Desktop will not load, stuck on blue screen -- please help!

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Desktop will not load, stuck on blue screen -- please help!

As I can see, many other Mac users have encountered the same problem that I now have: the dreaded ‘blue screen of death’. About a week ago, any internet browser that I tried to open (Safari, Firefox) would freeze after loading its home page, and tell me that the application was not responding. After force quitting and restarting each program a couple of times, with no positive response, I decided to restart my computer to see if that would do the trick. Upon booting up, it then started the same sequence that it is still doing now: first a grey screen will briefly show, then a white screen with the apple logo and a turning dial beneath it, followed by a blue screen which will show a window that says “Starting Mac OS X” with a progress bar beneath it, which will fill to various points (sometimes only 1/8 of the way, while other times it fills completely), but it always leads me to the same screen – solid blue with a black arrow that will occasionally be replaced with a turning dial, only to go back to the arrow again. I am using a PowerBook G4 with the Tiger version of OS X. No applications were running whenever I first decided to restart my computer, and to my knowledge, all software and security patches were up to date and fully installed.

I’ve researched and tried every possible option that I’ve come across, listed below with the results they yielded (if any):

 Holding the Command/Option/P/R keys upon startup (screen stays blank, and the computer continues to ‘chime’ until I release the keys. I have allowed it to chime a couple of times before I stop holding the keys, but it always leads me back to the same blue screen)
 Holding the Shift key upon startup (leads me to a screen that has an icon of my hard drive and two arrows. Clicking the left arrow does nothing, the hard drive icon does not respond to being clicked, and the right arrow starts the loading process which again ends with the blue screen)
 With the first OS X Installation disc that came with my computer inserted into the disc drive, holding the C key (nothing happens; sequence as normal)
 With the first OS X Installation disc that came with my computer inserted into the disc drive, holding the Option key (same results as holding shift key with no disc)
 With the first OS X Installation disc that came with my computer inserted into the disc drive, holding Option/Command/Shift/Delete (a grey screen appears with the icon of a folder, a question mark briefly flashes before being replaced by the two-toned blue face Mac logo. After continuing to hold the keys with this folder and face on the screen, I get no response, so release the keys and the computer continues to enter the white screen-blue screen sequence)
 Holding the Command/Option/O/F keys upon startup (a white screen appears, and following advice I have seen on other forums a type ‘reset-nvram’, then return, then ‘reset-all’, then return. The computer reboots and the sequence continues as usual. I have also tried holding the Command/Option/P/R to reset the PRAM immediately after leaving the white Open Firmware screen, allow the chime to sound a couple of times as before, but still I get no results)
 While on the blue screen, pressing the Command/Shift/Q keys (alas, I am the only user on the computer, so I cannot try to remedy my problem by signing into another account. From the screen the appears, I can either shut down, restart, or put my computer to sleep, or enter my password which leads me back to the same blue screen again)

I apologize in advance if I’ve included a lot of extraneous information, but I just wanted to cover the options I’ve already explored so as not to waste your time if you had any of these in mind. I’m going to post this on a few different forums just to make sure I have all my bases covered, but anything you have to offer in the way of suggestions would be greatly appreciated. If you could post your advice in layman’s terms that would be even more helpful; I’ll probably need exact, step-by-step instructions if required to start my computer in ‘safe mode’ or anything else an average user would not be familiar with. I know this is a lot to ask, so I thank you in advance for taking the time to read through this and offer any solutions that you may have.

Posted on Sep 13, 2008 8:48 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 13, 2008 10:22 PM in response to iamnicolekidman

Hi amnicolekidman, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

Although you don't specify your Mac, it sounds like you have real HW problems, likely the HD.

Tough without a Tiger Disk, but try fsck...

To use fsck, you must run it from the command line. Unlike using your mouse to open an application to do something, you'll need to type a text command at the prompt (#) to tell fsck what to do. The Terminal application (/Applications/Utilities) and single-user mode are two examples of command-line interfaces in which you can type such commands. To use fsck:
1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line. Hold CMD+s keys down at bootup. Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt, type /sbin/fsck -fy
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found: ** The volume (name ofvolume) appears to be OK  If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:  *** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED ***   Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, type reboot at the prompt and then press Return.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Then Safe Boot , (holding Shift key down at bootup), off the HD & use Disk Utility from there to Repair Permissions, reboot once more.

