MBP won't boot (Prohibitory sign) HELP!

[jgw1283]

Just FYI, I have this same topic posted in the help forum but no one has responded and I know this section gets more views.....

Just yesterday my 2008 MBP gave me the prohibitory sign upon restarting. I have been using some external USB HDDs lately but haven't deleted any system files or whatnot. To make a long story short, I've tried resetting the PRAM, booting in safe mode (where I'm writing this from) and using Disk Utility to repair permissions and check the disk. I also verified the HD and it said it was fine.

I have NOT yet tried re-installing from my Snow Leopard DVD. If I do this, I just want to make sure it won't delete anything because I haven't used Time Machine in a while so I really can't afford to lose any data. What system files could possibly be fixed by re-installing the OS?

Lastly, what do I do if this step doesn't work? I don't think my HDD is going bad. I haven't ever dropped it or abused it in any way over its life. Thanks much for any info/advice!

 

[greytmom]

I don't know what the prohibitory sign is, but I can tell you that hard drives go bad even if you don't abuse them. Any part can fail.

 

[jgw1283]

it's the circle with the line through it

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http://reviews.cnet.com/i/bto/20100129/ProhibitorySign.png

 

[greytmom]

I found something old on Apple Support about Norton Antivirus causing issues... You don't have that installed, do you?

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Take a look at this:

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10444282-263.html

 

[jgw1283]

I don't have it installed

 

[greytmom]

Look at the link I gave you. Basically looks like you need to reinstall OS, and your data should be fine.

 

[jav6454]

Zero out the drive and try again.