macbook a1181 cannot access System Preference or any apps such as Safari, iPhoto, etc. How can I fix this?

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Level 1

4 points

macbook a1181 cannot access System Preference or any apps such as Safari, iPhoto, etc. How can I fix this?

Hi, I recently purchased a used MacBook a1181 and cannot access anything. I am new to Apple computers/laptops so I don't know if there is a simple solution or if it's maybe a HD problem? I tried to go into System Preferences and nothing happens. The dock (?) at the bottom also has a bunch of question marks. When I scroll over the question marks, I can see apps like Safari, iPhoto, etc. but I cannot open anything. I also tried to go to About this Mac and can't get anywhere either. Any ideas what could be wrong?

MacBook, A1181

Posted on Mar 24, 2015 6:27 PM

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Answer 1

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 24, 2015 7:31 PM in response to risris72

That model identifier is not very helpful:

http://www.everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup/?search_keywords=A1181

Take your serial number and run it here:

http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

Serial number is at: Under the Apple - About this Mac - More Info

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Answer 2

risris72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 25, 2015 1:31 AM in response to spudnuty

The Order No. is MA472LL/A Original MacBook1,1. It is a 2.0GHz Core Duo with 1GB SDRAM and 80GB HD. I find it by removing the battery.

This is one of the problems I am having. When I go to the Apple and then click on About This Mac, the More Info... option is grayed out so I cannot view the details of the MacBook. When I click on System Preferences, nothing happens so I cannot change settings or users.

When I tried to re-install the OS, the disc would spin and then eject. I tried several different installation CDs and even an external DVD player and each time the CD ejected out without installing. I would appreciate any advise on what I can do to get this MacBook up and running. Thank you!

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Answer 3

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 25, 2015 9:38 AM in response to risris72

" The dock (?) at the bottom also has a bunch of question marks"

So usually that means that the applications are missing. It's like in a PC where the "Short Cut" link is broken.

"When I scroll over the question marks, I can see apps like Safari, iPhoto, etc. but I cannot open anything."

So just like when shortcuts are broken and for the same reason: applications are moved, renamed etc.

and with this:

"I also tried to go to About this Mac and can't get anywhere either. "

Probably a bad install.

"When I tried to re-install the OS, the disc would spin and then eject. I tried several different installation CDs and even an external DVD player and each time the CD ejected out without installing. "

What disks are you using? The originals would be Tiger and gray, 10.4.8 (Not the retail installer which would be 10.4.0.), Leopard, Snow Leopard. So 10.4.8 to 10.6.8 compatible.

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Answer 4

risris72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 25, 2015 11:41 AM in response to spudnuty

I tried using I believe a Tiger (gray) disk (may have been 10.4.0 though). I will need to check when I get home later this evening. I also tried using a new 10.6.8 Snow Leopard disc and that ejected as well.

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Answer 5

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 25, 2015 11:49 AM in response to risris72

Yah the gray machine specific disk for that year would have been 10.4.8.

"I also tried using a new 10.6.8 Snow Leopard disc"

The retail installer for Snow Leopard was white with a picture of a snow leopard w/ snow on his head (Best ever!) and would have been 10.6.0.

"even an external DVD player "

Needs to have the correct chipset to be able to boot from that external. At one point I had like 20 externals from different sources and only 5 of them would boot Macs.

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Answer 6

risris72 Author

Level 1

4 points

Mar 26, 2015 10:54 AM in response to spudnuty

I was finally able to install Snow Leopard (version 10.6.3). I found a discussion on creating a bootable USB to install OS X http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/apple-in-the-enterprise/how-to-create-a-bootabl e-usb-to-install-os-x/ and that worked! Now I still need to go through all the updates but it looks like everything is working and now I can get into System Preferences, Mac Info, Safari and everything else I couldn't before.

Thank you for your help spudnuty!

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Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,116 points

Mar 26, 2015 11:11 AM in response to risris72

OK good job!

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