Tried to install maverick killed my hard drive. tried to replace hard drive and reinstall earlier version. but when i reboot the computer i just get a file folder with a question mark.  what can i do to get ky mac up and running?

not sure of my opions. any ideas

Restart holding down cmd-opt-r. It will boot to Internet Recovery. From there you can reinstall the original shipping OS or restore from Time Machine.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

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  • When I went to turn the desktop on, the start up sound came on.  Then the screen was white with an icon flashing. The icon is a file folder with a question mark on it.  I cannot get it to fully turn on.  HELP

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    Run a disk repair tool on the hard disk or install a new OS.
    (59898)

  • I have a older intel MacBook pro, now when I try to start up instead of the apple logo I see a file folder with a question mark. Need some help please.

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    Thanks I tried that and when I click repair it tells me
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    If the computer starts up after a brief delay, you probably just need to reselect your startup volume. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click Startup Disk and select the the desired startup volume.
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  • When laptop booths there is a folder with a question mark.  Can someone tell me whats wrong?

    When laptop booths there is a folder with a question mark.  Can someone tell me whats wrong?

    The Mac cannot find the hard drive or a valid boot folder.
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  • HT1310 when i starst my mac i get a flashing folder with a question mark. i tried rebooting and holding the option button then i get 2 boxes, one with a refresh arrow and one with a forward arrow neither of them seem to do anything. now what

    when i starst my mac i get a flashing folder with a question mark. i tried rebooting and holding the option button then i get 2 boxes, one with a refresh arrow and one with a forward arrow neither of them seem to do anything. now what

    Here is an article that describes what it is supposed to do:
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    What Mac Pro ? by year, GHz, number of processors, screen size?
    What Mac OS X ?

  • HT3964 What does a file folder with a question mark that appears upon startup?

    What does a file folder with a question mark which appears on startup mean??

    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.
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  • What does it mean when I start my computer and there is a file folder with a question mark?

    What does it mean if I start my computer and there is a file folder with a question mark blinking?

    That Disk 1/ Mac OS is the install DVD not the hard drive. Your hard drive is not recognized which would mean it's probably dead.
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    Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
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  • 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.

  • What does a blinking file folder with a question mark indicate?

    What does a blinking file folder with a question mark indicate?  I cannot get past it or do anything with the unit.

    glamiera wrote:
    What does a blinking file folder with a question mark indicate?
    That's the firmware telling you it can't find the operating system it's been assigned to boot from.
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    Hold the power button to force a hardware shutdown, then reboot holding the option/alt key held down on the wired or built in keyboard, icons will hopefully load on the screen and if OS X appears, click the arrow to boot from it.
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    Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
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    Step by Step to fix your Mac
    To fix your machine and find out (hardware test) if it's a hardware issue of some sort.

  • What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

    What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

    There are four general causes of this issue:
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    2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.
    3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.
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    (68976)

  • What does it mean when there is a flashing file folder with a question mark when trying to start computer?

    When I try to start my computer a flashing file folder with a question mark is on the screen. I can't open anything up. What does this mean?

    There are four general causes of this issue:
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    2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.
    3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.
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    (104258)

  • MacBook Pro gets a flashing folder with a question mark

    I start up my computer and I get this flashing folder with a question mark. I looked up on here how to fix it but I get lost when I get to the disk utility part. All that shows up is something called disk0 and below it it says Mac OS X Base System. I click on it but the repair disk button is greyed out. What do I do? Please help!

    The MBP cannot find the OSX.  It may be a HDD or HDD connection problem.
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    Select Disk Utility>First Aid and run Verify and Repair.
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    Ciao.

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