Macbook Pro Unibody (2009) stuck at Apple Logo Loading Screen

[faisal456]

Hi all,

Something weird happened and it just started getting stuck on the start screen. Apple Logo appears with the loading wheel. It just keeps on and on.

I have tried setting up PRAM thing; tried Disk Utility Repairing Disk and I also didnt change the RAM. It is just happening on its own.

May be this can help too. The "Macintosh Disk" entry shown in the Disk Utility is disabled and is shown as "Not Mounted". Also when the computer starts, the white "eye" light below on the right side of the macbook pro lights up for a second or two and then turns off. This is weird, because this never turns off when the computer is running.

Hence to summarize; Macbook Pro Unibody (2009) stuck at white loading screen in the start. No "Hard Disk?" white "eye" light on the bezel below of Macbook pro is off.

Plllease help /../...

I dont mind reinstalling the OS but there is no backup saved and I really need to take a backup of my files before reinstalling the OS and formating the computer.


Thanks a lot.

 

[Cpt.N00B]

Hope I can help

I understand that you are worried about your data, but unfortunately, it seems to be a hard drive problem so I am not sure if you can recover any of your data.

You can try connecting your mac to another mac by firewire, and then get the copy down the file from there. For detailed guide, search on google. However this will only work provided it is a software problem.

If it is a hardware problem with your internal hard drive, I don't think you can do much. (maybe get it to a computer pro, and ask them if they can help). and reinstalling os x on this hard drive will not be possible.

Anyways, I recommend you to switch to a solid state hard drive no matter what the issue is. SSDs are by far more reliable, it consumes 20% - 25% less power (As SSDs have no moving parts), it is very light and it is way faster than any traditional hard drives.

My MBP 3.06 C2D, 4 gb ram from mid 2009 boots up in 14 seconds. and ALL application launch instantly.

SSDs are a bit expensive though, a 120 GB cost around 250 USD, and 240 GB cost around 500 USD. (the one I have is the 120 GB ocz vertex 2 2.5)

 

[faisal456]

Bummer!

You are right.

I just did a Apple Hardware Test and it gives the following error :- 4HDD / 11/40000004 SATA(0,0)

So I guess that thing is done

Now, I really don't mind buying a new one and definitely will go for SSD. You are absolutely right in your suggestion. Only if you could help me in getting my data back off my old drive.

Any way possible?

 

[faisal456]

hope?

Any way I can retrieve my files ?

 

[movieboy23]

Reread what Cpt. N00B said. You need to boot the machine into Target Disk Mode and connect it to another Mac via firewire. From there you can run a Terminal command and copy the files from the ailing drive onto a good one. Here's an article that explains how.

 

[faisal456]

Thanks Movieboy!

will be on it

 

[Cpt.N00B]

good luck

Thanks Movieboy!

will be on it

If your data is really that important and you can't get it out yourself, don't give up hope. Bring it to a professional at a price around 100 - 150 USD, they might be able to take apart the hard drive and place your disk inside your broken hard drive into a new one to retreat your data. More than 70% of HD failures are problems with the disk reader. However if it is a disk problem, then it will be difficult to take data out.

No matter what, SSD is highly recommended. Less failure and more power.

 

[HackBook]

I had a very similar experience with an 09 iMac last week. Turned out the hard drive was dead / failing (I confirmed this with Disk Warrior)

As has been said, the data could possibly be recovered, but it is up to you whether or not you can justify the costs.

Let this be a harsh lesson into using backups. I do genuinely feel the pain, but now I'd invest those dollars in a USB / networked hard drive and use Time Machine and / or CarbonCopyCloner / SuperDuper.