Macbook wont load

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Level 1

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Macbook wont load

Hi, I was updating my macbook using the automatic software update. It froze as it was updating so I turned it off. It is now refusing to power up, all I get is the grey screen with the whirring circle. I've tried starting it up whilst pressing the 'Option' key and I've tried pressing the command, option, p and r keys whilst starting it up. I've taken the battery out and put it back in again, but nothing seems to be working. My computer is only 10 months old and I've never had any problems with it up til now. My knowledge of these things is minimal to say the least. Please help!!!

Macbook, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Mar 3, 2010 5:44 AM

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Answer 1

R94N

Level 2

210 points

Mar 3, 2010 8:20 AM in response to jenniev

Oops, I'm don't think you should've really turned the computer off while it was updating. Even if it froze you should've just left it I think. Although I'm not an expert on the subject, I don't think turning it off halfway through system update does your computer much good...as to a solution I'm afraid I really can't help you, and I don't think you could solve the problem yourself. Anything this major and I would personally just take your Mac to an Apple Store and tell a Genius your problem, even if you have to pay...sorry - I hope someone else will be able to help you further here.

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Answer 2

Mar 6, 2010 4:21 AM in response to jenniev

Hi,

I would recommend backing up before doing this if possible to be on the safe side.

By the sounds of things the OS is messed up you will need to re-install it. It will not delete any personal files or applications or users or settings. It should only write over the OS files (i noticed my login background had returned back to default as i had changed it) i have done this myself.

To do this
-hold down alt and turn on the computer until the selection of what to boot from
-insert the Snow Leopard install DVD
-select the Snow Leopard install DVD (may take a moment for it to come up in the menu)
(may take a while to load)
-Select language of your preference
-Choose the drive to install to (the drive that had the OS that became messed up) (DO NOT GO into disk utilities and format the drive if you wish to keep the files on the drive)
-Click Continue and it should begin installing

Once the installation has completed and the computer has reset itself. You should be able to login as your user from before.

If an update appears to freeze leave it for a while (maybe about 30min) and come back to see if its still at the same location to be sure its truly frozen before turning it off during an update.

I hope this helps

Regards,

Stephen

Message was edited by: Stephiroth

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Answer 3

iyacyas

Level 4

1,536 points

Mar 6, 2010 6:39 AM in response to Stephiroth

Hello jenniev,

Welcome to the Apple Discussions...

Good advise:

But before you reinstall, lets try doing a safeboot into safemode!

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455

If you're successful in booting into safemode then reboot normal and see if it boots. If after successfully booting into Safemode, a normal boot fails then post back here and we'll see about helping you clear out the failed updates.

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