Wiped an imac to reinstall, now I get the question mark

[Tompassmore]

Hi
I bought an imac off a guy in eBay. He wiped it in front of me so I could do a fresh install.
Now when I get it home, I get a flashing question mark. But I can't click alt or command r as the keyboard is wireless.
Anyone any idea?
Cheers

 

[matreya]

Hi
I bought an imac off a guy in eBay. He wiped it in front of me so I could do a fresh install.
Now when I get it home, I get a flashing question mark. But I can't click alt or command r as the keyboard is wireless.
Anyone any idea?
Cheers

Wireless keyboard should work IF YOU TURN IT ON

Turn it on just before turning on the iMac, then hold down command and R keys.

BTW, how old is the iMac?

 

[Tompassmore]

No luck
I did what you said. The light on the keyboard flashes
But I still get to the flashing folder

 

[matreya]

No luck
I did what you said. The light on the keyboard flashes
But I still get to the flashing folder

It works on an iMac I have here, but it's fairly new. How old is yours?

Do you have a wired keyboard at all? A PC keyboard will do, as long as you use the Windows key for command and the alt key for option.

 

[hfg]

Press the wireless keyboard keys immediately after the green light appears OR the chime is heard and then hold them down until the startup boot menu appears.

 

[Tompassmore]

Press the wireless keyboard keys immediately after the green light appears OR the chime is heard and then hold them down until the startup boot menu appears.

This worked a treat. Thanks a lot for all the help

 

[WilliamG]

Getting any commands to be recognized on the Apple Bluetooth keyboard at boot up is a lesson in trial and error, I've found. You just have to find that exact moment to get it right.