blue screen with a question mark inside a file folder image

Hello:

You might try resetting the PRAM:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Barry

Try the following in this order:

1 Hold down Option key and see if your OS shows up. If so, click icon then arrow.
After booting in Startup Disk in Preferences, select OS-X

2 Safe boot - hold down shift key on boot. At login screen click restart and see if computer boots normally.

3 Boot into Leopard DVD - insert DVD, hold down "C" key. After language screen, top left menu, select Utilities and disk utility and repair HD and permissions.

Hello db:

If you cannot boot from your software install DVD you have (IMHO) a hardware problem. I suggest you take the computer to an Apple store (or call Applecare - hopefully you are in warranty) for diagnosis.

Barry

Hi dbfs;

There is not such thing as a clean install with OS X.

To boot from the install DVD hold down "D" as the Mac boots this will start the Apple Hardware Test.

Allan

Hello db:

(I was eating turkey).

As Allan suggests, boot from your software install DVD by holding down the "D" key. Run the extended hardware test. If that does not indicate any problem, boot (again) from the software install DVD holding down the "C" key (as nero indicates above). You do not actually install anything. Select disk utilities and run repair disk (this will find any directory issues).

Incidentally, the reason Allan indicated there is no +"clean install"+ is that Apple dropped that terminology several years ago. That process is now an erase and install - something that should be reserved (IMHO) for disasters. If a reinstall were ever necessary, I would suggest an archive and install.

Best of success,

Barry

Barry Hemphill wrote:
That process is now an erase and install - something that should be reserved (IMHO) for disasters. If a reinstall were ever necessary, I would suggest an archive and install.

Keep in mind that an archive and install uses more disk space than any other option (because of the archive), so it is not always possible or desirable to do one when a user's startup disk is getting full.

The worst case is that the archive and install leaves very little free space left on the drive & on restart there isn't enough room for temporary files that the OS needs to remain stable. It is even possible that this situation can lead to data loss.

Otherwise, it is usually a good choice.