Macbook won't boot up after smc reset

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Level 1

6 points

Macbook won't boot up after smc reset

So here goes, my macbook which is a late 2011 model had a trackpad problem which it would move everywhere, open & close softwares, do multitouch gesture on it's own that I couldn't use my macbook anymore. I tried everything, change trackpad setting, language, wipe my trackpad really clean, PRAM reset. Nothing helped. So lastly I tried SMC reset & when it was booting, my macbook was stuck at booting grey screen. No progress at all after an hour. So I turned it of thinking the reset was unsuccessful. Then I tried turning it on again, the grey screen appeared but with the apple logo only & no loading wheel. I waited & about a few minutes later, a folder icon with a question mark on it appeared in place of the apple logo. Then a 'no symbol' appeared a few seconds later. And then the apple logo returned. The cycle repeated one more before macbook turned off on its own. Help please? 😟

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Aug 21, 2013 8:43 PM

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Answer 1

JordanK

Level 1

40 points

Aug 21, 2013 8:50 PM in response to Zameera

There could possibly be a hardware issue with this Macbook. One thing you can try is starting up into the recovery partition by holding command+R at the startup when you hear the chime. Once in the recovery it will ask you to select language select English and continue then open up "disk utlity". From disk utility select Macintosh HD on the left column then select "first aid" from the tabs on the right. In the first aid tab do verify/repair disk (not permissions). If it finds errors and fixes you can restart if it says it can not be repaired let me know.

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Answer 2

cziering

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2013 9:18 PM in response to JordanK

Try a PRAM reset. If that doesnt work, reboot back into that same recovery partition and reinstall the OS, you can use either your old disk or an internet recovery. You will most likely loose your data however so you may want to try and back it up. You can do so through another Mac computer with either an ethernet/firewire cable and an app called "Migration Assistant".

Here are a couple articles that may help:

PRAM Reset: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Using disc utility: support.apple.com/kb/HT1782

OSX Recovery: www.apple.com/osx/recovery/

Migration Assistant: support.apple.com/kb/HT3322

Regards,

Cody

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Answer 3

cziering

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2013 9:19 PM in response to cziering

let me know if that works 🙂 good luck

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Answer 4

Zameera Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 21, 2013 10:30 PM in response to JordanK

Thanks JordanK for the reply however that didn't help 😟 I held down command + R, nothing happened had to hold it down for a few minutes, but I didn't get in the recovery instead a spinning globe with an exclaimation mark appeared together with a list of network in a dropdown menu.

I also tried an alternative which is to hold down option key instead of command + R. I did get a better screen which shows a dropdown list of networks below two hardware icons, Macintosh HD & Recovery HD. Oh but the erratic trackpad problem still persists but I managed to move the cursor to click the download arrow below the Recovery HD. And then my macbook froze for a few seconds, and back to the grey screen with a prohibitory sign flashing.

This is so frustrating 😢

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Answer 5

Zameera Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 21, 2013 10:29 PM in response to cziering

Appreciate your response cziering! I tried PRAM reset too but that didn't help either 😟 Reinstalling via internet recovery was a failure since the screen froze once I clicked the download arrow button, plus my trackpad is still having problems. Guess I'm gonna have to find that old cd & looks like I'm gonna need a little bit more patience. *breathe collective sigh of disappointment*

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Answer 6

JordanK

Level 1

40 points

Aug 21, 2013 10:31 PM in response to Zameera

I can definitely see how that would be frustrating. Do you have AppleCare? Even if you don't I suggest you take it in to have it diagnosed. You can setup an appt online.

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Answer 7

Zameera Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 23, 2013 12:40 AM in response to JordanK

Really appreciate your help Jordan. I don't have AppleCare but I will definitely send my macbook in later this weekend.

I tried running Apple hardware test earlier this morning but it froze when the test was about to complete. Tried thrice but it froze at the same level evert single time. Everything failed. What could the problem be? Could it be the hd or logic board? My macbook is driving me crazy.

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Answer 8

Zameera Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 23, 2013 1:19 AM in response to JordanK

Now how do I backup my macbook before sending it to an Apple store? I'm thinking of transferring everything to my sister's macbook via Migration Assistant but what if her macbook doesn't have enough space? And how do I go about that?

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Answer 9

Aug 23, 2013 1:29 AM in response to Zameera

If I were you, I wouldn't even try backing up to your sister's machine - I would buy an external drive (or two) and create both a clone (using Carbon Copy Cloner) as well as a Time Machine backup.

See ds store's excellent article -> Most commonly used backup methods.

Clinton

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Answer 10

Zameera Author

Level 1

6 points

Aug 23, 2013 3:29 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Thanks. I just skimped through the article. But how do I do that if my macbook can't even boot up?

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