Only a question mark on the screen ?

[jamesamsterdam]

Hey every one,

When I turn on my note book all that apears on the screen is a question mark ?
does any one know what it means

thanks
James

[JNB]

It can't find a startup volume. Is this a new problem? If you have the CD's that came with it (or a Leopard/Tiger retail DVD), boot from that and run Disk Utility to verify & repair the HDD.

[jamesamsterdam]

It can't find a startup volume. Is this a new problem? If you have the CD's that came with it (or a Leopard/Tiger retail DVD), boot from that and run Disk Utility to verify & repair the HDD.thanks for the reply. its the first time its done it and its a Tiger. Can I download the stuff I need? if so where?

[JNB]

thanks for the reply. its the first time its done it and its a Tiger. Can I download the stuff I need? if so where?

It's all on your Install (or Retail) CD's.

[jamesamsterdam]

It's all on your Install (or Retail) CD's.I have no cd's any more, they where lost when I moved, Can I download these cd's from somewhere?
Thanks james

[JNB]

Unless you have another Mac you could start this one in Target Disk Mode to, you'll need to obtain a retail copy. Currently the only OS that Apple offers via retail channels is Leopard; you may be able to locate a retail copy of Tiger through other sources (like eBay). Avoid purchasing "Install" or Restore" versions, they are machine type-specific.

Apple OS's are not available as downloads (not anywhere legally, anyway), and you'll need a functioning OS to boot this machine to, to determine the nature of the disk problem. Either via Tiger/Leopard CD/DVD or another Mac: those are the available choices.

It is possible--though very unlikely--the HDD in the laptop is disconnected. The iFixit guides are a good source for removal & replacement of drives. If you can hear or feel the drive spinning up when you power on the laptop, then that eliminates a disconnected drive.