iMac suddenly starts up in OS X Utility! HELP!

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Level 1

5 points

iMac suddenly starts up in OS X Utility! HELP!

Hello!

i'm using IMac OSX mountain lion 10.8.5 and when I started up my computer today it didnt enter my desktop like it should.

Instead it started up OSX Utilities with the option to use ''Time mascine backup, Reinstall OS X, Get help online and Disk Utility''.

All I have tried so far is to repair my main harddrive by entering disk utility, selecting Macintosh HD (1TB APPKE HDD) and then verify and repair disk. Both times I did this it said that the disk was fine.

I DID NOT repair the Mac OS X Base System (under disk1) though since i don't dare to touch it before i was sure. Should I try to repair it? might this be the problem?

(When selecting it the only option is to ''Verify Disk'').

I also tried to enter safe mode by holding down shift at startup, but for some reason it doesnt work. When holding shift after I hear the startup sound, after a while the apple logo turns into a stop sign and a question mark folder. It's flashing between these three logos as I hold shift down, like i'm not allowed to enter safe mode.

I tried holding it down but it seems kinda pointless since nothing happens, so I release it and the OS X utilities loads up again.

Please Help me!

/André

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Nov 25, 2013 3:22 AM

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Answer 1

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Nov 25, 2013 3:44 AM in response to Add3

A couple of things to try:

Restart holding down the Alt (Option) key and it will hopefully take you to the Startup Manager and it will hopefully show Macintosh HD, select it and then hit enter to start up. (if you have a Bluetooth mouse you may need to use the arrows on the keyboard to select the disk).

If you still have the problem you could also try an SMC reset and a PRAM reset:

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3603

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Answer 2

Add3 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 25, 2013 4:27 AM in response to Paul_31

Thank you very much for the quick answer!!

Although the problem stil persists:(

I restarted holding down the alt key and i could choose between 2 hardrives, I chose Macintosh HD and then I came to the same Utility screen.

I then tried the SMC and PRAM and it didnt work.

I also noticed when the apple logo first appeared it flashed between the apple logo and a stop logo for a moment of a sec, then the apple logo remained and it went back to the utility screen again.

Is there anything else I can try?

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Answer 3

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Nov 25, 2013 4:32 AM in response to Add3

Do you have backup to restore from if it comes to needing to re-install the OS, or worse, erase and re-install?

Re-installing the OS itself shouldn't harm your data (as opposed to erase and install which will) , but it is essential that you have backup of all your data first, just in case.

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Answer 4

Add3 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 25, 2013 4:37 AM in response to Paul_31

Is there any way I can backup the harddrive at this point?

And another question with the PRAM reset. First I hear the startup sound, then i hold down the keys, then I hear it again. I heard it 2 times in total, is this right is should i wait for 3 ''startup'' sounds?

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Answer 5

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Nov 25, 2013 5:14 AM in response to Add3

Two chimes is normal for the PRAM reset - take fingers off keys at the second chime.

I'm afraid I don't know how to make a backup of your HD from the position you are in. Hopefully someone else may spot this thread and offer a solution.

If no-one replies quickly, you could add a post to this thread in 3 or 4 hours as these forums tend to get busier when all regions of the US are awake! It'll bring it to the top of the list again and it may get the attention.

In the meantime, you could repeat the steps you've tried already - sometimes it can take a couple of goes with the SMC/PRAM attempts to take effect.

To me, it doesn't sound like the HD is the problem as it passes the tests so I think it's possible re-installing the OS will get it working. I'm just reluctant to suggest you try that without having backup in place first.

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Answer 6

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Nov 25, 2013 5:34 AM in response to Paul_31

The section 'Using Disk Utility'

at Mac OS X v10.5, v10.6: How to back up and restore your files

describes using Disk Utility from a DVD - the same can be done from Recovery, or Target Disk Mode might be suitable.

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Answer 7

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Nov 25, 2013 5:37 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Thank you Andy - I'll do some reading up 🙂. Hopefully it'll get Add3 out of his predicament as well.

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Answer 8

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Nov 25, 2013 5:38 AM in response to andyBall_uk

It's not necessary to backup the entire disk if all you want is user files - the home folder should contain all those.

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Answer 9

Add3 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 25, 2013 6:51 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Thank you for helping me guys:)

Really appreciate it!

But i'm a bit confused atm.

How am I supposed to backup when it it's in OS X Utility?

Are these the steps I should follow?

And these instructions are for 10.5 and 10.6, I use 10.8.5, do the same rules apply?

