# MacBook showing weird diagrams (heeeeelp) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364 "2020-11-11T20:10:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/1 "2020-11-11T20:10:08Z")
My MacBook Pro (I think it’s a 2013 or something like that) started acting weird today. The track pad wouldn’t work so I turned the computer off, hoping it would fix itself on restart. But now when I try to restart, it gets stuck as if it’s trying to install updates, then it stops completely and flashes two alternating diagrams. I’ve called support and have an appt for Tuesday but am basically dying. What is wrong with it??? No combination of commands seems to fix anything. Any ideas? My whole life is on that thing so I’m kind of going nuts. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/2 "2020-11-11T20:17:19Z")
> [@Skypist](#): > > two alternating diagrams Try resetting your SMC. [https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251346820](https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251346820) EDIT: In the interim, you might be able to use an external keyboard and mouse to at least get it booted. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/3 "2020-11-11T20:35:16Z")
Thanks. I’ll look at this. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/4 "2020-11-11T21:15:52Z")
Connecting an outside keyboard and mouse at least allows me to get into the computer now, so thanks. The meaning of those diagrams was not clear to me at all. ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/5 "2020-11-11T21:23:01Z")
I’m not sure, either. I was guessing one was for the track pad not being seen. Glad you were to get it booted with an external mouse/keyboard. Were these the images? (scroll down a little): > **[SOLVED: MacBook Air boots to strange screen - What should I do? - MacBook Air...](https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/237198/MacBook+Air+boots+to+strange+screen+-+What+should+I+do)** > > Clearly the system can't see either the internal keyboard or trackpad. Which is why it's asking for both an external keyboard & mouse. For now you'll need to connect an external keyboard & mouse (USB or Bluetooth) to get things going. But why... ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/6 "2020-11-11T21:34:51Z")
Those are very similar to the diagrams I was seeing. I’m not sure if I can post pictures here. Not exactly but close. I think they are trying to say “connect a mouse” and “connect a wireless keyboard.” Well I don’t have a wireless keyboard but a wired one worked fine. I don’t suppose this could be an easy fix I could do myself or something inexpensive? ---
**Author:** ![TheCuse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thecuse/32/2854_2.png) [@TheCuse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheCuse)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2020, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/7 "2020-11-11T22:14:01Z")
I’m not sure so far as the fix. You can probably join a Mac user’s group. I belong on one on Facebook and the folks are very knowledgeable. I don’t know if it’s against the rules to mention them. So I will send you a message. ---
**Author:** ![Skypist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skypist/32/169_2.png) [@Skypist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skypist)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/macbook-showing-weird-diagrams-heeeeelp/925364/8 "2020-11-12T04:33:56Z")
Thank you. I will check into this group. You are very kind.