If you’re a Mac Pro 2007 user, you may have encountered the dreaded black boot selector screen at some point. This can be a frustrating problem, as it prevents you from accessing your computer and potentially losing data. However, there are a few things you can do to fix the black boot selector screen on your Mac Pro 2007 and get back up and running.
First, try resetting the System Management Controller (SMC). The SMC is responsible for controlling various hardware functions on your Mac, including the power supply, fans, and display. Resetting the SMC can sometimes fix issues with the boot process. To reset the SMC, follow these steps:
1. Shut down your Mac Pro 2007.
2. Unplug the power cord from the back of the computer.
3. Wait 15 seconds.
4. Plug the power cord back into the computer.
5. Press the power button to turn on your Mac Pro 2007.
If resetting the SMC doesn’t fix the black boot selector screen, you can try resetting the PRAM. The PRAM stores certain settings for your Mac, such as the startup disk and time zone. Resetting the PRAM can sometimes fix issues with the boot process. To reset the PRAM, follow these steps:
1. Shut down your Mac Pro 2007.
2. Turn on your Mac Pro 2007 and immediately press and hold the Command (⌘), Option, P, and R keys.
3. Hold the keys down until you hear the startup chime three times.
4. Release the keys and allow your Mac Pro 2007 to finish starting up.
Resetting the SMC
The System Management Controller (SMC) is a chip on your Mac that controls various low-level functions, including power management, fan control, and keyboard backlighting. Resetting the SMC can sometimes resolve issues with the black boot screen.
To reset the SMC on a Mac Pro 2007:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Unplug the power cord from the back of your Mac.
- Wait 15 seconds.
- Reconnect the power cord.
- Wait 5 seconds.
- Press the power button to turn on your Mac.
After resetting the SMC, try starting your Mac again. If the black boot screen issue persists, try the other troubleshooting steps below.
Additional tips for resetting the SMC:
| Mac Pro Model | SMC Reset Key Combination |
|---|---|
| Mac Pro (Early 2008) | Option-Command-P-R |
| Mac Pro (2009 and later) | No key combination; follow the steps above |
Reinstalling the OS
Reinstalling your Mac’s operating system can be a helpful solution for the black boot selector issue, as it can eliminate any corrupted files or other issues that may be causing the problem. Here’s how to do it:
1. Create a Backup of Your Data
Before you reinstall the operating system, it’s crucial to create a backup of your important data to avoid any potential loss. You can use Time Machine or another backup tool for this purpose.
2. Boot into Recovery Mode
To reinstall the operating system, you need to boot into Recovery Mode. To do this, restart your Mac while holding down the Command (⌘) and R keys. This will boot you into the macOS Utilities window.
3. Reinstall the Operating System
In the macOS Utilities window, click on the “Reinstall macOS” option. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the reinstallation process. The reinstallation can take some time, so be patient and allow the process to complete without any interruptions.
Additional Tips
- If you have a clean copy of the macOS installer on a USB drive, you can also use it to reinstall the operating system.
- Before you reinstall the operating system, you can try repairing the disk using Disk Utility in Recovery Mode. This may help resolve any underlying disk issues that may be contributing to the black boot selector issue.
- If you encounter any issues during the reinstallation process, consult Apple’s support website or contact Apple Support for assistance.
Fixing file system errors
If you’re experiencing a black boot selector on your Mac Pro 2007, it’s possible that there are errors with your file system. To fix these errors, you can use Disk Utility to repair the disk.
To do this, follow these steps:
1. Restart your Mac Pro 2007 in Recovery Mode. To do this, hold down the Command and R keys while your Mac Pro is starting up.
2. Once your Mac Pro has started up in Recovery Mode, select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.
3. In Disk Utility, select the hard drive that you want to repair from the sidebar.
4. Click on the First Aid tab.
5. Click on the Repair Disk button.
6. Disk Utility will now repair the disk. This process may take some time, depending on the size of the disk.
7. Once Disk Utility has finished repairing the disk, restart your Mac Pro 2007. Your Mac Pro should now boot normally.
If you’re still experiencing a black boot selector after following these steps, it’s possible that there is a more serious problem with your Mac Pro 2007. You may need to take your Mac Pro to an Apple Store or authorized Apple service provider for further diagnosis and repair.
