My Macbook Pro doesn't startup after a system restore.

Question

Level 1

8 points

My Macbook Pro doesn't startup after a system restore.

My Macbook Pro (Late Sept. 2008) doesn't startup after a system restore. The grey apple turns into a 'no' symbol, (you know, the circle with the slash across it), and the wheel just keeps turning. But the real problem started when after sometime of not using it, I saw that Maverick was available for upgrade (BTW I have Lion), but I had forgotten that I had no more space in my memory for it. So when it started to install, it would say there isn't enough space, so it restarted the computer but instead of exiting the install program, it would start the install program all over again. And it just kept the same cycle. So I restarted the computer and pressed option and did a system restore from time machine. Now it looked like it did a successful system restore but when the computer restarted it started doing the aforementioned. Someone help, please?

MacBook Pro

Posted on Aug 31, 2016 4:48 PM

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Answer 1

jeremy_v

Community Specialist

Sep 1, 2016 10:37 AM in response to xxmus1cxx

Hello xxmus1cxx,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities. I see you're MacBook Pro won't successfully startup after a recent system restore. I know unexpected startup screens can be concerning. I want to get this resolved with you.

When you see a circle with a slash symbol instead of the Apple logo, it means your Mac couldn't find a valid System Folder to start up from.

If you're using your Mac at a school or business, it might be trying to start from the wrong version of OS X. Contact your IT department for more help.

If this is your personal Mac, try reinstalling OS X by using OS X Recovery.

About the screens you see when your Mac starts up
Have a great day!

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Answer 2

xxmus1cxx Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 1, 2016 11:51 AM in response to jeremy_v

Okay I tried the 'command-R', didn't work, so I pressed 'option' at restart and I entered my leopard disk and when it gets to the screen where it says select a destination on where to install the Mac OS X, it's blank. My startup disk isn't showing up. What do I do now?

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Answer 3

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Sep 3, 2016 6:36 AM in response to xxmus1cxx

Thank you for trying the steps provided and following up. At this point it seems that the hard drive may need to be replaced. You can take the MacBook Pro into an Apple Retail Store or an Authorized Service Provider near you. The following link will help you locate the closest store, Find Locations
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.

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