I lost the start up disk, and I've tried zapping the PRAM, holding Shift during start up.....ect. I don't want to buy a new computer so please....HELP!
2007-10-21 08:22:30 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
thanks for the answers so far....very useful(not the explosive one) but FYI I don't have a tower..it's built into the monitor.
2007-10-21 12:57:32 · update #1
Technically, the blinking question mark means the Mac can't find a device (HD, CD, etc.) with boot blocks on it that it can read. Practically speaking, if you can determine that your HD is indeed spinning (you should be able to hear the difference when the Mac is powered on or off), then you need to repair the boot blocks on the HD and hope that's the only problem. Since you don't have a startup disk, here are your options: 1) get another startup disk (call Apple, the nearest Apple Store); 2) purchase a new OS CD (cheaper than buying a new computer, and Leopard ships on Friday); 3) buy a copy of Disk Warrior 4 from Alsoft (http://www.alsoft.com/). If you choose option 1 or 2, then boot from the CD (hold down the "C" key while starting up), and choose Disk Utility from the menu bar. For option 3, follow the manufacturer's instructions. Good luck!
2007-10-23 09:32:02 · answer #1 · answered by Jeff F 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nomadd is correct that the Mac cannot find the operating system. If this is a G3 or G4 tower (Blue & White or Silver), you should open it up and check the cabling to the hard drive. These Macs use the same type of IDE cabling as PCs - you just need to make sure the cable is pushed in all the way to th connector on the motherboard, and on the hard drive. Next, turn on the Mac while the case is open (you can do that with the towers), and put your hand against the hard drive. If you can feel it spinning, your files may still be recoverable. If it's not spinning, or if it's making a clicking noise, your hard drive is either dead or dying.
2007-10-21 10:30:12 · answer #2 · answered by Spartacus! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That means it can't find an operating system. You're out of luck with no install disk.
Mac hardware until a couple of years ago was very unreliable and short lived.
2007-10-21 08:38:00 · answer #3 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First real issue. MAC.
resolution? No problem too small that can't be resolved with sufficient amount of explosives.
2007-10-21 08:28:57 · answer #4 · answered by tigger1960jhv 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