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Question

HELP - Mac shows grey spinner and screen after logging in

by Mar 30, 2013 9:59AM PDT

OK. I'll preface this by saying I'm not super computer savvy, but...

It all started when I tried viewing a .pdf in Safari. Got the rainbow wheel...it never loaded. Couldn't even quit the other apps that were running. Couldn't open Force Quit. So after 30 min, I shut down with the power button for 10 seconds. Then restarted with the power button and got the login screen with 4 users entirely too fast. When trying to log in to any of them, I enter the password and then grey screen with apple and spinning dial. Forever.

So I keep shutting off with the power button and the screen clicks and goes black and the fan stops. When restarting, I hear the chik-chik and then the 4 users again. I've tried this with the power cord, without, and after following instructions for SMC(?) shutdown. No difference.

I have tried turning on with the R button and got to disk utility - verified and repaired (seemed logical enough). There was nothing wrong.

Then got "info" on the HD and found out that of the 499GB, I only have 16 MB left. I recently added my work email to Mail and I think that may be the memory issue.

When trying to start with Shift key (safe?), nothing different happens. When trying to start with Command-S (single user mode?), I get a flash of a black screen, and them the 4 users again. No opportunity to type on the black screen.

I'm more than willing to delete all the music and photos in iTunes Library and iPhoto library, but don't know how to get to those files. (They are backed up elsewhere).

I don't think I have a recent Time Capsule backup (more than 3-4 weeks ago).

HELP!

Discussion is locked

3 Posts
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Answer
boot from the installation DVD
by Forum moderator Mar 30, 2013 11:34PM PDT

if you have one, and try repairing that disk again.
Disk Utility cannot repair a disk that it is booted from.

You have not mentioned what model/type of Mac you have but from your trouble shooting efforts I am guessing an iMac, but not a recent one.

Usually, when a drive gets that full, you get a warning, did you ever get one?

It is also possible that there is a huge temporary file sitting on your drive which was produced by the failed effort to read a pdf file.

If you are unable to access the drive then it could be that your only recourse is to re-install OS X and start again.

P

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Mac Book Pro...won't startup
by frupes Mar 31, 2013 6:21AM PDT

I have a MacBook Pro 2010.. OS is OS X 10.6

Never got a warning.

I'll try the installation DVD. Just put it in the drive? And go back to Disk Utility?

If the repair doesn't work, how can I access the hard drive in order to delete some files and make space? That should fix the problem, I just don't know how to access the hard drive.

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Put the DVD in the drive
by mrmacfixit Forum moderator Mar 31, 2013 9:25AM PDT

and reboot while holding down the Option key.

At the row of icons, choose the DVD

Move through the installer, slowly, until the menubar appears

Choose Disk Utility from the menu whose name I forget. (Just look for it)

Proceed from there

P

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