Why won't my MacBook Pro turn on?

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Level 1

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Why won't my MacBook Pro turn on?

I've been trying to turn on my MacBook Pro all morning, at first it wouldn't change from the start up screen (with the Apple symbol and swirling loading circle). I waited for a while before force shutting it down. Since then, everytime I try to turn it on, the start up screen will appear for a few seconds before it shuts down by itself. I've only had the MacBook Pro for about a month, I don't understand why it would be having problems already. Any insight or suggestions would be much appreciated!

~Q

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 16, 2011 6:18 AM

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Answer 1

Poikkeus

Level 4

2,786 points

Oct 16, 2011 8:26 AM in response to MaQBookPro

MaQBookPro,

Post here with your response, good news, and more so we can solve this issue.

A swirling loading animation means that a routine is in a circular loop. I don't know what caused the loop, but to stop it, press the power button on the upper right hand of the MBP. Hold it down for at least five seconds, or at least until the screen turns black and the computer reboots.

You have several options. You can let the MBP load again, hopefully back to its former self. Or you can press SHIFT continually after pressing the power button; this opens the MBP into safe mode, where you can perform various diagnostics that might be useful.

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Answer 2

MaQBookPro Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 16, 2011 2:02 PM in response to Poikkeus

Thanks for the advice, but unfortunately the SHIFT key doesn't seem to be doing anything to the MBP. It just continues to shut down. I've also tried holding COMMAND, OPTIONS, P and R, but that makes the MBP restart repetitively. It's also starting to heat up faster than it has before. No idea what to do now, except to bring it into the Apple Store. :/

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Answer 3

Poikkeus

Level 4

2,786 points

Oct 16, 2011 7:22 PM in response to MaQBookPro

This is a tough one - and I think you made the right decision to set up an appointmet with the Genius Bar. Your warranty is still new, so there's plenty of hope for a good resolution. But I hope you'll post with the results of your visit!

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Answer 4

MaQBookPro Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2011 1:59 PM in response to Poikkeus

I brought my MacBook Pro to an Apple-approved tech group that thinks the problem may have been generated from AutoCAD 2011. Their guess was that the program was not compatible with the new OS X Lion software. The only solution was to reinstall OS X Lion. They wanted to charge $75 for the reinstallation, and $100 if I wanted to have my data backed up. I thought I'd visit the Genius Bar at the Apple Store before I paid them anything. At the Apple Store they reinstalled OS X Lion at no charge, no questions asked. Now I don't know if it would've cost anything to have the data backed up, since I didn't have anything on the computer of great importance.

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