Ticket Options

Question Profile

Question Details

TICKET ARCHIVE -> computer wont turn on

mynameisal - Oct 23, 2007 - 9:15 am

when i turn my computer on it goes to the blank screen with an apple and then the apple turns into like a circle with a slash through it like on a no smoking sign. Then that turns into a folder with a question mark on it. It does not go past that screen and it does not do anything after that. It just stays on the folder with the question mark. I really need help because I use my computer for everything. Thank you.

Serenak - Oct 23, 2007 - 3:44 pm

Hello Al,

thanks for choosing macosx.com and I will see if I cannot offer some advice that may help you.

Firstly - the logo with the "No entry" on it means your Mac thinks that the OS X system is broken or unusable - some information on that is here...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106805

The Folder with a Question Mark indicates that the Mac is looking for (but unable to find) a bootable system folder.

You need to boot the Mac using the install CD/DVD and use the Disk Utility to check the check and repair the disk. This thread has some helpful instructions
http://discussions.apple.com/thread....sageID=5228231

The Disk Utility can be found in the Menu of the initial installer screen booting from the installer disk will present you... DO NOT start a reinstall unless everything else fails - and even then make sure to choose "Archive and Install" and select "preserving users and settings"

Hopefully this will resolve the problem - if it does not come back and we will explore the more esoteric options available. You do need to bear in mind that your HDD may be damaged or failing - in which case I hope that you have a good recent backup...

Let me know what happens.

Good Luck