DivaSkyChick 0 #1 February 16, 2003 My imac is tripping. I've restarted it and left if off for hours then restarted again.... I just get a blue screen with a small file icon in the middle with a flashing question mark inside. That can't be good. HELP! --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #2 February 16, 2003 This means the machine can't find a bootable hard drive. It could be a hardware failure or it could be fouled system software. Try rebooting from a system CD. If that works, use the Disk First Aid (on that CD) to diagnose and repair whatever it can. If that's insufficient, reinstall the OS. If that fails, take the machine to a shop. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #3 February 16, 2003 If you had a pc you wouldn't have these problems ____________________ Say no to subliminal messages Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrazyIvan 0 #4 February 16, 2003 If you still have the original manuals you'll find the solution to that, if not, read the following: MacIntosh - User guide Page 44 ...This problem is solved by following the 3 steps below: 1- Press Open apple + Shift + Ctrl keys, this will display a screen displaying a label, to print it, press Tab + Enter. 2- After printing the label, place you MAC and peripherals in a box, tape it properly. 3- Place the box containing your MAC next to your garbage cans, making sure the label on the box is facing up (the label reads GARBAGE)__________________________________________ Blue Skies and May the Force be with you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #5 February 16, 2003 Okay, i rebooted from the software disk, disk first aid found probs it couldn't repair. If I reinstall the os, will I lose everything on the computer? Thanks so much Narcimund! QuoteThis means the machine can't find a bootable hard drive. It could be a hardware failure or it could be fouled system software. Try rebooting from a system CD. If that works, use the Disk First Aid (on that CD) to diagnose and repair whatever it can. If that's insufficient, reinstall the OS. If that fails, take the machine to a shop. --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
narcimund 0 #6 February 16, 2003 Absolutely not. Reinstalling the OS will not erase the harddrive. However, it's possible the HD is hosed anyway. As much as I'd like to help you further, the childish responses above really ruin my interest in participating. Good luck. First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #7 February 16, 2003 You're kidding me, right? Punish me for a bunch of loser pc users? SEE WHAT YOU BOYS DID! Somebody HELP ME! I can't reinstall the OS bc apparently my computer is too f*&Ked. I can't even get the damn disk out of the computer now. Does anyone know of an emergency way to get a disk out of an Imac? This so sucks. --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #8 February 16, 2003 if it's the CD drive you can use a paper clip. Open one end of the paper clip and the CD drive should have a small hole where you can manually eject the disk by inserting the end of the paper clip and gently pushing in."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skeletor 0 #9 February 16, 2003 Turn it off before you go sticking paper clips into the CD drive.... Rich. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #10 February 16, 2003 It doesn't have one anywhere near the mouth of the cd drive. The only place I can think of is way over on the side of the computer, next to the tiny little reset button, is a button in a hole - not sure what it's for but it's definitely an "innie" as opposed to an "outtie." What can I hurt by trying it? --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #11 February 16, 2003 Put it this way, the only thing that will probably fit in the hole is something the size of a paper clip end. It is as innie as it can get. It is the female end and the paper clip is the male end. Remember that little finger geture all the little boys used to make on the playground? Same principal "It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #12 February 16, 2003 Well, okay, if you really think it'll be okay. It's not going to hurt tho, right? I've never done this before. Okay, I'm just going to close my eyes and .... --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #13 February 16, 2003 there should be a pin hole that a Paper clip should fit nicely into. Keep looking. It doesn't matter if the computer is powered on or not. If you are worried about losing Data, Will the Imac fit 2 harddrives in it? If so, get a hard drive and install a new os then place the original drive hardrive in as a slave.My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SteveM 0 #14 February 16, 2003 ....... ROFLMAO.......So "elegantly" stated Mr D. >^..^ Steve M >^..^for me -- SkyDiving is a life sentence -- for it has saved my life. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #15 February 16, 2003 Quote As much as I'd like to help you further, the childish responses above really ruin my interest in participating. Good luck. LOL!!!! it's a FORUM!! LOL..... -My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skeletor 0 #16 February 16, 2003 QuoteIt doesn't matter if the computer is powered on or not. With the CD drive powered you are going to strain the motor and perhaps snap a plastic gear in there. Turning off the power means you won't damage the motor or gears in the CD drive. Rich. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #17 February 16, 2003 Okay, new ideas? The disk just don't wanna come out! --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #18 February 16, 2003 Quote Okay, new ideas? The disk just don't wanna come out! Do you own a hammer? J/K did ya push in hard enough? It takes a little bit of pressure and the drawer will pop open. Do what my dad told me to do: Stick it in until it makes contact with something then push a little bit harder"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
indyz 1 #19 February 16, 2003 QuoteOkay, new ideas? The disk just don't wanna come out! Is it the new style iMac (LCD screen on a swivel arm) or the older style? If it's the new style, use a fingernail to flip down the white plastic cover in front of the CD-ROM tray and look for a small hole in there. Then stick a paper clip in it. It will probably take some force to get the disc out. If it's the old style, I have no idea. Really though, unless you are comfortable taking your computer apart, it sounds like it's time to send it in for service. Try to find somebody that will do data recovery on your old hard drive. Then, learn to make backups on a regular basis. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #20 February 16, 2003 old style... --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akaGQ 0 #21 February 16, 2003 Macs suck. Dude, Get a Dell!- GQ ... it was the love of the air and sky and flying, the lure of adventure, the appreciation of beauty ... -Charles Lindberg Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #22 February 16, 2003 QuoteTry to find somebody that will do data recovery on your old hard drive. Then, learn to make backups on a regular basis. Unless you have something absolutley valuable on the disk(if the disk is indeed the problem) you better be prepared to invest at a minimum of $500 and up for a company to recover your data. Data recovery isn't cheap nor is it guarenteed."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DivaSkyChick 0 #23 February 16, 2003 well fuck me. $500 is NOT wanted I wanted to hear. Shit I might as well buy a new computer.... --- www.facebook.com/mandyhamptonfitch Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hookitt 1 #24 February 16, 2003 Make the Drive a slave, (if possible) the data will be there, unless the physical drive is hosed. Then again... I suppose if getting a cd out of the player is trouble, then It's time to find some one who's good at this sort of thing to physically look at your machine. I generally either put all my data on a different drive or install the operating system on a new drive and put the old one in line. Then copy it to the new drive. (or just leave the drive there and use it to store data)My grammar sometimes resembles that of magnetic refrigerator poetry... Ghetto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #25 February 16, 2003 Quotewell fuck me. fighting...... urge..... to say..... something ....lip starting ...to bleed LOL Quote $500 is NOT wanted I wanted to hear. Shit I might as well buy a new computer.... It might not be your HD. Was it making any grinding or clicking noises prior to it going to the blue screen of death? Only other thing I can think of to try is to unplug it from the wall for at least 20 mins, hit any reset buttons you might have on it(check your surge suppressor if it has a reset button, if you use one) and then try to power up again."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
