It means that the computer cannot find a bootable operating system. The computer will try to search for one and boot up using it. Does you computer ever find one or does it stop after a minute or so?
Another way to tell if there is a bootable OS is to hold the option key at bootup and see what the computer can find. At that point you can select one.
Like Orion said. To be more specific, there may be damage to the operating system (that can be repaired, or, failing that, can be reinstalled [the OS]), or the hard drive is mechanically defective, which, in that case, would need to be replaced. Boot from Disc 1 that originally came with the unit (hold down the "C" key on startup) and see if the hard drive is visible under Disk Utility. If it is, perform a repair and see what the end result is. If the hard drive isn't visible under Disk Utility, the drive is mechanically dead.
What kind of Mac/operating system?
__________________ ACMT Mac mini (Mid 2011) 2.7 GHz i7, 8GB RAM, Crucial M4 256GB SSD + 500GB + 1TB FW800 OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini iPhone 4S • iPod nano 8GB • Sound System Audio Engine A2 • Display UltraSharp U2412M 24"
Like Orion said. To be more specific, there may be damage to the operating system (that can be repaired, or, failing that, can be reinstalled [the OS]), or the hard drive is mechanically defective, which, in that case, would need to be replaced. Boot from Disc 1 that originally came with the unit (hold down the "C" key on startup) and see if the hard drive is visible under Disk Utility. If it is, perform a repair and see what the end result is. If the hard drive isn't visible under Disk Utility, the drive is mechanically dead.
What kind of Mac/operating system?
i've got the 1st gen Macbook 1.83ghz, Tiger 10.4.10
Disk Utility found no errors on my hard drive, but it stills boots up with the ? Folder.
Maybe it's time i called Apple?
Should i reinstall the OS entirely?
Linear Mode
