MacBook - Start Up Error 'Stop Sign'

metarie · metarie #1 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:03 AM

I am having a wee bit of a freakout/breakdown right about now. I just tried to reboot my computer and I got a freaky stop sign symbol.

At first the classic Apple showed as per usual... then a circle with a line in the center. It would not boot up. I freaked, unplugged it, and took the battery out. Now I am not sure was is wrong or what to do.

Is this a fix I can do on my own or do I have to get some expensive repair work done?!

Please if someone has seen this or have dealt with this before, give me your advice and knowledge!! I can't live without my computer. My life is on it!!

Thanks so much!!!

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #2 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:15 AM

What did u do just before the problem appeared? And do u have a back up copy of your HD?

metarie · metarie #3 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:16 AM

No I was in the process of getting a backup system.

Nothing unusual happened... I was on it all night before and nothing out of the ordinary happened... I didn't download anything. Just checked emails and such.

Any advice??

Collin Bl · Collin Bl #4 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:30 AM

Do you have the software Install disk that came with the MacBook? If so u could press the power button insert the install disk, hold down C Key and see if it will boot off of the Install disk. If that is Ok then try shutting down and power on and hold down the option key - does it show 2 choices or just the install disk as being available to boot off? I have not seen this before but in your situation i would try those 2 steps to try and see if it is a software issue or a hardware one.

metarie · metarie #5 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 12:50 AM

Okay will try. Thanks Collin!

metarie · metarie #6 (**permalink**)

06-18-2009, 03:43 AM

Okay so I did a hardware test and there were no problems. I can't seem to see if its a software problem. Could I get more clarification on that? Because if I reinstall my OS I will lose everything correct?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ibook wont start up and cannot reboot HELP	siobhanthegreat	Apple Notebooks	8	12-15-2007 02:53 AM
Start Up Problems w/ Mini	brian00321	Apple Desktops	26	12-05-2007 12:24 PM
strange start up issue.	eddsleigh	Apple Desktops	3	07-30-2007 09:35 PM
Change Start up?	Perad	OS X - Operating System	3	07-24-2007 04:32 PM
Unable to start ibook in normal mode	nrodriguez1	OS X - Operating System	2	04-15-2007 10:25 AM

MacBook - Start Up Error 'Stop Sign'

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

metarie #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 17, 2009 Posts: 7	06-18-2009, 12:03 AM I am having a wee bit of a freakout/breakdown right about now. I just tried to reboot my computer and I got a freaky stop sign symbol. At first the classic Apple showed as per usual... then a circle with a line in the center. It would not boot up. I freaked, unplugged it, and took the battery out. Now I am not sure was is wrong or what to do. Is this a fix I can do on my own or do I have to get some expensive repair work done?! Please if someone has seen this or have dealt with this before, give me your advice and knowledge!! I can't live without my computer. My life is on it!! Thanks so much!!!
	QUOTE Thanks

Collin Bl #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	06-18-2009, 12:15 AM What did u do just before the problem appeared? And do u have a back up copy of your HD?
	QUOTE Thanks

Collin Bl #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Apr 07, 2009 Location: Napier NZ Posts: 3,273 Mac Specs: 27 iMac i5, 2.4 C2D MBP & iMac 20, 1TB dual TC, AppleTV, iPh4	06-18-2009, 12:30 AM Do you have the software Install disk that came with the MacBook? If so u could press the power button insert the install disk, hold down C Key and see if it will boot off of the Install disk. If that is Ok then try shutting down and power on and hold down the option key - does it show 2 choices or just the install disk as being available to boot off? I have not seen this before but in your situation i would try those 2 steps to try and see if it is a software issue or a hardware one.
	QUOTE Thanks

metarie #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 17, 2009 Posts: 7	06-18-2009, 12:50 AM Okay will try. Thanks Collin!
	QUOTE Thanks

metarie #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 17, 2009 Posts: 7	06-18-2009, 03:43 AM Okay so I did a hardware test and there were no problems. I can't seem to see if its a software problem. Could I get more clarification on that? Because if I reinstall my OS I will lose everything correct?
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)