2006 iMAC-on startup I get a white screen with a file folder with ? in the middle, what can I do?

White screen with file folder symbol (? in middle) that flashes, what is the problem? How can I fix it?

Do you have a recent backup of your iMac? If not, then, you can proceed with the following with caution.
DO NOT FORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE AT ANY STAGE.
Startup your iMac from the original DVDs.
Launch Disk Utility and run Verify Disk.
Repair Disk if advised to.
If Disk Utility cannot Repair your disk, and you don't have a recent backup, you can try DiskWarrior to rebuild your disk and retrieve your data.
Report back after running Disk Utility if you have no joy.

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Cannot get into mac. I get a white screen and flashing file folder with question mark inside. What can I do?

2012/13 MacBook Pro froze up, so I did a hard shut down. Now, when I try to start up, it makes 3 unusual beeps, then I get a white screen. After a couple minutes, a flashing file folder with a question mark appears and remains. What is wrong and what can I do to fix it.

Three beeps usually means a RAM or RAM slots problem. The Question Mark means there is no bootable system found.
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac
Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing The Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

IMac won't restart. Agreed to updates, rebooted and now only getting a white screen w/ flashing file folder w/ a questions mark?

I Agreed to recent updates, restarted my computer and all I am seeing is a white screen w/ a small flashing file folder icon w/ a question mark on it? I've already unplugged, turned on/off and disconnected/reconnected Apple airport?

Hi barnstorming7,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it sounds like the computer boots to a flashing question mark. I would recommend that you read this article, it may be able to help the issue.
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support
Cheers,
Mario

Imac wont boot - i get a white screen with apple logo, and it loads to about 10%, then screen goes black

imac wont boot - i get a white screen with apple logo, and it loads to about 10%, then screen goes black

Hey there mtriest,
It sounds like you are unable to boot the iMac successfully as it keeps shutting down when you try to boot. I suggest the troubleshooting from the following article named:
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Disconnect, test peripheral devices and network cables
Note: "Peripheral devices" refers to external devices other than what came with your Mac, such as hard drives, printers, or hubs that you connect via a USB or FireWire cable.
Shut down your Mac. If necessary, hold your Mac's power button for several seconds to force it to power down.
Disconnect all peripheral devices such as external hard drives or printers (leave only the display, a keyboard, and mouse connected).
Disconnect any Ethernet cables.
Start up your Mac.
If you can start up this way, one or more of your peripheral devices (or installed software related to the device) is probably causing the gray screen issue. Connect one device, then restart your Mac to test for the issue. Repeat the process until you locate the device at issue. Make sure the device is powered if it needs to be to operate correctly. Check with the manufacturer of the device for support or possible software driver or firmware updates that may be available for the device. Try a different cable with the device if possible (such as a different USB or FireWire cable).
Note: If you have multiple peripheral devices and the issue only occurs when they are all connected, but not when each device is the only peripheral connected, see the Additional Information section below.
If you are using a desktop Mac with a third-party keyboard and/or mouse device, and the issue still occurs, try starting up with an Apple keyboard and mouse connected instead. Try starting with no keyboard and mouse connected, then connect them after start up. Also, try a different USB port on your Mac.
If the gray screen issue persists with no devices connected, go to the next section (with the peripherals still disconnected).
Perform a Safe BootSimply performing a Safe Boot may resolve this issue.
Shut down your Mac. If necessary, hold your Mac's power button for several seconds to force it to power down.
Start your Mac, then immediately hold the Shift key. This performs a Safe Boot. Advanced tip: If you want to see the status of a Safe Boot as it progresses, you can hold Shift-Command-V during start up (instead of just Shift).
Note: A Safe Boot takes longer than a typical start up because it includes a disk check and other operations.
If your Mac starts up as expected, immediately try restarting.
If the Safe Boot does not work, or the restart after a successful Safe Boot does not work, go to the next section.
There is additional information in the article with further troubleshooting if needed.
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
Cheers,
Sterling

I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

Did you move any system files? It's looking for the system folder. You can startup from the system CD by inserting the CD and restarting the computer and at the same time hold down the C key. The computer will boot from the CD. At that point run the disk utility and check your hard-drive. It the problem persists then do a fresh clean install of the system folder and that should help you get back on track.
Good Luck.

