When I hold down the shift key at the boot screen a loading bar appears. It loads until 1/3 and my iMac reboots into normal mode.
My iMac is brandnew (Late 2013), Mavericks, 3TB Fusion Drive.
Please help! 😟
iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)
Try resetting PRAM by holding down cmd-opt-p-r when you hear the tone; keep holding for two more tones then release.
Then, try safe mode again.
Why are you trying to boot into Safe Mode?
What does that exactly mean, resetting the PRAM? Just want to know what I'm doing. 🙂
I want to install Logic Pro X but the installation always hangs at a certain point. People in forums told me that it works when booting into safe mode.
That's probably some healthy skepticism. I should have explained more.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
In some cases, it will fix weird issues. However, I'm not sure if it will help in this case, but it is simple, and as far as I know, non-damaging.
Also, have you repaired the disk using Disk Utility while booted into Recovery.
I see you have a Fusion drive. I have read on here and elsewhere that users with SSD's cannot do a Safe Boot. Not sure if there is a solution yet.
I had not seen that.
I'll see if I can post a link - I haven't followed it closely as I haven't got an SSD myself, but I'm sure I've seen the problem discussed somewhere! In the words of Schwarzenegger 'I'll be back' (hopefully).
Resetting the PRAM didnt solve the problem.
Here's a link - sounds like the same problem: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/5485131
I note that one of the respondents says that 'Apple is aware' of the problem.
Thanks. Mavericks or the Fusion Drive seems to be the problem. :/
I have a late 2013 iMac with 3TB fusion drive and cannot boot into safe mode either
I have a 3TB standard drive iMac with Mavericks 10.9.1 and also cannot boot in safe mode. Just bought yesterday. Have the same problem with progress bar halting at 1/3 and then reverting to standard boot.
Having the same issue. Brand new iMac + 1tb fusion drive. I called tech support and I don't think they're aware of this issue - they didn't know what I was talking about.
I have a third-party SSD in a 2011 Mac mini with Mavericks and safe-boot definitely works with this SSD.
Since installation of OS 10.9.2 that became available Feb 27, 2014, I have been able to safe boot on my 3TB iMac. could not do this on prior versions of Mavericks. Thanks Apple.
Same issue here... Can't boot to safe mode on a Mac mini Server (mid 2010) running 10.9.2
Other boot up options work fine... I can get to the recovery tools, reset pram, etc... Just no safe mode.
*Edit* nope... Can't reset pram either.... It keeps bringing me to the recovery tools...
For what it is worth, I have noticed that sometimes after holding the shift key down, the login screen will tell me that network logins are unavailable... I wonder if Mavericks is confused on what to do, since the holding of a shift key seems to mean both!?!?!?
Message was edited by: FreelanceG33k
I can't boot into Safe Mode!
