HELP!!!! I get the folder with a ? in the middle of the screen...
In preparation to sell my refurbished iMac Power PC G4, I hooked it up to my new mac, started it in Target Mode, and did a 7-pass erase using the Disk Utility. When I went to start my iMac G4, I got the folder with the ?. In attempting to do some research on why it did this and what I can do to fix it, I read to hit the option key when starting it up. I did this to see what would happen. I now have a button with the refresh icon, and another button that has a straight arrow pointing to the right. I tried clicking on both and nothing happened. Anyone have any idea what the problem is and how to fix it?? Please keep in mind, I originally bought it used and it did not come with a startup disk, and it came installed with Tiger.
Thank you!
When you did the installation of new software for the iMac, since you didn't have the original discs, did you use a newer retail disc, or a disc from the eMac? If a disc from the eMac, that's not compatible with the iMac. Macs can only startup from the discs that they came with or newer retail discs.
Retail discs that iMac G4s from August 22nd, 2002 or earlier instance can startup from are:
iMac G4s from August 23rd, 2002 to February 3, 2003 can startup from:
iMac G4s from February 4, 2003 can startup from:
*, *, and *.
iMac G4s from October 24, 2003 can startup from:
*, and *
iMac G4s from April 24, 2004 can startup from:
* 10.4.6 labelled discs and
* discs only.
None of these discs are labelled update unless they are within 3 weeks of the operating system release. And would not work with update discs unless there was an operating system already installed on them.
August 31st 2004 and later iMacs were changed to G5 processors and in 2006, iMacs were changed to Intel processors.
Here's how to identify your iMac G4:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2643?viewlocale=en_US
That would tell us if you used the wrong retail discs.
- * Links to images hosted on my website may give me compensation.
Message was edited by: a brody
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My macbook pro is still under warranty. I have just put it into Mac 1 to be repaired because I had the folder with the dreaded Question mark on it....new hard drive. I was told that if I wanted my data retrieved, I would have to pay $445 p/h. Ahh!!! Shouldn't that be covered by warranty?
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Why do I get a folder with a question mark on bootup
why do I get a folder with a question mark on bootup
my daughters Mac and she doesn't remember which osX version she had.
can't seem to get past that flashing folder with a ? in itA flashing question mark at boot means no start up drive can be found. Solutions vary based on what OS is installed.
Try the command and r keys held down at restart to see if it enters "recovery" mode. Use the Disk Utility to find out more about the drive. -
Getting flashing folder with ? When starting up
Getting flashing folder with ? When booting up
The flashing folder with a question mark means that your computer can't recognize the hard drive. This could either mean that your hard drive is dead or it just isn't connected to the actual computer.
You can first try pressing the option key immediately after pressing the power button to go into startup manager. There you can choose your startup disk. If it still doesn't work (like it didn't for me) you can check to see if the problem is in the hard drive or the cable by inserting the installation dvd and re-install. Go into disk utlility and If it's unmounted, than the hdd most likely dead. If there's no hard drive icon at all, there's a good chance it's the cable.
Alternatively, you can open up the back, connect the hard drive to a different computer, and test to see if it's working. If it is, than all you only need is a hard drive connector cable ($20-60), but if it isn't then you need to get a new hard drive (about $90~$300)
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I've got a Macbook Pro 13" early 2011. The keyboard and its lightning doesnt work, neither isnt working anymore. I need to reinstall osx as its showing the folder with a questionmark. An USB keyboard doesnt work either.. Any suggestions?
Restart.
Try this. I know you said "keyboard is not working.
Reset SMC. http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3964
Choose the method for:
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If this does not help, contact Apple.
Best.
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