Flashing question mark after OS / HD upgrade

I have an iMac 233 with 256MB RAM and just upgraded to an 80 GB HD. I have the correct firmware 4.1.9. The Hard is partitioned into a 7.5 GB and a second of 70 something GB. I ran the OS X 10.2 full install on the 7.5 GB partition and it went thru the entire install. When I restarted it gives a flashing question mark. I have tried resetting the PRAM and the PRAM Battery is brand new. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Brian Welcome to the Apple Discussions, The flashing question mark is a symbol that the computer cannot locate a startup drive. When booting press and hold the option key as soon as your imac's chime goes off this should take you to a menu and give you some startup options click the X symbol and press continue, if it does not boot properly then please contact me in this topic and i will try to fix the problem if it continues . HTH Aaron

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Flashing question mark after 10.4 upgrade

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Boot from this external drive. Then do the following:
Repairing the Hard Drive
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger and Leopard.) 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 then quit DU.
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How to fix the " flashing question mark after the finder icon when starting up" withou an apple keyboard?

Hi
I am wondering How to fix the " flashing question mark after the finder icon when starting up" without an apple keyboard. I have 2 of those .7Ghz emacs so just wanna fix them
Thx

Hi,
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>I have installed Ubuntu 13.00 on the HDD from another computer.
Is it a version for PowerPC?
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCDownloads
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Could the following article be of interest?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970299
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Apple TV shows a flashing question mark after trying to update

Hello everyone!
I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.
Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.
What I've done next:
1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)
So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature
"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."
Thank you!
Message was edited by: robertternes

robertternes wrote:
Hello everyone!
I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.
Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.
What I've done next:
1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)
So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature
"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."
Thank you!
Message was edited by: robertternes
I had this problem: Disconenct your internet modem and router, plug them back in,make sure the WEP password (if you have one) is right when you reenter it in on your Apple TV, and than try. If that doesn't work, I would d the last resotrt - Take the Apple TV to the nearest Apple Store/Best Buy or Comp. USA (if they're still alive where you live).
Good Luck.

Flashing Question mark after Reboot?

I left my computer and came back to find a screen that said to restart my computer so I did. Now when I turn it on I get a flashing question mark. I don't care about the computer itself, all I care about is saving the data thats on it. HELP!!!

That does not sounds good!
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Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
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Note: I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Run the Apple hardware test by inserting the fist of the two recovery disks that came with your Macbook and holding down the D key while you start the machine. See if it gives you any errors.
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Linc Davis wrote:
I can boot into Target Disk mode and since my Macbook reads the OSX installer no problem, would I be able to install the OSX through Firewire?
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A flashing question mark on startup

My Mini is displaying a flashing question mark after startup. How do I fix it?

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Check that no pins are bent and that everything mates properly.
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I doubt the problem is with the RAM; you probably wouldn't have gotten as far as the "?" if the RAM were totally borked.
If I recall correctly, we had a poster here about two months ago who didn't get the sub-assemblies mated back together quite right. When he solved the mating issue, he was able to boot properly.
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Thanks, Niel.
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Persistent Flashing Question Mark Folder Icon, after Repair & Rebuild-THX!

Hello All,
Thank you in advance for any insights.
For the past week, one/two days after a force re-boot, my Quicksilver Mac (OSX 10.4.11 and OS 9 Classic) starts up with the dreaded flashing question mark folder.
The start up disk has always been on "Mac OS X, 10.4.11 on main stuff" ("main stuff" is the name of the hard drive.)
The first time, I ran DiskWarrior and rebuilt the hard drive, which is kind of new as it was replaced in April 2009. Then I ran OnyX and got a clean bill of health. The Mac was shut down at the end of the day as is my habit via turning off the power strip.
If it helps, here's part of the DiskWarrior report:
• 13 files had a directory entry with an incorrect text encoding value that was repaired.
• 340 files had a damaged extended attribute that was repaired.
• 3 folders had a directory entry with an incorrect custom icon flag that was repaired.
• Incorrect values in the Volume Information were repaired.
Disk Information:
Files: 370,719
Folders: 85,161
Free Space: 92.55 GB
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Block Size: 4 K
Disk Sectors: 268,171,472
Media: WDC WD5000AAKB-00H8A0
The next day, the flashing question mark folder reappeared. This time I used the original system installer CD (labeled Power Mac G4 OS X Install). Disk Utility made its repairs. And this time, the computer was put to sleep instead.
In the morning, it woke up, the wireless optical mouse worked for a few seconds, the hard drive is humming along then all of a sudden the arrow (mouse) froze and none of the keys on the keyboard functioned.
After some research, I deleted the energy saver preference (powermanager.list?) and ran Disk Utility again. And again, I shut down b/c I wasn't going to use the Mac for a day or two.
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My question is, might anyone know what's wrong? I've been backing up after every use and I have a laptop. But I love working on the desktop and if this issue can be fixed, that would be perfect.
As an aside, I've read that I should do a clean install. Would doing a clean install mean I need to re-install OS 9 as well as all other all other software programs-Adobe Creative Suite, Quickbooks, Verizon DSL, printer drivers etc.?
One final question, can I continue to boot up from the CD, repair then restart or will I damage the computer? Once it restart, everything seems to work normally and well.
Many, many thanks for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sam

