Kenorb1
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: I have a grey screen on start up and can see the sign in page in the background. How do I resolve this issue.

After my iMac has been asleep for sometime and I wake it up there is a grey screen with a load bar running at the bottom, but I can see the sign in page in the background. It eventually goes to the sign in page but it still takes a minute or so before I can actually sign in as well the mouse and keyboard are froze during that time as well.  One it unfreezes the iMac seems to work as usual.  What is going on and how do I resolve?

Posted on Feb 17, 2015 6:01 PM

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Kenorb1

Q: I have a grey screen on start up and can see the sign in page in the background. How do I resolve this issue.

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  • by sterling r,

    sterling r sterling r Feb 19, 2015 6:39 AM in response to Kenorb1
    Community Specialists
    Feb 19, 2015 6:39 AM in response to Kenorb1

    Hello there Kenorb1,

     

    It sounds like your computer is unresponsive and the screen is grayed out with a loading bar and is unresponsive for a bit. From what you describe it sounds like you are seeing the computer wake from Safe Sleep. Here is some more information about what that is and why it is happening:

     

    Mac computers: Progress bar appears after waking from sleep

    Safe Sleep ensures that data stored in main memory will not be lost should the computer shut down due to the battery being drained completely . Prior to your computer entering sleep, Safe Sleep automatically saves the contents of main memory—such as desktop settings, open applications, and other work in progress—to the hard drive. 

    There are two situations in which a computer will enter safe sleep:

     

    1. In the event the battery becomes completely depleted while the computer is asleep, the computer will shut down. But when a power adapter is connected or a freshly charged battery is installed, the computer can be restarted. Press the power button as if turning the computer on and it will automatically return to the desktop state that existed prior to entering sleep. This means that applications and files will remain exactly as they were prior to the computer being put to sleep, making it easy for you to continue with your work.
    2. With the release of the OS X Mountain Lion v10.8.2 supplemental update 2.0, a new feature was introduced to enter safe sleep after four hours of the computer being connected to AC power. This is an effort to comply with the European Energy Standards (ErP Lot6). This will only occur if there is no wireless or Ethernet activity and no activity from external devices such as USB storage devices. 

     

    Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

    Take care,

    Sterling