This article describes why, when starting up, the computer pauses with a gray screen or an alternating question mark and folder displayed.

• The most common cause is that a valid startup disk has not been selected. Use the Startup Disk control panel to select a volume with a valid System Folder.

• If you have large amounts of memory installed in the computer, it will take the computer longer to test the memory at startup before proceeding with the startup process. You can turn off the startup memory tests by holding down the Command and Option keys while opening the Memory control panel.

• If you have installed additional extensions or startup items, this can cause a longer startup process. Avoid installing uneeded items to reduce the startup time.

• Turning on Multiple Users/Macintosh Manager can introduce delays depending on whether the machine is started up locally or over a network, or the user account has been opened before or reconfigured. To decrease startup time, try installing the latest version of the Macintosh Manager Client/Multiple Users software. For more information, consult the Macintosh Manager client documentation.

• Disconnect any third-party peripheral devices.
• Use the Extensions Manager control panel to select the OS Base or OS All extension set, and restart the computer for the changes to take effect.
• If the above helps, verify your third-party devices and/or third-party software functions normally. Maybe the startup delay is normally given your particular configuration.
• If you are still experiencing long delays in startup, a clean installation of the OS may be in order, as it's possible that a damaged or corrupted file is causing the delays.

• article 13784: " Flashing Question Mark on the Screen: Causes and Cures "
• article 14438: " Macintosh: Startup Problems Q & A "