Question mark and finder folder

My Friend gave me his Old Imac G5 and when i boot it a question mark and the finder folder blinks
my friend says to install OS X because its running on nothing and I have been trying to install
OS X 10.6 but it wont respond to the Disk it just keeps blinking after a while it starts making this
loud noise as if its running something, the furthest ive got it to a blue screen with a replay icon button
towards the left and an arrow button pointing right but cant do anything after that, i dont know what to do.
My other problem is the i have the latest wireless keyboard and wireless magic mouse so i cant connect
them thru wifi until i have my imac running so im using a normal Dell Keyboard....

were would be the place to find the original system install CD.
Ideally, your friend:
My Friend gave me his Old Imac G5
The Apple Store may have original system install discs but I would be surprised since no Apple Store in the US that I know of sells them any longer.
It will not be free, but if they have one that would be the best option. Otherwise you will have to peruse the used market. In the US that could be Amazon Marketplace or eBay. I do not know where you would start in India, but many eBay sellers ship worldwide.
Make absolutely certain you are getting a full retail installation CD and if it is Leopard or Tiger, make sure it is for your G5 and not an Intel iMac. System specific disks are grey in color and will not work except for the exact system with which they were included.

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Flashing Question mark and Finder Folder at Start UP!

Hi there,
I just installed a new processor with upgraded firmware with mac os 9.1 as my OS. Well I have a start up tone but thats it. I have used a cd to choose which disk I want my computer to start up from but now I only get a start up tone and a gray screen during boot up. I have tried to reset my PRAM more than 4 times and it hasn't done anything. I have also reset the processor but that hasn't done anything either. I don't wish to do a clean installation because I don't want to reinstall my old 450 mhz processor. It would be great if I could have some help. thanks

Hi, DC502. If I understand you correctly, you have been able to boot to a CD with the new processor installed — is that correct? If so, what OS version is on the CD, and is the same version on your hard drive? Does the new processor (what make and speed is it, by the way?) have any minimum OS or hardware requirements, and have you checked to make sure you are meeting them? What firmware update did you apply?
If you aren't able to boot even to a CD, check the processor upgrade to make sure it is solidly seated, not crooked or uneven in its slot. Reset the CUDA after every internal hardware change. Perform all testing with all external devices except monitor, keyboard and mouse disconnected from the computer.
Please post back with further details if these ideas don't help.

Flashing question mark and finder upon start up of power mac G4

Hi
I recently bought a powermac g4 which had a new un formatted hard drive in, upon turning the computer on it had the flashing finder and question mark.
i tried formatting the drive using my macbook which resulted in, upon turning the computer on a grey screen appeared with the apple logo then white texts behind, stating "panic (CPU O caller) and then alot of other text which ends at the bottom of the screen with panic:we are hanging here
I posted this problem in another question a few days ago and was told i needed disks to boot the computer, due to a intel mac not being able to boot a PPC mac so i bought a copy of snow leopard
so i erased the drive using disk utility, making it un formatted again
But when trying to use the disks i inserted them holding down the C key upon start up
but the computer just has the finder and question mark symbol again
Thank you for your time

If it's the G4 Mirrored Drive Doors (MDD) in your signature, you've done well to get one. If you can live with the noise, they're a real workhorse - they were a real beast 10 years ago. I still have mine, bought from new the day they came out.
So you're going to need either:
the original discs (2 install DVDs and 4 restore CDs, and iMovie2 and AHT, or
Mac OS X 10.3 retail
Mac OS X 10.4 retail
Mac OS X 10.5 retail
If you want OS9 on it you're going to need the original discs. You could head over to the Macintosh Garden forums (use google) and ask there, a lot of MDD owners over there, always looking out for more MDDs to buy and preserve and original discs for them too. There may be someone in your state / region there who may be able to assist with the original discs.
If you want OSX 10.3, 10.4 or 10.5 eBay or similar may be your best bet. A little tip I used for getting the original OS discs when I missed them - individually the discs can be expensive, particularly OSX 10.4 and 10.5 - I buy mine bundled with a Mac when it's sold locally, seems to keep the price down if it's bundled with an old Mac that would have $50 shipping. So I pick up the Mac, keep it and seel the OS if I don't want it, for more than I paid for both. Just perserverence on eBay/ etc.

