Dreaded flashing questionmark

My i Mac froze up the other day (no cursor even). I pressed the reset button and I got a blue screen with a flashing question mark. Nothing I do changes it. I don't want to reload the software because I'll lose a lot of valuable information. Can anyone tell me a A.) what went wrong and B.) How can I fix it.

Hi, can you let us know what version of the 'System Software' you are using ?

This will enable us to help give 'you' some help.

Thanks

Ric

Ric,

We're runnin OS9. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Well as long as the hard drive hasn't 'died' then don't worry to much I'm sure we can get the data back.


Things to try:-

Restart the iMac holding down the shift key - hold down till the Welcome screen comes up (this turns off extentions and may help to enable the iMac to boot).

What disks have you got with you iMac, you can insert the 'System Disk' and boot up the iMac off the CD (restart holding down the C key) this will allow you to see if the hard disk icon is there. If it is I would suggest that you copy off any data that you want to an external device if you have one. (Do not re-install the system software at this time !)

There are lots of other things to try but we will start with the above.

regards

Ric

Ric,

Help! Holding down the shift key while restarting didn't help (still got the flashing question mark).
And when I tried to boot off the CD while holding down the "C" key, I got only the installation folder, no hard disk icon. I did not reinstall.
What now?
And whether it works or not, we appreciate your effort.
Paulita and Earl

Can you possibly tell me the exact names of the 'Mac Disks' you have ?

Can you try and Zap the PRAM, don't worry it is non destructive !

Restart holding down command (apple key) + option + P + R

It's quite tricky to hold them all down together and to restart, best if one person holds down the keys and the someone else presses the power button !!

Keep holding down the keys till you here the mac 'beep' it will then try and startup - but because you have the keys held down it will zap (reset) the pram let it go through this routine twice.

Then see if it starts up.

Regards Ric

Ric,
The CD is iMac Software Install ... for iMac DV Models SSW version 9.0.3 691-2525-A
Thanks again

When you boot from the cd is the desktop Visible ?

When the Mac boots from the cd can you run 'disk utility' or 'disk first aid' to see if the hard drive is being recognised ?

Ric,

The desktop is not visible . The only icon is to install the software, which I did not.

Also, just tried to zap the PRAM. It did not work. Still get the flasing ?