My macbook is having issues, what do I do?

[XtremelyBaneful]

Typing this on my dad's laptop because something really weird is going on, with my 2009 model macbook pro.

So as I was browsing gaf, the beach volleyball thing popped up replacing my mouse pointer but it doesn't go away. I try going into another program I'm on outside of chrome, imessage, but the beach volleyball shows up on there too. I proceed to try and force shut chrome, but they all shut down, and I'm back to my desktop, only my wallpaper disappeared, and the beach volleyball is back again, not leaving. So I force shut down the macbook, holding down the power button.

So, I try turning it back on, but it starts up, and stays stuck on the loading screen, stays that way for like 5 minutes, all that happens is the fans get louder and louder, and then it shuts down. Doesn't boot up. I tried this twice, and the same thing is happening.

What is going on? What do I do? Is it a virus?

 

[ThePhantasm]

Something similar happened to my MacBook Pro awhile back. In my case it was an issue with overheating. I had a frequent problem with screen freezing and fans running loudly.

I'm not sure what advice to give you to fix it other than take it to a professional, or an Apple store, and see what they can do. IF you suspect it is overheating try not to use it too much as the heat can damage the hard drive.

 

[Thundercrack85]

Typing this on my dad's laptop because something really weird is going on, with my 2009 model macbook pro.

So as I was browsing gaf, the beach volleyball thing popped up replacing my mouse pointer but it doesn't go away. I try going into another program I'm on outside of chrome, imessage, but the beach volleyball shows up on there too. I proceed to try and force shut chrome, but they all shut down, and I'm back to my desktop, only my wallpaper disappeared, and the beach volleyball is back again, not leaving. So I force shut down the macbook, holding down the power button.

So, I try turning it back on, but it starts up, and stays stuck on the loading screen, stays that way for like 5 minutes, all that happens is the fans get louder and louder, and then it shuts down. Doesn't boot up. I tried this twice, and the same thing is happening.

What is going on? What do I do? Is it a virus?

I would call Apple, they might be able to diagnose it for you. That does sound like a serious issue. I have found them very helpful in the past.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

and now I'm getting this as my screen. bizarre

could this be a virus?

 

[ThePhantasm]

I've never had a virus on my Mac before so I wouldn't know. What makes you think it might be a virus and not a hardware issue?

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I've never had a virus on my Mac before so I wouldn't know. What makes you think it might be a virus and not a hardware issue?

I've just never seen that on my screen before. Also, this whole thing was really really random.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Can you bring up Activity Monitor or anything to see if something is hogging the CPU?

 

[Thundercrack85]

Macs don't really get viruses (it's possible, but virtually unheard of).

But going by the fan thing, it seems to be hardware related.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Can you bring up Activity Monitor or anything to see if something is hogging the CPU?

Right now, it is still stuck on that screen that I posted.I'm guessing what I'll have to do next is force shut it down and boot it up in safe mode.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Does the computer feel hotter in the upper left corner, above the keyboard?

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Does the computer feel hotter in the upper left corner, above the keyboard?

yes, very. for pretty much the entire duration of this problem, the fans have been on full blast.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Its overheating. Be careful using it as it may cause damage. I'd take it to a specialist as soon as you can.

If you manage to boot it up in safe mode, try to shut it down from there (rather than using the power button).

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

effffffff. alright, I guess I won't mess around with it anymore for tonight. I'll take it to best buy tomorrow

 

[ThePhantasm]

My Macbook had this same exact problem. What was weird is that it would overheat one day, then later be fine, then overheat again. Eventually it caused lasting damage. Best to get it looked at early on than to put it off like I did.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I was just about to remove the battery, and as I unscrewed the backside I see a message on it telling me not to remove the battery.

 

[Spiderine]

Did you try to boot the Mac in safe mode? You may be able to diagnose the problem from there.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I was just at best buy and at first the geek said my logic board might've gone bad, but them he said their apple diagnostics tools are down so it could be a hard drive issue. Either way, their costs to fix the thing was in the hundreds which I don't have right now.

Did you try to boot the Mac in safe mode? You may be able to diagnose the problem from there.

does safe mode mean holding down shift right after pressing start? I tried that, and there was no difference.

