Get "prohibited" sign on startup, can't do anything.

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Level 1

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Get "prohibited" sign on startup, can't do anything.

OK, first of all, this is regarding the OLD Mac Pro (2008), not sure if that goes under Power Mac, these days. I'm not able to move the post to that forum at this time, so sorry about that.

I cannot start my system. There are some sort of "new" noise from the disk itself on startup. I get the chime and then half a second of the Apple logo, then I get the "prohibited"-sign and there it stays.

I've tried to boot in safety/alternative modes by pressing "Shift", by pressing "Command", by pressing "Command+R", but the startup scenario remains the same.

I've also tried to boot via DVD (Snow Leopard) by pressing "C" during startup, and I do get the DVD running for a minute or so, and the Apple logo appears, but then this also stays like so for 20+ mins. (Should be said that the current system is Mountain Lion, I don't know if this prevent me from booting with another system version DVD)

Any ideas on this are most welcome

/Johan

Message was edited by: Windh

Posted on Mar 27, 2015 3:37 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 27, 2015 3:42 AM in response to Windh

What model Mac Pro?

What OSX version was on the startup disk?

What specific SL disk do you have? What SL version is it? What is color of the disk? have you successfully booted from that disk before?

Have you disconnected everything but the ones startup disk, DVD drive, mouse KB and monitor?

Do you have another Mac?

Do yo have another bootable install media?

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Answer 2

Windh Author

Level 1

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Mar 27, 2015 3:59 AM in response to lllaass

What model Mac Pro?

As stated in my edited first post, this is a "POWER MAC", not a new Mac Pro. Kind of confusing that they´ve changed names...

Model no. A1289

MAC PRO 2.4_8CX/6X1G/1TB/5770/SD

What OSX version was on the startup disk?

I believe it was OS X 10.8.5.

What specific SL disk do you have? What SL version is it? What is color of the disk? have you successfully booted from that disk before?

The system disk is: Samsung, model HD103UJ, 1TB. Or are you referring to the DVD disc?

Have you disconnected everything but the ones startup disk, DVD drive, mouse KB and monitor?

No, I'll try this.

Do you have another Mac?

Yes.

Do yo have another bootable install media?

No.

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Answer 3

Windh Author

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8 points

Mar 27, 2015 4:04 AM in response to Windh

I've now tried to start with only the System Disk inserted and only monitor and mouse/keyboard connected. The problem remains the same.

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Answer 4

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 27, 2015 4:10 AM in response to Windh

Power Macs had Power PC processors and will not run beyond Leopard (10.5.8). The last Power Mac, the G5 was introduced in 2003 and discontinued in 2006, the first year the the Mac Pro line (all Intel processors) were introduced.

a Model no. A1289 is a 2010 Mac Pro and you need a SL disk with 100.6.4 or later to boot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mac_Pro

Since you have another Mac I would download Lion or later from the Purchases section of the Mac App Store and make a bootable USB media using

http://liondiskmaker.com/

and then try booting the problem Mac from the bootable media

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Answer 5

Windh Author

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Mar 27, 2015 4:18 AM in response to lllaass

Thanks Illaass. I'll try this. Thanks for sorting the model out.. So this is in the right forum after all! 🙂

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Answer 6

Windh Author

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8 points

Mar 27, 2015 4:42 AM in response to Windh

Well, I've created an USB with startup for Mountain Lion on it, but I cannot choose it, as nothing happens when I press "command" during startup.

Still stuck at the prohibited sign.

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Answer 7

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 27, 2015 4:47 AM in response to Windh

Can you boot from that USB media on the other Mac?

Try pressing the Option key during bootup. Use a USB KB.

You can also try disconnecting (pull the sled out) the internal startup disk.

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Answer 8

Windh Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2015 5:03 AM in response to lllaass

I use a USB-KB.

I removed the System Disk too, and started with only the USB and by pressing "command" during startup. I got the chime and then a flashing gray folder with a "?" inside it. Then nothing.

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Answer 9

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Mar 27, 2015 5:14 AM in response to Windh

Try resetting the SMC and NVRAM

Intel-based Macs: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)

About NVRAM and PRAM

Can you boot from that USB media on the other Mac? This is a test of the bootable media

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Answer 10

Windh Author

Level 1

8 points

Mar 27, 2015 7:20 AM in response to lllaass

Had no luck in booting at all. I tried a different System Disk (with an OS on it) and that would not boot either.. However, in that case, the booting got stuck on the Apple logo, and the Prohibited logo did not appear..

I have now turned the machine in to my local Apple store for checkup...

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