White screen with file icon and Question mark after a kernel panic???

I'm using my girlfriends 20" iMac and her computer keeps having kernel panics. And then at times when we restart the computer, we get a white screen with a file icon and a question mark inside. Any ideas on what to do???? Her graduation project is on that computer and she is stressed like you wouldn't believe. Safe to say, I'm taking the brunt of it. Please help!!!

It sounds like you might be having a hard drive problem. The folder icon with question mark means the computer can't find a startup drive/system folder. I suggest that you back up all important data, especially her project. Before bringing it in for service, run the Apple Hardware Test - put in your original system restore DVD and restart the computer, holdng down the "D" key. Run the extended diagnositics (it will take over an hour (depending on how much RAM you have) and will tell you if there is anything wrong with your hardware. If it dinds a problem then you can take it to the nearest Apple authorized service provider to check it out.

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