Connect an external hard drive (FireWire or USB) that has sufficient free space to hold at least one copy of the contents of your Macintosh HD.
Start from your Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6 Install DVD. (Insert the disc, then restart and hold the C key.)
Select your language. Do not start an installation.
Choose Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
Select the disk you wish to back up (your source disk, such as Macintosh HD) in the source pane on the left.
Click "Verify Disk" to check the hard disk for issues. If an issue is found, click "Repair Disk" to repair.
Click the "New Image" button in the toolbar.
Give your image a useful name such as "04-15-2009 Macintosh HD backup". A date in the name makes it easy to tell when the backup was made.
Note: For additional security, you can encrypt the backup disk image. From the "Encryption:" pop-up menu, select either 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption. When prompted enter a password for the encryption: Use the password assistant to help you make a good password, or see this link for information about how to choose a good password.
Be sure the Save destination is a location on your external hard disk, then click "Save" to continue.
Enter your admin name and password if prompted. The imaging process will begin. The time it takes to complete the imaging process depends on factors such as the amount of data on your Macintosh HD. Approximately 1 GB per minute will be imaged, depending on various factors.
When the imaging process is complete, select the newly created disk image in the device pane. Then, chooseImages > Scan Image for Restore... from the menu bar, and let the scan complete.
Quit Disk Utility (press Command-Q). Then press Command-Q to quit the Mac OS X installer; you will be prompted to restart.

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Answer 10

Paul_31

Level 6

14,160 points

Nov 25, 2013 7:01 AM in response to Add3

Probably best to wait for Andy to come back, but I think you can use Disk Utility from the Screen your Mac is currently booting into - the screen with four choices. Choose Disk Utility from the options and then follow the instructions as per Andy's link. But best to wait for confirmation from Andy as I've never done this myself.

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Answer 11

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Nov 25, 2013 7:05 AM in response to Add3

You've got an external disk, right ?.

& you said that you can start the computer so that Disk Utility is available.

So, follow the steps above to backup the whole disk, or choose Disk Utility - File menu - New - Disk Image from Folder... if you just want to backup user or other folders.

Be sure that you save to the external drive.

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Answer 12

Add3 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 25, 2013 7:22 AM in response to andyBall_uk

Yes I have an external disk.

But I might wanna buy another one tommorow just to be safe. Maybe use an 32gb USB that I have.

My current external harddrive has backups but that was maybe 1-2 weeks ago and I have done a lot of important stuff that I need.

Its a matter of a couple folders that I need so its not the whole computer, so the 32GB USB will do just fine. Does it work with a small USB like this or do I need a big one?

And yes when I start my computer it automaticly enters the ''OSX Utility'' screen with ''Time mascine backup, Reinstall OS X, Get help online and Disk Utility'', instead of entering the login and desktop.

So all I have to do now is to connect the external backup harddrive (in this case my little USB), start up the computer (without any CD:s) choose Disk Utility and go from there?

And i'm a bit confused with 11. and 12.

11. When the imaging process is complete, select the newly created disk image in the device pane. Then, chooseImages > Scan Image for Restore... from the menu bar, and let the scan complete.

!Question here! : Will this restore everything from the newly created backup, or does it just scan?

12. Quit Disk Utility (press Command-Q). Then press Command-Q to quit the Mac OS X installer; you will be prompted to restart.

Are these last steps for a complete backup Restore only?

Is it possible to just backup the small files I need with my 32GB Usb and then reinstall OS X Mountain Lion.

(Dont delete and install, just install)

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Answer 13

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Nov 25, 2013 11:21 AM in response to Add3

>>Will this restore everything from the newly created backup, or does it just scan?

It just scans.

>>Is it possible to just backup the small files I need with my 32GB Usb and then reinstall OS X Mountain Lion.

Yes. As Paul says - reinstalling shouldn't harm your data, but two independent backups is always nice.

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Answer 14

Add3 Author

Level 1

5 points

Nov 25, 2013 12:05 PM in response to Add3

I seem to get problems while trying to backup the files I need, might be the USB idk..

I get:

''Unable to create ''(file name)''. (Input/output error)''

Maybe I need to reform it to another format?

But the good news is that the hardrive seems to be intact. When I choose in the disk utility, and backup from a folder, I see all the files from the Macintosh HD, so that is good.

But is it possible to backup the files in the traditional way? Like when you just drag and drop the folder you need and it will copy to that USB/Harddrive? Because now it seems to create a dmg. file, which is pretty much the same thing i guess, but is there a better way since I seem to get problems?

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Answer 15

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Nov 25, 2013 12:17 PM in response to Add3

You can't drag/drop in Disk Utility, unfortunately. Yes, try erasing the usb & choosing mac os x extended (journaled). I do wonder if the internal drive is any good, but hope so.

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