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Grey screen on startup

I have a late 2010 Macbook Pro 15" running High Sierra, that won't complete start up. The Apple logo and progress bar appear, but about 3/4 of the way through, it goes to a blank grey screen and stays there or powers down.

I have tried the following:

  • Remove peripherals - no effect
  • Safe boot (Shift key on startup) - no effect
  • Reset PRAM - no effect
  • Reset SMC - no effect
  • Remove extra RAM - no effect
  • Start in Recovery mode (Command+R) - won't start in recovery mode, just starts us the same way
  • Internet Recovery mode (Option+Shift+Command+R) - Spinning globe, then logo, then grey screen
  • Boot from USB drive - Won't boot. I select the USB drive and it goes through the same routine (logo with progress bar, then grey screen). I've even disconnected the hard drive and tried to boot from USB drive. No dice.
  • Run hardware test - will run test, but finds nothing wrong


The only thing that does work is booting is single-user mode (fsck) (command+s) When I get in, I type in the command /sbin/fsck –fy and get the response, "The Volume appears to be OK." I don't really know what else I can do in single user mode.


Any other ideas (except take it to an Apple Store) would be appreciated!

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jan 7, 2023 6:06 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 8, 2023 10:55 AM

Thanks for the response. I can't get recovery mode or any other alternate start ups to work to even get to the Disk Utility.

I'm hoping someone else out there had a similar experience and discovered an alternate method to the standard solutions to fix the issue.

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Jan 8, 2023 10:55 AM in response to leroydouglas

Thanks for the response. I can't get recovery mode or any other alternate start ups to work to even get to the Disk Utility.

I'm hoping someone else out there had a similar experience and discovered an alternate method to the standard solutions to fix the issue.

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Jan 7, 2023 8:26 PM in response to Brian I

Brian I wrote:

• I have a late 2010 Macbook Pro 15" running High Sierra, that won't complete start up. The Apple logo and progress bar appear, but about 3/4 of the way through, it goes to a blank grey screen and stays there or powers down.
I have tried the following:
Remove peripherals - no effect
• Safe boot (Shift key on startup) - no effect
• Reset PRAM - no effect
• Reset SMC - no effect
• Remove extra RAM - no effect
• Start in Recovery mode (Command+R) - won't start in recovery mode, just starts us the same way
• Internet Recovery mode (Option+Shift+Command+R) - Spinning globe, then logo, then grey screen
• Boot from USB drive - Won't boot. I select the USB drive and it goes through the same routine (logo with progress bar, then grey screen). I've even disconnected the hard drive and tried to boot from USB drive. No dice.
• Run hardware test - will run test, but finds nothing wrong

The only thing that does work is booting is single-user mode (fsck) (command+s) When I get in, I type in the command /sbin/fsck –fy and get the response, "The Volume appears to be OK." I don't really know what else I can do in single user mode.

Any other ideas (except take it to an Apple Store) would be appreciated!



If your Mac starts up to a blank screen (white, black, gray, or blue)

If your Mac starts up to a blank screen - Apple Support




Apple Store may assess the issue for your, but refuse to service your old machine.


2010—

see vintage and obsolete:

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired ...




In or out of warranty you can get a free over the counter 'Apple Service Diagnostics' test /assessment

Make an appointment for a "hardware issue"

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple




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Jan 8, 2023 11:06 AM in response to Brian I

Brian I wrote:

Thanks for the response. I can't get recovery mode or any other alternate start ups to work to even get to the Disk Utility.
I'm hoping someone else out there had a similar experience and discovered an alternate method to the standard solutions to fix the issue.


You can plug in an external monitor if it is a display issue.


Otherwise an Apple or AASP can assist you, run a diagnostic if you have a hardware issue.


Hardware issues can not be resolved here on-line.



Local USA—

Store List - Apple Store - Apple


International  a Round the World—

Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support



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Grey screen on startup

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