Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Very strange startup procedure

C

capoeirista

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 21, 2007
448
0
So I am working on a CD Macbook, about 4 months old I guess, over the last few weeks something very odd seems to be happening when I turn the thing on. But only sometimes....

So I hit the power button, and before the Grey Apple screen appears, another screen appears, which appears to be asking which Hard Disk I want to boot from... The problem being there is only one option to choose from (Macintosh HD). This appears as an icon of the HD with an arrow underneath. Click on the arrow, and the normal boot continues. There appears to be absolutely nothing wrong with the operation of the Macbook other than this.

As I saw this only happens sometimes (I've tried numerous different configuration, e.g. mains power vs. Battery Power, CD/DVD inserted vs No CD/DVD inserted, repairing permissions). Often it just leaps straight to the Grey apple screen and the boot is entirely normal... It is a mite confusing!

I've also checked Prefs>Startup Disk and there are two options to choose from: 'Mac OSX, 10.4.8 on Macintosh HD' (Selected), or 'Network Startup'.

Whilst this isn't a problem (as I say all seems to be fine) it is confusing me. Any thoughts? Oh and apols for the long post, didn't want to miss any details!
 
capoeirista said:
So I am working on a CD Macbook, about 4 months old I guess, over the last few weeks something very odd seems to be happening when I turn the thing on. But only sometimes....

So I hit the power button, and before the Grey Apple screen appears, another screen appears, which appears to be asking which Hard Disk I want to boot from... The problem being there is only one option to choose from (Macintosh HD). This appears as an icon of the HD with an arrow underneath. Click on the arrow, and the normal boot continues. There appears to be absolutely nothing wrong with the operation of the Macbook other than this.

As I saw this only happens sometimes (I've tried numerous different configuration, e.g. mains power vs. Battery Power, CD/DVD inserted vs No CD/DVD inserted, repairing permissions). Often it just leaps straight to the Grey apple screen and the boot is entirely normal... It is a mite confusing!

I've also checked Prefs>Startup Disk and there are two options to choose from: 'Mac OSX, 10.4.8 on Macintosh HD' (Selected), or 'Network Startup'.

Whilst this isn't a problem (as I say all seems to be fine) it is confusing me. Any thoughts? Oh and apols for the long post, didn't want to miss any details!
Click to expand...
This is perfectly normal. It happens if the Alt/Option key is depressed at boot time. What you're seeing is basically the Mac OS boot manager. Using this is one way to get a Mac to boot a CD if holding down C won't work.
 
Wow! That was a quick reply! The only thing is I'm not pressing any buttons at all. All I press is the power button...

Edit/ I'm not pressing any KEYS at all... Otherwise it would be switched on by mind power! LOL
 
Unlikely, but is it possible that the option key on your keyboard is sticky or something? Holding option down during boot is supposed to be the only way to get to that screen.
 
Hmmm the stuck key does sound reasonable doesn't it... Here comes a stupid question, any thoughts as to an unsticking procedure? Preferably one that doesn't involve any case opening whatsoever.


Oh and the key works perfectly fine in normal use (I just gave it a go...)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back