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I get the gray screen with folder and question mark on boot up.
I am told by apple man I need to either
remove some data from HD or use an external HD.
or Replace HD.
1. Will external HD work without any OS installed on it?
2. Will OS disc automatically install to external HD?
3. Any other/better suggestions please
thanx...
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Total posts: 7 (Showing page 1 of 1)
Answers
Answer Best answer as chosen by user glenvern1
The folder and question mark means
by mrmacfixit 
- 1/2/13 4:54 AM
In Reply to: Gray Screen by glenvern1
that your computer cannot find a valid System folder from which to boot.
I note that the "Apple man" has covered all the possibilities without coming up with an answer.
To answer your questions:
1. NO
2. Not automatically, it will offer you a choice of installation locations and it is up to you to choose the external HD
3. No, except to say, when you have the OS installed on the external HD and the machine is running again, you need to get all your data, pictures/music/document/etc., off the hard drive if possible.
Or you could just use your backups to replace your data onto the external drive
P
Gray screen
by glenvern1 - 1/2/13 2:37 PM
In Reply to: The folder and question mark means by mrmacfixit
Thanks for the response.
With an external HD plugged into the USB will the OS disc find it, it does nothing when inserted at this time and is difficult to eject. The only way I can get it out is to keep shutting down the power and then restarting then eventually it will eject.
Shut down the computer,
by mrmacfixit - 1/2/13 3:24 PM
In Reply to: Gray screen by glenvern1
whatever model it is!
Restart and hold down the OPTION key at the chime. Keep it down until you see the spinning gear.
If the disk is good, then it will boot the computer.
Follow the installers instructions and choose the external HD as the install destination
P
gray screen
by glenvern1 - 1/3/13 12:44 PM
In Reply to: The folder and question mark means by mrmacfixit
thanx..
Your reply to question 2 (not automatically) not sure I understand how it will offer me a choice if the HD is not working?
Or will it just offer me the external HD.
The installer will offer you choices based on
by mrmacfixit - 1/3/13 3:53 PM
In Reply to: gray screen by glenvern1
the availability of hard drives.
If the external is the only one working, then that will be the only viable choice.
P
Gray screen
by glenvern1 - 1/4/13 4:45 AM
In Reply to: The installer will offer you choices based on by mrmacfixit
Thanx...
Total posts: 7 (Showing page 1 of 1)
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