My MacBook was running slow so I shut it down the normal way. When I tried to restart it wouldn't start up. I tried booting in safe mode a few times and then I
Reset the NVRAM / PRAM. Now I can log into safe mode but I don't have access to anything but the cursor. No bar at the top and no applications at the bottom. Any ideas?
MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.1)
Try starting your MacBook with the original system DVD and then run disk utility on your hard drive to repair it.
What do I do once in disk utility?
Answer only the "what language?" question and wait for the MenuBar to be drawn.
Choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
Select the Make & Model name of your Hard drive.
Look in the lower right for SMART Status, should be Verified.
Choose "Repair Disk"
any unresolved errors MUST be addressed before proceeding. If in doubt, post the exact wording of the message back here.
Now choose "Repair Permissions". this will fix MOST permissions for Apple-Installed Applications, and generate dozens of messages which can all be ignored unless they appear in RED.
When completed, set your Startup Disk and Restart.
Did that. It said "the volume Macintosh HD was repaired sucessfully" Hopefully only one last question. What did you mean by this phrase: "set your Startup Disk"
Disk utility did not work. Now computer opens up. I get the leopard background and I still only have a cursor.
Did you also do "Repair Permissions" ?
What happens now in Safe Mode?
"set Startup Disk" is just an easy way to exit from the Utilities and Restart. It is not required.
Nothing but the cursor in safe mode
