KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q154391: Flashing Question Mark During Startup

Article: Q154391
Product(s): Microsoft Tips for the Macintosh System
Version(s): 7.x
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kb3rdparty kbenv
Last Modified: 13-FEB-2002

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Apple Macintosh Operating System 7.x, version 7.x 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

When you start your Macintosh, a picture of a flashing question mark in a disk
appears.

CAUSE
=====

The Macintosh cannot locate a startup disk (it is asking "Where is the startup
disk?").

WORKAROUND
==========

To work around this problem, use the following troubleshooting steps.

IMPORTANT: Try these solutions in the order in which they are presented (some
problems may be fixed by using just one procedure while others may require
several).

This article assumes that you have Disk Tools/First Aid or disk maintenance
software.

WARNING: Before using these solutions, remember these procedures may exceed
normal Microsoft support boundaries. Microsoft is not responsible for the
performance of the Macintosh operating system. Also, as added protection against
lost data, please ensure that you have your system disks available and that all
important files are archived to a backup media.

This may be the cause               Try this troubleshooting method
-------------------------------------------------------------------

The power or data cable for the     1. Check the power and data cable
external startup drive is not         connections.
properly connected.

Start blocks on the startup disk    2. Use Disk Tools/First Aid your disk
are damaged.                           maintenance software.

The Volume Information Block is     3. Use Disk Tools/First Aid or your
damaged.                               disk maintenance software.

Parameter RAM is corrupted.         4. Zap the "PRAM."

                                   For information about "Zapping the
                                   PRAM," please see the following
                                   article in the Microsoft Knowledge
                                   Base:

                                   ARTICLE-ID: Q140445

                                   TITLE: "Troubleshooting Power 
                                          Macintosh
                                          Type 11 Errors"

The device driver for the disk is   5. Replace the SCSI device driver, and
damaged.                               use Disk Tools/First Aid or your
                                      disk maintenance software.

The System or Finder files are      6. Replace damaged system files.
damaged or missing


Additional query words: MACSYS mac m_works

======================================================================
Keywords          : kb3rdparty kbenv 
Technology        : kbHWMAC kbOSMAC kbMSNonProductSearch kbMac7xSearch
Version           : :7.x

=============================================================================

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.