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Level 1

0 points

OS X 10.8.3 fails to load after reboot

I am having some serious troubles with my MacBook 13.3 Oct 2009 edition after updating to the latest version 10.8.3.

1: it would boot to a blackscreen and with a flashing cursor on the top left hand corner and sit there and nothing else happens.

2: rebooted Mac a few times and each time after that comes up with the following error message:

"No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key"

This is happening STRAIGHT after the update, I've never had such a problem like this with any of the previous updates. Something seriously went wrong with the update for this happen..

I need some help before going to Apple store (which I have already booked anyways - just incase).

I am sort of familar with the OS and Mac's but not that great with fixing errors.

Any help would be most appreciated..

Thanks..

MacBook, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Mar 15, 2013 8:05 AM

18 replies

petermac87

Level 5

7,447 points

Mar 25, 2013 2:04 PM in response to dan.nordqvist

Different problem again. Please start your own thread also with details of your Mac, it's exact problem and what you have tried thus far.

Cheers

Pete

JayForty

Level 1

0 points

Apr 6, 2013 4:15 PM in response to zyberdez

I have just got the same problem after updating my iMac - a late 2011 27".

It exhibits he same behaviour as the OP - but I don't think that its the disk... the machine is on the network and I can connect over SSH using the command line.

There was an error message displayed after the update - a dialog box that stated that the install failed. Pressed OK and then it boots to a blank screen with a flashing cursor. you can type, but its cleared after a few seconds.

I'm going to look for left-over files from the upgrade and see if they are causing this issue.

JayForty

Level 1

0 points

Apr 10, 2013 6:00 PM in response to JayForty

Sorry - my problem is similar "it would boot to a blackscreen and with a flashing cursor on the top left hand corner and sit there and nothing else happens." but not the same.

In case it helps others though, I have now solved my problem by installing the update again usng the download from Apple rather than the store... http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1640

I had to set my mac to boot into Safe Mode. I only had access to the command line over SSH - use the nvram command to set your boot arguments to safe mode (requires sudo, which will want your password).

sudo nvram boot-args="-x"

Then reboot from the command line using

reboot now

My machine sprang into (slow) life this way, allowing me to download the full update and install.

I took the opportunity of setting the startup bong to a low volume whilst I was messing with nvram...

sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=" "

Dont forget to remove safe mode from your boot args once install is complete...

sudo nvram boot-args=" "

sudo nvram -d boot-args

OS X 10.8.3 fails to load after reboot