Flash Question

I'm not sure if this belongs here, but I'm creating a website for a  friend and I'm stuck on creating the image gallery. I already have it  done in another .swf file, but how can I integrate that image gallery  into the website itself instead of having 2 separate files (mainpage.swf  and imagegallery.swf)? For example this website's gallery is done using  flash http://www.lachapellestudio.com/port...r-lopez/?ci=87 Is there any Action Script 3.0 code to have something like that done? I would appreciate the help.
BTW, I'm using Flash CS4

You can import the image gallery .swf into the website .swf. This is done all the time and is a normal method for adding content to a site. In AS3 you will need to use the URLLoader() class. Look at the examples in the online help.

Similar Messages

  • I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up.  All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it.  Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed.  Any ideas?

    I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up.  All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it.  Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed.  Any ideas?

    You need to use the computer's install disks to repair the hard drive or install a new OS.
    (58033)

  • My MBP (mid 09)/ folder with a flashing question mark.

    My MBP (mid 09) is showing a folder with a flashing question mark. I tried the usual things like PRAM Reset and booting with a external drive. I also changed the hard drive and could use it as a external drive on an other Mac - so this seems to work. Another drive could not be used too. The Apple Hardware Test does not work - my Superdrive is broken. Any ideas?

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3046
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents

  • Macbook Air won't startup, flashing question mark

    Hello everyone, here's the problem:
    Recently (Sep) I've bought a new macbook air (2012, 128gb SSD). After a few months of using it the following problem happened: while surfing on the web, my macbook hang up (I couldn't press anything or do anything, the system wouldn't respond), so I shut it down forcefully (by holding the power button), after this my computer wouldn't boot at all: a flashing questioning mark appeared on the grey screen. I know what it means (I'm an Intel engineer and know quite a bit on the subject), so I thought the SSD was dead. Brought it to the shop a bought it at (M-video, Russia, Nizhni Novgorod). After 21 day (sic!) they gave it back to me working fine and said that when they opened it - it worked OK, they tested it for 5 days with reboots and it was OK. After 1 month of using it after I got it back (today) it happened again: the OSx hang -> force shutdown -> question mark on startup.
    Could you please tell what can it be? It's obvious that it's no a hardware problem (in this case it wouldn't happen from time to time but be a permanent defect after the first time it occurred). I tried all the recipes found on the internet (command + alt + P + R; R to get recovery mode - disk utility sees only 1 partition on disk0 of 1.8 GB (I guess it's partition with the base system) and won't let me do anything - all options are grayed out; SHIFT won't let me into safe mode - no idea why; etc.). I also don't have a CD or anything with the mac OS, however even Internet recovery won't help - no targets to install it when it comes to it.
    Have tried almost anything and asked almost anyone among my IT-connected friends, but in vain. Thank you in advance for your help! Will appreciate any piece of advice.

    Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
    Boot to the Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Erase the hard drive:
      1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
      2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
          left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
      3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
            the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
          the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
      4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
                because it is three times faster than wireless.
    If this fails then see: OS X (Lion/Mountain Lion)- About OS X Recovery.

  • Black Screen, Grey Screen, then flashing question mark, now frozen....

    hi everyone,
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    I realize i will most likely have to buy a new macbook - but before i do - i need to retrieve files that are on my ibook g3 (bought in early 2003).
    This is what has happened in the past 2 days:
    1. I can hear the power start up (and chimes) but screen is completely black.
    2. Tried resetting PRAM and PMU, now blank grey screen sometimes appears.
    3. Now, grey screen with flashing question mark in the middle alternating with mac face. So i assumed this meant it couldn't locate my hard drive. So i found my ibook install disc and inserted it and restarted while holding down "C" key.
    4. Grey screen - with Apple (thought this was success) - then it turned to a large grey circle with a line through it (a slash). And then suddenly frozen.
    Since then it has just been a lot of lines through the screen alternating with completely grey screen, etc. along with any of the above-mentioned outcomes. I tried pushing on the lower-left-hand corner of the computer and yes, it affects the display - more or less lines, etc.
    How can i get my old files off of it? Do i buy a new macbook and connect them via fire wire cable and try that way? or will that not work if the above is happening? Or is it possible for someone (myself or perhaps IT professionals) to remove the hard drive from my old ibook and place it somewhere where i can copy over the files?
    Any help is appreciated - i know this is a popular topic - i've just had so many weird outcomes in the past 2 days i'm not exactly sure which solution (if any) would work for me right now.
    Thanks so much!

