Question mark on screen

macbook....during the start-up cycle, a blinking folder with a question mark appears in the center of the screen. what is that about?

Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer was running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier and you reach the third set of steps, insert a Mac OS X install disk.
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  • Image ofFFolder withslternating face profile and question mark on screen

    Can't use my Powerbook because of alternating face and question mark on screen.
    What's wrong and how doI fix this?

    That means that your system can't find anything to boot from. Do you have the original OS X discs that came with your system? Find the one that says in small print on the label 'AHT Version x.x'. Insert it and reboot holding the option key down. Choose the Apple hardware test, click the arrow to the right, and follow directions. Choose the extended test. What does it tell you?
    If it gives you an indication your hard drive isn't present, you can insert the first OS X disc, and reboot holding the C key down, which will cause the system to boot from the OS X disc. Choose utilities from the menu bar, and disk utility. If it sees the hard drive, try a repair disk.
    Please post back what you find.

  • My early '06 iMac won't boot, just clicks with question mark on screen. SMC reset, Pram reset can bring it up, works OK for a day or two, then back to no boot. disk utility finds no problem with disk

    anytime I get it to boot, it works for a day or two then goes back to the Question mark screen.

    Hi! It could be HD issue. You should back up your data in the computer first when you can boot to normal desktop. boot to install disk to run disk utility - if it got error over there, you should bring the computer to repair centre to fix it. You also could try to erase with zero out and install again And see will that be fix the issue! 

  • My mac book pro does not start but has error message with a question mark on screen. took it in and was told probably the hard drive as could not reconize it so bought new one but still not connecting.what do i do

    My mac book pro does not connect but shows an error message with a question mark on the screen.I took it to a retailer that said it was not reconizing the hard drive.He said i needed a new hard drive but it may be something else as well but he was sure a new hard drive would fix it.So putting faith in someone who deals with them i purchased a new hard drive to find it was still not working although he said the computer did know reconize the hard drive and i may have to send it away to get it checked .After already paying 120 pounds for a new hard drive and they wanting another 80.00 pounds to diagnose it i am a little sceptical.
    That's why i am interested on anyone's help.

    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
    I think that your Mac detects your hard disk, but the problem is that your new hard disk doesn't contain any operating system, so your Mac doesn't find any bootable partition and you see a question mark.
    If your Mac came with DVDs, insert the Mac OS X Install DVD and hold the C key while your Mac is starting. Then, just install Mac OS X. If the hard disk isn't prepared to install Mac OS X, you will have to erase it using "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". See > http://pondini.org/OSX/DU1.html

  • Flashing question mark on screen. Can I still backup my files and restore my system?

    Okay, so yesterday evening, I received a message from my teacher that I had to redo one of my papers because a program she used detected some copy paste information that was about 39% more than what she accepts and asked me to reword some of the information. When I started working on my paper to resubmit it to her, My laptop was freezing a lot in the middle of me working on my school paper. After a while, it completely froze to the point where I could no longer do anything and stayed frozen for hours on end. I couldn't even save my work which was very frustrating considering I wanted to get that done and out of the way. I felt that I had no choice but to force it to turn off and turn it back on. In the process of me doing so, a flashing file with a question mark came on in which I took the time to look up to see what it meant and how can I fix it. However, after many reading, I realized that if I reboot the system I will lose everything I have that's important to me (which technically is my school work, some photos, and licensing application). I never used the Time Machine when my laptop was up and running because I never understood it or knew how to use it. One of the things I read is that I am able to restore my laptop with Time Machine. But I was curious to know if I can still use Time Machine to backup and restore my laptop? I'm hoping I can as I really do not want to lose the information and files I have saved. Below are the basic information of my laptop. Please help!!!!
    Screen Size
    13.3 inches
    Screen Resolution
    1280x800
    Max Screen Resolution
    1280x800 pixels
    Processor
    2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
    RAM
    4 GB DDR3
    Hard Drive
    500 GB HDD 5400 rpm
    Graphics Coprocessor
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Chipset Brand
    Intel
    Card Description
    Intel HD 4000
    Graphics Card Ram Size
    128 MB
    Wireless Type
    802.11 a/b/g/n
    Number of USB 2.0 Ports
    2
    Average Battery Life (in hours)
    8 hours
    Expand 
    Other Technical Details
    Brand Name
    Apple
    Series
    MacBook Pro
    Item model number
    MD101LL/A
    Hardware Platform
    Mac
    Operating System
    Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
    Item Weight
    4.5 pounds
    Item Dimensions L x W x H
    8.94 x 12.78 x 0.95 inches
    Color
    Silver
    Processor Brand
    Intel
    Processor Count
    1
    Computer Memory Type
    DDR3 SDRAM
    Hard Drive Interface
    Serial ATA
    Hard Drive Rotational Speed
    5400 RPM
    Optical Drive Type
    DVD+R DL
    Audio-out Ports (#)
    1
    Power Source
    DC
    Voltage
    100 volts