When I go to turn on my laptop, it flashes a question mark and a folder picture and I'm not sure how to fix it?

at first, I was using my laptop and it started freezing and not responding. So I shut it down and then the described situation started happening as oppose to the apple symbol and starting if the laptop. After five to ten minutes, it turns off automatically. I've repeatedly tried restarting.
how can I fix it? Or should I go to a computer repair company?

The computer can't find a startup drive:
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support

Not booting from DVD drive | Flashing Question mark and face folder SOS!

Hey there! I am hoping one of you folks can help.
I noticed my iMac running really slow.
I could not find my OS disks, so I bought OS X Leopard
When I tried to boot from DVD it would flash the question/face folder for about 30 seconds then reboot normal. (I was able to install the OS. Just can't boot from the disk in order to run disk utility)
Time got away from me and now my system is REALLY slow...
I went and bought Disk Warrior
Same issue, only my drive spits out that disk. (I can run and burn other disks)
I won't discuss my failed attempts at getting help from the Apple store and by having the geniuses (not) call me. I would rather not pay an arm and a leg to have an approved repair center run the disk utility for me. I've already spent $169 on the OS and $100 on Disk Warrior... PLEASE HELP

I think you are going in a totally wrong direction. Your profile indicates you have Leopard (10.5.X) however I don't believe that what you recently purchased. I think you purchased Snow Leopard (10.6.X), these are two totally different OS's! Unless you got extremely lucky and found someone selling 10.5.x then naturally you would have the problem you did trying to boot from it. My advice is:
1. Look to see what version of OS X you are running (click the Apple in the upper left of this screen and then choose About this Mac) then cross check what version of the OS you recently purchased.
2. If you are running 10.5.x then you will need to call Apple and purchase replacement discs for a nominal charge. Once received you should be able to boot from that disc and run Disk Utility from it.
3. If you are running 10.6.x then re post (with an updated profile) so we can determine what the next step is.
It seems like you don't know what you are doing and in an effort to save money you are probably going to spend more than taking your machine to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Regards,
Roger

Not booting from DVD drive | Flashing Question mark and face folder S

Hey there! I am hoping one of you folks can help.
I noticed my iMac running really slow.
I could not find my OS disks, so I bought OS X Leopard
When I tried to boot from DVD it would flash the question/face folder for about 30 seconds then reboot normal. (I was able to install the OS. Just can't boot from the disk in order to run disk utility)
Time got away from me and now my system is REALLY slow...
I went and bought Disk Warrior
Same issue, only my drive spits out that disk. (I can run and burn other disks)
I won't discuss my failed attempts at getting help from the Apple store and by having the geniuses (not) call me. I would rather not pay an arm and a leg to have an approved repair center run the disk utility for me. I've already spent $169 on the OS and $100 on Disk Warrior... PLEASE HELP

Hey,
No, I'm not running Snow Leopard. Running Leopard. 10.5.8
I'm guessing the problem is either with my computer itself, or perhaps the DVD drive. Hard to tell. Maybe even something corrupt in my software?
My problem is:
I desperately need to run a disk utility of some sort, however am not able to make my computer use my OS disk or Disk warrior as a startup disk (either by holding down C, or by assigning it in System Utilities.)
I was hoping someone might have a tip, or trick to get my machine to use one of these disks as the startup disk.
Thanks!

Got the flashing question mark and mac folder on startup.

I've seen other questions on here about it. It happened after the last Safari update. Safari and Quicktime were the last updates I did. I have gone through all of the steps that I've read on here to no avail. (Safe Mode, Holding "x", Reset the PRAM, Checked the PRAM Battery) I tried starting up holding the option key...and no startup disks show up. It wont boot up in single use mode, so I cant try fsck... I ran Disk Utilities from the startup disk and it says my hard drive is not mounted. Is there a way i can mount it? Am i screwed?

