TOPIC
This article tells you what to do when you see a blinking or flashing question mark on your screen when you startup a Macintosh computer (assuming you are using System 7.x or later).
DISCUSSION
Typically blinking question marks are caused by: System Software Improperly Configured Sometimes a System Folder is on the hard drive, but its components are not configured properly, are damaged, or there may be two or more System Folders present. Use the steps in the following table to correct this situation:
2. Open the hard disk's icon. 3. Open the System Folder. Ensure that the System and Finder are present and at the root level of the System Folder. 4. Double-click the System file to confirm that it can open. If there is an error, perform a clean install. To find articles with procedures to perform a clean installation, choose "Search Titles for:" in the popup menu and enter clean install. 5. Make sure that you have only one System Folder on your hard drive. The active System Folder icon should contain a little picture of a Macintosh. If you find an extra System Folder, move it to the Trash icon and choose Empty Trash from the Special menu. 6. If you are a Performa user, and have a previous back up of your system, turn on the computer and insert the Utilities Disk, run Apple Restore, and restore your System Software. If you have not had a chance to back up your system, call the telephone number included with the documentation that came with your computer for further assistance. Attached Peripherals (SCSI Devices) Improperly Configured A chain of SCSI devices, called a SCSIbus, might include peripherals, such as external hard drives, CD-ROM drives, scanners, and printers, linked together with SCSI cables. To determine whether you have a SCSI configuration issue, complete the following steps:
2. Turn off all attached devices. 3. Completely disconnect the SCSI bus from your computer. 4. Start up the computer. Third Party Software Conflicts If you have recently added or modified your system by adding any additional software, you may be experiencing a software conflict. If starting from Disk Tools was successful, then try restarting without Disk Tools, and hold down the Shift key. If this is successful, then you most likely have an Extension or Control Panel issue, and you should remove any third party software from your System Folder. You can also use the Extension Manager or another third party utility to turn off Extensions or Control Panels. If you still cannot restart from the System Folder on your hard drive (but were successful when starting with Disk Tools), then a Clean Install is recommended. Unusable PRAM One of the factors that causes a flashing question mark is an unusable PRAM or logic board setting. Steps to resolve this include reseting PRAM by holding down the Command-Option-p-r keys at computer starts up. If this does not resolve the situation, you can remove the logic board battery for 10 minutes. This should only be done by an Apple Authorized Service Provider, since damage to the logic board is possible if not done properly. By pulling the battery, the PRAM is completely cleared and other logic board components are reset. Causes for this situation could be a faulty ADB device, or AudioVision displays. Hardware Repair If none of the preceding resolves the situation, you may need to take your computer to an authorized Service Provider for repair. |
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| Document Information | |
| Product Area: | Mac OS System Software |
| Category: | General OS |
| Sub Category: | General Topics |
| Keywords: | supt, kalley |
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