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Carl P

Q: Question mark appears on start up osx snow leopard on 2005 iMac

I have an iMac purchased about 2005, and it's running Snow Leopard. Though I have newer machines, I really like the look of this older machine, and use it primarily to surf the Web. Today, it froze solid on me. When I powered it down and restarted it it never booted up correctly. All I get is a White screen with a folder and a flashing question mark. I've tried powering it down several times and restarting it, but I get the same thing. I also tried holding down command + R  on start up to get it into recover mode, but nothing. I'd really like to keep this machine going. Any idea on how to correct this problem?

Posted on Jan 22, 2016 10:57 AM

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Q: Question mark appears on start up osx snow leopard on 2005 iMac

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Jan 22, 2016 11:00 AM in response to Carl P
    Level 10 (311,478 points)
    Jan 22, 2016 11:00 AM in response to Carl P

    Insert a Mac OS X install DVD and restart with the C or Option keys held down. Depending on the exact problem, you'll either need to use the Disk Utility to repair the internal drive, or install a fresh OS on it, or replace the drive.

     

    There isn't a recovery partition on 10.6.8 or earlier.

     

    (138689)

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 22, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Carl P
    Level 6 (14,224 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 22, 2016 11:02 AM in response to Carl P

    There probably isn't going to be a 'recovery' found on that old a system.

     

    • Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks - Apple Support

    If you have the install-restore DVD, that could be used to start the Mac

    and see if Disk Utility in there can find the hard drive.

     

    • Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

    You could see if starting (attempt) in Safe Mode may help. However it

    may be the old hard disk drive has failed. Do you have a backup copy?

     

    The hard drive is suspect, at least to my thinking. Other opinions may vary.

    Be prepared for the worst, then anything less could be a holiday...!

  • by Carl P,

    Carl P Carl P Jan 22, 2016 12:17 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jan 22, 2016 12:17 PM in response to Niel

    Thanks.  I was able to get it a little further along by using the install disk. It allows the apple to appear, but then it ejects the disk and the folder with a question mark appears again. This computer had this problem several years ago. I took it to an Apple store where a technician plugged in his own disk, and was able to get it to boot from it right away. That solved the problem for many years, but now its back

  • by Carl P,

    Carl P Carl P Jan 22, 2016 12:19 PM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jan 22, 2016 12:19 PM in response to K Shaffer

    Thanks, but the problem still exists.  As I mentioned in a post to Neil, I was able to get it a little further along by using the install disk. It allows the apple to appear, but then it ejects the disk and the folder with a question mark appears again. This computer had this problem several years ago. I took it to an Apple store where a technician plugged in his own disk, and was able to get it to boot from it right away. That solved the problem for many years, but now its back

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Jan 22, 2016 2:30 PM in response to Carl P
    Level 6 (14,224 points)
    Desktops
    Jan 22, 2016 2:30 PM in response to Carl P

    There is a fair chance the hard disk drive &/or the cable, may be at fault now.

    The hard disk drive is old, probably worn, and likely is the cause or major

    contributor to the symptoms. There also is a clock battery in the logic board.

     

    These kinds of items could be addressed more easily in your old vintage iMac

    G5 or early Intel model because unlike newer ones, it is more readily accessible.

     

    The iFixit.com repair guides for Macs are helpful; sometimes general items not

    in one guide, are summarily covered to a passable degree in a similar model.

    Depending on this actual hardware build model you have, the guides will differ:

     

    • iMac Repair - iFixit (from powerPC G3  G4 G5 -- to recent Intel models)

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac

     

    The G5 was produced until the Intel based iMac (and other intel mac) arrived

    in 2006 model year. However new old stock G5 were for sale past that time.

    Since those transitional models look a lot alike, the devil is in the details.

     

    The computer is now too old for the Apple Store (retail official) to offer a repair

    though diagnostic may be available via the Genius via appointment. You could

    then choose to visit an authorized Apple service provider who fixes older gear.

     

     

    You could probably most carefully attempt to fix it. Notable issues are sensors

    on or near the hard disk drive bracket, and other places where if the sensor is

    not able to detect the heat or is disabled, the fans may always run fast & loud.

    So there are 'details' in those details. Cause and effect... Or after-effects.