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Answer 2

Sep 14, 2008 1:13 AM in response to BDAqua

Finally, some progress! Well... kind of. 🙂

First of all thank you so much for responding. I ran the fsck per your instructions; the 'system modified' message came up once, but the second time it said that everything appeared to be OK. I entered the prompt to reboot the system, and immediately began holding down the Shift key. The Apple logo white screen appeared, followed by a window that informed me I was now in Safe Mode, provided my user name and asked for my password. I entered my password and hit the return key to log in, and had a blue screen -- with a wavy line pattern this time, how exciting! -- appear on the screen for a couple of minutes, followed once again by the same dreaded blue screen that I know now all too well.

Perhaps I've gotten something wrong here... as I understood it, you said that I should Safe Boot (as I did), and from there access the Disk Utility to Repair Permissions. Was I at some point in time supposed to insert my installation disc, and hold the C key as the instructions in the link you provided say to do?

Just to clarify some information, since you mentioned that I didn't specify my Mac, I have a 15'' Aluminum PowerBook G4, which as you know has the Tiger OS, but I unfortunately don't know the exact version number beyond 10.4. I bought it in September of '05, if that could help you in any way to determine what parts or revisions it may or may not have, and I'm sure that I could find any more specific information that you might need. Also, I do have on hand both of the installation discs that were provided with the computer.

Thanks so much again for your help, and I hope that I've been clear enough in providing what information you need.

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Answer 3

Sep 14, 2008 4:41 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

Hello,

<<which as you know has the Tiger OS, but I unfortunately don't know the exact version number beyond 10.4.>>

There is a way to view the 10.4.x numbers if you can get there. Boot from the restore disk holding down the C key until you see the Apple logo. The Installer window will open, click English, but ignore that installer window. Instead, from the Utilities Menu click Startup Disk. That window will provide your start up disks available including your 10.4.x system folder. I take it you have tried selecting the MacintoshHD 10.4.x and it's not working ... I agree with BDAqua, most likely hard disk failure.

Carolyn 🙂

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 14, 2008 11:16 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

Perhaps I've gotten something wrong here... as I understood it, you said that I should Safe Boot (as I did), and from there access the Disk Utility to Repair Permissions. Was I at some point in time supposed to insert my installation disc, and hold the C key as the instructions in the link you provided say to do?

No, you did it right, but we may have to try it from the Install Disk instead.

So, I'd try it from the Install disk, Try Disk Utility

1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk, then Repair Permissions. See if reboot works.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

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Answer 5

Sep 14, 2008 10:37 PM in response to BDAqua

All right...

As I had mentioned earlier, I had previously tried what both of you have recommended, inserting Install Disc 1 and holding the C key as the computer boots up, with no positive results. Unfortunately nothing has changed, and as before my computer continues to carry out the same gray screen-white screen-blue screen sequence as though I were doing nothing at all.

I tried running 'fsck' a second time, and it reported that everything still appeared to be OK, and just to make sure I also tried booting the computer in Safe Mode again with similar results as before.

Does this mean that my well of solutions has run dry? Or is there anything else that I can possibly attempt on my own before bringing this into a professional?

Once again, I thank you for all of your help!

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Answer 6

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 15, 2008 3:09 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

Possibly f you have another like Architecture Mac around, with this one in Target Mode.

FW Target Mode...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58583

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Answer 7

Sep 15, 2008 3:19 AM in response to BDAqua

Unfortunately, my desktop computer is a PC and hence I don't have another Mac available to use. I'm assuming that the "Genius Bar" technicians at my local Apple store might have such a computer available to try the FireWire Target Mode, but I'll contact them first to make sure and keep you posted on my progress.

In the mean time, I'm still open to any suggestions you might have. 🙂

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Answer 8

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 15, 2008 3:35 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

One last thing that Might work, applesetupdone...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6059333&#6059333

http://www.askdavetaylor.com/howdo_i_reset_my_mac_os_x_admin_rootpassword.html

This was Posted by: JoseAranda at September 9, 2006 3:48 AM

"OK, restart your computer, hold down Command-s and type in the following:
/sbin/fsck -fy Enter
/sbin/mount -uaw Enter
rm /var/db/.applesetupdone Enter

1. The rm command is the remove command which deletes the file.
2. Robert: I'd rename the file via: mv /var/db/.applesetupdone /var/db/.applesetupdone.old

reboot Enter

Once you've done that the computer reboots and it's like the first time you used the machine. Your old accounts are all safe. From there you just change all other account passwords in the account preferences!!
end of posted by: JoseAranda"

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Answer 9

Sep 15, 2008 3:44 AM in response to BDAqua

I will try that right away!

But first, I would like to know if doing this deletes, or makes inaccessible, any of the documents or programs I already have on my computer.

Do you know whether or not it does?

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Answer 10

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 15, 2008 3:47 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

It +should not+, but the unknown is what is actually wrong already that may make the near impossible probable... I really don't think it will, but...

