Apple laptop will start up it has a folder with a ? on it ?

Question

i have a ibook g3 i do not know what is wrong it will not start up fully it just has the little folder with a ? mark on it

Answer 1

Or...

Boot from the installation disc, and perform a permissions repair.

One disc utility everyone should have, is Disc Warrior.  Invest in a copy, and you will likely fix your problem.

Answer 2

That means you either deleted an important file or something changed inside the mac. for either reason, the mac cant find the right start up folder try these steps to fix:

1. Restart, and hold down Apple+Option+P+R to reset the Pram

2. Restart and hold down Apple+S once it brings you to a command prompt, type this:

/sbin/fsck -yf

This command will run a file system check and repair any problems.

3. Restart and hold down Apple+Option+O+F

when command prompt shows up on screen type:

reset-nvram (then press Enter)

set-defaults (then press Enter)

reset-all (computer will reboot)