iBook G4 won't start up

[ThatGirl]

Hi,
My iBook G4 was frozen. I could not use the restart or shut down option. I had to use the power button. I powered it off. Waited a few minutes, then pressed the power on again. I can hear the start up tone, but only a folder icon appears with a blinking question mark. Then the question mark disappears and a simple blank folder icon remains.

Can you please tell me what is wrong, and how I can fix it?
Thank you!

 

[CanadaRAM]

Your machine can't find an operating system -- it is either corrupted on the hard drive, or the hard drive has failed on you.

Step one -- locate your OSX original CD/DVD and see if you can boot from the CD -- hold the "C" key down through startup.

If you can start from the CD, go into the Utilities menu at the top, and launch Disk Utility. Can you see the icon and name of your hard drive?

 

[ThatGirl]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of doing that but worried the disc might not come back out if there is a big problem. I'll give it a try now.