kkddcc

Q: 2010 mac mini wont boot, grey logo screen with spinning wheel

as the title says... only get grey logo screen with a spinning wheel, It was running snow leopard.

I would like to find a recovery img or boot to disk utilities...???

Mac mini, snow leopard

Posted on Aug 6, 2016 6:50 AM

Close

Q: 2010 mac mini wont boot, grey logo screen with spinning wheel

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by macjack,Apple recommended

    macjack macjack Aug 6, 2016 6:55 AM in response to kkddcc
    Level 9 (55,694 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 6, 2016 6:55 AM in response to kkddcc

    Hi kkddcc, have you followed the steps in this Apple Support Topic?

    If your Mac won't turn on - Apple Support

    The easiest way to boot would be from the OEM discs that shipped with your Mac, if you still have them.

    If not, call Apple, give them your serial number and they can ship you new discs at a nominal fee.

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 6, 2016 10:59 AM in response to kkddcc
    Level 9 (54,363 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 6, 2016 10:59 AM in response to kkddcc

    Booting up to only the Gray Screen / Apple Logo, can mean a number of things:

    • A potential hardware failure, or
    • Essential OS X software is either missing or corrupted, or
    • A firmware update is required, or
    • The startup drive is not boot-able.

    Here's a few things to try to get you Mac to fully boot up to the logon screen:

    1. Boot up your Mac in Safe Mode. This will bypass all but the most essential system software. Any issues with third-party extensions should by bypassed. To enter this mode, power down your Mac, then hold down the Shift key while powering your Mac back up.
    2. If your Mac is not successful in starting up in Safe Mode, then the next step is to attempt to boot up in Recovery Mode (Hold down the Command & R keys immediately after hearing the startup chime.) This should load your Mac's built-in recovery disk. If this doesn't work because the recovery disk could not be found on your Mac, force an Internet Recovery by holding down the Option-Command-R keys immediately after the chime.

    Please post back your results.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Aug 6, 2016 12:25 PM in response to Tesserax
    Level 10 (188,771 points)
    Desktops
    Aug 6, 2016 12:25 PM in response to Tesserax

    Tesserax  the poster said they have Snow Leopard. Lion was the first OSX version to have recovery mode. Thus # 2is not applicable and the poster will have to boot from original install disks

  • by Tesserax,

    Tesserax Tesserax Aug 6, 2016 1:08 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 9 (54,363 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 6, 2016 1:08 PM in response to lllaass

    Ah, yes. Thanks for the correction.