iMac is stuck on a white screen with a question mark and file folder/Won't boot

Question

Level 1

0 points

iMac is stuck on a white screen with a question mark and file folder/Won't boot

Hey everyone....

I hope someone can help me. I have a 21.5 iMac and its stuck on the white screen with a question mark and a file folder. I treied resetting my PRAM, but it won't (cmd, option P R) and it doesnt do anything. tried safe mode, singe user, and nothing. Just keep getting the white screen with the question mark.

I've tried using a wired keyboard too to now avail..... This all started after the computer hung on an application and had to force shot down. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Posted on Aug 3, 2013 1:18 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,747 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:21 PM in response to USN Vet

Repair the hard drive then reinstall OS X. It would help to know what version of OS X you are running.

Reply

Answer 2

Niel

Level 10

727,391 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:21 PM in response to USN Vet

If the computer's running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a compatible Mac OS X install DVD and restart with the C key held down.

If the computer's running Mac OS X 10.7 or newer, press the Command and R keys.

Use the Disk Utility to repair the internal drive. If there aren't any problems, install an OS onto it.

(86572)

Reply

Answer 3

USN Vet Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:24 PM in response to USN Vet

It won't let me boot to a disk, In fact I have the Install disk in the drive and it won't even let me eject it. Its not taking any keyboard commands at boot.

Reply

Answer 4

USN Vet Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:24 PM in response to Niel

It won't let me boot to a disk, In fact I have the Install disk in the drive and it won't even let me eject it. Its not taking any keyboard commands at boot.

Re: iMac is stuck on a white screen with a question mark and file folder/Won't boot

Reply

Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

361,747 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:27 PM in response to USN Vet

Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive

Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:

1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the

left mouse button until the disc ejects.

2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.

3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.

4. Press COMMAND-E.

5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in

your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:

/usr/bin/drutil eject

If this fails then try this:

Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

Reply

Answer 6

USN Vet Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:29 PM in response to Kappy

My iMac won't boot into singe user mode, it won't eject the disk and does not respond to any keyboard entry or mouse entry. After a couple of minutes, it just goes to the white screen with a file folder and a question mark. I just replaced the HDD about a yearago; becuase that failed, so the HDD is realtively new.

Reply

Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

361,747 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:33 PM in response to USN Vet

Try changing the batteries in your keyboard or use a standard Apple USB keyboard.

Reply

Answer 8

USN Vet Author

Level 1

0 points

Aug 3, 2013 1:42 PM in response to Kappy

I've changed the batteries twice today, and also tried a wired keyboard. Nothing. 😟

Reply