Checking for hardware conflicts
One possible cause of the black boot selector issue on a Mac Pro 2007 is a hardware conflict. To check for this, you can follow these steps:
1. Restart in Safe Mode
Restart your Mac while holding down the Shift key. This will boot your Mac into Safe Mode, which disables all non-essential drivers and extensions.
2. Check for conflicts
Once in Safe Mode, open the Console application (located in /Applications/Utilities). Look for any error messages related to hardware conflicts. If you see any, try removing the corresponding hardware devices from your Mac and restarting.
3. Reset PRAM/NVRAM
If you don’t find any hardware conflicts in Safe Mode, you can try resetting the PRAM/NVRAM. This can be done by following these steps:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Press and hold the Command, Option, P, and R keys simultaneously.
- Turn on your Mac and continue holding the keys until you hear the startup chime twice.
- Release the keys and allow your Mac to start up normally.
4. Run Apple Diagnostics
If the previous steps don’t resolve the issue, you can run Apple Diagnostics to check for any hardware problems. To do this, follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Unplug all peripherals from your Mac, except for the keyboard and mouse.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the D key.
- Apple Diagnostics will run and display any hardware problems that it finds.
5. Contact Apple Support
If you’re still having trouble with the black boot selector issue after following these steps, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance.
How To Fix Black Boot Selector On Mac Pro 2007
If you’re experiencing a black boot selector screen on your Mac Pro 2007, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.
1. Reset the SMC
The SMC (System Management Controller) is a chip on your Mac’s logic board that controls various low-level functions, including power management and boot selection. Resetting the SMC can sometimes fix issues with the boot selector.
To reset the SMC, follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Unplug the power cord.
- Wait 15 seconds.
- Plug the power cord back in.
- Press the power button and hold it for 10 seconds.
- Release the power button and wait a few seconds for your Mac to start up.
2. Reset the NVRAM
The NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) is a small amount of memory on your Mac’s logic board that stores certain settings, including boot preferences. Resetting the NVRAM can sometimes fix issues with the boot selector.
To reset the NVRAM, follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac.
- Turn on your Mac and immediately press and hold the following keys:
- Command (⌘)
- Option
- P
- R
- Hold the keys for about 20 seconds, until you hear the startup chime a second time.
- Release the keys and allow your Mac to start up.
3. Update the firmware
If your Mac’s firmware is out of date, it can sometimes cause issues with the boot selector. Updating the firmware can fix these issues.
To update the firmware, follow these steps:
- Go to the Apple menu and select “Software Update.”
- Click the “Update” button.
- If there is a firmware update available, it will be installed automatically.
4. Contact Apple Support
If you’ve tried all of the above steps and you’re still experiencing a black boot selector screen, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
People Also Ask About How To Fix Black Boot Selector On Mac Pro 2007
Why is my Mac Pro 2007 boot selector black?
There are a few possible reasons why your Mac Pro 2007 boot selector may be black. One possibility is that the SMC (System Management Controller) is not working properly. Another possibility is that the NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) has become corrupted. Finally, it is also possible that the firmware on your Mac is out of date.
How do I fix the black boot selector on my Mac Pro 2007?
There are a few things you can try to fix the black boot selector on your Mac Pro 2007. First, try resetting the SMC. If that doesn’t work, try resetting the NVRAM. Finally, try updating the firmware on your Mac.
What is the SMC on a Mac Pro 2007?
The SMC (System Management Controller) is a chip on your Mac’s logic board that controls various low-level functions, including power management and boot selection.
What is the NVRAM on a Mac Pro 2007?
The NVRAM (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory) is a small amount of memory on your Mac’s logic board that stores certain settings, including boot preferences.
