HT206770: About the OS X El Capitan v10.11.6 Update

Learn about About the OS X El Capitan v10.11.6 Update
ERocket06

Q: OS X 10.11.6 Causing Whitescreen on MacBook Pro (Late 2011)

I have attempted the update twice.

The first time yielded the start chime, a brief Apple logo with a 3/4 full load bar (10-15 seconds).

After the logo and load bar disappeared, the monitor remained white and adjusted to user settings for brightness and color tone.

After that it just sat at the white screen with my cursor in the top left corner...for hours.

 

I could move the cursor and when I "shook" the arrow, it would enlarge and disappear until I stopped moving it as rapidly. Clicks yielded the bonk tone like you did something wrong. So did key commands.

 

I restored from time machine and decided to do the iTunes update first.

iTunes updated flawlessly, and then 10.11.6 installed and restarted...

Same sequence on startup, same white screen, same nothing after hours of sitting.

 

Finally restored for a second time, iTunes updated like a champ. I'm not looking to restore a third time, so I'm shelving 10.11.6...which I don't want to do.

 

Help?

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), Intel i7 8GB PNY RAM 480GB PNY SSD

Posted on Jul 26, 2016 8:01 PM

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Q: OS X 10.11.6 Causing Whitescreen on MacBook Pro (Late 2011)

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Carolyn Samit,Solvedanswer

    Carolyn Samit Carolyn Samit Jul 26, 2016 9:22 PM in response to ERocket06
    Level 10 (122,220 points)
    Apple Music
    Jul 26, 2016 9:22 PM in response to ERocket06

    A Safe Mode boot deletes system caches that may help.

     

    Follow these steps to start up into safe mode.

    1. Start or restart your Mac.
    2. Immediately after you hear the startup sound, press and hold the Shift key.
    3. Release the Shift key when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.

    After the Apple logo appears, it might take longer than usual to reach the login screen or your desktop. This is because your Mac performs a directory check of your startup disk as part of safe mode.

    To leave safe mode, restart your computer without pressing any keys during startup.

    Then try the v10.11.6 update.

    Try safe mode

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 26, 2016 8:30 PM in response to ERocket06
    Level 10 (271,169 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 26, 2016 8:30 PM in response to ERocket06

    Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup

    Tackle your Mac booting to a gray screen | MacIssues


    Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup

     

    These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:

     

    A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac

     

    In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:

     

    a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.

    b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.

    c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.

    d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.

     

    Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.

    Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.

    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions

     

    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After Disk Utility loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the Disk Utility status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (indented entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit Disk Utility and return to the installer.

     

    If Disk Utility reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

    The main difference if you are using Lion or later is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.

    Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive

     

    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions

     

    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After Disk Utility loads select your drive's out-dented entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the left side list.  In the Disk Utility status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (indented entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit Disk Utility and return to the installer.

     

    If Disk Utility reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

     

    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard

     

    If the drive is OK then quit Disk Utility and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.

     

    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

    Reinstalling Lion or Later Without Erasing The Drive

     

    Restart the computer. After the chime hold down the Command and R keys until the Utility Menu appears. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu. When Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry (usually, mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the side list.  In the Disk Utility status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the disk is failing or failed. (S.M.A.R.T. status is not reported on external Firewire or USB disks.) If the disk is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the side (indented entry below the disk entry, usually Macintosh HD.) Click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process finishes quit Disk Utility.

     

    Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.

     

    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • by ERocket06,

    ERocket06 ERocket06 Jul 26, 2016 8:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 26, 2016 8:53 PM in response to Carolyn Samit

    Safe boot brought it around, but it was a mess.

    First safe boot was good, but on restart it white screened? Weird.

     

    I hard powered down and startup went good.

    10.11.6 updated and restarted and white screen. I expected this one.

     

    Safe boot again and once logged in, the installer took over and finished 10.11.6 on the old white screen with Apple logo and load bar with count down time.

    Restart...white screen.

    Safe boot and lockup on login screen.

    Hard power down.

    Finally startup goes off without a hitch and everything is grand.

  • by ERocket06,

    ERocket06 ERocket06 Jul 26, 2016 9:18 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 26, 2016 9:18 PM in response to Kappy

    Thank you for this.

    These were part of my initial research.

    Unfortunately the options are so outdated they aren't viable.

