Macbook Pro won't boot up makes clicking sound

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Level 1

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Macbook Pro won't boot up makes clicking sound

Hi.

After upgrading to Firefox 4 on my 15inch 2006 Macbook Pro, it froze for over 5 minutes and began to make an odd repeated clicking sound. I tried force-quitting, but that wouldn't work, so I restarted it. Now it won't even boot up fully, it just makes a similar odd clicking sound (but not as frequently).

However, the grey Apple screen does appear, along with the revolving wheel. It seems very odd though, as the light at the front of the machine goes out as soon as the machine attempts to restart, which suggests that something physical may have occured to some internal hardware.

I even tried booting up in Safe Mode, but it is no different. Also, Caps lock and Number lock keys both appear to be working, so hopefully the keyboard is still functional.

Does anyone have any ideas what may have happened. My Applecare expired about two years ago, so really need some assistance if possible.

Thanks

George

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1), Macbook Pro Help Required

Posted on May 6, 2011 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

May 6, 2011 11:33 AM in response to zoostaruk

Sounds like it might be a bad hard drive. Boot from your install disc and run Disk Utility. Run verify disk in Disk Utility and see if it finds any problems with your hard drive.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

May 6, 2011 11:34 AM in response to zoostaruk

First try booting from your OS X installer DVD. If the computer boots into the installer then do this:

Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions

After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.

If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.

After returning to the installer reinstall Snow Leopard. This will not erase the drive. Reinstalling takes from 45 minutes to an hour or so.

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Answer 3

zoostaruk Author

Level 1

0 points

May 6, 2011 3:14 PM in response to Grant Greene

Thanks. Will look into that as soon as I can. Really appreciate your response. 🙂

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Answer 4

zoostaruk Author

Level 1

0 points

May 6, 2011 3:19 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks! Sounds like there's real hope there. I really do appreciate your help, so thanks for being so meticulous with your guidance.

All the original discs are in my office drawer at work, so I'll do exactly as you said on Monday when I get my hands on them. Fortunately I have my old G5 to get me through the weekend!

Thanks again.

🙂

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