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Answer 11

Sep 15, 2008 4:34 AM in response to BDAqua

OK! This is showing signs of success...

However, I thought this might be worth mentioning: whenever I ran the fsck command again, as it was the first step in the instructions, it came back with a detected error. Quite bizarre, considering the only thing I have done to the computer since running the last fsck test (which said that everything appeared to be OK) was to try booting it up in Safe Mode. Anyways, I ran the test until it came back with the "OK" message, then entered the rest of the prompts as instructed. Now I am finally at the process that sets up the computer as though it were new, and although it seems to be working very slowly, the good news is that is working.

But I have a question: in one of the first steps of this setup process, I'm asked whether I want to transfer information from another Mac, transfer information from another partition on this Mac, or not transfer any information at all. Not quite knowing what is meant by "another partition", it seems to me as though this is something I might want... since I do have information already stored on the computer.

Should I select this option, or just choose to not transfer anything at all?

As always, thank you for your help...

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Answer 12

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 15, 2008 4:47 AM in response to iamnicolekidman

Should I select this option, or just choose to not transfer anything at all?

I don't think you want to, you can always do that later using Migration Assistant, but only if it's on another disk.

We're just making a new Admin User to get to the old accounts.

I ran the fsck command again, as it was the first step in the instructions, it came back with a detected error

Sounds like the HD is failing before our eyes, I'd get an external Firewire drive ASAP!

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Answer 13

Sep 15, 2008 6:41 AM in response to BDAqua

So I was just about to give up hope... I finally made it through the setup process, created a new account, and was told that everything was complete and I was ready to begin using my 'new' Mac. Upon completing this I was greeted with my old friend, Mr. Blue Screen, and had just finished typing a post conceding my defeat. But then, after over half an hour of no activity, voila! Here I am at the desktop of my new account.

Now my goals are as follows:

~ Recover the pictures, text documents, and other files that I have on my computer before it has the chance to destroy itself even further. After gaining access to my old account (which I will be needing some help with), I'm assuming the easiest way to do this will just be to go out and buy an external hard drive and transfer everything onto there. Before I attempt to do this, however, I was wondering if there was possibly a safer and simpler way to access the files from my old account without actually attempting to log into it. Since even getting to the point where I am now was such a gamble, and the computer is still responding suspiciously slowly, I'll probably want to do this in as few steps as possible.

~ Then, if possible, it would be nice to have a functional computer. If the hard drive's fried beyond repair, so be it, but I'd after getting everything from it that I need I'll at least want to try and save it. But I suppose we'll worry about that later.

So first things first... how shall I go about accessing the data on my old account?

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Answer 14

BDAqua

Level 10

239,375 points

Sep 15, 2008 12:41 PM in response to iamnicolekidman

The safest best way, is to quit using it at all, get that external Firewire Drive, Install OSX to the external after you format it MacOS Extended Journalled, when you boot from the fresh Install on the External it should ask you if you want to imort from another drive... import all from the Internal one.

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Answer 15

Sep 15, 2008 1:49 PM in response to BDAqua

I was with you through buying the external FireWire Drive, but after that... 🙂

How do I install OSX onto the external drive? I'm assuming I will need to connect it to my Mac and run the installation CDs through the computer, which may present a problem considering it hasn't acknowledged the discs in any of our previous experiments.

Then how will I format it into the Extended (Journaled) file system? Will I need to purchase additional install discs for this?

And will any external hard drive that I buy work for this purpose, or is there some kind in particular that I need to look for?

Having never worked with an external drive before, I'm totally oblivious to how they work, so I apologize if these questions may seem obvious to you.

While I was waiting for your response, I was also looking into enabling myself as a "root user" to try and access some of my files that way, but due to the numerous, bold-lettered warnings accompanying every piece of advice I found on the subject I thought it best to ask you about it first. I can't imagine that I'd need very much storage space at all -- I really only have a couple hundred pictures and Word documents that I'm concerned about -- so I was wondering if there was a way that I could use this "root user" method to transfer everything onto an appropriately sized storage device (possibly even directly to my desktop computer?). Even if I could, would this be a wiser way to accomplish things? Essentially, what would be the advantage of trying to back up my entire system on a FW drive as opposed to just storing the files that it contains?

Lastly, now that I'm back 'in', should I even bother trying to run Disk Utility First Aid, or just wait to mess with that until I'm sure that all my data is safe?

I know that this is a lot of questions to be asking at one time, and if any of my wording has confused you please let me know so I can try to explain myself better. Finally, I think we're getting somewhere with this...

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