On power startup my Imac shows a white screen then subsequently a flashing question mark-- will not open

My iMac shows only a white screen and then a flashing question mark on power start up and will no open display

Help here > A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

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White screen of death with flashing question mark

After a year and a half of frequent freezing of the screen, my expensive apple mac book has crashed. I thought this only happened to microsoft.
I tried reloading the software, just like the manuel suggested, and this failed.
Should I go buy a decent laptop from Dell or HP?

that usually means that the comp cant find a startup disc.. have you tried to boot from the install cd? put the disc in start up holding "c"..(it takes a while to boot from the disc).
how come you have had 18months of problems?

Help! White screen with gray folder with question mark

Help, my macbook always shows this white screen with gray folder with question mark after turning it on.

That folder with the question mark icon means that the MacBook can't find the boot directory. That can either mean it can't find the hard drive or the Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
Or if you are running 10.7 Lion or 10.8 Mountain Lion, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7 or 10.8 partition.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

I am on a imac, just updated to snow leopard 10.6.8, now InDesign will not open, i am on CS3. Now wh

I am on a imac, just updated to snow leopard 10.6.8, now InDesign will not open, i am on CS3. Now what do I do?

And you might also have to use the Adobe Cleaner to remove all traces of the bad installation:
Use the CC Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems | CC ... - Adobe

Getting white screen with file folder and question mark on it...help

My MacBook Pro starts up and only shows a white screen with a file folder with question mark on it. I have not had problems prior to this. Help!,

That means that no valid system could be found to boot from. What might have caused that is hard to say, but try referring to this document:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440
Note that if you are using Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion), you don't start up from your install disk. Hold down command-R at startup instead.

White screen with grey folder with question mark?

My Mac froze when I opened iTunes and I turned it off and when I turned it on it was grey an I restarted or and now it's white with grey question mark?? What do I do? I don't want to loose my stuff.

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:
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.
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:
Boot From 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.
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.

MacBook Pro White screen, No apple logo, No question mark

Hi guys
I've MacBook pro 13 2010 model
The Laptop turn on all the time when i press power button
but It's stuck in white screen ( without apple logo ) . With hard drive connected or no hard drive i still can't see the question mark folder
What i've done
- Reset NVRM ( shift + Command+ option + power ) and it worked as i can see light changed in the charger
- I removed the hard drive put new one, then again removed hard from the board but no luck
- connected the Laptop to a monitor but not even showing video in the external monitor
Why can't i press PRAM button. NVRM work OK but not PRAM ( Option + Apple logo + P + R )
so keyboard is fine

askmeplz82,
if you’re unable to boot into Mountain Lion’s Recovery mode, then that limits your self-help options. These options still remain:
Do you still have the two grey installation DVDs which originally came in the box with your MacBook Pro?
Do you have a bootable external disk?
Do you have access to a FireWire cable and access to a second Mac with a FireWire port?
Do you have a spare SATA disk which can be temporarily installed inside of your MacBook Pro?
If the answer to all of these is no, then your only remaining option is to make an appointment at an Apple store or other qualified service facility so that they can diagnose/repair your MacBook Pro.

White screen with file icon and Question mark after a kernel panic???

I'm using my girlfriends 20" iMac and her computer keeps having kernel panics. And then at times when we restart the computer, we get a white screen with a file icon and a question mark inside. Any ideas on what to do???? Her graduation project is on that computer and she is stressed like you wouldn't believe. Safe to say, I'm taking the brunt of it. Please help!!!

It sounds like you might be having a hard drive problem. The folder icon with question mark means the computer can't find a startup drive/system folder. I suggest that you back up all important data, especially her project. Before bringing it in for service, run the Apple Hardware Test - put in your original system restore DVD and restart the computer, holdng down the "D" key. Run the extended diagnositics (it will take over an hour (depending on how much RAM you have) and will tell you if there is anything wrong with your hardware. If it dinds a problem then you can take it to the nearest Apple authorized service provider to check it out.

White screen with file folder with question mark flashing?

My iMac wont start. I get a white screen with a file folder. In the file folder is a ?, flashing.

