12-27-2010, 08:53 PM

So I had my imac in sleep mode, got up and it was froze. had to turn it off and it came up with a grey screen and a blinking file folder with a question mark in it.

Hoping someone can help. I have an Imac OS X

I put in the install screen and it doesn't come up with anywhere to install it.

Is my whole hard drive wiped out? If so, what do i do, what are the costs, and is it better to just buy new? Also is my items recoverable? UGGG all my music and pictures...GONE

please help!

12-27-2010, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by Breny

I put in the install screen and it doesn't come up with anywhere to install it.

Super confused....
Have you tried to restart again, first of all?

If that doesnt work, put in your install disks, then when it asks you where to install, go to the top and hit Utilities -> Disk Utility. Verify and Repair the drive if possible.

If that doesn't work, it doesn't mean everything is gone, don't worry. Go to Best Buy or online, and get a 3.5" external enclosure and plug your hard drive into it. Then plug that into another Mac (or your new hard drive if you choose to get one).

12-27-2010, 09:03 PM

Whoops I mean I put in the install DISKS

12-27-2010, 09:06 PM

Thank for replying!

Yes I can only shut down by turning it off and have done that many times. Trying the verify and repair now......

Ok I'm completely a novice..can you explain what a external enclosure is?

How much does a new hard drive run about?

Originally Posted by s2odin

Super confused....
Have you tried to restart again, first of all?

If that doesnt work, put in your install disks, then when it asks you where to install, go to the top and hit Utilities -> Disk Utility. Verify and Repair the drive if possible.

If that doesn't work, it doesn't mean everything is gone, don't worry. Go to Best Buy or online, and get a 3.5" external enclosure and plug your hard drive into it. Then plug that into another Mac (or your new hard drive if you choose to get one).

12-27-2010, 09:09 PM

under verify the only thing that comes up is my dvd drive and the install disc thats in it...no hard drive

12-27-2010, 09:24 PM

Originally Posted by Breny

Thank for replying!

Yes I can only shut down by turning it off and have done that many times. Trying the verify and repair now......

Ok I'm completely a novice..can you explain what a external enclosure is?

How much does a new hard drive run about?

An external enclosure is basically making a home-made external hard drive.

A new hard drive is going to be relatively cheap. Anywhere from $50-$100.

Sounds like your hard drive might be dead tho, if it's not in Disk Utility. If you want, an external enclosure is around $15 from Best Buy iirc, and you can try that method first.

12-27-2010, 09:28 PM

I do have an external hard drive. its a click free automatic backup 250GB hard Drive, but I plug it in and I don't see anything happening??

12-27-2010, 09:29 PM

ok when I plug in my external hard drive it shows under VERIFY, but now what do i do?

12-27-2010, 09:35 PM

No, I'm saying you need to verify and repair your internal hard drive.

My reference to an external hard drive is making your own with your current hard drive by taking it our of the computer.

12-28-2010, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Breny

ok when I plug in my external hard drive it shows under VERIFY, but now what do i do?

You do realize that in order to REPAIR your hard drive using Disk Utility, you must be booted from some "other" drive? Like your install DVD? VERIFY only means you didn't start up from another drive:
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck

Just try again and see if Repair is available.