My new mac mini (3 month) didn't start up,all that appeared was a white screen and a flashing folder with a question mark inside it.

My new Mac mini (3 month) didn't start up, all that appeared was a white screen and a flashing folder with a question mark inside it.
I followed by recommendations from 'Everything Mac': "shut it down by pressing and holding the power button for about 5 seconds.
Then hold down the Option key and press the power button again to start up the Mac mini. Keep holding down the Option key until
the Mac mini starts up."
But I got a Wi-Fi button only to chose and connect the local network. I connected to my network and I can't use this connection
becouse no icons.
Could you please help me?

Your Mini (running 10.6.4) should have come with grey-colored install disks. Now is the time to put them into service. Turn on your computer so that there is power to accept disk #1 into the optical drive. Once the disk is in the drive, shut off the computer by holding the start button down until it powers off. Then turn it on this time holding down the "C" key to make the computer boot from the disk. The question mark that you saw indicates that the computer cannot find a bootable volume. This can happen due to corrupted system files or an improper shutdown etc. Once you are in the "Installer" you can choose Disk Utility from the Utilities Menu in the menu bar. Use it to repair the disk and to see if that can solve your trouble.

27 inch Imac Intel won't boot up. Screen ligthts up, then shows a flashing file folder w question mark. What can I do to find the problem?

27 inch iMac Intel won't boot up. Screen lights up, then shows a flashing file folder w question mark. What can I do to find the problem?

Please readd Apple's trouble shooting steps in Flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

I just updated my brand new iMac and now I get a white screen

I just updated my new iMac and all I get is a white screen. It went from installing to the white screen. I can do nothing but shut it down by pressing the on/off button. When turned back on I get the white screen again. What happened? What can I do about it?

If the system is less than 14 days old, you said it was "Brand New", take it back and get a refund and then buy another. Apple has a 14 day No questions asked return policy for full refund. Take advantage of and get a system that works correctly. The one you have certainly isn't.

IMac G5 won't get beyond white screen

Hi.
A friend has an iMac G5 20"
When it is turned on, the white screen comes on, grey apple, but before the screen goes blue there is an electrical clicking sound and he thing cuts out.
In layman's terms, does this sound terminal? or is there something simple explanation?
Thanks
Dave

Well you could try to reset the PRAM, but if your drive is dying it won't help, although it's worth a try.
You can also try using Disk Utility:
Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume.
6. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk.
If none of that works, it's time to take it in.

If i start up my imac i get a white screen it stays and don't go away. I can't use it..

i tried to restart my computer ( Imac) now for like 5 times. It still gives a white screen and dont go away. Sorry for my english i am dutch.
I really need my Imac for school..

See this User Tip > https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-5282
More Info in this Discussion...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4917686?start=0&tstart=0

When I try to open the "markets" page on the Firefox hompage, it displays for 3 or 4 seconds and then drops off; I get a white screen; this does not happen with Explorer.

When I open "markets" from the homepage, it comes up but drops off after a few seconds and
I get a white page. This does not happen with Explorer. A similar but much more extensive
problem happened a month or so ago (I couldn't open attachments). I called Microsoft and the
fellow messed about with my computer for an hour or so, but ended up saying he couldn't help
me. However, when he went away, the problems went away.
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== two weeks ago?

