Expert: Elia Kanaki - 11/4/2009

Question
Machine Name:   iMac G5
Machine Model:   PowerMac12,1
CPU Type:   PowerPC G5 (3.0)

I have several questions. When I turn on my mac it just has a small folder in the center of the screen and flashes between a "?" and a smiley face. What does that mean???? What can I do to fix it? There are two users on this computer. Mine is all confusing. I am missing the microsoft word stuff plus others. The other user is cheapo. he doesn't want to spend any money to update our stuff... What is ilife08? can I purchase that and not have to install anything ever again? how does this work? Would i have to take everything off and get that installed? is it easy to do? would we lose all our info? Do I need to prepare by saving to disks? i would like the easiest and hassle free route plus cheap.

Answer
I have several questions. When I turn on my mac it just has a small folder in the center of the screen and flashes between a "?" and a smiley face. What does that mean????

- this means you mac can't find system folder to boot from

What can I do to fix it?

- Reinstall OSX is the quickest way to solve it.

There are two users on this computer. Mine is all confusing. I am missing the microsoft word stuff plus others. The other user is cheapo. he doesn't want to spend any money to update our stuff...

- Am afraid this is not a question I can solve :)

What is ilife08? can I purchase that and not have to install anything ever again? how does this work?

- Here is info about iLife: http://www.apple.com/ilife/
- Here is info about iWork, which you can also consider: http://www.apple.com/iwork/

Would i have to take everything off and get that installed?

- No, you just instal it as any other application
is it easy to do?
- Few clicks

would we lose all our info?

No you should not.

Do I need to prepare by saving to disks?

- Back up is always a good thing to have. in fact it is a must. One day your computer will BREAK DOWN inevitably. It is easier to make back ups from time to time than try to rescue date from broken computer. (and cheaper)


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