Specifications

88 Chapter 6

m If the problem occurs frequently, choose Mac Help from the Help menu.

m In Mac OS X, search for “solve problems.”

m In Mac OS 9, look at the section on how to prevent and solve problems. You may also

need to check for extension conﬂicts or reinstall your computer’s system software.

If the computer freezes during startup or you see a continuous flashing

question mark for more than a minute:

If you are starting up in Mac OS 9, turn off your Mac OS 9 system extensions.

m Start up your computer while holding down the Shift key.

m If your computer is set to start up from another computer on your network, check that

your Ethernet cables are ﬁrmly connected, then restart your computer. Your computer

may be having trouble connecting to the network. Check that the startup computer or

server is not down.

m If you are in Mac OS 9, remove any items from the Servers folder in your System Folder.

Your computer may be having trouble connecting to a server over the Internet.

If that does not work, or if you are starting up in Mac OS X, turn off the computer by holding

down the power (®) button. Then start up using the Software Install CD.

m Insert your system software CD and start up while holding down the C key. (Make sure

the Caps Lock key is not engaged.)

m After the computer starts up, see the troubleshooting information in the onscreen help.

Choose Mac Help from the Help menu. Look at the section on how to prevent and solve

problems. You may need to check for extension conﬂicts or reinstall your computer’s

system software.

If the computer won’t turn on or start up:

First, make sure the power cord is connected to a working power source.

m The plug on the power cord must be completely inserted into the computer’s power

socket and ﬁrmly seated for your computer to operate correctly.

Reset the computer’s parameter random-access memory (PRAM).

m Start up the computer and immediately hold down the Command (x), Option, P, and R

keys until you hear the startup sound a second time. Then set your hard disk as the

computer’s startup disk.

m In Mac OS X, choose System Preferences from the Apple (K) menu and click Startup

Disk, then select your hard disk.

m In Mac OS 9, choose Control Panels from the Apple (K) menu, then choose Startup

Disk from the submenu, and select your hard disk.