    Hi Ronda -
    I do have access to another mac (mini) with firewire at my work. Or I might go out and buy a new macbook this weekend as well (preferable since I don't really want my personal files on my work computer, etc.) But yes, i need to get my old files off of this one.
    I have never added additional memory or anything to it really since I got it. So it should be the original specs:
    iBook (14.1 LCD 900 MHz 32 VRAM)
    256MB memory
    Combo (DVD-ROM/CD-RW)
    Hard drive: 40GB
    Not a lot of space was remaining if i recall. I did get the 'disk full' notice a few weeks ago, but i did end up deleting a lot of stuff. Needless to say, i'm sure it was quite full, but not at maximum when this happened.
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  • Flashing Question Mark & Sad Apple Logo

    I had my Mac for quite some time and everything seem to be going well until yesterday, when I pressed the power key all it showed was a white screen and the apple logo, I had called Tech and they said i was out of warrenty, but informed me that it would best to load the Mac OS X cd when I loaded and reached the select a destination part I saw my hard drive with an explanation point. she stated this was bad and that i would need to compeltely whipe the hard drive which didnt bother me. I went to Disk Utilities and chose my hards drive clicked options and choose to zero all data, also clicked download OS 9 drives. After waiting for about an hr it was completed, and i gave it a volume and went on with the installation i choose the volume and all seemed well. yet, after the computer rebooted and all i saw was a Flashing Question Mark & Sad Apple Logo. not quite sure what this means but checked other threads and followed some of the advised given to repair this, yet for me it doesn't work, as of now i tried erasing all data again but now it seems i can't set a volume. Not 100% percent sure which OS cd i have i will double check and reply later, I have a powerbook G4. any help would be great.
      Mac OS X (10.4.2)  

    Hi Richard,
    I was hoping you'd respond Thanks to the link to S.M.A.R.T reporter, but things have deteriorated since my last post and now it won't boot up at all.
    I hit the power button, hear the start-up chime, then nothing but eerie silence and a gray screen.
    The lack of noise usually created by a HD spinning up should be obvious that this is indeed a hard drive issue, but I want to make sure I can sound intelligent when throw myself at the guy who replaced the drive.
    I tried booting from a 10.3 install cd (holding down 'c' at startup) to run Disc Utility but it won't even do that. I can hear the cd-rom spinning, reading the disc, but after a while it just gives up. In fact, I think if I listen hard enough, I can hear the faintest sound of mocking laughter....
    Is this painfully, obviously, a hard drive gone bad?
    It's not the end of the world, just very aggravating.

  • At startup I get grey screen and a folder with a flashing question mark.  How do I reset my MacBook Pro to the manufacture defaults?

    At startup I get grey screen and a folder with a flashing question mark.  How do I reset my MacBook Pro to the manufacture defaults?

    Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, when you reach step 5, insert its original disk, restart with the C key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.
    (113954)