What operating system do you use? If you use Lion, boot in recovery mode (Command and R buttons) and open Disk Utility to see if your hard drive is detected, and if it's detected, click "Verify Disk". If you use Snow Leopard or early, boot from your install DVD, click "Utilities" and open Disk Utility to do the same as for Lion. It sounds like your Mac doesn't have a bootable device, so it could be a lot of things (hard drive broken or formatted, hardware error, etc.). If this doesn't work, reinstall your operating system

Macbook Pro - white screen with blinking folder with question mark

My wife returned from a trip today. The Mac worked fine yesterday. Today it will not start up. When you press the power button, the screen goes white with a blinking folder in the middle. There is a ? in the middle of the folder. Any ideas what this means? Thanks

i dont know of its the same but this happened to my ibook g4 and i done some exploring and i was told to cheap my ram.. so i unpluged and replugged the ram stick and reset the virtual memory and it worked with no memory loss but if you have the os installition disks reinstall the os and if not ... go to apple store .. sorry if any of this is wrong but its what happend to me,
hope htis helped

White screen buzzing noise and no question mark folder just white screen

So i noticed my macbook pro was slowing down and a ran disk warrior and disk utilities - repaired permissions , repaired drive then i noticed it was freezing up after 5 minutes of running.
so i removed all files i wanted to keep to an external drive and backed up with time machine.
I wanted to re install mac os X from the supplied DVD and it was going fine til about 2/3rds the way and it froze
now i turn the computer on and i get buzzing sound and white screen NOT even a question mark flashing folder.
I have tried :
PRAM reset = nothing
eject disk on start= nothing
im under a year in purchase
but im wondering if there is anything i can do before i take it in on monday??
it is a Macbook pro (13 inch mid 2009) intel duo 2 core

circle23,
Welcome to Apple Discussions!
It sounds like the HD failed. Try inserting the OS X install Disc in the DVD drive this time re-starting holding down the Option Key. When it starts choose the OS X install Disc and allow it to get to the point where it asks what language. Then choose the Utilities menu and click the internal drive then check the S.M.A.R.T status of the drive, it should say Verified if it's OK. If it doesn't try repairing the disk several times and see if the S.M.A.R.T status changes. If it doesn't make an appointment here and take it in.
Regards,
Roger

My macbook was stolen last month from my car. It would not power, it showed a white screen with folder with question mark in the middle? I don't have my serial number, is there a way to possibly track my computer?

My car was broken into in Uptown, MN last month and my Macbook was stolen along with my Wifi device. Although my computer would no longer power, it showed a white screen with a folder and question in the middle and then shut down. I hadn't had a chance to take it to have it checked, but is there a way to track my computer if I do not have the serial number? And if I purchase another computer is there a way to get the music that I purchased in iTunes back?
Thanks

Regarding your music, yes you can download it again at no cost. Launch iTunes on the new computer, and sign in to your account using the same Apple ID you used previously. Go to the iTunes Store. On the right side under Quick Links select Purchased. Click on All Songs in the upper left.You'll see a list of the music you purchased from iTunes. In the lower right corner click the Download All link. Note that this may take a long time, particularly if you have a lot of songs. Use the fastest Internet connection that you can.
About the computer, unless tracking software was already installed on it and turned on there is no way to track it.
I would suggest changing passwords of any accounts that you have on the computer, such as email. If you have any credit card information stored on the computer, have them cancelled and replaced immediately.
Sorry to hear about your loss. It is very distressing, I know.
Best of luck.

IMac won't boot - flashing question mark folder

Hi, I was having performance issues with my iMac, so after searching for a resolution, I followed some suggestions to reset the PRAM and SMC....after resetting the PRAM it will not boot up at all! The startup sound chimes, then a blank grey screen briefly before a flashing question mark folder appears. Nothing happens..... I have the install cd, but there is a CD in the drive and I can't get it out. Help!!
Thanks in advance....
Andrea

HI Andrea,
To get the disk to eject, start the iMac while holding down the mouse button.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Try booting while holding down the Option key.
Carolyn

HT201177 My iMac won't fire up. It shows a white screen and the apple with little dial going around but won't complete start up

I rebooted my iMac this morning and now it won't come back on. It shows a white screen with the apple and a spinning wheel. Do I need to take it in?

More details needed, such as computer and OS. Step one is to restart—hold down the power button until it shuts off, push it again, and hold down the SHIFT key until it starts in Safe Mode. Report back.
As for taking it in, if this doesn't work, contact Apple Service, iMac Service or Apple's Express Lane. Do note that if you have AppleCare's protection plan and you're within 50 miles (80 KM) of an Apple repair station, you're eligible for onsite repair since yours is a desktop machine.

Hello! i've a problem with my Imac. it shows me white screen with a folder with quastion. it could be a problem with hard drive. i should insert mac os cd, but i couldnt find it. in Russia, in Finland and in Sweden the same problem)

hello! i've a problem with my Imac. it shows me white screen with a folder with quastion. it could be a problem with hard drive. i should insert mac os cd, but i couldnt find it. in Russia, in Finland and in Sweden the same problem)

Have a look at some of the suggestions in this link:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US (Russian is available from the link within the article (top right of the page).

On power startup my Imac shows a white screen then subsequently a flashing question mark-- will not open

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