     

    My MacBook Pro came preloaded with Lion, so Snow Leopard discs never existed for me.

    When you enter Online Recovery the option to install Lion is prevented by the existence of an upgraded OS already being installed.

    Would've loved to have a choice of OS version to select and install without affecting user data, like the ineffective Lion option. Would've saved me a ton of time.

    Time for Apple to make some updated support docs and restore options.

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jul 26, 2016 10:02 PM in response to ERocket06
    Level 10 (271,169 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 26, 2016 10:02 PM in response to ERocket06

    Everything you needed was provided. Nothing was outdated. You just didn't read it. You have no choice of OS X except what is provided by Apple or for which you have a saved backup. Apple won't be changing anything anytime soon.

     

    If your problem was solved, then please inform others what you did that worked for you. The next time you need to ask for assistance, please read this first: Writing an effective Apple Support Communities question.

  • by ERocket06,

    ERocket06 ERocket06 Jul 27, 2016 2:15 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 27, 2016 2:15 PM in response to Kappy

    Yes, everything I needed was provided.

    I validated that in stating that these resources were part of my initial research.

     

    References to Snow Leopard restore discs and reinstalling Lion ARE outdated when restoring El Capitan.

    Once upgraded, Online Recovery does not allow the install of Lion over El Capitan. The response is that an upgraded OS already exists and Lion cannot be installed. There was no option to reinstall El Capitan. I never had Snow Leopard or discs. These are the main points that are not viable.

     

    I acknowledge I have no choice in what OS to install with Online Recovery and Lion is the only option my MacBook gives me. I stated that it'd be nice to have an option of OS to restore to since the Lion reinstallation is not viable once the OS is upgraded. Purely an opinion/side-comment.

     

    I'm glad you told me they weren't changing anything anytime soon. It's always good to know inside information, especially regarding support.

     

    I did read the entirety of your response and linked literature, and I described what worked when replying to the demarked solution from Carolyn Samit.

    Her post displayed before yours (even though your timestamp is earlier) and I went back to work before your post was visible. She must have posted while you were compiling literature for me. Either way, I wasn't discrediting your post, I was already up and running, which is why I detailed what worked and what didn't work.

     

    The restore options you proposed were not viable except for Time Machine Restore. The disk repair options did not work. VRAM/PRAM reset did nothing to improve the issue.

     

    Safeboot and then multiple restarts in and out of Safeboot finally made something happen and functionality returned.

    Not a viable solution, but also nowhere close to the resource instructions.

     

    I demarked the solution that worked for me and I replied with the steps I'd taken prior to my reply to you. Which in fact was to thank you for your help and to clarify what doesn't work. It's not your fault, it's troubleshooting a new OS update with Apple support documents and 3rd party support documents created prior to the update and the issue. Even after regaining functionality, there is no clearly defined path for a solution.

     

    I'm sorry if my question wasn't written effectively. You sourced plenty of material around it still though, so I appreciate the effort.

     

    I reread the resource for writing effective questions again. My impression is that the only thing I didn't add were screenshots, but I don't see how that would've been more beneficial. How should I have formulated my question? I want to ensure that I offer the most direct resources for possible future support needs.

    At least I didn't have my entire question in the subject line and then copy/pasted into the body.

     

    I know these are external resources and not your own, so please don't accuse me of not reading the resources as I'm only offering experience based edits. Especially if something doesn't work. Just because part of your posted solution didn't work doesn't mean you need to defend the legitimacy of the information. These docs have been great resources for years. I'm only trying to add definition to an issue that isn't directly documented.

     

    I'm not sure why your final impression is that I didn't ask my question correctly, but your follow-up reply is nuanced with condescension and defensiveness. Unnecessary to say the least.

     

    I'm sorry I was so much trouble for you. The next time I ask for assistance, I'd just ask you to not reply.

    I appreciate your time.

    Thank You Again.

  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Jul 27, 2016 7:17 PM in response to ERocket06
    Level 10 (271,169 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 27, 2016 7:17 PM in response to ERocket06

    Wow! Talk about condescension and defensiveness. Certainly, no "nuancing" on your part.

  • by ERocket06,

    ERocket06 ERocket06 Jul 27, 2016 7:17 PM in response to Kappy
    Level 1 (17 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 27, 2016 7:17 PM in response to Kappy