It sounds like you have already tried to run Disk Utility so you're now at the stage of trying to rescue your data using the various utilities aBrody mentioned, or trying to repair your directory with Diskwarrior. Some prefer to rescue their files before trying other utilities in case using the repair utilities makes things worse. Rescuing has the downside that you have to have an empty drive to which to rescue items. Some rescue software packages have versions you can try for free which will look at your drive and say if they think they can do anything with it before you buy. The advantage to repair is if it works it will restore your old drive and you don't have to reassemble the whole thing from bits and pieces of rescued files, and repairing doesn't require a second hard drive. You will have to decide on how to approach this. Typically people will try Diskwarrior and if that doesn't work they will go with a rescue package. The big downside is that each software package will set you back $80-$100. (Item for consideration, you can get a backup drive for just over $100 and save yourself a lot of hassle in the future.)
Personally I'd download one of the trial versions and let it have a look. If it can't see things then (and maybe I'm wrong and others will chime in) your chances of getting anything to see the drive are remote.
Oh, there's also a package called Techtool Pro. DW is generally considered premier in repairing directories, but TTP can do some things DW can't. Ideally a person would have TTP, DW and a recue package, but as you're seeing that can add up fast.

Folder with Question Mark and a useless disk stuck in my disk drive!

Hello,
earlier on today my computer crashed. I have read on a couple of posts that I should try to boot the computer from the install disk. Cool. The only problem is that when my computer crashed I had a CD in the disk drive. When I try to start the computer up I see a question mark and folder, but will not respond to any commands like "eject" or even holding the mouse button.
What do I do? I'm in Korea and going back to Canada in two weeks, but I need my computer!

Hi,
The Question Mark folder implies that your MacBook can't find a System Folder to boot from. It doesn't mean the drive is bad.
Are you holding down the C key while booting? Make sure the MacBook is shut down. Now, press the power button, hold down the C key and insert the restore disk all at the same time. Keep holding down the C key until you see the Apple logo on the screen, then let go. You should see an Installer window, select English. DO not proceed with any installation.. do this. From the Menu Bar, click Utilities/Startup Disk. When that window opens, select MacintoshHD 10.x.x and click the Restart button. That will boot your Mac back up from the hard disk, not the restore disk. If this works, don't forget to eject your restore disk and store it in a safe place.
More help for the question mark: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
Carolyn
Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

On my older I-MAC (2005) the computer turns on, but all I see is a grey screen with a small file that has a question mark and smiling FINDER face on it. Then the fan comes on and becomes very loud. Please help...

My older I-MAC gives me a grey screen and flashes a question mark and smiling FINDER face inside a FILE icon. Then the fan begins to run and becomes very loud...and thats as far as it will let me go.

See KB Articles: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106805 Mac OS X: "Broken folder" icon, prohibitory sign, or kernel panic when computer starts
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31355 Mac OS: Flashing Globe When Computer Turns On or A folder that has an alternating flashing question mark
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301733 iMac G5: How to Reset the SMU (iMac G5, the iMac G5 (Ambient Light Sensor), and the iMac G5 (iSight)).

Folder with question mark and smiling mac face at start up

After I was importing some video today, shut down G5 and on start up I get the folder with question mark and smiling mac face.
Any help?
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Boot from a drive with Disk Warrior 4, or your emergency boot drive (FW or alternate) or if you lack that, use single user mode to run fsck command. The last option would be your Tiger DVD but that may be 10.4.3 or earlier and not your best.
I say that because it seems like it was more than just needing to reset the startup disk preference and may have a corrupt directory. It shutdown smoothly and fully?
At the least, using the OPTION key and SHIFT key for Safe Boot. My recollection of trying to do both is that it won't. You can do one or the other, but not both. So running FSCK is just insurance to repair the directory.

