MacBook Air error code page upon startup

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MacBook Air error code page upon startup

If anyone could help, I have no experience or knowledge at all about how to fix my MacBook Air!

Basically I used my laptop as normal last week and upon startup today, a grey error code page appears and I can't get past it, basically my laptop is not usable just now.

The error coding is along the lines of:

Unable to find driver for this platform

Debugger called: <panic>

Mac OS version: not yet set

Something about kernel versions?

I've tried to reinstall my OS X mountain lion but it was taking hours and not making a single bit of progress, can anyone suggest anything? I have no idea which version of Mountain Lion I have/had so I just selected the earliest one...

MacBook Air, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Dec 10, 2013 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,535 points

Dec 10, 2013 3:05 PM in response to natzyung

Please read this whole message before doing anything.

This procedure is a diagnostic test. It’s unlikely to solve your problem. Don’t be disappointed when you find that nothing has changed after you complete it.

The purpose of the test is to determine whether the problem is caused by third-party software that loads automatically at startup or login, by a peripheral device, by a font conflict, or by corruption of the file system or of certain system caches.

Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed for the test, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Boot in safe mode and log in to the account with the problem. Note: If FileVault is enabled on some models, or if a firmware password is set, or if the boot volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Ask for further instructions.

Safe mode is much slower to boot and run than normal, with limited graphics performance, and some things won’t work at all, including sound output and Wi-Fi on certain models. The next normal boot may also be somewhat slow.

The login screen appears even if you usually login automatically. You must know your login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.

Test while in safe mode. Same problem?

After testing, reboot as usual (i.e., not in safe mode) and verify that you still have the problem. Post the results of the test.

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Answer 2

natzyung Author

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Dec 11, 2013 2:43 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks for replying!

Can't seem to boot into safe mode, tried several times and it just isn't working, no idea what else to try!

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

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209,535 points

Dec 11, 2013 2:55 PM in response to natzyung

What happens when you try?

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Answer 4

natzyung Author

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Dec 11, 2013 3:17 PM in response to Linc Davis

When I try to boot into safe mode it just reacts the same way it would if I wasn't pressing any keys at all. As in, the startup tone leads onto the grey page with error coding on it.

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,535 points

Dec 11, 2013 3:42 PM in response to natzyung

If you don't already have a current backup, back up all data, then reinstall the OS. You don't need to erase the startup volume, and you won't need the backup unless something goes wrong. If the system was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you may need the Apple ID and password you used.

There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional. Ask if you need guidance.

If you installed the Java runtime distributed by Apple and still need it, you'll have to reinstall it. The same goes for Xcode.

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Answer 6

natzyung Author

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Dec 11, 2013 3:49 PM in response to Linc Davis

I have no current full back up, so if you could talk me through that I'd really appreciate it! Like I said I have not much clue on what I'm doing, sorry for being a pest.

Once I've done this I'll give reinstalling the OS a go! Thanks.

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Answer 7

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,535 points

Dec 11, 2013 4:55 PM in response to natzyung

If you want to preserve the data on the boot drive, and it's not already backed up, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data, you can skip this step.

There are several ways to back up a Mac that is not fully functional. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.

1. Boot from the Recovery partition or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) Launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.”

2. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, boot the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

3. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.

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Answer 8

Kamilat

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Dec 25, 2013 1:59 PM in response to natzyung

This is also happening to me and booting in safe mode is not working it keeps on being frozen in the start-up screen ):

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Answer 9

natzyung Author

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Dec 25, 2013 5:41 PM in response to Kamilat

You mean you have the error code page appearing upon starting up your laptop too?

I did as suggested and tried to backup my files but I couldn't get my mum's external hard drive to co-operate, I'm pretty sure it may be set as read-only or something, as in it just won't let me write anything new onto it. This can probably be changed on my normal house PC but I can't figure out how.

Getting frustrated not having my laptop so I'm going to go ahead with reinstalling the OS tonight, leaving it to run overnight because it says it's going to take like 15/16 hours?! Didn't think my wifi was THAT slow :(

Hopefully it works x

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