Stuck on apple logo after disconnecting/reconnecting hardware components (macOS Sierra 10.12)

[MattyZ]

I took my machine apart this weekend to give it a detailed clean (alcohol and cotton swabs on the fans, blowing out dust). My intention was to verify all of my components, with the intention of planning an upgrade to a newer graphics card, so I could install a more modern macOS.

Everything was carefully disassembled and reassembled. After everything was put back together, I powered on, and got the normal boot process (Gigabyte logo, Clover screen) up until the Apple Logo, where it hangs indefinitely with the loading bar at zero.

I wonder if taking apart the computer may have reset some settings, like maybe some hardware ids have changed? I was careful to document all of the cable connection positions and replicated them precisely when re-assembling everything.

I am not sure where to start troubleshooting.

On hand I have...
-time machine backup of the computer in last working state
-a few folders under `/EFI Backups` on the Sierra drive (i think these were created on the boot disk automatically, i don't think these were manual backups I created however it has been so long I can't remember.)
-a screenshot from the last multibeast configuration I made in 2017.
-an untitled .mb file which looks to be a multibeast config file? Honestly I can't recall.

I will appreciate any suggestions you can offer! Thank you

 

[trs96]

Replace the CMOS battery ? If so that would revert BIOS settings to defaults.

 

[trs96]

with the intention of planning an upgrade to a newer graphics card, so I could install a more modern macOS.

Did you replace the Nvidia card with an AMD ? Try entering -v at the Clover boot screen menu. Then see where it is hanging up. Take a picture.

 

[MattyZ]

« trs96 said:
« Did you replace the Nvidia card with an AMD ?

All of the components remained the same - nothing was changed from the original configuration (same as in my signature.)

 

[MattyZ]

Replace the CMOS battery ? If so that would revert BIOS settings to defaults.

I did not replace the CMOS battery, but it is 7 years old so I thought maybe it has very little charge left. I did wonder if the BIOS settings may have been reset to default.

I was able to access the Gigabyte BIOS menu screen, but I don't know off the top of my head what my configured BIOS settings were... is there an easy way to tell if the BIOS reverted to defaults?

 

[trs96]

is there an easy way to tell if the BIOS reverted to defaults?

Does it still keep accurate time or not ?

 

[MattyZ]

Does it still keep accurate time or not ?

It is showing the correct date (03/30/2024) but the hour is off by 3 hours and 9 minutes.

 

[trs96]

It is showing the correct date (03/30/2024) but the hour is off by 3 hours and 9 minutes.

I would get a new one since it is so old. Then search for some Z170X guides with the BIOS settings and set yours accordingly. Try and boot again.

 

[MattyZ]

Awesome, thank you @trs96 I will locate some Z170X guides and confirm the BIOS settings.

For what it is worth - I also booted up in verbose mode and this was what I saw - I don't know if this provides any insight or not, but here it is:

 

[Cosmix]

It is showing the correct date (03/30/2024) but the hour is off by 3 hours and 9 minutes.

When running macOS, the BIOS clock (RTC) keeps UTC time, not the local one.
Is this your case ?