Hi guys, I have an older iMac G3 with 256 mbRAM, 20 gb HD and a 450 mHz processor. It was running great until this afternoon. When I went to boot it up, I had a grey screen with a purple folder in the middle and a question mark. So, somehow it cant boot to the OS. What do I need to do to fix this issue? Thanks in advanced for any help. Rachyl

Oh and I did try zapping the PRAM and it was a no go :(

That blinking folder means something's wrong with the System if I recall correctly. Possibly something got corrupted when you last shut the computer down. I believe one of the only remedies is to boot the computer using the OS install/restore CD if you have it and run disk first aid (I don't use OS 10 so I don't know if the repair program is still called Disk First Aid... I presume so).

I would suggest that you follow the advice offered by the the much respected poosticks. Quite probably, your machine is either attempting to find your system folder in a place where it cannot be found, or something, possibly your Mac ROM file, has been corrupted, deleted or removed. Attempt a repair first, with the utilities provided on the OS Install/Restore disks. Failing that, attempt an OS restore or a fresh OS install. So, your options are as follows: 1) Repair 2) Restore 3) New Install Try each of those three options that order, or skip directly to option three and fix your problem with finality. Gay men don't jump.

If you option for new install make sure you CLEAN INSTALL otherwise you wipe your hd clean.

Wait, wait! Don't do what dragonxx just said. A clean install will erase your entire hard drive. There is an option (message me if you don't know where) to do an archive and install that will leave your user settings alone while reinstalling just the OS. Good luck.

I was trying to help a friend with the same problem. She can't find the install disk, but her son has an OSX 10.2 disk from his G5. Can this be used on her imac? Beth