Spinning Wheel at Startup and Progress Bar but no boot

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Level 1

41 points

Spinning Wheel at Startup and Progress Bar but no boot

I just switched out my wife's iMac from a 24 inch to a 27 inch. I used the transfer utility for Apple and it worked (mostly). Then when I physically moved her old iMac to another room I can no longer get it to boot up. I get a startup spinning wheel and a progress bar (which I have no idea what that is for never saw that before) and then it goes away and it sticks on a spinning wheel. I have tried to startup with diagnostics (Hold the D key down) and same thing. I have also put the OS disk in and tried to boot form that and same thing happens. Any ideas on what might be going on or fixes?

Imac 9.1, MBA, Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.5), Running Parallels 6.0 on iMac W/Win7

Posted on Dec 8, 2010 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 8, 2010 9:24 AM in response to Kevinwal

Hello Kevin.

This seems like a frustrating issue.
The only things I can think of, is to first try a PRAM reset. To do this, hold Command Option+PR on boot, and when you here the start up sound for the second time, release the keys.

If this does not work, try holding Command+V as the computer boots up, and the screen will go back. Here you can see what is going on as your computer tries to boot. If you see anything which looks like an error message, then post it here. Or post where it gets stuck if it does.

Hope this helps. Remember to mark this as Helpful or Solved if that is the case.

P.S. Be aware that Reseting PRAM may change some system settings such as Display and video settings such as refresh rate, screen resolution, number of colors, Time zone setting, Startup volume choice, Speaker volume, Recent kernel panic information and DVD region setting. These should not be a major problem, but just so you are aware.

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Answer 2

Kevinwal Author

Level 1

41 points

Dec 8, 2010 9:37 AM in response to NathanL1192

Nathan
Thanks for the pointers, the PRAM reset did not help. I then started it using the Cmd V and it showed at the end.

+"AppleYukon2.....Keys out of Order+
+(4, 15735)+
+** Rebuilding catalog B-tree."+

And that is where it stayed. I think it's rebuilding??? Not sure if that means when it's done it will start?

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Answer 3

Kevinwal Author

Level 1

41 points

Dec 8, 2010 9:56 AM in response to Kevinwal

OKay not there is more. It says
" The volume MacIntosh HD could not be repaired.
Bug: Launchctl.c.3818 (23930:2: remove ds->d_name ! =-1
Bug: Launchctl.c.3818 (23930:2: remove ds->d_name ! =-1
Bug: Launchctl.c.3818 (23930:2: remove ds->d_name ! =-1
Bug: Launchctl.c.3818 (23930:2: remove ds->d_name ! =-1
Bug: Launchctl.c.3818 (23930:172: audit quickstart()== 0
launchctl: Please convert the following to launchd: /etc.mach init.d/dashboardadvisorydplist
systemShutdown false
yukon:Ehternet address 00:17:f2:d2:53:2C
Airport_Brcm43224: Ethernet address 00:19:o3:da:d9:ab
1080211Controller:dataLinkLayerAttachComplete(): adding AppleEFINVRAM notification
BootCache: hit rate below threshold (146 hits on 501 lookups)
Airport =: Link down on enl. Reason 8 (Disassociated because station leaving)
Previous SHutdown Cause: 3
DSMOS has arrived
venl: 801.11d country code set to US
enl: Supported channels 1234567891011 36 34 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 149 153157 161"

Have no idea what this all means but the first line "The volume MacIntosh HD could not be repaired"

Any comments?

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Answer 4

Dec 8, 2010 10:23 AM in response to Kevinwal

Thanks for the Information.

Try the following steps:
1. Boot and this time hold done Command+S. This will look similar to Command+V but it will stop and you will be able to type.
2. Type fsck -fy
3. When that is done, type reboot

Please Get back to me with the results.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 5

Kevinwal Author

Level 1

41 points

Dec 9, 2010 6:37 AM in response to NathanL1192

Thank you for your help. Sorry for delay work in the afternoons.

I tried the last instructions (CMD + S) and it takes me to a screen that ends with " :/ root# " and it appears to be ready to accept keyboard input but it won't. The keyboard acts like it's not connected, nothing happens when you press the keys. It is a wired keyboard and it obviously must work at the boot sequence because it does accept the CMD+S and I have tried it on another computer. ????

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Answer 6

Dec 9, 2010 7:54 AM in response to Kevinwal

That is very strange. You should be able to type at that point.

Sorry if you have mentioned this previously, but how long have you had your computer? This is showing all the signs of a failing hard drive.

I would try calling apple, or taking your computer into an apple store for a genius appointment. If I were you I would stop trying as you could just be damaging it more.

Hope this helps.

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Answer 7

Kevinwal Author

Level 1

41 points

Dec 9, 2010 8:29 AM in response to NathanL1192

Thanks for your help. It's about 3 1/2 years old. I think I'll just do a new disk drive. Being out of warranty if will probably be cheaper then an Apple call or visit.

Appreciate your time.

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Answer 8

Dec 9, 2010 8:48 AM in response to Kevinwal

Yes, 3 1/2 years old is getting on a bit. Good idea to get a new disk drive!

Thanks, and sorry I couldn't help further.

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Answer 9

Mar 9, 2011 8:01 PM in response to NathanL1192

Hi NathanL1192,

I hate to jack this thread, but I have exactly the same problem!

I followed your lead, I did press Command + S during the boot up, and I did type fsck - y followed by reboot.

Alas, no luck!
Back to the white screen with the ever turning wheel below the Apple logo……………please HELP!!!!

Cheers,

MXP 150 Patriot

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Answer 10

Kevinwal Author

Level 1

41 points

Mar 13, 2011 9:44 AM in response to NathanL1192

Update - Did get new disk, it was the issue but I created another issue. After following very specific instructions on how to install disk (which it's not supposedly user installable) there ended up with an issue on the disk driver temp sensor. When I put it back together it didn't control the fan speed on the disk drive and it ran at high speed all the time. I took it to Apple (although they didn't do the hard drive update) and they said it was sensor "related" but the mother board was shorted out and they want something like a gazillion $$$'s to repair it. Instead I took it back (no bench charge thankfully) and took it to an independent Apple repair shop. The tech there said he believes, all to often the Apple Tech's take the easy bath...errr path of repair. He open the cased replaced it was a used sensor he had and bingo I was up and running. Net cost $79.0. New hard drive cost 500MB $79.00, right speed and the 3 and 1/2 now 4 year old iMac is back in business. Priceless. So moral to story is - 1) Never give up 2) Apple Tech guys while generally good not always right or give best economic advice device.

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Answer 11

Samgc24

Level 1

0 points

Apr 26, 2012 12:24 PM in response to NathanL1192

Hi guys

I had the same problem after running a scan on my hard drive to detect malware. Now mine has the spinning wheel. Trie d comm op PR nothing happened but i did get the two sounds. Then i tried the comm v and i have a different set of errors, it is hanging at

DiskO s2 : I/O error

It just keeps repeating this message...can u pls help?

Thanks verymuch

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