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Mac will not boot - HELP

iTzChasE

iTzChasE

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 31, 2008
356
20
I tried to install windows xp, and it was installing then my computer shut off. Now when I turn it ok it goes to a black screen with a little "_" blinking. I can't do anything. I can boot from the cd, so what do I do? I don't care if I loose files. I have most of them backed up. What do I do?

I have an external hard drive if I need to use that.


Edit: FIXED, thanks to finnschi.
 
The short is there was an issue when you installed Windows. What you can do is reboot and hold down the OPTION key, it will bring up a screen where you can select to boot up in OSX.
 
Hold down Option after the boot tone and pick your OS X partition again.

It sounds like some of the Windows files were installed and it's attempting to boot off of that. You'll have to start the process again by booting off of the Windows installer disc.
 
I tried the only thing there is windows and it goes to the black screen. :(
 
Try resetting PRAM? Or use the installation disk that comes with it? Or even take out the battery and putting it back in to see what happens?
 
Eidorian said:
You didn't erase and reformat the OS X partition, right?
Click to expand...

No. I don't think so. What If I accidently did. Can I reinstall it? The only destination it say I can install os x is my external hard drive.

I'm on the instalation cd what do I do from there?
 
iTzChasE said:
No. I don't think so. What If I accidently did. Can I reinstall it? The only destination it say I can install os x is my external hard drive.

I'm on the instalation cd what do I do from there?
Click to expand...
If you can boot off of the CD why can't you use Option for the EFI bootloader? You might have damaged the filesystem somehow. Is there anything in Disk Utility?
 
Eidorian said:
If you can boot off of the CD why can't you use Option for the EFI bootloader?
Click to expand...

Would you care to explain what any of that is, and how I would go about doing that? This is my first mac and Im a..... Noob

Edit
In disk utility it has just the 232.9 gb hd and my mybook
 
iTzChasE said:
Would you care to explain what any of that is, and how I would go about doing that? This is my first mac and Im a..... Noob

Edit
In disk utility it has just the 232.9 gb he and my mybook
Click to expand...
facepalm.app

Did you hold down Option after hearing the boot tone? It sounds like you trashed the filesystem. Is any disk space used? What about the Windows partition? Are their any partitions on the hard drive?
 
Yeah when I hold down option it says.
Windows. And mac os install DVD
 
Eidorian said:
Hope you got a backup. It sounds like the disk is done for and needs to be reformatted. Any idea at what part the Windows installer died at?
Click to expand...

No. So basicly I'm screwed. What If I install os x on my hard drive and boot from that. Will I be able to do anything from there?
 
iTzChasE said:
No. So basicly I'm screwed. What If I install os x on my hard drive and boot from that. Will I be able to do anything from there?
Click to expand...
If you can't do an Archive & Install from the DVD then it's going to be tough to get your data back.

You might try installing OS X on an external and see what it can read from the onboard hard drive.
 
Why can I see my internal hard drive. All I see is the external my book.
The options on that are
Install mac os x. Or
Erase and insatll - options. Mac os extended ( case sensitive, journaled) or mac os (journaled)

I don't care about files or anything. It's almost new so I don't have much on there
 
Ok so its fairly easy, you trashed your filesystem. you now have 3 options

1.Totaly Whipe your harddrive and reinstal OSX

2.Get a external enclosure for you sata 2.5" Harddrive, and connect that to your PC, and then try to salvage any files using data recovery software

3. Boot up using A linux Live CD , Knoppix should be fine, than try to rescue any files !
 
How do I do option one. I'm on my iPhone and I'm to lazy to search the Internet.
 
iTzChasE said:
Why can I see my internal hard drive. All I see is the external my book.
The options on that are
Install mac os x. Or
Erase and insatll - options. Mac os extended ( case sensitive, journaled) or mac os (journaled)

I don't care about files or anything. It's almost new so I don't have much on there
Click to expand...

ok then boot up using the install DvD open Disk utility and ERASE the Internal harddrive,... in HFS + journaled (osx journaled) be sure to select the hardrive and not a partition before pressing erase:

Samsung 250gb blah blah
Partition 1
partziton 2


could also be taht you dont have any partitions... just ERASE the harddrive .

then close the utility and follow onscreen instructions to isntall OSX !
Its really straight forward!
 
-n
diskutilityhowtoda2.png



that How it looks for me ;)
 
I will go ahead and try that.

Oh wow. I have learned my lesson. Just screw windows. I know it's prolly fly fault but Its just not worth it.

Edit: I am installing back onto the hard drive.
"installing mac OS X on the volume Untitled"
I can change that to macintosh Hd after it's done right. LOL
 
iTzChasE said:
I will go ahead and try that.

Oh wow. I have learned my lesson. Just screw windows. I know it's prolly fly fault but Its just not worth it.

Edit: I am installing back onto the hard drive.
"installing mac OS X on the volume Untitled"
I can change that to macintosh Hd after it's done right. LOL
Click to expand...



Oh well now you got me :) I Never found a option for that hahahaha :eek: :eek: :eek: :apple:
 
iTzChasE said:
I will go ahead and try that.

Oh wow. I have learned my lesson. Just screw windows. I know it's prolly fly fault but Its just not worth it.

Edit: I am installing back onto the hard drive.
"installing mac OS X on the volume Untitled"
I can change that to macintosh Hd after it's done right. LOL
Click to expand...

Just use Paralles for windwos stuff... works fine for me :D :cool:
 
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