mac air won't turn on

Question

mac air won't turn on

I purchased an air in july last year and now travelling around south america. Something happened when i was uploading photos from my camera. It froze. I forced quit and took out the camera. It now is fully charged (with green light). i turn it on and it starts with the flashing light on the keyboard, the screen displays grey and the apple symbol and the thinking circle for about 50 seconds and then switches off. I have tried everything but nothing has worked. I have tested the hard drive and it says there is nothing wrong. please please help me because i am in a location where there is no apple dealer or service provider to help. thanks!

macbook air

Posted on Jan 16, 2010 6:08 PM

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Answer 1

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Jan 18, 2010 11:08 PM in response to regina lysaught

See if it will boot in Safe Mode by holding down your Shift key when booting.

Also, if you have the external SuperDrive, try booting from the install DVD and see if it will keep running from there without turning off.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

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Answer 2

Jan 19, 2010 7:16 AM in response to Mac-Medic

Hi Dave, Thank you for replying. I have tried the on and Option keys. Nothing happens. I have tried checking the hardware and it says that it is all fine. I have tried verbose mode and it says there is an error. I have tried plugging it in ad pressing shift, option, control and power for 5 seconds and this does nothing at all. I have tried on and command and option and p and r and it makes 2 chimes and then does the normal really slow slow start up and ends in closing down. I don´t have the start-up disk as I plan to be away from home for a year and left it in Australia. Do you think I should try and find one to borrow? Would that help? It is becoming a bother as I need my mac for many things at the moment and have no where to take it to for repair. I would prefer to not have to cut my holiday short to take it for repair. Thanks for your help and hope you are able to offer some more advice.

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Answer 3

Jan 19, 2010 7:37 AM in response to regina lysaught

There are a couple of simple things you can try. First try zapping the pram:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

If this fails, try to reset the smc:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964

If you have an external hard drive with a valid system on it, try starting from the external drive.

Glor

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Answer 4

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Jan 19, 2010 8:07 AM in response to regina lysaught

In would try and find one to eliminate a software issue.

If it is hardware-related, see if there somewhere you can send it for repair. Apple usually has a 5-day or less turn around period on repairs that you send in.

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

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Answer 5

Jan 28, 2010 7:58 AM in response to Mac-Medic

HI Dave, I am not anywhere near where I can send it for repair. I am in Cusco North of Lima and in the middle of huge storms. Please please can someone help! I need my laptop for work and it is preventing me from working. I do not have any software to reload, I do not have my super drive (it is in Chile) so can not load any software anyway. Please someone, there must be something I can do myself to fix it!! please please please

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Answer 6

Mac-Medic

Level 6

17,301 points

Jan 28, 2010 8:39 AM in response to regina lysaught

Unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do to help you if you don't have the software/hardware need to troubleshoot it. It's a process of elimination. You have to start somewhere. Can you get someone to send you the install disc and your SD?

Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG

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