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Macbook Won’t Boot Past Gray Screen With Apple Logo

You probably just want to jump straight to the solution. So, here it is:

  1. Unplug all peripheral devices from your computer.
  2. While holding Option + Command + R + P, Power Up the computer, listen for 1st chime, then 2nd chime, then immediately release all the keys you were holding and watch the computer come to life.*
  3. Proceed to backing up your data onto an external hard drive or other solution you have at hand for backup and remember to backup on a regular basis.
  4. You are good to go!

Now, What Does Command + Option + R + P Do?

Glad you asked! I did not know either. But I looked  That key combination helps reset the NVRAM, sometimes called PRAM, on your Mac. The PRAM is a type of Non-Volatile RAM on your computer that stores some important parameters about your computer’s peripheral devices. This is why you are to unplug all peripheral devices as a first step of this troubleshooting.

According to Apple, “If you experience issues with sleep, wake, power, charging your Mac notebook battery, or other power-related symptoms, you might need to reset the SMC (System Management Controller),” which involves a different set of keys.

Lessons Learned From This Case of Mac Troubleshooting

Lesson Numero Uno: Always backup your computers! It is an investment worth it considering that most external hard drives cost way less than the price of a brand new computer. So, get on the Internet and look up best ways to backup your type of computer and go ahead and do it. You can also just ask your trusted and proven tech-savvy rafiki (translate “friend”) how it is done.

Finally, I want to mention that, as you would quickly notice by glancing on the keyboard nearest to you, the key combination that brings your Mac back to life requires some dexterity you could get from some practice with a keyboard or piano. So, lesson learned, find a piano class and start the lessons as soon as you can.

References:

320px-Apple-Wireless-Keyboard-German from Wikipedia
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* The only time this would not work is if the problem is totally unrelated to the solution I am offering. Haha! Smart! I figured that one out by myself!