mimama148
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Using external hard drive when stuck on grey screen

So like a complete moron I did not back my files, most importantly family pics. Literally right as I sat down to do so, my computer would not read a single disk and my boyfriend while trying to help, turned it off manual using the power button. When he turned it back on I was stuck on grey screen with Apple logo, spinner And loading bar would get to 30% and disappear. So I did a whole bunch of research and tried every single way possible to fix this. Nothing worked. My question is, will hooking up an external hard drive work so I can get my my photos? Or is there something else I should do? It's what was advised to me by a friend, just wanted to double check before buying the hard drive. Ive never dealt with this issue before, so excuse me if this is a dumb question. This external hard drive, how does that work? Hook it up, my computer turns on like it's suppose to, I transfer photos and then it's back to grey screen once I disconnect it? Thanks in advance!

MacBook Pro, iOS 6

Posted on Feb 2, 2015 5:14 PM

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mimama148

Q: Using external hard drive when stuck on grey screen

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Feb 5, 2015 6:20 AM in response to mimama148
    Community Specialists
    Feb 5, 2015 6:20 AM in response to mimama148

    Hello Mimama148,

     

    You should be able to start from an external USB drive using the following article. Note that it will require have to have Mac OS installed on it from another computer. 

     

    Starting from an external USB storage device (Intel-based Macs)

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    All the very best,

    Sterling

  • by Eustace Mendis,

    Eustace Mendis Eustace Mendis Feb 5, 2015 6:42 AM in response to mimama148
    Level 7 (25,402 points)
    Feb 5, 2015 6:42 AM in response to mimama148

    To use an external drive to boot you will need not only a drive but also a compatible (with your Mac) OS installed on it. A lot of work, but most important, you will have to have access to another Mac.

     

    If you have that - another Mac - you could explore connecting the two computers in Target Disk mode, and proceeding that way. Whether you can do this depends on the specs of the two Macs. See this: http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10725

     

    Another alternative is to get help at an Apple Store. Make an appointment first.

     

    There are other options. But first tell us what model Macbook Pro you have and what version of OS X is on it.

     

    tried every single way possible to fix this

    You might also want to tell us what you tried. For example did you boot to your Recovery partition and use Disk Utility to repair the drive?

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Feb 5, 2015 7:18 AM in response to mimama148
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Feb 5, 2015 7:18 AM in response to mimama148

    It will help us diagnose your problem to know the exact model, size, year built, RAM installed and OS you're running.

    You also might try this;

    OS X Recovery

    http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT4718

    Depends on which Operating System you were running.