Folder with question mark and the computer is unable to detect Macintosh HD

Turning on the computer, there is a gray folder with a question mark and it is flashing. Then, I turn off the computer, and go to boot by clicking option at the same time. After I get into the screen, I try to reinstall my computer, but it can not detect the Macintosh HD or other driver that there is no place to install the system. I try to turn on my computer when clicking left ****, left control, and left option. It does not work also. Is there any thing i can do?
can i go to saft mode?

There isn't anything you can do for there. If you have a 2012 MBA your solid state drive has probably failed (mine did two weeks ago). I wasn't able to get into safe mode or do anything with it. I installed the OS onto a USB to get onto the machine properly, but I couldn't get into the hard drive.
If the SSD has failed, you will need to replace the drive, make an appointment with Apple and see if they can help you. If you are outside your warranty there is still a chance they will replace it for free.

When booting up get flashing apple folder with question mark and no sign, why?

When booting up get flashing apple folder with question mark and no sign, why? Computer will not open up. I have tried resetting the Pram. I can access the hard drive from another computer holding down the t key when starting up the Macbook Pro. What to do next?

The cable connecting the HDD to the logic board may be faulty. If the internal HDD can boot the MBP when in an external enclosure, that will confirm this issue. If not, the HDD may need to be replaced.
Ciao.

HT1752 I have a Power PC G4 tower and start up is not going to OS, I'm getting a question mark in a folder icon. What do I do?

I have a Power PC G4 tower and start up is not going to OS, I'm getting a question mark in a folder icon. What do I do?

Is OS X installed?
Try a Startup Manager boot. Hold Option while starting.
Try a Safe Mode boot. Hold Shift while starting.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
If the PRAM battery is old, the system can lose it's mind.
Reset the PRAM.
resetting the PRAM - Support - Apple

I upgraded the OS on my iMac to Lion from the App store; and after installation, it restarted and now the operating system won't start up.... it keeps displaying the apple/folder with a question mark and a circle with a line through it! Please help!

I upgraded the OS on my iMac to Lion from the App store; and after installation, it restarted and now the operating system won't start up.... it keeps displaying the apple/folder with a question mark and a circle with a line through it! Please help!

Try starting up with your Snow Leopard DVD and see if the disk can be repaired. Once you are at the installer screen go to the Utilities Menu and choose Disk Utility and choose repair disk. You might also want to try Diskwarrior.
Hope this helps.
Ben

Startup Failure (Blinking Question Mark) and more.....

Hi,
I have a G4 iBook that has a problem, with the hard drive I think, but I want to see if anyone has run into this problem. A search of the board didn't yeild much. Anyway, what happens is if I boot the iBook up it will get to a small folder icon with a flashing question mark and mac face. I realize this is an indicator that the startup drive isn't found. If I pinch the lower left corner during a startup then the iBook boots properly. Has anyone seen this behavior before?
Thanks,
Steve

Hi love, I had this problem last october. When I bought my Mac it was an ex-display model with a new hard drive (August 2004). Last October 2006 I restarted my mac only for it to come up with the flashy finder folder / question mark. I was told that this means the Mac can't access the OS - apparently (not gospel!) this means that either your OS is being a bum or your hard drive has died, meaning that your mac can't access the OS 'cos obviously it's stored on your hard drive. I'm not sure how much of that is correct, however when I sent it off for repair, it came back with a new hard drive. I'd also like to say at this point that the Hardware test disk said my Hard Drive was OK but that when I connected my Mac to another Mac via firewire to try and retreive my data it could not access the hard disk.
Sorry to break the bad news to you but it's very very likely you'll need a new hard drive. I am suffering at the moment 'cos my hard drive died again about 3 weeks ago, I got it back 10 days ago and it's gone again now. I have a week before I finish my degree and all my assignments were on there! (Naturally the ones I'd done this week hadn't been backed up yet!)
Good luck with your Mac, let us know how it goes

Question mark and finder folder

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