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General discussion

wierd screen at boot

Jun 15, 2008 10:17AM PDT

I am trying to boot my mac and I keep getting a folder with a question mark. I know what that is, but when I go to boot from cd it starts and then gives me a circle with a line through it? What the heck is that?

Discussion is locked

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take a look at this document at the Apple site
Jun 15, 2008 9:54PM PDT
Here

This sign indicates a kernel panic and can be caused by a number of things.

Your post does not contain nearly enough information to even begin to determine the cause.

Good luck

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problem booting
Jun 16, 2008 1:09PM PDT

not sure how much more specific I can be. I cannot boot up. When I try to boot from disc, it starts to boot, I get the apple and the spinning wheel, as if it was going to boot, then the apple turns into a circle with a line through it diagonaly and the wheel just keeps spinning.

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Specifics
Jun 16, 2008 9:39PM PDT

What Operating System are you using? We know that it is OS X, but what version?

What computer are you using. We know it's a Mac, but what version?

Did you read the information supplied?

If so, which of the steps did you have a problem with?

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IMAC 1& FLat Screen
Jun 19, 2008 5:53PM PDT

First of all, next time please be this specific the first time you answer. I'm not a fricken idot.

It's not my iMac 17" Flat Screen. 700 Mhz.
I'm pretty sure it's running OS X.2, but not 100% sure on that. I am waiting for the software to get into my hands from the owner. She has to look for it.

So, now that we know what kind of mac it is and possibly what OS it's running on. could you please explain what that screen with the circle and the line through it means?

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Not to put too fine a point on things,
Jun 19, 2008 9:58PM PDT

Did you even read my first response?

More to the point, did your read the information contained in the link?

I do not appreciate your tone or the use of profanity, no matter how disguised.

If you are not going to read the answers given to you, why would anyone want to waste their time trying to help you?

There is a red note that appears at the top of each post every time you make a reply or create a thread.
It is worth reading.

The information you have just revealed is different from the information you gave in your first post.

I have already told you what the screen with the circle and line through it means, Kernel Panic

Read the links in my first post

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Steps
Jun 19, 2008 5:55PM PDT

I had the problem with the first boot. It won't boot, I just get the folder with a ?. I tried resetting the P Ram, but had no success. I tried inseting a OS disc I had on hand and that's when it starts to boot, but then I get that screen I spoke of in the previous post.

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Information
Jun 19, 2008 10:35PM PDT

I'm not sure why you didn't feel it necessary to pass along all of this new information at the beginning of the thread.

The "?" means the Mac cannot find a valid System folder. Either the System is so corrupt as to be Non-bootable or the Hard Drive has crashed and is no longer functioning.

The OS disk you had at hand, whatever version that was, was no good for that Mac.

I guess you will eventually tell us what OS disk it was

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reply
Jun 20, 2008 4:41PM PDT

I guess I eventually will tell you which OS disc I had. It was X.2. I will be getting the install discs that came with the system next week. My friend drives home to LA this weekend and she will get them from her house. If memory serves, that system. 17" flat pannel 700 Mhz system came with OS X. CAn you tell me what the circle wit the diagonal line through it means, finally?

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I refer you to my First post
Jun 20, 2008 10:16PM PDT

in which I said that the circle was an indication of a Kernel Panic and that a Kernel Panic can be caused by a number of things.

Corrupt Firmware, damaged boot disk, damaged hardware, faulty RAM.

That first post also contained a link to the articles on the Apple web site that detailed what to do in the event that you see such a thing.

Did you ever read the articles?

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