hi... I've been having problems with my MacBook Pro. Over the past couple of weeks it has been turning off mid use. It did this once again today, but now I can't get it to start up again!! Each time I turn the computer on, it goes to the apple symbol (no chime) and shows the download bar which slowly moves to the end, and then eventually turns off. This has happened over and over again and I am getting no where!!
Please help!!
MacBook Pro, iOS 8.1.2
It would be helpful if you indicated the EXACT model/year of your MBP and the current OSX.
Ciao.
Thanks Ogelthorpe... Is there a way I can find out the model/year and OSX in safe mode?
On the bottom of the MBP is the serial number. Enter it here and post back the model/year information.
https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do
Ciao.
Thanks... It is a 13inch, late 2011.
First try a SMC reset:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
If no success, try booting into the recovery partition, COMMAND + R.
From the 4 option menu select Disk Utility.
Run Disk Utility>First Aid, Verify and Repair.
If the disk cannot be repaired, it will have to be replaced.
Ciao.
Is there a way I can find out the model/year and OSX in safe mode?
Does it start up in safe mode?
Thanks... SMC didn't work. Sorry, this is probably a silly question, but under disk utilities it gives me a few options - 500.11GB, Macintosu HD, SuperDrive, disk1 and OS X Base System. Which one should I be selecting to verify and repair??
The computer doesn't start up in safe mode, Linc
If you've tried to start in safe mode, then you've already tried to repair the volume and it hasn't worked. Doing it again would be a waste of time. What backups do you have?
I Have a time machine. I believe this automatically backs up?
Pickle63 wrote:
Thanks... SMC didn't work. Sorry, this is probably a silly question, but under disk utilities it gives me a few options - 500.11GB, Macintosu HD, SuperDrive, disk1 and OS X Base System. Which one should I be selecting to verify and repair??
Macintoash HD,
Ciao.
Unfortunately the disk can't be repaired. As i have a time machine, does this mean that all my files would be automatically backed up??
Replacing the hard drive sounds like an expensive exercise!! 😟
Time Machine should have your data as of the last backup that was run. You will have to get a new drive, format it, install the OSX and then your data. Some HDD options can be found here:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
Ciao.
The startup drive is failing, or there is some other internal hardware fault.
Back up all data on the drive immediately if you don't already have a current backup. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.
Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.
If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair
Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.
*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.
Thank you... Yes, please tell me how to backup if I can't start up.
If you want to preserve the data on the startup 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 or other storage device to hold the data.
1. Start up from the Recovery partition, from Internet Recovery, 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.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
If you use FileVault 2, then you must first unlock the startup volume. Select its icon ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) It will be nested below another disk icon, usually with the same name. Click the Unlock button in the toolbar. Enter your login password when prompted.
2. If Method 1 fails because of disk errors, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
3. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start 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.
4. 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.
My MacBook pro won't start up
