it for hours and it won't boot.

 

I tried booting in recovery mode, and clicking on the recovery drive. That gives me the grey screen/apple logo and won't load up either.

 

Another thing that was happening is when it finally booted up, I would never want to shut it down/restart it (because of this issue). So I usually left it on or sleep mode when I wasn't using it. Often when I came back and clicked on a input field (like the search bar of a website, or browser, or to input login details of an app) it would completely freeze my computer and force me to restart. Not sure if this is related at all... but wanted to list it just in case.

 

I have the OSX 10.5.6 install discs... but I'm trying to do everything I can to get a few files from the computer before wiping it.

 

Is there anything I can do?

Posted on Jan 24, 2015 10:07 AM

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Q: Macbook Pro 2009 Stuck on Logo Loading Screen

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  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Jan 24, 2015 10:13 AM in response to Kerosity
    Level 10 (271,755 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 24, 2015 10:13 AM in response to Kerosity

    Connect the computer to another Mac with Firewire ports and use Target Disk Mode to get your files. Otherwise, you will need to reinstall Leopard.

  • by Kerosity,

    Kerosity Kerosity Jan 24, 2015 10:22 AM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 24, 2015 10:22 AM in response to Kappy

    Thanks Kappy,

     

    I was actually trying to do this while I posted my question.

     

    I'm hooked up on firewire right now. But I can't find my target's HD on the other mac. I'm not seeing it on the desktop or even in Finder. The target's computer has the Firewire logo up.

  • by Kappy,Solvedanswer

    Kappy Kappy Jan 24, 2015 10:46 AM in response to Kerosity
    Level 10 (271,755 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 24, 2015 10:46 AM in response to Kerosity

    If the HDD does not appear on the other computer's Desktop, then the drive is not longer accessible, and you cannot recover data from it. You can try opening Disk Utility to see if it shows up.

     

    General File Recovery

     

     

    If you stop using the drive it's possible to recover deleted files that have not been overwritten by using recovery software such as MAC Data Recovery, Data Rescue II, File Salvage or TechTool Pro.  Each of the preceding come on bootable CDs to enable usage without risk of writing more data to the hard drive.  Two free alternatives are Disk Drill and TestDisk.  Look for them and demos at MacUpdate or CNET Downloads. Recovery software usually provide trial versions that enable you to determine if the software would help before actually paying for it. Beyond this or if the drive has completely failed, then you would need to send the drive to a recovery service which is very expensive.

     

    The longer the hard drive remains in use and data are written to it, the greater the risk your deleted files will be overwritten.

     

    Also visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on Data Recovery.