Solving Problems : Problems is from Chapter 1 of the Troubleshooting Handbook which ships with all Macintosh computers.

Computer Won't Start Up

Computer Won't Start Up
The following topics are included in this article:

• Computer won't start up
• Computer Won't Restart
• Computer Won't Shutdown
• You Hear Tones When Starting Up
• Screen Shows Single Folder With Blinking Question Mark
• Keyboard or Mouse Doesn't Work
• Message Appears
• Normal Desktop Doesn't Appear
• Hard Disk Icon Doesn't Appear on Desktop
• Computer Starts Up From the Wrong Disk
• PowerBooks: Sleep Indicator Light Glows Steady Green
• Disc Is Jammed

Problems Starting Up: Problems

Note: We've linked many of the problem statements below to articles with further detail on steps to take when troubleshooting. Click on the underlined link to see that detail and a new web page will appear. When you've completed reviewing the new page, click the Back button on your Web browser to return to this page.

Computer Won't Start Up

Computer won't start up.


• Make sure your computer is getting power
• Make Sure the Monitor is Properly Connected and Adjusted
• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Increase the Memory Available for System Software
• Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk.
• Resolve system extension conflicts
• Reset the PRAM
• Make sure memory is installed correctly
• Replace the computer's backup battery



Unusual sound occurs when you try to start up the computer.

• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Make sure Memory & Expansion Cards are installed correctly
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk
Computer won't restart.
• Quit open applications
• Force your computer to Restart
Computer won't shut down.

Try this solution:

• Force your computer to shut down.
You Hear Tones When Starting Up

If you hear one or more tones when you attempt to start up your computer, this typically indicates a problem with the computer's hardware.

• One tone: Your computer doesn't detect any memory in your system. See Make sure Memory & Expansion Cards are installed correctly
• Two tones: Your computer detects incompatible memory. See Make sure Memory & Expansion Cards are installed correctly
• Three or more tones: Contact an Apple-authorized service provider. See the service and support information that came with your computer.
Screen Shows Single Folder With Blinking Question Mark
• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Resolve SCSI ID Conflicts
• Re-bless the System Folder
• Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk
• Resolve System Extension Conflicts
• Reset the PRAM
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk
• See Chapter 4, Reinstalling Your Computer's Software .

Computer Freezes or a System Error Message Appears

• Take Notes
• Quit open applications
• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk
• Resolve System Extension Conflicts
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk
• See Chapter 4, Reinstalling Your Computer's Software .
Keyboard or Mouse Doesn't Work
• Take Notes
• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Resolve System Extension Conflicts
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk
• See Chapter 4, Reinstalling Your Computer's Software .
Message appears

Sometimes a message appears on the screen telling you that a problem occurred.

Message says there's not enough memory

Note: These solutions are for system software memory problems. For problems with application memory, see Mac OS Help (available in the Help menu).

• Increase the Memory Available for System Software
• Check RAM disk settings in the Memory control panel
• Resolve System Extension Conflicts



Message appears about disk corruption.

• Take Notes
• Check RAM disk settings in the Memory control panel



Message appears about the LocalTalk port

• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On



Message about system software appears.

• Take Notes
• Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk.
• Reinstall Your System Software .

Normal desktop doesn't appear
Screen is dark.

• Wake Up Your computer
• Make sure your computer in getting power
• Make Sure the Monitor is Properly Connected and Adjusted
• Reset the PRAM



Screen is gray or blank

• Reset the PRAM



Empty flashing box appears.

• Re-bless the System Folder
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk
• See Chapter 4, Reinstalling Your Computer's Software .
Large folder-shaped areas containing pictorial buttons appear.
• Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk.

Hard disk icon doesn't appear on desktop
• Quit open applications
• Restart the computer
• Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
• Resolve SCSI ID Conflicts
• See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk Computer starts up from wrong disk
  • Make Sure External Equipment is Properly Connected and Turned On
  • Resolve SCSI ID Conflicts
  • Make sure you're using the correct disk as a startup disk.
  • Reset the PRAM
  • See Chapter 3, Testing and Repairing Your Hard Disk PowerBooks: Sleep Indicator Light Glows Steady Green
    • Quit open applications
    • Make sure your computer in getting power
    • Restart the computer
    
    Disc Is Jammed
    • Remove a Jammed Disc

    Chapter 1: Solving Problems is continued in the following articles. Click on any of the links to go to that section:

    • TIL article 43047: Problems Starting Up: Solutions - Part 1
    • TIL article 43048: Problems Starting Up: Solutions - Part 2
    • TIL article 43049: Problems Starting Up: Solutions - Part 3

  
  

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  Keywords:	kimac, kppc, kmos81

  
  

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