Smiley face/question mark on a gray screen

I've "inherited" a red and white mac g3 that does not start up. No disks or manuals came with it.
When powered on, a gray screen with a small folder in the center pops up with a smiley face alternating with a question mark blinking on it. There is a start up sound accompanying the blinking. Any suggestions for someone not technical? Thank you so much!
G3    

Bokoto, welcome to Apple Discussions!
Look at "A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
I hope this helps. However I think you are going to need a Disc with the OS on it. Please take a look at Don's answer to 'Where can I get an OS9 CD' (also in this forum) as there is some important info. for you there.
More answers to your problem are available here:
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?search=Go&q=flashingquestionmark
... this is the search I ran with your problem - top right corner of your screen "Search Discussions".
Anthony

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