MBP Not booting

[boch82]

I have an early 2006 mbp. I was rendering an after effects project (as i do most days) and the machine shut down.

Now it wont get past the gray screen with the spinning circle when trying to boot.

I was able to install the os onto an external drive, then migrate all my files onto that so everything is backed up. I am using the computer now but have to boot from my external backup.

Already tried re-installing snow leopard but got errors 3 times saying it cant install.

I still can access my HD when booting from the external. Disk Utility says nothing is wrong.

Any ideas?

 

[MagicMouse]

Sounds like you really messed that thing up more. Have you tried unplugging everything from it and then rebooting?

 

[Hellhammer]

Try erase and install but make sure you have all your important files in the external HD. If it still gives error, the HD might be dead

 

[boch82]

Sounds like you really messed that thing up more. Have you tried unplugging everything from it and then rebooting?

I unplugged it, took out the battery (drained stored power) Reset PRAM.

I didnt set up the external as a boot drive until after the crash. I did it so i could copy all my files off from the internal drive.

Hellhammer - Have an appointment at the apple store in a couple hours. Going to have the see if the hard drive is shot. Everything is backed up but I dont want to wipe the drive yet in case its something else.