Mac does not start up and recovery mode does not work

Question

Level 1

4 points

Mac does not start up and recovery mode does not work

My 2009 MacBook Pro with OSX Mavericks does not boot. It just seems to load endlessly, or gives the prohibitory sign or question mark on the white screen. Once I got a black screen with white text, where the first row reads: "panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff8006bcc4a91): "Unable to find driver for this platform: \"ACPI\".\n"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-2422.115.15/iokit/kernel/IOPlatformExpert.cpp :1533".

I can't boot into recovery mode. When booting with cmd+r, I get a loading bar that does fill up but then gets stuck for hours. Safe boot doesn't work either – I just get the prohibitory sign.

I tried resetting nvram but get stuck with the loading bar again. Something did happen here though, as the startup chime that I had disabled years ago was back after this step.

I tried fsck -fy in Single user mode. The check seems to get stuck at some point, though I only waited for half an hour or so. I tried it again, but now only got a black screen (says "error loading kernel") for a short time – I didn't get to type any command again as it goes back to the screen with the apple logo/prohibitory sign.

Is there anything I could still try by myself? If not, is this completely hopeless, or could it be worth paying for service?

Posted on Jun 25, 2018 4:50 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Ikomz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jul 3, 2018 2:18 AM in response to Ikomz

In case someone else is experiencing the same problem, it turned out to be a faulty SATA cable which prevented the computer from connecting with the hard drive. So to troubleshoot, you can get a 2,5" SATA hard drive enclosure and connect your hard drive externally. Then you can boot from the hard drive. If you have the install dvd, insert it and hold the alt key on startup. This way you get to choose your startup disk (which would be the externally connected hard drive if it's working). If this works and you can then boot and use your system from the external drive, then the problem is likely to be the SATA cable, and you can order a new one online. Some have also reported that simply covering the old cable with electrical tape might work. Miraculously this initially worked for me, but it has not been a reliable solution as I can't successfully boot every time. So I ordered a new cable.

Reply

Answer 2

Jun 25, 2018 5:21 PM in response to Ikomz

Ikomz, the best investment you can ever make as a Mac owner is investing in a Time Capsule. This is not the same as time machine. A time capsule is like a mini mac server that backs up all your files on its harderive within your home network. Let me explain.

My 15” Mackbook Pro is the 2011 model. I’ve had it for a long time. What I noticed was after it automatically updated to Serria and High Serria I started experiencing the same problems that your describing; however, when I go back in time to El Capiton, I have no issues what so ever.

I had the lastest update of HS after I went back in time update in the middle of the night, now recovery mode no longer worked. How strange. I was having the same problems as yourself. After calling Apple I was told it’s time for an upgrade as the machine was simple old. I was told that the motherboard was done or the graphics card was done.

I didnt cave and neither should you. Here’s the fix that worked for me.

Step 1. power off your machine.

Step 2. Press left shift-option-command-R at the same time to go into internet recovery mode. You’ll need an internet connection To proceed.

Step 3. If you still get the gray screen after the globe stops loading repeat step 2. until eventully the globe is gone you get to recovery mode.

Step 4. Erase your HD hard drive. Wipe it totally clean.

Step 5. Click on install Lion Or whatever OS your machine came with.

Step 6. durning the installtion process it will ask if you want to transfer files from another computer time capsule etc. if your lucky enough to have a time capsule reinstall all your fills on your new Lion OS and be done with it.

I believe OS High Serria crashes older Mac‘s. It’s crazy, that when I go back in time using my time capsule I have no issues what so ever Until it automatically updates. Since then I’ve turned off automatic updates.

Good luck.

Reply

Answer 3

Ikomz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2018 9:08 PM in response to yoursignatureco

Thanks for your answer! I connected an ethernet cable while the mac was turned off and pressed shift-option-command-r when turning it on. But no globe shows up at all, just the Apple logo and the prohibitory sign.

The reason to my issue should be something else than an automatic update, which I have turned off. I still used Mavericks because it's the last OSX that supports my old Adobe software.

Reply

Answer 4

Ikomz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 25, 2018 11:44 PM in response to yoursignatureco

I did some googling, and apparently the 2009 Macbooks don't support internet recovery.

I did however manage to get into disk utility from my old install dvd. There, when trying to repair Macintosh HD, I get a "couldn't unmount disc" error. I also tried reinstalling from the dvd, but it does not let me install to Mac HD (which shows up with a yellow warning triangle).

Reply

Answer 5

Jun 25, 2018 9:43 PM in response to Ikomz

make sure your pressing All 4 buttons simutaneously.

Reply

Answer 6

Ikomz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 26, 2018 12:04 AM in response to Ikomz

I got a step further when trying to reinstall from Time Machine: I get to choose the HD but then get a can't erase disk error and only the option to restart.

Reply

Mac does not start up and recovery mode does not work

Similar questions