Problem With My Macbook StartingUp

[Joshua James Barry]

I keep going to turn on my macbook and all i get is this

http://koolinus.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/macproblemstartup-770881.jpg

flashing non stop, and it wont go the desktop, has anyone ever had this problem before?

[notesee]

I've had a similar problem, except usually mine flashes that icon for a couple seconds and then eventually goes to the desktop.

I believe the problem is the computer is not sure where to boot from. I fixed it by going into system preferences and then Startup Disk then selecting the OSX on Mac HD.

Since your problem seems a bit more severe you will probably have to boot from a CD to get it into the desktop.

[chronoaug]

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/

I've gotten good help there before. They have an apple/mac section too.

[Joshua James Barry]

Thanks, yeah i don't have the cds for it, i bought it like 6 months ago off this dude real cheap because it didnt come with the box or anything, only the charger and the macbook. Could i use the cds my friend has? He has the exact same model as mine.

[polishmike]

Yes, you can use your friends cds. Boot off the cd or just try booting up in safe mode first. Notesee is right, you need to select the hd as the startup disk in sys pref.

[Joshua James Barry]

Whats safe mode ?

[RobotPunk]

thats a very bad thing. Hopefully not the worst possible scenario, but it happened to me. My whole drive crashed, lost everything...good luck dude.

[polishmike]

Starting up in Safe Mode

Starting up from the disc

Usually, you can start from the disc by putting it in your computer, restarting, and holding the C key. Or, put it in the computer and click the Install or Restore icon you see in the disc's main window (after which the computer will start from the disc without you needing to hold C.)

[Appleseed]

Is it making a lot of unusual noise?

You very possibly have a dead HD. Do what polishmike said, and if the Install or Restore can't 'see' the HD, you're prolly fucked. Sucks, but it happens to all laptop's, more frequently than you'd imagine.

I've been through 2 internal HDs on my G4 Powerbook.

[polishmike]

This is a pretty common problem with Startup Disk. There is a chance that the drive is busted but most of the time it's fine, don't scare the guy. Let us know the outcome.

[keagan]

QUESTION MARK MEANS DEAD HDDDDDDDDDDD

CMD+S

THEN

/SBIN/FSCK -FY

YOUOUOUOUOUOi

[several girls]

[Caps Lock]

Thats a MACBOOK!