Old Black Macbook Grey Screen Troubleshooting

Question

Level 1

8 points

Old Black Macbook Grey Screen Troubleshooting

Okay so, I have one of those archaic black macbooks from around 2007. One day awhile back, it wouldn't boot up, simply giving me a grey screen and loading icon. Since then, I've gotten an HP laptop, but would like to see if I can get this back working again. I've tried multiple start up commands and ran it in verbose and single user mode but couldn't make sense of the text or single out error messages nor give it commands. I'm not ready to scrap it just yet, if it's a software issue. Any and all help or article references would be great!

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Sep 14, 2017 5:28 PM

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Answer 1

2399

Level 2

323 points

Sep 14, 2017 6:45 PM in response to ringerdead

On second thought, it might be Command+Option+P+R to reset PRAM, so give that a shot too if you haven't already (and make sure you're holding the keys for long enough, probably about 15-30 seconds or until it restarts for a second time). That error doesn't seem too out of the ordinary, so I don't think that indicates a root cause, but let me know if you can think of a reason for this error. If I were you, my next step would be wiping and reinstalling everything. If this doesn't work, your hard drive is probably done for. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't bother fixing. If you want to put the money into it, do by all means, but you can get a more powerful and slimmer laptop for a good price these days.

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Answer 2

2399

Level 2

323 points

Sep 14, 2017 6:13 PM in response to ringerdead

Sounds like you're talking about the MacBook "Core 2 Duo" (http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook/specs/macbook-core-2-duo-2.2-black -13-late-2007-santa-rosa-specs.html) but let me know if I'm wrong.

Here is a link to one suggestion (not sure if this is for the same model): Old Black Macbook Grey Screen Troubleshooting

Other sources suggest resetting PRAM by holding down Option+P+R as your computer boots or suggest your hard drive may be shot. Is there any information of value you can share from running in verbose mode? Obviously don't post everything, but is there anything that looks relevant that might pertain to the issue?

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Answer 3

ringerdead Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2017 6:24 PM in response to 2399

Yes! that's the same model! Okay so upon booting verbose mode, it does it's thing and at the very end gives me a CODE SIGNING: cs_invalid_page with some more text in front of it, and that's the only thing that looks out of the ordinary. I tried to reset the PRAM with that input, but it didn't give me any different response. If my hard drive is shot, is it something worth fixing?

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Answer 4

ringerdead Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 14, 2017 7:07 PM in response to 2399

I did reset the PRAM but to no avail, it didn't change anything. I do know that when sometimes booting it up under certain commands (specifically ones to reset/ reboot ) will make the fan turn on pretty hard. So it leads me to guess that it's thinking but doesn't do much of anything despite letting it sit for 30 or so minutes. I am looking for a new computer bc this one's pretty dated as well, thank you so much for your help though!

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