Forums | MacLife

MichaelFreeman7 · 2009-10-19 7:13 pm

I have a MacBook black with 2Gigs of ram and a 300 gig hard drive. I purchased OSX 10.6 a few days after it became available and it will not load. I have followed the instructions to the letter. I have nothing connected to the laptop when I am trying to install it.

It acts as though it is going to install, but perhaps 15 minutes into the process, it restarts and will not go further. When I start my laptop now, instead of going to the happy mac icon, I get the "?" in the folder icon for maybe a second before the Happy Mac comes on. I am running OSX 10.5.8.

I have read on other forums that other Mac Book owners have had trouble like this. I haven't seen a solution yet, though. Help? Ideas?

Nefarious · 2009-10-19 7:32 pm

The "?" means that no proper operating system has been found.

First, I would make sure that my key files (Music folder, Home / Library folder) and basically everything else in my home folder is backed up.

I would consider "repairing disk permissions" with Disk Utility (which is found in the Applications / Utilities folder). Then I would attempt to re-install.

If this fails, you might call AppleCare. You have a 90 day period of telephone support because of your recent purchase of "OS X". Your product that you need support for is "OS X", not a "MacBook."

MichaelFreeman7 · 2009-10-19 9:09 pm

I had already done everything you suggested without success. The computer finds the operating system after a few seconds so it boots. I get a Time Machine backup every few hours.

I will call AppleCare, though. I wasn't aware that I could get support on the OS. Thanks.

Robert B Technician · 2009-10-20 10:45 am

Most likely this would be due to either a bad hard drive or bad optical drive. While both may boot and appear ok, the OS install taxes both of these devices to the point that if there is an issue with the drive, the OS may not install.

If tech support can't help (I'm not sure how they would be able to) I would bring in your Mac to an Authorized Service Center and have them check the optical drive (that's where I'm leaning that the problem is.)

Smart to have the backup btw.

Good luck!

MichaelFreeman7 · 2009-10-23 11:23 am

I have a brand new HD and it shows no indications that it would be the problem.

It may be my optical drive. I know the SuperDrive is on its last legs. It no longer writes media and I knew it was only a matter of time before the read function began faltering. I have been looking for a good reason to replace it. I am hesitant to go to the service center. The only one here is fairly new and they always want you to leave your machine. I use my laptop constantly and cannot leave it for the period of time they suggest.

Oh, and I back up my computer daily. I never want to run the risk of having to replace every file I have. I have been there before and it is not fun. Thanks for your help.

Robert B Technician · 2009-10-27 10:53 am

If the optical is on it's last legs, that's probably the issue. We turn these around same day.

ellewood631 · 2009-11-10 4:26 pm

Hai i need to buy an apple laptop.dont no to choose the configuration.
it should be economicalley good.

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#1 2009-10-19 7:13 pm

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#2 2009-10-19 7:32 pm

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