my screen went black after startup

Question

Level 1

0 points

my screen went black after startup

I have an older iMac. Last night it installed updates and this morning I woke up to a black screen. I restarted and can see the apple symbol and then it goes black, but I can see the mouse arrow. I tried holding down shift while starting which then gave me a loading bar. The next step I read was when the screen went black , a cursor should appear. Then type first letter of username, enter, password and enter. I never get a cursor. Only black screen with the mouse arrow. I tried it anyway and nothing.

imac os x version 10.6.6, Mac OS X (10.6.5)

Posted on Jul 18, 2014 6:46 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 18, 2014 6:48 AM in response to sersee

Reset the PRAM > Resetting the PRAM

If that doesn't help, reinstall OS X using your install disc.

Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard: How to Erase and Install

Reply

Answer 2

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 6:55 AM in response to Carolyn Samit

Tried resetting ...doesnt work. I'm a little nervous to erase and reinstall with a black screen and not being able to see what I'm doing. I don't have snow leopard...I have mavericks. This was working last night.

Reply

Answer 3

Whywutt

Level 2

177 points

Jul 18, 2014 6:59 AM in response to sersee

Are you able to boot in safe mode?

OS X Mavericks: Start up in safe mode

Reply

Answer 4

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:00 AM in response to sersee

Also..I told it to install updates last night. ...since I was working on it. I think it might be an update issue.

Reply

Answer 5

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:04 AM in response to Whywutt

I tried before but was holding shift down as soon as I started it. Just tried it...saw apple and spinning thing but then went to black screen. If I hit keys on keyboard I can hear the tone...

Reply

Answer 6

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:08 AM in response to sersee

Blank (lighted, but black) screen with cursor at bootup

[SOLVED] - Macbook Air Sleep/Wake problem

Dark screen on start-up can only see curser

Reply

Answer 7

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:17 AM in response to Linc Davis

Stupid question...Is the cursor the mouse arrow? I always think a cursor is a blinking line...I don't see a cursor. Only my mouse arrow if I wiggle the mouse

Reply

Answer 8

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:21 AM in response to sersee

The cursor is the interface element that moves when you use the mouse or trackpad. It can look different depending on the context.

Reply

Answer 9

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 7:44 AM in response to Linc Davis

Maybe I'm not doing it right or am not remembering my iMacs name correctly. I thought it was the generic admin . But my screen is still black. I also tried the command s thing too

Reply

Answer 10

sersee Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 18, 2014 8:00 AM in response to Linc Davis

Oooh it might have worked. I had the first letter wrong. The MacBook air insructions were awesome! The waking up after my screen was black was what I didn't do . I was able to get to my home screen and now am doing a clean reboot to make sure all is well.

It worked! Thank you!

Reply