I have the flashing question mark folder on boot of my 2004 G4 1.33Mhz IBook.
I've changed the hard drive and also the ribbon cable but it does not make any difference.
For a few days before this occured the machine was hanging in mid operation and I was
seeing the multi-coloured wheel.
Can aqnyone diagnose the fault for me?
iBook, Mac OS X (10.4.11)
In most cases it means the computer cannot find your HardDrive...which is very bad.. but
try this...
Resetting PRAM and NVRAM
I tried the PRAM and the situation remained.
Accessed Disc Utility from the OSX cd and it doesn't see the hard drive at all.
I know the drive is ok cos I put it in a caddy and can run it fine on our other iBook as a usb drive.
Also changed the ribbon cable but that doesn't alter things.
Does this point to the logic board?
Strange that it works on another computer, have you started the computer up in safe mode?
Same thing happens, after a pause on black screen I get the grey and then the folder
sorry, if it wasn't for the fact that it works as a drive for another computer, i would say it was dead. Not sure what it could be. I guess check the connections in the cable when you hook it to the current computer.
Hi, and welcome to Apple Support Communities.
The Brazilian wrote:
What does the flashing question mark folder actually mean?
What it means is that the iBook can't find the operating system in order to start up.
Have you tried starting by holding down the x key as the startup chime is ending?
Check out Apple's suggestions for dealing with the flashing question mark:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US
Maybe something there will help.
What does the flashing question mark folder actually mean?