  • Flashing Question Mark Folder on Start-up

    I recently starting having administration issues with my Mac Mini.
    I went to update to OS 10.5.7 and when the administrator box came up asking for my password, my name was missing. After putting in the correct information, was unable to update, but received the message what my clue to password was.
    Anyway, I performed a safe startup, changed the password and tried again. Same issue as before. So I started up from the Start Up Disk, and ran Disk Utilities and verified the disk and repaired any permission issues. When I started up my Mac Mini from the hard drive, I still did not have my administrator password working.
    At this point, the start-up ping is gone.
    I reset the Pram and had the same issue. So, I saved all important files to an external hard drive and tried to do a clean install. I was unable to do the clean install.
    I removed the hard drive from my Mac Mini and installed it into a friends Mac Mini. I had complete control of my computer with no administrator password issues, the ping was there, and I could reload all saved items and still not have any issue no matter how I started up the computer. I then performed a complete erase and reinstall and still had no problems.
    I reinstalled the hard drive into my Mac Mini, and I now have the Flashing Question Mark Folder with gray screen on start-up and no ping. Can't fire wire to start up, can't clone, can't start-up from disk, safe mode, etc..
    Any ideas would be helpful. Most likely I will be going to the Apple Store and seeing what they can do.

    generally, the flashing folder mark means it can not find the startup drive.
    if you hear those kind of noises your hard drive is most likely dead. while this is almost certainly true you can try booting from the install DVD and see if the drive is visible in disk utility. if you can't insert the DVD try this. reboot and hold option at the chime. this should boot you into startup drive manager. there you should be able to insert the DVd and choose it as the startup drive. boot from the DVd and once past the language screen start disk utility from the Utilities menu at the top. see if it detects the internal drive. if it does, try repairing it. if it doesn't the drive is dead.

  • Flashing Question Mark on Boot-Up

    Any help would be greatly appreciated with a problem I am having.
    I have a Mid 2009 2009 MacBook Pro that is showing a flashing question mark against a grey background when I try and start it up.
    If i remove the HDD and place it in a USB caddy the system boots and runs just fine but the same drive does not appear in the list of bootable drives (in fact no drives appear)
    I have tried with several known good HDDs from other Macs.
    I have tried resetting the NVRAM with Command-Option-P-R but each time the same grey screen and flashing question mark remains - no options appear.
    I have tried to resting PRAM via Terminal - refuses to recognise command.
    I have removed hardware password using System disk.
    I have pulled my hair out.
    None of the above have worked.
    Does anyone have any clues as to anything else I can try?
    Many thanks.

    Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
    These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
    Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
    In most cases the problems may be caused by:
    Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
    Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
    Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
    The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD:
    Boot From The Recovery HD:
    Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
    If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
    Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing The Drive
    Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

  • Boots to flashing question mark folder and disc utility cannot locate internal hard drive

    Bottling my MacBook Pro I end up with a flashing question mark folder. I reboot holding the option key to select discs and there were no options at all. I plug in an Ethernet cable and it shows a internet recovery option. I click and it downloaded a temporary recovery mode. From there I open disc utility but it doesn't find any internal hard drives. I reset the pram and I still get the flashing question mark folder. Thinking it was my internal hard drive that failed I bought and replaced the internal hd with a new one and repeated all the processes and still no internal hard drive was found. I'm stuck with the flashing question mark folder. Therefore I've concluded that it was my MacBook pros internal hard drive CABLE that had failed. Does anyone know of any other possible problems that is causing this for my MacBook Pro or know of any solutions? Or is replacing my internal hd cable the only solution? Please help!

    It was the internal HD cable. I replaced it and now my MacBook Pro works

  • Flashing Question Mark Folder after Clean Install in Target Disk Mode

    I have an old iBook G4 with a failing optical drive and the need to reformat the hard drive and re-install OS 10.5.4. Since the optical drive is failing and unpredictable, I figured I'd do everything in target disk mode.
    So I mounted the hard drive of the iBook to my Mac Pro via Firewire in target disk mode. I was able to successfully format the hard drive of the iBook, zeroing out all the data with 7 passes, and I was also able to successfully install OS 10.5.4 from my original Install DVD, again in target disk mode.
    After the install was complete, I went through all the registration process and User Account setup and the iBook booted fine albeit still in target disk mode. So I shut down the Mac Pro, turned off the iBook and unplugged the Firewire cable. My Mac Pro booted up just fine afterward. But the iBook now gives me the flashing question mark/finder folder.
    I know this means that the iBook is having trouble located a startup volume, or that the startup volume is corrupt or missing data. How can this be, though, after a reformat and clean install? Did I do something wrong in target disk mode? Or did I neglect to do something necessary?
    Thanks for anyone's help on this.