~~red:'''''displays for 3 or 4 seconds and then drops off'''''~~
If you have RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin '''extension''', disable/remove the RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin extension in the RealPlayer Preferences (RP: Tools > Preferences > Download & Recording) . Restart Firefox and test.
See Noah_SUMO's illustrated answer in this thread if the above is not clear: https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/557689?
The RealPlayer Browser Record Plugin '''extension''' adds some extra features like saving media files.
Be sure not to get confused with the RealPlayer '''plugin''' (Tools > Add-ons > Plugins) that plays media files.
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/557689?
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/459823
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/446905?
https://support.mozilla.com/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?forumId=1&comments_parentId=472596
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/461211
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/forum/1/376867
See [[Troubleshooting extensions and themes]] and [[Troubleshooting plugins]].
~~red:'''''Other Issues'''''~~: to correct security/stability issues
'''Update Java''': your ver. 1.6.0.17; current ver. 1.6.0.20 (important security update 04-15-2010)
''(Windows users: Do the manual update; very easy.)''
See: '''[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates Updating Java]'''
Do the update with Firefox closed.
'''Update Shockwave for Director''': your version 11.0; current version 11.5
NOTE: this is not the same as Shockwave Flash; this installs the Shockwave Player.
SAVE the installer to your hard drive (Desktop is a good place so you can find it). When the download is complete, exit Firefox (File > Exit), locate and double-click in the installer you just downloaded, let the install complete.
IMPORTANT: I have found it wise to always restart your system after doing anything with Adobe products.
See: '''[http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Shockwave+plugin+with+Firefox#_Installing_Shockwave Installing Shockwave]'''

Mac stuck at white screen later shows blinking folder with question mark

Today for some reason my mac froze and I had to manually start it back up. After I started it back up it was stuck at a white screen and later on a blinking folder with a question mark came up. I've tried using shortcut keys on startup but none of them are working. it just keeps on showing the white screen and later on the blinking folder with the question mark. Is it just a problem with the HDD that's supposed to read the HD? Or is my HD the problem and I lost all my data?
MacBook Pro
Late 2012 model
15 Inch

Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Boot to the Recovery HD: Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Reinstalling OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility and press the Continue button. After Disk Utility loads select the Macintosh HD entry from the the left side list. Click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If Disk Utility reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit Disk Utility and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
Alternatively, see:
Reinstall OS X Without Erasing the Drive
Choose the version you have installed now:
OS X Yosemite- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

I am trying to install bootcamp with windows xp professional on my macbook core duo. This is my first mac and i just purchased it. The disk will partition but when i try to start the installer a white screen appears then a folder with a ? in it appears

I just recently purchased this macbook. The optical drive was faulty, i opened it up and rubbed alcohol on the lens and that didnt work. I connected an old ide dvd rw drive in a 3.5 enclosure and it seems to work like a charm. I installed snow leopard with it so i know that it is in complete working order. I also upgraded the ram so that should not be an issue either. This is a first generation macbook 1.1 with the core duo processor. I just want to install my xp professional operating system onto this unit. I have the original xp professional disk with service pack 2, not a burned iso. When i try to launch the windows installer the dvd drive fires up and it seems like its attempting to launch windows then the screen goes from bright white to a folder with a question mark on it. From there nothing happens. Is there something i can do or that i am missing here?

Your problem is not Boot Camp, in fact, is your optical drive. Win XP requires indeed sp2, but also the internal drive, does not work from external optical drive.
For other possible tricks, please use the appropriate Boot Camp forum, not here. Mac OS X may be installed from both external and internal optical drive and/or internal/external partition of a disk, any disk. Windows is not so generous.

TS3682 i need to get in my ipod, it is locked and dont no the password. what can i do?

i need to get in my ipod ,it is locked, and dont no password what can i do?

Restore the ipod.
If you are unable then put it in recover mode:
iOS: Unable to update or restore

All i get is a white screen and a file icon with a ? in it

I turn on my computer and my screen turns white and then a folder icon with a ? just starts blinking .... how do i fix it ...what happend?

I had that the other day. There's a kb article here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
In my case, I used the OS X install disc, loaded up Disc Utility to verify the disc and then went to Startup disc to make sure that the HD was selected. Rebooted and all was well.
Still don't know what caused it but those steps seemed to fix it. Hopefully it will fix yours too!

2006 iMAC-on startup I get a white screen with a file folder with ? in the middle, what can I do?

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