    The fact that you can boot into Recovery Mode, which is a hidden partition on your HD, means your HD is working, at least somewhat. Since your main concern is retaining the files that are important to you, what I'd suggest is creating a clone on a separate, external HD. You can do that by booting into Recovery again, partitioning the external with a GUID partition table and creating at least one partition for a clone (3TB externals are pretty inexpensive these days and you could have plenty of partitions large enough to hold what's on your internal drive) and using "Restore" in DU with the internal as the source and the external partition as the target. With that done, see if you can boot from that external clone. If you can't, go back to Recovery, and, instead of Disk Utility, choose Reinstalling the OS but with the clone you just made as the target. When that's done, see if you can boot from the external, and if you can, you will have a working bootable backup of your internal and all your files. You can then wipe the internal and Restore to the internal by using Restore in Disk Utility in Recovery Mode with the external as the source and the internal as the target. Normally, I'd suggest just reinstalling the OS on the internal, but if there's something wrong with the drive, you may risk making things worse, and first priority is to protect your files.

  • Apple tv shows flashing white question mark on screen. What is this?

    Apple tv screen has white flashing question mark, what do I do?

    Just come across this thread as my 160Gb AppleTV had the same problem this evening. The LED on the front was flashing orange and white repeatedly as well. I just turned off at the mains and switched back on and am now watching a film, everything ok.

  • Laserjet CM1415fn CMFP Black screen-question mark on screen-excalmation mark and dot flashing

    Hello everybody
    I've got a laserjet pro CM1415fn color MFP which seems to get power, starts up but suddenly the screen gets black and only the question mark is shown.
    Also, above the screen there are two indicators: An exclamation mark and a dot to its left, both of them blinking.
    Can anyone tell me what's the problem and how to solve it?
    Thanks in advance
    Jim

    hello,
    I got the same problem. could you fix it? 

  • My laptop won't start question mark on screen?

    My laptop won't start, there is a question mark on the screen.

    Your MBP is having problems finding the HDD.  Try these steps:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    Ciao.
    Do not dismiss the possibility that the HDD has failed or the connection is faulty.
    Message was edited by: OGELTHORPE

  • IMac  has question mark on screen

    My 17" iMac running Panther is usually kept in sleep mode but today I walked by it and it sounded like the fan was racing. I rebooted it and the fan racing stopped. Unfortunately when it rebooted the screen came up blank with a an icon of a folder with a question mark on it. Is this a software or hardware issue?
    Thanks for anybody's help.

    Could be either or both.
    You can start the computer up from the Install disc DVD and see if Disk Utility
    ran from there, can verify and/or 'repair disk.' You can also see about booting
    up in SafeBoot mode and if the machine does respond eventually, see about
    checking the choice in System Preferences> Startup Disk, if it's still the Mac HD.
    The hard disk drive could be failing; or the Directory on the hard disk drive.
    If the drive is original equipment and the computer more than 3 years old,
    there is a possibility the drive could be failing; or there are read/write errors
    on the drive, or bad sectors, etc. And if you have a full backup of the Mac HD
    contents, you could consider seeing if Disk Utility can be used to Secure Erase
    the computer's hard disk drive (over-write with zeros, one or more passes) and
    then choose the partition map, and reformat the drive; then reinstall the OS X.
    However, the simple things are obviously best tried first; even if you do have a
    means of restoring from a clone, & have a clone on an external hard disk drive.
    Or, if you have a retail copy of Disk Warrior on DVD or CD for your OS X, it may
    be a good idea to see if it can find fault & repair hard drive Directory issues.
    Of course, there are other possibilities, depending on your skill & means.
    Perhaps other readers will have quicker ideas on this topic?
    {Which iMac build version (specs) do you have this issue with? Is there an a copy
    of the original Apple Hardware Test on CD or on the boot DVD? If so, test with it.}
    Good luck & happy computing!
    {edited}

  • Won't boot, flashing question mark on screen

    My Power book G4 won't boot up, all it does is give me a small folder icon with as flashing question mark on top of it. any ideas.
    It was working fine, doing a capture with FCP 4.5 then it locked up with the spinning ball, I did a force quite, but the whole system needed a reboot, It never rebooted. I need help.

    See the link in posting #3 on this thread. I got a "solved" point for it, and have given it as advice before:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5261554

  • Flashing folder with question mark on screen

    flashing folder with question mark on screen

    This is the first time I have joined the support forum for MacBook - I tried the after Power Off - then while you turn it back on again your hold the "Command + R" - This has worked for some people - this was obtained on YouTube - see www.youtube.com/watch?v=flv2ebQMMtE.  This however, did not work for me.  I remember having a problem with my PC a few years ago - when I experienced something like this on it.  I fixed it by taking out the battery.  I was going to check the cable between the hard drive and the motherboard to make sure it was secure.  I removed the Battery on my MacBook - blew it off, and put it back in again and surprisingly it booted up normally.  Thanked the Lord for the quick fix.  Back to Normal. 

