Grey Screen of Death

Need some help. I tried the safe boot up as well as the the resetting of the PRAM and NVRAM found here: Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM

Neither seem to help. Please advise.

I also seem to see a flashing folder with a ? in it now

Try booting your MBP with your Leopard recovery install DVD. Perform the Apple Hardware Test, and use Disk Utility from the top menu "Utilities" to verify and repair the hard drive. It sounds like your hard drive may have quit.

Post back the results.

Regards.

flashing folder with a ? in it

Click to expand...

That is the computer saying it cannot find usable OS.

So I tried that and the verify disk and repair portion where not available to click on.

Also when I try to re-install the OS it says to pick a destination and so far I have nothing showing up.

Sounds to me you HDD has gone.

Any idea on how much a 250 GB HDD would cost?

Sounds EXACTLY like your hard drive has gone. You can get a WD or Seagate 250GB 2.5inch drive for probably 50-60 bucks at your local best buy, or on new egg for maybe a little cheaper.

So I have backed up stuff using Time Machine. Will I be able to use my saved stuff with the new HDD?

How do I know what HDD are compatible with a 2009 Macbook Pro?
Internal Hard Drives - Future Shop

If in any doubt as to what HDD to buy to replace the one you are taking out, phone an Apple dealer.

When you install the OS onto your new drive you will be given the option of importing your settings, Files and Programs from Time Machine. Just follow the on-screen instructions.

Get any hard drive that is 2.5 inches. 250GB drives will not be of the size that doesn't fit (like 640gb and larger drives are 12mm rather than 9.5mm) - get a SATA connection (not SATA 2).

Yes, Time Machine will help you out. You'll be able to restore from your time machine back up - once you install the hard disk, you're going to want to boot your computer from the OS X disc, run disk utility to format the disk (Mac OS Extended - Journaled) and then run the installer. You should also be able to choose "restore from time machine backup."

Voila.

Thanks everyone, I will keep this thread updated as soon as I know more.

Good luck in your journey, my son!

Well I got my Pro back with a new HDD. My wife actually did the leg work and managed to save $150 for labour by showing the female sad face. I turned it on, it asked if I wanted to restore from a Time Machine save point, I plugged in my external HDD (now the best purchase ever) and it re-installed everything (that I have noticed) except my wallpaper so I am thrilled. I may even get some money back if the battery I have is one of the ones recalled. Either way I am pleased as punch.

Upon further examination it seems I got the latest iLife lol. Not a bad deal at all.

I should ask though I had Snow Leopard. Is there any way to tell if I have it still? Lastly I did have the temperature of my Computer up on the top right near the Vol and Time machine but that seems to be gone as well as the Blue insomnia icon that allows you to shut the computer lid without it going to sleep. Can anyone help there please. Thank you.

I'm fairly certain you still have SL. To check, click the apple in the top right and choose "about this mac." Mac OS Version 10.6.x = SL.

Thanks. That part is good to go, still no luck on the temperature icon though

This app will place the temperature of the CPU back in the Menu Bar:-

Download MenuTemperature for Mac - CPU temp monitor for G4/G5/Intel machines. MacUpdate Mac Software Downloads