Strange screen when I turn on my macbook

Does it look like this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fonnerberry/213812429/

This is FireWire target disk mode. It means that the computer sensed that the T key was pressed during startup and that the machine is going into a mode where the hard drive can be accessed by another Mac as an external hard drive.

HI and Welcome to Apple Discussions,

Make sure the MacBook is connected to the power adapter to a wall socket and charge the battery.
If that isn't the problem...

Try booting from your install disk and run Disk Utility.

Insert Installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
Select First Aid in the Main panel.
(Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.

If you can't boot from your install disk, try booting in Safe Mode














Carolyn 🙂

The power adapter is connected correct?

The floating circle with three lines radiating from it sounds a bit like the FireWire target disk mode symbol. Did you use that mode on your MacBook?

Bob N.

Sounds like the T key was held down as the computer started or perhaps it's stuck?

Try starting the computer up in Safe Mode by holding down the Shift key while it's booting.

~Lyssa