My imac from 2009 won't boot up. It just keeps flashing a grey file folder with a question mark. Of course now I do not know where my start up cd is.....is there anything that I can do???
iMac
Not without an installer disc because you need to reinstall OS X.
If it starts up on its own or if pressing Option at startup shows the hard drive, check the setting in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences. If it has Lion installed, you'll probably see a recovery partition when pressing Option, which can be used to repair the drive or install a new OS. Otherwise, no.
(66201)
Is it possible to get another istallation disc?
Phone Apple Support or use a retail package newer than the computer.
(66204)
What OS is this? Did you try starting up with the Option key pressed? See Try a Safe Boot and if that doesn't work, then Use fsck if necessary.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1417
Message was edited by: WZZZ
I have no idea....it used to be my husband's computer from work, knowing him it probably had whatever came with it.....I will try it with the option key pressed.....
See my edited post above. To find out the OS, click on the Apple icon in the menubar>About this Mac.
Do try a Safe Boot. Hold down the Shift key at the startup chime. Give it much longer to boot. It may be able to repair the drive if that's what the problem is.
Message was edited by: WZZZ
I can't click on that.....there's no bars to click on..only blinking file folder witgh a question mark....
And this is why no one is allowed to touch my mac ( the one I'm on now)....ugh
Safe Boots and fsck both require that the computer be able to locate an OS, which it can't do if it doesn't get beyond the blinking question mark. While this issue can be caused by filesystem damage, it requires a bootable system other than the one affected to fix.
(66205)
It's also possible that your hard drive has completely failed. If that is so, reinstalling the OS or repairing the drive from a DVD using Disk Utility will not help. It would be time for a new drive and then a reinstall from the DVD, for whatever OS that might be.
I don't suppose you have a backup of any kind?
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
To contact product and tech support visit online support site.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1434To find out the OS, click on the Apple icon in the menubar>About this Mac.
Sorry, I must be a bit brain dead today. Of course, you can't do that, since the computer won't boot. If you call Apple with the serial number of the Mac, they can tell you what OS it came with and for a relatively inexpensive charge send you a replacement install DVD.
But, unless you have AppleCare, which is the extended warranty coverage, since it's a 2009 you won't be able to get any tech support from Apple, at least not without paying a fee for additional support. What you might do is bring the computer in to one of the Apple Stores (they will at least look at it without a charge) if there's one close enough to you, or to an Apple Authorized Repair.
i actually found the installation disc, but it's not doing anything.....looks like I will ahve to take it to an Apple store.....
With the DVD in, did you start up holding down the C key? If that doesn't work, then try the option key. If neither of those get you going, then I'm afraid the drive has failed and must be replaced.
did you ever figure this out? mine is doing the same thing.
my 2009 imac wont boot, only shows file folder w/flashing question mark
