Skip Bleecker*
Level 1 (109 points)
Apple TV

Q: What can I do about a flashing Question Mark?

Yesterday I started up my iMac and the keyboard was not working, so I could not log in. I restarted the computer several times with and without the keyboard and mouse attached, but the mouse was working but not the keyboard.  When I finally got in, I ran the Disk Utility and checked the disk Etc.  When I restarted the computer I got a flashing Question Mark inside a folder icon.

 

Since then I have restarted the computer many times and I keep getting the Flashing Question Mark icon.

 

I tried to start up using the OS X startup disk, but the CD player is not internal, and is plugged into the USB port.  The keyboard will not allow me to reset the PRAM, as I can't tell if it is even connected.  I have tried several times to restart with and without the keyboard, mouse and external CD/DVD player plugged in.

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Feb 16, 2014 9:24 AM

by Skip Bleecker*,Solvedanswer
Skip Bleecker* Skip Bleecker*
Level 1 (109 points)
Apple TV
A:

OK I used the Disk Utility that I was able to access with the Internet Utility, to erase the HD now I am able to reinstall Mountain Lion, so I am going to do that now.

 

Thanks for your help,

 

Skip

 

 

Posted on Feb 16, 2014 1:34 PM

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Skip Bleecker*

Q: What can I do about a flashing Question Mark?

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  • by Kappy,Helpful

    Kappy Kappy Feb 16, 2014 1:07 PM in response to Skip Bleecker*
    Level 10 (271,860 points)
    Desktops
    Feb 16, 2014 1:07 PM in response to Skip Bleecker*

    Go back and read the instructions from my earlier post. But I'll repeat the key part:

     

    Clean Install of Snow Leopard

     

    Be sure to make a backup first because the following procedure will erase

    the drive and everything on it.

     

         1. Boot the computer using the Snow Leopard Installer Disc or the Disc 1 that came

             with your computer.  Insert the disc into the optical drive and restart the computer.

             After the chime press and hold down the  "C" key.  Release the key when you see

             a small spinning gear appear below the dark gray Apple logo.

     

         2. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue

             button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu.

             After DU loads select the hard drive entry from the left side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive

             size.)  Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.  Set the number of

             partitions to one (1) from the Partitions drop down menu, click on Options button

             and select GUID, click on OK, then set the format type to MacOS Extended

             (Journaled, if supported), then click on the Apply button.

     

         3. When the formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer.  Proceed

             with the OS X installation and follow the directions included with the installer.

     

         4. When the installation has completed your computer will Restart into the Setup

             Assistant. Be sure you configure your initial admin account with the exact same

             username and password that you used on your old drive. After you finish Setup

             Assistant will complete the installation after which you will be running a fresh

             install of OS X.  You can now begin the update process by opening Software

             Update and installing all recommended updates to bring your installation current.

     

    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.

  • by Skip Bleecker*,Solvedanswer

    Skip Bleecker* Skip Bleecker* Feb 16, 2014 1:34 PM in response to Skip Bleecker*
    Level 1 (109 points)
    Apple TV
    Feb 16, 2014 1:34 PM in response to Skip Bleecker*

    OK I used the Disk Utility that I was able to access with the Internet Utility, to erase the HD now I am able to reinstall Mountain Lion, so I am going to do that now.

     

    Thanks for your help,

     

    Skip

     

     

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