Help: iMac won't boot past Grey logo screen with spinning lines

Smack518 wrote:
Thanks for the quick response. Seems odd to have a hardware failure coincident with a software upgrade though isn't it?

Well after I posted this I was able to get it to load from the install disk by holding Option during boot to get to the Startup Manager. From there I chose the DVD and I was able to get to disk utility and I'm currently "repairing permissions" there's a whole list of permissions it seems to be repairing. Not that I know what any of that meant. Said 8 minutes to go for a long time, then 20, now it's dropped to 10.

I can hear it doing stuff so I'm going to let it run and see where it goes. I'll post if it fixed it. In the meanwhile any additional advice is appreciated.

What was the fix? My Mac book is doing the same thing and I've run the disk repair with no problems and the permissions repairs with no problems yet It's still doing the same thing. I've also reinstalled original ram with no change. Can the HD be bad and still pass all the utility checks? I don't want to try to reinstall the OS yet cause I have a couple weeks of stuff I didn't backup.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff

Repairing permission is not the first answer. Should try to run fsck and reset the PRAM

1. Start up your computer in single-user mode to reach the command line.
   Note: If necessary, perform a forced restart as described in the Emergency Troubleshooting Handbook that came with your computer. On desktop computers, you can do this by pressing the reset/interrupt button (if there is one) or holding down the power button for several seconds. On portable computers, simultaneously press the Command-Control-power keys. If your portable computer doesn't restart with this method, you may need to reset the Power Manager.
2. At the command-line prompt type:
   /sbin/fsck -fy
   
3. Press Return. fsck will go through five "phases" and then return information about your disk's use and fragmentation. Once it finishes, it'll display this message if no issue is found:
   

   ** The volume (name_of_volume) appears to be OK

   If fsck found issues and has altered, repaired, or fixed anything, it will display this message:
   

   ***** FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED *****

   Important: If this message appears, repeat the fsck command you typed in step 2 until fsck tells you that your volume appears to be OK (first-pass repairs may uncover additional issues, so this is a normal thing to do).
4. When fsck reports that your volume is OK, typerebootat the prompt and then press Return.

Your computer should start up normally and allow you to log in.

Resetting PRAM and NVRAM

1. Shut down the computer.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

Your computer's PRAM and the NVRAM are reset to the default values. The clock settings may be reset to a default date on some models.

I found the FIX!

1) Shutdown your Mac

2) Turn on in single-user mode (Press Command+S while power on)

3) Type fsck -fy

4) If it's printed "FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED" type fsck -fy another time

Do it while it will not print "FILE SYSTEM WAS MODIFIED"

5) type mount -uw /

6) type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.kextd.plist

7) type launchctl load /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.notifyd.plist

if in 6 or/and 7 You have any errors type:

launchctl load -wF /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.kextd.plist

8) type launchctl load -wF /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.configd.plist

9) type exit wait and type it second time

After that Your system will boot up succesfully!

I think i have the same problem. When i turned on my 2008 intel imac running mac os 10.7.5 this afternoon, it booted to the login screen then almost as soon as i went to select a user, the system hung up. Restarting the system again i get the apple logo and then an immediate hang up. It now does this every time!

I've used the hard disk utility to check my hdisk and it comes back error free / ok!

I can boot info safe mode without any problems, and from the snow leopard dvd.

The last time i successfully logged in i updated the following... (Found in /var/log/install.log)

Airport Utility

Iphoto9.4.2update

Iphoto9.4.2ContentUpdate

Safari6.0.2Lion

Has anyone else also with this issue, updated these recently?

I also tried the above suggestions and they didnt work for me! Can anyone please help???

Can you boot in the single user mode?(tap cmd+S when power on)

I have the same problem and I am trying your method. But in the waiting times from one check of the system to the other I cannot help thinking, this may be the answer but, What did just happen? Why do I have this problem?

Do you have any clue on the origin of the problem?

Thanks for the help.

Hi.

Ok, I know at least four reasons that can be the origin of this problem.

1) Hardware problem with HDD: old HDD start working with problems,bad sectors and other;

2) Software problem when doing update:while installing update something going wrong;

3) Software problem when you stop/off some services by yourself that cann't be stopped; using programs that can clean and boosts your system booting and working;

4) Any combinations of the above.

Good Luck.

Best Reguards, Alan.

<Edited By Host>

Hi:

i was going through your steps and after 6,7 I tried with the option -wF and the answer was

launch -msg():Socket is not connected

Launchctl: CFURLWriteDataAndPropertiesforResources(/var/db/Launchd.db/com.apple.launchd/ov errrides.plist) failed: error -10

I could not go on, and still does not restart. Any idea?

Thanks