Startup Problem Continual Chime Loop

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Level 1

1 points

Startup Problem Continual Chime Loop

Last night I tried upgrading my os but the install froze (I was just booting from the install disk). I had to do a hard restart but ever since then all I get is a continual restart loop.

The machine restarts, I hear the chime then the DVD spins up. Shortly after there's the restart chime again and I'm stuck in this continual loop. I've tried zapping the PRAM, Power management etc but nothing. I can't eject the DVD, or start in single user mode or anything. Whatever I try, after a few seconds the machine restarts with the chime again.

So frustrating as the machine was working perfectly beforehand. Now I can do nothing. I've serached the web to no avail, so this is my last hope of getting the PowerBook back!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Oct 11, 2008 11:49 PM

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Answer 1

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Oct 12, 2008 12:08 AM in response to Gwydion1

Let's calm down. You were upgrading your os from what to what? Why were you booting from your install disk? What happens if the MBP restarts and you hold down the 'c' key after the chime? What happens if as the MBP boots you hold down the track pad button?

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Answer 2

Gwydion1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 12, 2008 12:19 AM in response to Gwydion1

OK, upgrade was from 10.4.11 to 10.5. The MBP restarted on the install disk then crashed before the install options came up.

When I restarted all I got were a series of startup chimes spaced a few seconds apart. I cant get anything from the keyboard. I've tried holding the trackpad button down and nothing happens. I've tried safe mode and nothing and I've tried holding down the 'c' key and again nothing.

I've also tried starting in target disk mode, but again nothing. Whatever key or combination of keys I press all I see is the sleep light on the base of the MBP this flashes, the DVD whirrs and then the machine restarts. And this happens over and over...

There are no responses from keyboard presses at all. I'm not sure that even zapping the PRAM has any effect as I can't tell the difference between that and the successive startups I'm getting.

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Answer 3

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Oct 12, 2008 12:26 AM in response to Gwydion1

Where did you get the 10.5 disk? Is it a retail version of Leopard or a machine specific one? To remove the disk try holding down the command-option-o-f keys when it boots. It should boot into open firmware. If it does then type:
eject cd
hit return. Then type:
mac-boot
hit return.

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Answer 4

Gwydion1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 12, 2008 12:38 AM in response to sig

No dice, it's a retail version of 10.5... When I try to open into open firmware I don't get the sleep light, but like everything else the DVD drive spins up but after about 3 seconds I get a restart and the chime starts again.

That's been my problem I can't get into a position where I can do anything abut this. All I get is the continuous restart and the chime...

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Answer 5

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Oct 12, 2008 4:39 AM in response to Gwydion1

Does it boot into open firmware?

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Answer 6

Gwydion1 Author

Level 1

1 points

Oct 12, 2008 4:58 AM in response to sig

No, it doesn't and that's been my problem... no responses to any keyboard commands. The only difference when using the 'command' 'option' keystroke combination is that the 'sleep' light does not come on.

Whaterver keyboard combination I use I get a reboot after about 3 seconds and then a chime and I'm back into the reboot and chime cycle over and over.

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Answer 7

sig

Level 8

35,862 points

Oct 12, 2008 5:00 AM in response to Gwydion1

Got me stumped. Get it to an Apple store or give AppleCare a call.

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Answer 8

Oct 12, 2008 7:00 AM in response to Gwydion1

Please excuse this question, but are you certain that the sound you hear is a startup chime? There are some audible startup signals that the Mac uses to signal various serious hardware problems, eg with RAM. Could it be one of these?

Second thought: have you tried to boot into hardware test?

Third thought: do you have an external keyboard that you can attach via usb just in case the issue is with your keyboard?

Last thoght: get thee to an apple store!

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