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Flashing file Query; imac Reboot problem

A

Athanatos

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 24, 2010
5
0
Stamford, England
I have an iMac (bought 2006) running Tiger which has worked fine, although seems to have been slower recently. Turned it off before the weekend as we were all away, and now it will not reboot.
On attempting to restart, I get the start-up musical 'ta-Dah', but then get an ominous sounding ticking, usually in groups of three, and finally a light grey screen with a flashing darker grey file icon containing a question mark (?) (with no more ticking)

I have tried a reboot holding the apple key, and a reboot holding the 'S' key (as suggested on different threads)

I still have the initial Mac OS X install disc and have tried booting with this in. I then get the bitten apple and #installer runs, but after agreeing to the license, it demands that I select a destination volume for the install, but doesn't give mae any options, and the continue button remains 'greyed out'

Is this a dead Hard disk?, if so, what can I do about it. I might be able to 'reclaim' a Mac mini (also 2006) from my son, who, I think, has gone back to a PC (why you ask) although he is no longer local. Could the mini use the screen of the iMac (and if so how)

I confess I am computer (PC) semi-illiterate, and know even less about Macs so may need some basic help

Thanks.
 
I think your hard disk is dead. You might have to take it to an Apple Store to have it replaced. Also the data on the disk is most likely lost and not recoverable.
 
With the computer off, hold down the mouse button and press the power button, while holding down the mouse button until the disc comes out. If you are having trouble doing this. Hold down the Option key right after you hear the startup chime. Then at the screen that appears with the reinstallation disc with an arrow under it press the eject button on the keyboard. That should also make it come out.
 
It confirms my fears of a lost HDisc.
The links to 'how to do it' will be useful, not fixed yet as I am waiting for my son (who is not a mac user but works in computers and has built his own PC in the past) to be able to help me do it, but he is not local, has a young child (yes I'm a granddad) and is trying to move house. So not holding my breath!
 
Athanatos said:
It confirms my fears of a lost HDisc.
The links to 'how to do it' will be useful, not fixed yet as I am waiting for my son (who is not a mac user but works in computers and has built his own PC in the past) to be able to help me do it, but he is not local, has a young child (yes I'm a granddad) and is trying to move house. So not holding my breath!
Click to expand...

I'm sure your son is able to replace the HD. It's not that hard, especially if he has dealt with computers before. Just look at some tutorials
 
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