Q: Stuck at the grey screen and trying disk utility

My MacBook Pro has been stuck on the grey boot up screen with the Apple logo and spinning disk. After trying various suggested solutions I finally insterted my OSX Snow Leopard disk and tried a startup holding the "C" key. Then, I tried to perform a disk utility on the OS disk as was suggested but it wouldn't let me select any repair or permissions option for the disk, only for my HD. I am not sure what to do now. Do I just reinstall Snow Leopard, run the First Aid on my HD, none of the above?

I would really appreciate the help!

Gabe

MacBook Pro

Posted on Mar 10, 2014 11:18 PM

I have this question too

Q: Stuck at the grey screen and trying disk utility

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by gjones10,

gjones10 Mar 10, 2014 11:31 PM in response to gjones10
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Mar 10, 2014 11:31 PM in response to gjones10

Ok I see now that the S.M.A.R.T. field on my HD in utility says "verified" and my OS is not showing any problems to fix. What now?
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by Eric Root,

Eric Root Mar 11, 2014 8:44 AM in response to gjones10
Level 9 (74,211 points)

iTunes

Mar 11, 2014 8:44 AM in response to gjones10

Startup - Gray, Blue or White screen at boot, w/spinner/progress bar

Startup - Gray Screen

Startup Issues - Resolve

Startup Issues - Resolve (2)
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by gjones10,

gjones10 Mar 11, 2014 9:32 AM in response to Eric Root
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Mar 11, 2014 9:32 AM in response to Eric Root

Thanks Eric,

I ran the disk utility on my HD and it said it couldn't repair it. Do I have to erase or restore? What's next?
Most of my files should be backed up to Carbonite already (hopefully).

Also, my colored pinwheel is now stuck spinning in the disk utility screen.

Thanks so much for the help!

Gabe
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by Eric Root,

Eric Root Mar 12, 2014 6:31 AM in response to gjones10
Level 9 (74,211 points)

iTunes

Mar 12, 2014 6:31 AM in response to gjones10

You are welcome.

I'd boot off the DVD, run Disk Utility Verify/Repair and Repair Permissions. Then use the erase tab with format Mac OS Extended (Journal) and then reinstall the OS. Update to 10.6.8 and do all other updates. See if the computer works normally and then recover your data.

10.6.8 Combo Updater
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by Eric Root,

Eric Root Mar 12, 2014 8:17 AM in response to Eric Root
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iTunes

Mar 12, 2014 8:17 AM in response to Eric Root

Forgot this. Saves a lot of time in Software Update.

10.6.8 Combo Updater
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Q: Stuck at the grey screen and trying disk utility

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by gjones10,

by Eric Root,

by gjones10,

by Eric Root,

by Eric Root,

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