MacBook will not start.

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Level 1

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MacBook will not start.

My MacBook will turn on, I will see the loading screen with the Apple logo, then it will shut down. It has done this multiple times, and I can't get it to start. Also I have a Windows XP partition, created by Boot Camp, that runs just fine.

Any help would be appreciated!

MacBook 13.3", Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Dec 14, 2008 12:01 PM

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Answer 1

Soft Reset

Level 4

1,790 points

Dec 14, 2008 2:38 PM in response to da_raven99

Hello!

For some clarification...

When you start up the machine in OS X, you get the Apple logo (dark grey on light grey) and a spinning gear/wheel icon. It then shuts down (power loss, black screen)? Does it ever freeze there? Does it ever get to the blue screen and freeze there?

Technically you're not at the point of the OS but rather you're in hand off phase between the firmware start up sequence and the OS.

Do you have access to the system restore discs that came with your machine? If so, I'd recommend inserting disc one and booting to it (hold the C key on startup). Run Disk Utility and verify the integrity of the disc, then try to restart. If that is still unsuccessful then the next step might be considering an Archive & Install.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1710

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Answer 2

da_raven99 Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2008 6:30 PM in response to Soft Reset

Yes, I get to the Apple logo and the spinning wheel, then it shuts down.

When I use disk utility to verify the disk I get this response

Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Reserved fields in the catalog record have incorrect data
Invalid sibling link
Volume check failed.
Error: Filesystem verify or repair failed.

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Answer 3

Soft Reset

Level 4

1,790 points

Dec 14, 2008 7:35 PM in response to da_raven99

It sounds like software directory damage on the OS X side of things. In other words, until you can get it repaired you're not going to be able to launch OS X. A couple of things to try...

1.) You can try to repair the disk, rather than verify.
2.) You can use a 3rd party directory rebuild software application like Drive Genius or Disk Warrior to repair the drive's directory (they're not free, run you about $100 for Disk Warrior).

With directory damage your ability to archive & install (in an effort to bring the OS back) will more than likely be unsuccessful. You'll want to avoid running an erase & install or you'll risk losing your personal data.

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