    Thanks, Niel.
    I don't see APM as an option in Disk Utility when booting from my Mac Pro. I only have Mac OS Extended (Journaled), Mac OS Extended, Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled), Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive), MS-DOS (FAT) and ExFAT.
    How do I get my Mac Pro to repartition the iBook properly in target disk mode?

  • Flashing Question Mark Folder Everything I Am Trying is Not Working!

    A few days ago my iMac gave me the "pinwheel of death" so I cold shutdown and rebooted. I heard the chime and then I got this flashing folder with a question mark on it. I quickly jumped on my Macbook pro and researched what it meant. I tried booting while holding the option key and would get a blank white screen with a mouse pointer and nothing else. I tried resetting my PRAM and still nothing! Then I saw someone say to restart my iMac while holding down R to start into disk utility. It worked! I went through the repair disk process and it said there was nothing to repair. I then repaired disk permissions, and bingo it had to repair a few different things that needed to be repaired. Once the repair process finished I rebooted to my main drive and everything worked fine. That night I shutdown my computer and the next morning I got the flashing folder again. This time however, after shutting down and rebooting everything worked fine. Now today my iMac froze and I cold shutdown and rebooted. I got the flashing folder and question mark again. This time nothing is responding. I tried rebooting while holding the option key, tried booting into disk utility and still nothing. The only thing that the iMac will recognize is when I reboot while holding the 'option' key and put in the Mac OS X Lion install disc It lets me click that disc and it starts the install cycle... I really don't want to do this as it would wipe everything on the drive and I do not have a lot of documents backed up. What do I do? Am I screwed? Help would be greatly appreciated!
    Thanks much!

    I think the HD has crashed. Run Apple Hardware Test in Extended Mode at least 3x back to back. If it reports errors, next step is your local Apple Store or AASP. Also carefully read and apply Apple's advice in Flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac. If you had been backing up it would have been a simple matter of replacing the HD, restoring from the backup and you're back up and running. Considering you said you don't back up you're about to learn a very painful lesson on why backing up isn't something you should do it's something you MUST do.
    Good luck and sorry for the bad news.

  • Flashing Question Mark At Start Up/ Disk Utility Not Working

    I am having the old flashing question mark in a file show up when I try to start my computer. I went through a lot of the forums and I have attempted the Disk Utility. When I put the 10.3 install disk in and restart it takes me to the opening screen. If go to disk utility and start it and I have three options: 734.6 MB Pioneer DVD, Session 1, and Mac OSX Install Disk all with a CD icon by them. Not sure which one to pick. Even when I select any though, it does not give me the option to push the repair disk button. It is never available. Anyone know what to do here?

    Exactly this happened to me two weeks ago. Unfortunately in my case it was a result of hard disk failure - my heads had burnt out and I had total data loss (I was fortunately backed up recently).
    I would suggest taking your mac to a reputable computer firm, preferably Apple who can diagnose hard disk failure immediately. If that is the case you will need a replacement HD, which might be a good opportunity to expand HD size on your system (prices are always coming down; I took the opportunity to go from 60 to 120GB, for £140).
    If you are not backed up and ABSOLUTELY NEED YOUR DATA then do NOT give your machine to Apple there and then however; despite assurances, you may never see your HD again, and at any rate once it has been removed it should be handled extremely carefully to prevent platter damage and compromising future data retrieval. It may not be treated with proper respect whilst a replacement is being fitted. Therefore take it to a data retrieval specialist first, who may also replace the HD for you anyway, at similar or lower cost. The cost of data retrieval is very variable but is generally about £500 if an 'invasive procedure' (HD repair) is necessary.
    I hope this isn't your situation, but as I say these were exactly the symptoms of my HD failure 2 weeks ago.
    Fulvio

  • File with flashing question mark on startup?

