MacBook stuck at Apple logo boot screen after Time Machine backup

Question

Level 1

49 points

MacBook stuck at Apple logo boot screen after Time Machine backup

Hello!

Yesterday I decided to install the Yosemite beta. I did a backup of my full Mavericks system before carrying out the update (on an external HDD).

However, after installing the Yosemite beta my Wi-Fi connection went very unstable so I decided to install my Mavericks OS backed-up version again (booted my MacBook with cmd + r, chose "restore from take machine backup"). The installation seemed to have gone fine but when my MacBook wanted to restart after the installation, the gray background screen with the apple logo and the loading circle underneath stayed. It has gotten stuck on this boot screen. I thought my backup might have been corrupted so I tried another one to be sure, but agai, when booting, the MacBook gets stuck at the loading screen.

It is a end 2011 MacBook Pro that came installed with OS X Lion (I even tried installing Lion again because I didn't know what to do but at the installation screen I couldn't select my HD because it can't downgrade since a newer version had been installed, so it said).

I really don't know what to do, I am basically a complete noob when it comes to these things. Can someone help me?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)

Posted on Jul 29, 2014 11:42 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Jul 30, 2014 3:44 PM in response to xevtbng

Booting from the Recovery drive and selecting Reinstall OS X, would download Mavericks. However you need to erase your Time Machine data first since it seems to have brought over Yosemite data. You are going to need to be very careful that you only restore from Time Machine YOUR data.

Reply

Answer 2

xevtbng Author

Level 1

49 points

Jul 30, 2014 4:32 AM in response to xevtbng

I am now trying to make a boot memory stick with Mavericks on it, however, the program which someone advised me, Diskmaker X, is a .dmg file when downloaded but I only have a spare windows computer.

Reply

Answer 3

Jul 29, 2014 12:37 PM in response to xevtbng

When you say you did a complete backup, do you mean only a Time Machine backup? I would suggest a clone if you decide to test again. A clone is a complete bootable copy of your drive and it's easy to quickly boot from one Mavericks to Yosemite. Both of these applications can be used to create a clone.

SuperDuper! http://www.shirt-pocket.com/

CCC http://www.bombich.com/download.html

I suggest that you boot into the Recovery Drive by holding down Command R when restarting.

Select Reinstall OS X.

You might need to erase the internal drive then reinstall Mavericks. You would be able to restore your files from Time Machine.

Reply

Answer 4

xevtbng Author

Level 1

49 points

Jul 29, 2014 1:58 PM in response to Eric Root

Hello, I will try this solution first but I have a little question. I just erased the disk and in this window Mac OS Extended (Journaled) is selected. Is this what you mean by the formatting which you said, because I cannot seem to find an actual formatting option?

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 29, 2014 2:02 PM in response to xevtbng

Verify that the drive is also set as GUID. It has to be GUID to be bootable.

Reply

Answer 6

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Jul 30, 2014 7:52 AM in response to xevtbng

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

Startup - Gray Screen

Startup Issues - Resolve

Startup Issues - Resolve (2)

Reply

Answer 7

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Jul 29, 2014 12:36 PM in response to xevtbng

Try erasing and reformatting the disk using Disk Utility in the Recovery Volume. Use Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Then reload from Time Machine.

Reply

Answer 8

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Jul 29, 2014 2:19 PM in response to xevtbng

Yes.

Reply

Answer 9

xevtbng Author

Level 1

49 points

Jul 30, 2014 2:43 AM in response to Eric Root

I erased and formatted my HD, made sure it was Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and GUID, installed the Time Machine backup again, but at the restart my laptop still gets stuck at the same loading screen.

Reply

Answer 10

xevtbng Author

Level 1

49 points

Aug 2, 2014 10:29 AM in response to dianeoforegon

Thank you, this did the trick, my system is back up and running perfectly now with my own data!

Reply

Answer 11

Aug 2, 2014 10:44 AM in response to xevtbng

Great. Glad to hear you are back to normal.

Reply

Answer 12

Rahul338

Level 1

4 points

Jul 11, 2016 12:39 PM in response to dianeoforegon

hey, how can I restore only my data from time machine . i am facing the same problem

my Mac stuck on apple logo .

Reply

Answer 13

Eric Root

Level 10

685,299 points

Jul 12, 2016 8:18 AM in response to Rahul338

You might want to consider starting a new discussion. Since this one is a couple of years old, less people are likely to look at it. You can link to this one.

Reply