02-23-2012, 02:08 AM

Hello everyone. I am having a problem with my relatively new MacBook pro 17' intel i7. When I start up the computer, a loading bar appears under the apple logo. When the bar is complete I get to the screen where I enter my password. After inputting my password, a white/grey screen flashes momentarily and I am taken back to the password input screen. Restarting has no effect and neither does clearing the PRAM. I tried to start in safe mode by holding the shift key at startup but the loading bar problem still occurred. Please help! It should be noted that I used bootcamp to partition my hard drive and install windows 7 and that operating system seems to be starting up just fine. Thanks again for any help.

02-23-2012, 02:35 AM

Some additional information:

1. I am currently running Lion.
2. Problems started occuring after an update to my Windows 7 OS.
3. Every time I try to restart after my password/blank screen loop, the screen goes white and I have to force shut down. It may just be me being impatient but I seems to get stuck on that white screen when i try to restart.

02-23-2012, 12:20 PM

Tell us the year and model of your MBP 17" and which version of OS X you're running.

What you're experiencing is not normal. The loading bar indicates a problem when trying to boot to OS X. If possible, make a backup of your data both OS X and Windows 7 in case you need to reinstall. Use Time Machine to backup your OS X side and WinClone to backup Windows 7.

A note about WinClone: It's no longer being developed and does not always work correctly to restore the Windows partition so be prepared for that.

02-23-2012, 03:43 PM

Originally Posted by Macman18

Some additional information:

1. I am currently running Lion.

I am unable to access my computer so that I can perform a backup. I tried reinstalling Lion in place using the recover HD but when I got to the point where it wants me to select a HD to install on, the mac HD isn't there only the bootcamp and Recover HD's.

02-23-2012, 11:31 PM

Plug in a USB drive if you have one and clone the drives to that to save your files. Then format the disk and try reinstalling Mac and windows.

02-24-2012, 01:11 AM

Originally Posted by rabbitjetta

Plug in a USB drive if you have one and clone the drives to that to save your files. Then format the disk and try reinstalling Mac and windows.

How do I go about cloning the drives?

02-24-2012, 02:05 AM

If your machine is new as you state, then make an appointment with your local Apple store and take it on in for them to check. You should have been able to reinstall from the Lion Recovery partition.

One thing before you do... Try resetting the PRAM and then see if it will boot to OS X. See this Apple KB article.

02-24-2012, 02:39 AM

I'll try to call apple tomorrow.

02-24-2012, 02:40 AM

Originally Posted by chscag

If your machine is new as you state, then make an appointment with your local Apple store and take it on in for them to check. You should have been able to reinstall from the Lion Recovery partition.

One thing before you do... Try resetting the PRAM and then see if it will boot to OS X. See this Apple KB article.

Originally Posted by Macman18

Restarting has no effect and neither does clearing the PRAM.

I know you are just trying to help but please read my initial writeup before offering advice that has already been tried.

02-24-2012, 01:10 PM

Sorry about that. Must have missed it. Anyway, it's probably time to take the machine on in since it's still fairly new. You should be covered by the warranty for any repairs or labor. Let us know.