    So my MacBook Air just recently started this, with the white screen and grey box with a flashing question mark in it upon starting it up. Safe Boot did nothing, the question mark file continued to appear.
    Holding down the Alt button seems to be the only thing that has yeilded any other response. When I hold the Alt button down on startup, it asks me to connect to a wireless internet (which I have). After connecting, it goes into Internet Recovery, where it shows a rotating globe and loads up, usually taking a couple of minutes.
    Then I get the white page with the apple logo, and a loading circle.
    After that, I get the grey page with Mac OS X Utilities.
    From here, I have no idea what to do. My computer was only recently returned to me after a login error, where all my files has been removed and deleted, so it was at Factory settings. Since then, I haven't had enough things on my compter to use Time Machine Backup or anything like that. so I have no backup sources for it to restore from.
    I have been able to get onto the internet, but only in a small box on top of the grey background.
    I tried to reinstall Mac OS X Lion from here, but when I agree to the terms and conditions, it gives me no disk to install it too, so therefore I cannot continue ahead with the installation.
    As for Disk Utility, when I click on the left hand side Mac OS X Base System, there is nothing under First Aid that is highlighted for me to click (show details is also checked)
    Nothing under Erase is highlighted for me to click on either.
    In the Restore selection, The source (Mac OS X Base System) has Image highlighted beside it. I can click onto that, but from there I have no clue what to do.
    This about the sum of all the options my computer is giving me at the moment.
    I have no speakers or cords that hook up to my computer (seeing how its a MacBook Air)
    As far as I am aware, I have no disks or CDs or external drives that have any programme to help me restore it. I also am not entirely certain what my current systems were, with how up to date everything was, before this happened, but I assume they were all the latest seeing how it was only just fixed a month ago.
    If there are any suggestions, your help would be great.
    If my files can be saved, that is awesome. But if they have to be cleared, I am not at all phazed by doing that either.

    If Disk Utility left panel shows only "Mac OS X Base System", it would seem that it is not detecting your main drive at all.
    I would take the system into an Apple Store for diagnosis.

  • Flashing Question mark Folder and clicking - no start up.

    Dear Mac Users,
    I've already got some info on the above, but my 3.5year old G5 iMac wont get past the flashing question mark folder icon. It can't find the start-up drive. The think the hard drive is dead - if I start up from external HD it's OK and/or Tiger CD - but the mac's HD is nowhere to be seen on any disk utility.
    Just bought Disk Warrior - that wont see the iMac HDrive either - so unless anyone has got a fix, it looks like the thing will be dumped or I get a new HD. Are these easy to buy and fit? It's a Rev A model, (the buzzy first edition). I haven't got all my files backed up, just the key ones, which are now on a new alum iMac. Or I could run it off an external drive (noisy, though).
    I had been moving the G5 around a lot (switched off) before it went belly up - could this be a cause?
    Maybe it'd been feeling left out, with the new 24in installed.
    Hope someone can shed further light.
    Rob
    (PS - anyone want buy my Disk Warrior?)

    Your drive is dead, you can look in [macsales.com] or [smalldog.com] for a new new one. The drive isn't too difficult to replace, you can do it yourself, and do get the largest one you can afford, just make sure it's a 3.5" SATA.
    Keep your DiskWarrior, you never know when it'll come in handy.

  • My Late 2013 iMac with Yosemite 10.10.2 randomly shuts down and displays a grey screen with a flashing question mark folder. According to Disk Utility, my drive is OK. What should I do?

    I've had this problem for a while and I thought it went away. I've looked at all of the other discussions and tried what they suggest, nothing. I preferably don't want to erase everything on here. Is there a way to fix it without having to do that? I also noticed that other people have the screen when they first boot their computer. Mine are in the middle of a college essay or browsing online. I would really like to fix this issue. I haven't even had my iMac for a year yet. Any suggestions?

    Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
    These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
    Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
    In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
    a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
    b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
    c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
    d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
    Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
    Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
    Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
    1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
    If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed with reinstalling OS X.  Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files.  After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
    Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing The Drive
    Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
    Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
    When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list.  In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive.  If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
    Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
    Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

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