Hello, I need some help! I don't know much about Macs...but I am at least semi-technical with Pcs. Anyways, my sister has an iMac she got 2ns hand. Everything was working fine for about 5 months. All of a sudden, when we hit the power button, the iMac starts up (fan/disk seem to be spinning) but an icon appears...it's a palm and a folder and I think a question mark (can't remember exactly). They blink too; this is a smallish icon in the middle of the screen. Anyways, has this ever happened to anyone else? Is there some key sequence that I can perform to view the system properties when booting (like F1 to access CMOS on a PC)?? Any help would be greatly appreciated!! thanks!

Chris, The question mark can indicate that the computer is looking for a startup device. Try zapping the PRAM. 1. Restart the computer and press Command+Option+P+R before you see the smiling Macintosh. 2. Keep the keys depressed until you've heard the computer's restart chime two times, then release them. The first chime indicates the computer has restarted. The second chime indicates the PRAM has been zapped. You can also zap PRAM using a third-party utility such as TechTool if you have access to it. Do you have access to any Mac diagnotic programs (Diskwarrior, Norton Util for Mac, TechTool)? Do you know what version of the OS the iMac is running? That might help, as would original OS disks, if she has them. (I wouldn't reinstall the OS with them, but boot the machine from them. Insert the CD and hold down the C key on the keyboard.) Do you know what model iMac it is? If you're not familiar with Macs look at one of these links : http://www.apple-history.com/ For CRT iMacs: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58669 For Flat Panel iMacs: http://www.info.apple.com/usen/imac/ Lastly, you can pour through the www.macfixit.com site or use this page: http://www.theorganizers.nl/reports/flashingmark.shtml