19keisha76

Q: blinking question mark

how do i remove the blinking question mark icon when starting up the mac

Posted on Sep 23, 2013 4:50 PM

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Q: blinking question mark

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 23, 2013 4:52 PM in response to 19keisha76
    Level 10 (311,758 points)
    Sep 23, 2013 4:52 PM in response to 19keisha76

    There are four general causes of this issue:

     

    1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.

    2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.

    3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.

    4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from the hard drive's location.

     

    (89849)

  • by 19keisha76,

    19keisha76 19keisha76 Sep 23, 2013 4:56 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 23, 2013 4:56 PM in response to Niel

    what is the pram

  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Sep 23, 2013 5:23 PM in response to 19keisha76
    Level 10 (311,758 points)
    Sep 23, 2013 5:23 PM in response to 19keisha76

    It's a tiny amount of the computer's RAM which is separately powered so that its contents are preserved when the machine is off.

     

    (89854)