iMac problem - Won't turn on, shows folder with "?".

[bes1k]

I have a problem with my iMac.

If it had been shut for a while, when I turn it on, the hard disk makes a noise.. It's just like the noise a car makes when it can't start. If I wait I see a grey background and a folder with a "?".


It turns on when I shut it down and turn it on several times. It takes 10 minutes some times..

I reinstalled the system, but it didn't resolve the issue.

Just wanted to know if someone here has known the same problems?

Is it a serious problem and what are my options?

Thanks!

 

[Tallest Skil]

That'd be your hard drive. Put your Install Disk 1 (or Leopard retail, whichever you got last) in and see if you can fix it from Disk Utility on the disk.

 

[dukebound85]

sounds like a bad hard drive

 

[bes1k]

I verified the disk, it says that it's OK..



Verifying volume “iMac”

Performing live verification.
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking Extents Overflow file.
Checking Catalog file.
Checking multi-linked files.
Checking Catalog hierarchy.
Checking Extended Attributes file.
Checking volume bitmap.
Checking volume information.

The volume iMac appears to be OK.

 

[Mazda 3]

sounds like a bad hard drive

Had the same problem.mine had been making quite a bit of noise also prior.

Took it to the Apple store in Nashville today and they agreed it was
a bad HD,mine was a month and a half out of warranty -NO CHARGE

This is a $300-$400 repair

They said Merry Christmas!!!

 

[bes1k]

The thing is that i don't understand how could my HD be bad if I still can use it...

And one thing.. I tried to verify permissions and repair them with my Mac OS X Install Disc 1 and it says:

"FIRTS AID FAILED
NO VALID Packages"

 

[Arne]

forget about disk utility, thi is a serious hardware-failure, nothing any software can do much about. If you don't have a backup, you should get all your data off it as long as you can still start it...
you definitely need a new HD.