  • Question mark in screen fields

    Hi,
    I have created a screen with 5 fields as an enhancement for tcode Iw31. I have a requirement in which if first field is filled then rest of the fields be made mandatory which i have done by looping at screen-required = 1.
    Test case : I enter a value in the first field , hit enter which would make the rest of the 4 fields mandatory.
    now on the screen in tcode iw31 if i select and delete the contents of the first field then i need to make the rest of the 4 fields un mandatory i.e looping on screen-required = 0. when i make the rest of the fields un-mandatory .... the 4 screen fields have a '?' in the fields.
    This is PAI as it doesnt go to PBO of the screen.
    PROCESS AFTER INPUT.
      FIELD : coci_aufk-zz_lcnumber.
      MODULE initial_field. -
    > If first field is initial then make rest of the fields unmandatory
      CHAIN.
        FIELD : coci_aufk-zz_lcnumber  ,
                coci_aufk-zz_lctakendate,
                coci_aufk-zz_lctakentime,
                coci_aufk-zz_lcretdate,
                coci_aufk-zz_lcrettime .
        MODULE check_field. -
    > if first field is not initial then make the rest of the fields mandatory
      ENDCHAIN.                            " CHAIN
    I have tried clearing of the fields......moving spaces in the fields......
    I dont have table control or step-loop in the screen .
    Thank you.
    Viquar Iqbal

    Hi,
    The screen field attributes should be modified in the PBO section of the flow logic.
    "This is PAI as it doesnt go to PBO of the screen." . Why is it not going to the PBO? Check the reason for this.
    regards
    Nitesh

  • IMac DV SE 400 chimes, gives flashing question mark. Hard drive bad?

    My G3 iMac DV SE 400 will not start up. This is what happens:
    1. Startup chime
    2. Hard drive starts to spin
    3. Hard drive "clicks" once
    4. Flashing question mark on screen
    I tried resetting the PRAM and disconnecting everything like it says in the manual. I have booted up from CD and used Disk Utility (OS X) and Disk First Aid (OS 9) to find out if the computer "sees" the hard drive. No luck with either one - the drive does not mount. I have also tried System Profiler and the computer does not recognize the presence of any hard drive there either.
    Is the hard drive really "dead?" Can it be resurrected - at least to the point where I can retrieve my files, pictures, etc.? I'm confident that the drive is receiving power because it actually starts to spin up (see #2 above). Am I overlooking something easy here? Could it be as simple as replacing the battery? I haven't tried that because the hard drive does "attempt" to start up.
    Failing all else, is it possible to retrieve the data using my other Mac even though the hard drive will not boot?
    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

    Well if it spins up you might be able to salvage your data with Data Rescue II (free demo) or Disk Warrior. You could also try Target mode but if disk utility didn't see it then that's probably not going to be any better.
    If those two don't see it then your only option is data retrieval via a pro company but that will be very expensive.
    Richard

  • Flashing folder with a question mark wont start up

    flashing folder icon with a question mark on screen....computer wont start up

    Here's an Apple article on the subject.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
    Regards,
    Captfred

  • Flashing folder with question mark and SSD

    I had an issue with my native mbp HDD about a month ago. New ssd (crucial m540 with trim)  worked fine for a month, but after recent wake up it show a screen for several seconds and then a flashing folder screen appeared.
    Now I see flashing folder on every boot attempt. Safe mode doesn't work, recovery partition either.
    When I try to select boot partition different combination appears: regularly I see only recovery partition, sometimes only system one, and rarely both of them. Anyway every boot attempt results in question mark folder screen.
    The questions are:
    1. Is it possible to recover current state with the recovery partition tools from an external hdd?
    2. What the chance it may be recovered through reformat and clone of the old HDD (e.g. may it be logical OS issue, or is it hardware issue and I need to look for SSD replacement)?
    3. Is it something well known (possibly Mac os + ssd) issue and may it be avoided in the future ?

    Aaaaand.. DONE!
    I missed the fact my old "half dead" native hdd freezed in the case, but works properly in the external rack. Now I found it not only worked properly, but way faster than ssd worked (even with usb 2.0 rack interface and no additional power source).
    A funny fact: the popular Black Magic Speed Test always show stable 300/500 mbps  for my ssd, while the fact is it worked slower than HDD in the external usb 2.0 rack.
    So, I've bought a new SATA cable, and yes, it was the real problem. The old HDD works fine, and the new SSD didn't throw any errors since the cloning process start, it would be ready in several hours but I believe no unexpected issues would appear.

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