Q: MacBook Pro not starting

Hello,

I have a MacBook Pro which if I am not wrong I bought in 2009. So last week I had many files opened and I was typing on a Word document, as I typed each time it got more laggy. Then my laptop just turned off automatically and I got a message (I don't remember very well what it read) and after I tried turning it on again, the booting bar just loaded until the half, it stayed there for 10 minutes and then the computer turned off again. Help, I cannot lose the files I had in that computer. What should I do?

Thanks for your help.

MacBook Pro, iOS 8.4, OS X Yosemite Version 10.10.3

Posted on Apr 10, 2016 4:58 PM

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Q: MacBook Pro not starting

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by OGELTHORPE,Helpful

OGELTHORPE Apr 10, 2016 5:08 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 9 (52,162 points)

Mac OS X

Apr 10, 2016 5:08 PM in response to fabixboss98

Try SMC and NVRAM resets:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

Then try a safe boot:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201262

If no success, use the original installation disk and see if you can boot the MBP.

If you can, after the language selection, the display should have a menu bar on top. Click on UTILITIES and select and run Disk Utility>First Aid. If the disk cannot be repaired, a new one will be required.

If you cannot boot with the installation disks, make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a FREE evaluation.

Ciao.
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by fabixboss98,

fabixboss98 Apr 10, 2016 5:47 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Apr 10, 2016 5:47 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I really appreciate you took your time to answer. But I have followed your steps and my device still freezes in the middle of the booting bar. I guess I will have to buy another computer. Once again, thanks for your reply.
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 5:53 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 5:53 PM in response to fabixboss98

Try removing the ram, put one stick in and then Try and boot if dont work try all combinations
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by dschmittler,Helpful

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:13 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:13 PM in response to fabixboss98

New to posting in here so I'm having issues lol. Something is holding up post. So ram check. If nothing then I'd disconnect the battery and charger hold power for ten plug battery in then charger then release and hit it again. Fans will come on high but may fix an smc issue. After that I'd say fresh back up and install.
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by KimUserName,

KimUserName Apr 10, 2016 6:10 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 4 (1,400 points)

Notebooks

Apr 10, 2016 6:10 PM in response to fabixboss98

It sounds like your problem could be either a failing hard drive or a bad hard drive SATA cable.

To test whether the problem is your hard drive or SATA cable:
You can remove your hard drive from Mac and install in an external enclosure OWC external case or using a USB to SATA adapter USB to SATA adapter and connect it to your MBP via USB. And then try to boot from it using Startup Manager. This will help to identify if your hard drive or SATA cable are at fault. If it boots the MBP, most likely the problem will be the drive SATA cable needs to be replaced.

Boot from the disk using Startup Manager: How to choose a startup disk on your Mac

See the following video.
MacBook Pro hard drive SATA cable issue. MacBook Pro Hard Drive Cable Failure-Free fix and preventative maintenance

Do you have a current backup of your hard drive. This is usually the time we think of backups.

Kim
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by fabixboss98,

fabixboss98 Apr 10, 2016 6:27 PM in response to KimUserName
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Apr 10, 2016 6:27 PM in response to KimUserName

That's the worst part, I don't have a backup. And I need to update my question because I have followed the steps of the persons that have answered and now when I turn on the laptop it stays with a gray background and after 5 minutes it appears a file icon with a "?" sign and it is flashing. I have tried doing what the Apple webpage suggests to do (press command and R) but the icon keeps appearing. Any clue?
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:27 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:27 PM in response to fabixboss98

HHold down option after u hit power and select your drive.
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:29 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:29 PM in response to fabixboss98

IF you have an external hdd or another 2.5 you can put in, you can install a fresh copy of OS X and retrieve your files another way. I'd bet your disc is failing
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:37 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:37 PM in response to fabixboss98

CCmd r doesn't take u to recovery? may be a failing keyboard. usb keyboard and if handy enough, unplug the macs keyboard. Cmd r should take you to recovery regardless of the drive installed at all. Could also be a failing logic board and the drive may be fine. Or finally osx may have became damaged some how. If u have another Mac and a dock or enclosure you can seat the hdd in you can recover your info
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by fabixboss98,

fabixboss98 Apr 10, 2016 6:41 PM in response to dschmittler
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Apr 10, 2016 6:41 PM in response to dschmittler

The weird thing is that I did what you told me (to hold Option) and it seems the only thing to be working because it now makes my pointer appear but there is still a gray background.
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:48 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:48 PM in response to fabixboss98

SSounds like the drive isn't working or the boot files are messed up. Do you have the OS X install disc? Put that in if so
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by dschmittler,

dschmittler Apr 10, 2016 6:50 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 1 (27 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:50 PM in response to fabixboss98

smc and PrAm. Make sure on smc you hold they keys on the left side of the board. On the pram. Hold it till it chimes three times. At the third release keys and then hold cmd r
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by fabixboss98,

fabixboss98 Apr 10, 2016 6:53 PM in response to dschmittler
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Apr 10, 2016 6:53 PM in response to dschmittler

No, I don't have the disc you mention. This computer is so old the things it came with are now lost.
Anyways, thanks for your valuable help, at least you helped me getting the cursor on screen again, haha. But it is quite frustrating, I have tried what you guys told me to do, I have looked up on the internet, etc, but it seems that my animations and sketches have no other fate than the digital void.
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by my ginger,

my ginger Apr 10, 2016 6:56 PM in response to fabixboss98
Level 4 (2,472 points)

Apr 10, 2016 6:56 PM in response to fabixboss98

If you bought this in 2009, you should have the install disks that came with it. Since they are bootable, you could use them to try and repair the internal drive from the disk utilities option.
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