Disk damage can also affect the startup sequence, but I think what you have already done should have repaired any disk damage, or given you more information.
Once you have ruled out Disk damage, you get the flashing question mark when your Mac cannot find:
• the preferred operating System
• of the preferred version
• on the preferred startup drive.
All these items are stored in the parameter RAM, backed up by a 3.6 volt, non-recharging 1/2-AA size battery that lasts three years or so, unless you turn off all power at night.
If you cannot remember when you last changed that battery, now is a good time. Be sure to reset the PMU/PRAM after installing the new battery.
Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

10.4.3 upgrade & archive install = flashing question mark

I upgraded to 10.4.3 reboot, flashing question mark appears.
Tried everything, PRAM zap, NVRAM reset, pull battery for a day and unplug. Reset PMU.
Tried combo update. Same flashing question mark. Boot from 10.4 DVD repair permissions all the time, repair disk, all is ok. Startup Disk selection to hard drive, see os x, reboot, flashing question mark again.
Reboot + Option, pulls up view, no startup disk shows, except for 10.4 dvd.
Target disk mode startup from another mac, boots up, run startup disk, shows the hard drive, select as startup, reboot, still flashing question mark.
Re-install os 10.4 - install 10.4.2 upgrade, still flashing question mark.
Have a Dual 1.2 G4 gig ethernet, 2gb ram, pulled out all but one ram chip tested booting with every different kind of ram configuration. Still flashing question mark.
QUESTION: Has anyone been able to fix this issue? I see it all over and nothing that really solves it?

i dont have a solution... but what you might want to do is reinstall 10.4.. upgrade to 10.4.2, reinstall everything you need and run yasu or cocktail..
then with carbon copy cloner.. make a backup of your system to another hard drive..
that way when 10.4.4 comes out... you can upgrade with out worrying if something bad happens.. hopefully by then theyll have everything worked out.

Flashing question mark folder when start iMac after Time Capsule performed a new back up

I switched my iMac on after a few days away and I was asked to start a new back up for Time Capsule to enhance the performance of the device (or something along those lines). Clicked the back up now and carried on, having read the process could take a few hours (not surprising because of the amount of data on my computer).
Left it running overnight and when I came back this morning the computer was off. Switched it on, saw the apple logo and the progress bar but it didn't move past 25% before I had a message in several languages to turn the computer off (and some script in the top left corner. From memory I think I saw <panic> in that script but not 100% sure).
When I switched it back on I had the dreadful flashing question mark so performed steps described in support.apple.com/kb/ts1440 several times and performed a safe Boot. No results.
I haven't reinstalled Mac OS X (step 11 in ts1440) as I don't want to erase the hard drive.
I have plugged the Time Capsule in a MacBook and it seems empty bar 2 very small files so I'm now very worried. I have some questions:
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I'm very much looking forward to your help and suggestions.

You have a couple of options and I also have a suggestion for the future. First is you can try Data Rescue software. You can find it at:
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
The other is sending the HD out to a professional data recovery service.
My suggestion though is using a redundant backup system. Many on this forum do just that because a backup (as you have found out) can fail too. What I use is TM and on a separate EHD I created a bootable clone using SuperDuper. You can use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner for this. I'd recommend reading the following MacWorld articles for backup strategies. I think you'll see a recurring them in them and that is redundancy is wise.
Backup Plan
Backup Plan II
Backup Plan III
Also it wasn't a virus, you are correct there are none for OS X.
Good luck on the recovery.

Start up disk full flashing file question mark after bootable back up attem

My MacBook Pro flashes a file with a question mark after a bootable back up attempt. Any help or suggestions please. Tried Disk Warrior. PRAM reset, disk utility. Hard drive is working.
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Hi kbtb,
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Flashing question mark after OS / HD upgrade

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