Mac Discussion

Hi, the other day, when I returned to working on my 13" MacBook, I had a spinning ball that wouldn't stop. Couldn't force quit, so I used the power switch to manually re-boot. After the chime, I got a grey screen with a flashing "index card" icon and the computer would not boot up. Many re-tries and the same result.

This is a used computer, so I don't have the original discs. It is on OS 10.4 or 10.5, whichever is the latest rev not Snow Leopard.

I have other computers, but I miss the flexibility of my laptop.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mark

"I've been things and seen places." -- Mae West

Unless you've got a DiskWarrior disk lying about, the best you can do is boot your MacBook in Target Disk Mode details here: [support.apple.com] and use one of your other Macs as a host to run Disk Utility and try to repair the MB's hard drive.

Hi, Thanks for your prompt reply. Does this 'index card' icon imply a hard drive problem? I'm unfamiliar with it -- is it akin to the MS "Blue Screen Of Death"? <jk>

I will try your suggestion and let you know the results.

Mark


"I've been things and seen places." -- Mae West

The "index card" is actually a folder icon--and it has a question mark on it, right?

The machine can't find an operating system folder. Your system needs repaired or reinstalled.

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In other words: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

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Hi, well that makes sense - thanks. No matter what, it's still better than a PC.

Thanks, Mark


"I've been things and seen places." -- Mae West

it could also be your hard drive failing.

I had a similar problem in an iMac, the screen would freeze and I was sure it was the logic board, but turning it off and then on again, would "fix" it. Some googling said this might be the HD causing some sort of buffer overflow lockup (?) problem, not the logic board.

it got progressively worse until rebooting would give me the same symptom you have, it could not find an OS folder.

I looked up the HD on NewEgg (where I got the drive) and a number of people in the Reviews were now complaining that when used as an OS drive, it would occasionally "lose" the OS folder. Letting it sit for awhile it would find it and boot up.

I have a new HD now and have not experienced ANY of the previous symptoms that I thought might have been logic board or power supply related. It was the HD.

You would be advised to get the files off that thing as soon as you can.
If DiskWarrior helps temporarily, it will not cure an ailing HD.

Hi,

I ordered Drive Genius & Data Rescue from OWC, should arrive tomorrow. Will use my Mac Mini and connect via Firewire.

The behavior noted in the most recent post - a problem that is resolved with a re-boot (daily routine for PC users) has been happening of late. I thought it might be software related, but the HD failing sure sounds logical. If I can get the data off, I'll spring for a new HD - they are so inexpensive. Plus, I'll probably get a performance boost as well.

Thanks to everyone who has responded on this -- I'm learning a lot. Even when there is a problem, a Mac is still so much easier to deal with than a PC.

Cheers, Mark



"I've been things and seen places." -- Mae West