 

[Spiderine]

I was just at best buy and at first the geek said my logic board might've gone bad, but them he said their apple diagnostics tools are down so it could be a hard drive issue. Either way, their costs to fix the thing was in the hundreds which I don't have right now.does safe mode mean holding down shift right after pressing start? I tried that, and there was no difference.

Yes....so it won't allow start up in safe mode? I was going to say try restarting from there and rebooting off the system disk. Judging by the overheat issue it sounds like a hard drive may have died. It doesn't sound like a fan issue does it? Was it working?

Its an expensive fix. Never a good time for these machines to fail and I have been there. You have had this system for over 6 years now? I can think of several other solutions but it seems futile.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Yes....so it won't allow start up in safe mode? I was going to say try restarting from there and rebooting off the system disk. Judging by the overheat issue it sounds like a hard drive may have died. It doesn't sound like a fan issue does it? Was it working?

Its an expensive fix. Never a good time for these machines to fail and I have been there. You have had this system for over 6 years now? I can think of several other solutions but it seems futile.

the guy at best buy was holding down a different key, not the shift button. it is definitely very expensive, and I can't afford it right now. I guess I can just keep using my dad's laptop but it's his laptop, you know. The backup alone is $150, I'm considering maybe doing just that and saving up for a new laptop. How does that sound?

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

I would call Apple, they might be able to diagnose it for you. That does sound like a serious issue. I have found them very helpful in the past.

I think I'm going to call them, I don't have applecare or any sort of warranty but hopefully they can tell me what my options are. do you know if their hotline is operating on weekends?

 

[Asteroid-Man]

I think I'm going to call them, I don't have applecare or any sort of warranty but hopefully they can tell me what my options are. do you know if their hotline is operating on weekends?

Take the HDD out and pop it in a loading bay to get all of your files off. Boot up into the motherboard and delete/reformat the main partition using your OS disc.

If you can't get the drive up on a loading bay, your drive is ****ed.
If you can't get into the MoBo, there's other problems it could be.

 

[XtremelyBaneful]

Take the HDD out and pop it in a loading bay to get all of your files off. Boot up into the motherboard and delete/reformat the main partition using your OS disc.

If you can't get the drive up on a loading bay, your drive is ****ed.
If you can't get into the MoBo, there's other problems it could be.

i know this is gonna sound stupid, what are you referring to when you say loading bay?

i've been waiting for the right opportunity to do this, would it be best to take it to the apple store and have them do it for me?

 

[Asteroid-Man]

i know this is gonna sound stupid, what are you referring to when you say loading bay?

i've been waiting for the right opportunity to do this, would it be best to take it to the apple store and have them do it for me?

They're also called "Toasters" "Drive bay" "hard drive dock"

Vantec makes really reliable ones

So step 1 - put your harddrive into the toaster, and plug it into another computer so that you can access your files (plug it into another Mac).
Step 2 - Now that you have your files backed up, put the HDD back into the laptop and reformat your computer using the OS disc from the motherboard menu


If step 1 doesn't work, you are having actual problems with the harddrive.
If step 2 doesn't work, there's a number of problems you could be having (but we'll cross that bridge if we come to it).

When you post your next update, quote my post and I'll get a notification.

 

[Speedin Bullet]

I would reset the NVRAM. From being powered off you do this by holding the Command, Option, P and R keys. You will hear the Apple "bong". I recommend holding this key combo at least 3 Apple "bongs" up to 7.

And instead of removing your hard drive to test it, I recommend holding Command and the R key to boot into "restore" mode. You should be given a selection of restore from Time Machine Backup, re-install OSX, get help online, and Disk Utility. If you go in to Disk Utility you can see if your drive has errors, is readable at all, attempt to repair any disk errors, etc.

Hope this helps.

 

[Asteroid-Man]

I would reset the NVRAM. From being powered off you do this by holding the Command, Option, P and R keys. You will hear the Apple "bong". I recommend holding this key combo at least 3 Apple "bongs" up to 7.

Good call

And instead of removing your hard drive to test it, I recommend holding Command and the R key to boot into "restore" mode. You should be given a selection of restore from Time Machine Backup, re-install OSX, get help online, and Disk Utility. If you go in to Disk Utility you can see if your drive has errors, is readable at all, attempt to repair any disk errors, etc..

Restore mode is what I meant by step 2 - I would definitely back the files up before doing. If he's not careful he might accidentally wipe his files.