Can`t boot into OS X

Question

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Can`t boot into OS X

Hi.

My first ever post in here and am looking for some help. Hope i write this in the right forum.

I got a Macbook Air mid 2009 for my dad from my friend.

The problem with this was that it was stuck on the grey screen with a looping wheel.

I tried to (cmd+r) didn't work. It was stuck.

so i Disconnected the hard drive and the battery.

After i did that am only having problem.

when i start the computer now i got the grey screen and a map with the flashing ?, and it won't respond to anything. Not cmd+r or anything.

when i put in a boot usb (have tried with el capitan, maverick, snow leopard) and pressing the C, Alt, and everything ells i only get

what can i do? I have tried everything i now.

Thanks for all the help.

/Tobbe

MacBook Air

Posted on Oct 31, 2015 11:54 AM

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Answer 1

GhonaZ

Level 3

572 points

Oct 31, 2015 1:54 PM in response to TobbeOlsson

When the map with the flashing ? appears your mac can't find a bootable harddrive. Have you reconnected the harddrive again? If so then please try a SMC and NVRAM reset and see if there is any change.

Cheerio~

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Answer 2

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2015 2:43 PM in response to GhonaZ

I just tried that out both SMC & NVRAM (agen) still nothing.

Tried to boot it up normally, then with cmd+r, cmd+alt+r and i got the flashing map with the question mark.

I then tried with a boot usb and then i got the "stop sign" and not the map with the question mark.

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Answer 3

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2015 2:45 PM in response to GhonaZ

and when i do the NVRAM i got the map and the question mark.

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Answer 4

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Oct 31, 2015 3:56 PM in response to TobbeOlsson

Use the original installation media that came with the MBA (which was Leopard) and start the install process. After the language selection, there should be a menu bar. Click on Utilities and select Disk Utility. Run Disk Utility>First Aid.

Ciao.

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Answer 5

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Oct 31, 2015 4:08 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I have tried to make a bootable usb with leopard but i can't get in so i can chose (alt-key or C-key) then i get the circle with the line true "stop sign"

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Nov 1, 2015 3:02 AM in response to TobbeOlsson

TobbeOlsson wrote:

I have tried to make a bootable usb with leopard but i can't get in so i can chose (alt-key or C-key) then i get the circle with the line true "stop sign"

What is the source of the Leopard OSX that you are using to make the USB installer? It it is not the same disk that came with the MBA, it will not work. If you have the original disks, use those via an external DVD drive to erase and install a working OSX.

Ciao.

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Answer 7

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 1, 2015 8:06 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

I do not have the original (the one that came with the computer) But according to Appels (workshop/Repair place) it shouldn't make a difference if i choose Leopard or El Capitan.

But the problem still is that i can`t get in to the meny where i can choose witch drive i wanna boot from.

With the USB in the computer, after booting it up i hit the ALT-Key and get the stop sign. If i change the key to C, i get the stop sign.

I made the usb now with leopard on true the program diskmaker.. I don't now how to do it otherwise in El Capitan.

/Tobbe

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Answer 8

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Nov 1, 2015 10:03 AM in response to TobbeOlsson

TobbeOlsson wrote:

I do not have the original (the one that came with the computer) But according to Appels (workshop/Repair place) it shouldn't make a difference if i choose Leopard or El Capitan.

If you make a USB installer for Leopard. it MUST be made from a disk that is SPECIFIC to the model MBA that you have. El Capitan does not have that restriction. The advice was 50% incorrect. However to install El Capitan, the MBP must have the requisite 10.6.8 installed.

You may purchase the Snow Leopard retail disk and install 10.6.3 in your MBA:

http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

Then run the Snow Leopard combo update:

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US

That then will allow you to install any newer OSX fro Lion to El Capitan.

Ciao.

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Answer 9

TobbeOlsson Author

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2015 10:13 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

After some trail and error i went and bought a windows keyboard (cheep) because i that that the key`s maybe didn't respond.

So, now when i boot up with the (alt=cmd) i get the wireless symbol (so i can't connect to the internet/wireless) but no HDD or recovery.

cmd+alt+r (alt+winsymbole+r) dosent give me anything just flashing map with ? mark on.

Could it be that the hdd is trash? Tomorrow i will get a apple keyboard so i will try it out then too.

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Answer 10

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Nov 4, 2015 11:45 AM in response to TobbeOlsson

You have tried COMMAND + R and have been unsuccessful. OPTION + COMMAND + R can only be used for MBPs that came with Lion as the original OSX or a later OSX.

Your 2009 MBP will require that original Leopard installation disk or a Snow Leopard retail (white) disk to get at the HDD. Then you can determine the status of the HDD.

Ciao.

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