Pollyfromvt

Q: A large gray question mark

Twice in the last few weeks, when I have stepped away from my iMac for a few minutes, I have returned to see a large gray question mark on the screen.

 

The mouse doesn't click or move, and the only way to get rid of the question mark is to restart, which the iMac does fine.

 

Is this a sign that I need to replace my iMac? I'd rather not yet.

 

Mid 2007 24-inch, system 10.9.5.

 

Thank you!

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9), HP Laserjet professional P 1102w

Posted on Jan 5, 2016 4:30 PM

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Q: A large gray question mark

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  • by Duane,Helpful

    Duane Duane Jan 6, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Pollyfromvt
    Level 10 (124,018 points)
    Jan 6, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Pollyfromvt

    It sounds like your Mac restarted and couldn't find the startup disk. See About the screens you see when your Mac starts up - Apple Support

  • by Pollyfromvt,

    Pollyfromvt Pollyfromvt Jan 6, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Duane
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Jan 6, 2016 1:38 PM in response to Duane

    Duane, thanks for writing!

     

    Even though it didn't happen at start-up, but by just being on, it probably is the same problem.

     

    Since I can cure the problem by restarting, should I be in a hurry to buy a new Mac?

     

    I do have everything backed up, both with Time Machine and offsite.

     

    Thanks!

     

    Polly

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Jan 7, 2016 3:12 AM in response to Pollyfromvt
    Level 9 (58,704 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jan 7, 2016 3:12 AM in response to Pollyfromvt

    Pollyfromvt,

     

    What you can check is System Preferences - Startup Disk and click the startup disk so it is highlighted. Then click restart and the machine should start-up. However please remember, your computer is almost 10 years old now which is quite old. At the very least you should be backing the computer up with Time Machine and also checking on occasion that the back up is working okay by restoring a file or two.

  • by Pollyfromvt,

    Pollyfromvt Pollyfromvt Jan 7, 2016 3:10 AM in response to rkaufmann87
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iBooks
    Jan 7, 2016 3:10 AM in response to rkaufmann87

    R, thanks for writing!

     

    Actually, the gray question mark showed up, not on start-up, but just on sitting there. Restarting made the question mark go away.

     

    But the actual meaning of the symbol, that suddenly the computer can't find the start-up disk, probably holds true. And yes, it's 8.5 years old.

     

    It  never hurts to be be reminded, but I do have a Time Machine backup, and an offsite backup too, both recently checked.

     

    Thanks!