Flashing question mark folder on macbook pro startup. PLEASE HELP

I have a MacBook Pro which I think is a 2011 version. When I startup the computer it comes up with the flashing question mark folder. I can't start it up via disc as I do not have the disc that came with the mac :( .

Di you try restarting and booting whilst holding down the command and R keys? Or even the command, option and R keys (assuming that you've a 2011 model)?
Some 2011 models came with discs as they shipped with Snow Leopard. Those that shipped with Lion had no discs. If your machine originally shipped with Snow Leopard, you can call Apple, with the serial number of your MBP handy, and order a set of model-specific discs (cost is, I believe, around $25 with taxes and shipping).
Please 'call back' and let us know if you've tried booting either to your Recovery partition or to Internet Recovery.
Clinton

Similar Messages

  • Flashing Question Mark Folder -  Cannot Eject Disc - Problem Startup

    My Macbook will not start up. I get a flashing question mark folder and will not startup.
    Also, I have a dvd inside that will not eject.
    Any suggestions?

    You will need to reinstall OS X. Try this:
    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
    Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
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  • Macbook pro flashing question mark folder, won't recognize hard drive

    My 2010 macbook pro froze and after restarting I was greeted with a flashing question mark folder. I then restarted again and held down "option" key and went into Mac OS X utilities then into disk utilities. In disk utilities, my only drive options are "superdrive" "disk0" and a subfolder of "disk0" labeled "Mac OS x Base system". My hard drive is no where to be seen. I also tried to install a new hard drive but the same thing happened, the computer could not recognize that there was a hard drive present. What can I do to fix this??

    Hi bigdubee,
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  • HT1310 I have a macbook pro about 4 years old.  I can't get it to open past the flashing question mark folder.  However, I just tried to hold down the option key and the question mark disappeared.  Still, nothing...the light is on the screen but nothing e

    I have a 4 year old macbook pro and when I turn it on, the screen and fan come on but there is a flashing question mark folder that appears.  Nothing beyond that point....help?

    There is no installed OS or you have a dead hard drive. Start by booting from the original installer disc that came with the computer or an installer disc that has a later version than the original such as a Snow Leopard DVD. Then you can do this:
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    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.
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    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.

  • Hard disk in mums macbook failed, bought a new one, formatted it first. Have tried starting it with every possible key and I either get flashing question mark folder or a cursor.

    Hard disk in mums macbook failed, bought a new one, used sata adapter cable to format it for mac first. Connected it and have tried starting it with every possible key combination and I either get flashing question mark folder or a cursor. A disk is stuck in it so I can't boot from OSX, and yes I have tried every option of starting to try and eject disk but none work. HELP ME!

    Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive
    Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:
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      3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.
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    Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.
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    Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
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  • Boots to flashing question mark folder and disc utility cannot locate internal hard drive

    Bottling my MacBook Pro I end up with a flashing question mark folder. I reboot holding the option key to select discs and there were no options at all. I plug in an Ethernet cable and it shows a internet recovery option. I click and it downloaded a temporary recovery mode. From there I open disc utility but it doesn't find any internal hard drives. I reset the pram and I still get the flashing question mark folder. Thinking it was my internal hard drive that failed I bought and replaced the internal hd with a new one and repeated all the processes and still no internal hard drive was found. I'm stuck with the flashing question mark folder. Therefore I've concluded that it was my MacBook pros internal hard drive CABLE that had failed. Does anyone know of any other possible problems that is causing this for my MacBook Pro or know of any solutions? Or is replacing my internal hd cable the only solution? Please help!

    It was the internal HD cable. I replaced it and now my MacBook Pro works

  • How do I fix the GRAY boot-up screen with FLASHING QUESTION-mark FOLDER?

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    Ok, now I am stuck:
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  • Flashing question mark on mac book pro,with grey screen when turned on?

    flashing question mark on mac book pro,with grey screen when turned on?

    Press the power button down to force a emergency hardware shutdown and hold the option/alt key down and reboot
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    If that doesn't it, then do a #2 PRAM reset and try the above again.
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    Try more of the Steps above (like 1-8) then if that doesn't work.
    Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
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    If the drive doesn't appear in Disk Utility it might be dead  or there are further complications let us know for further assistance.
    Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's
    My computer is not working, is my personal data lost?
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  • GSoD, flashing question mark folder

    Okay, after reading here a bit the suggestions aren't fixing my particular issue. We have a black MacBook running 10.3.
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    Tried putting in the Install CD and pressing at various times S, C, Apple, Shift, and Option. The Option gives a cursor but nothing else.
    Pulled the DIMMS, cleaned off a white dust, and then installed them one at a time. No luck.
    Wife had reported slowness during the evenings but she attributed that to me being on my computer.
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    Hi Leam,
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    Regarding the flashing question mark/folder icon, that's indicative of a missing, bootable OS. Which can translate into some of the following scenarios:
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    I'm unsure where you read about the "S" key on startup, the "C" key makes sense to try and boot off the disc drive. I take it that didn't actually occur, though?
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  • G4 17' won't boot, flashing question mark folder with complications

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  • Flashing Question Mark Folder--after repair of "Office Database damage"

    I received a dialogue box message reporting "Office Database Damage--would you like to repair?"
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    A friend of mine is having the same problem. This is why I am searching the boards now.
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  • Flashing question mark folder OS X 10.6.8.  Issue is not the drive itself.

    Received flashing question mark folder on a MBP5,5 running 10.6.8.  Removed the drive and was able to boot on same machine with the drive plugged in as external USB.  Any idea as to what the issue may be?  It's not the drive itself.  Bad connector?  Going to update the drive to mountain lion this weekend to see if that resolves anything.

    Actually, it is the drive in some way.
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    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:
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    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.
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    The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD:
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    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.
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    2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
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    Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
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    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.
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  • IMac with flashing Question-Mark Folder

    I've read all of the help on the flashing Question-Mark Folder.  Nothing has helped.  In fact, Disk Utility only finds 'Disk 0' with the base OS X operating system.  All of the disk utility buttons are grayed out and at the top on the left of is 'Media' (not disk drive - not formatted?).  When I try to recover from the internet and re-install OSX Maverick, it can't find a disk to install on.  Does anyone know what happened and can this be fixed?

    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 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:
    Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
    Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
    Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
    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.
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    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.
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    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.

  • Flashing Question Mark Folder of Death

    Hey Guys,
    Needing help with my MacBook Air.
    When I turn it on I get the flashing question mark folder. I've tried restoring the disks and restarting but it does nothing. I also tried to restore Mac OS X but about 2 minutes into the installation it tells me to restarts computer and when I do I'm back at square one.
    I have a PC and I'm wondering of there's a way to download a startup disk into a USB and do it that way.
    I'm out of ideas here, any help is mucho appreciated!

    Help us help you - the more complete information we have the more assistance we can provide.
    Yes - if you tried to install an old OS over an new one that can present problems.
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  • Flashing Question Mark Folder on Start-up

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    generally, the flashing folder mark means it can not find the startup drive.
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