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:
1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.
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.
4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from the hard drive's location.
(68976)

Similar Messages

  • 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.
    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, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, 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.

  • What does a file icon with a question mark indicate?

    had to turn off macbook with power off button vs. shut down and now I tried to log on today and it doesn't start up. I get an icon of a folder or file with a question mark that blinks on the grey screen page. How can I restart my Macbook to get to safari?

    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.

  • 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.
    It could be because it forgot somehow, or the operating system is no longer there or readable or the hardware holding the operating system has failed.
    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.
    Once in OS X, head to System Preferences > Startup Disk and select your boot drive so it can remind the firmware.
    If there is no OS X boot volume, just recovery or Bootcamp (if Windows installed) then you need to perform more work.
    Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
    To get a copy of your files off the drive.
    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 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.
    For a new hard drive try Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE
    Or OWC  http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
    Here are instructions on replacing the hard drive in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088
    Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the Aluminum Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbookpro_13_unibody_hd/
    Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
    If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
    http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

  • My iMac has a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle.  What does that mean?

    My iMac is completely unresponsive.  Whenever I restart it, it's just a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle.  What does this mean?

    this means the mac cannot find the startup disc. which more times than not means you need a hdd replacement.
    try starting holding the option key, then using utilities try to repair the disc.

  • 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:
    1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.
    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.
    4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from its location.
    (104258)

  • What does it mean when my screen just flashes a file folder with a question mark?

    I just did software update and now my screen flashes a file folder with a question mark in the middle???

    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 hard drive data is somehow corrupted.
    Put your install DVD into the drive and reboot. 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). That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
    Once it has finished booting and you are at the Install screen launch Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
    If it is then select the First Aid Tab run Repair Disk and if that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions.
    If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

  • MacBook Air will not reboot. A file folder with a question mark in the center of it appears. What is the problem?

    MacBook Air will not power on or reboot. A file folder with a question mark in the center of it appears. What is the problem?

    Go step by step and test.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440
    Startup Manager to select Startup disk.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310
    Repair Disk
    Steps 2 through 8
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
    Reset PRAM.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
    Reinstall OS X
    If this does not help, contact Apple.
    Best.

  • 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.

  • Instead of an apple, I get a file folder with a question mark!

    Hi. I turned on my MacBook today, and instead of the apple popping on to the screen after a few seconds, I got something that looks like a file folder with a question mark in the middle of it. Then it starts to flash! Turned it off with the power button, tried again a few times...same result. Anyone know what to do? Thanks

    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.
    If your computer does not start up, try repairing your startup disk and reselecting your Mac OS X startup volume. Click the link below for the webpage with detailed instructions.
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

  • File Folder with a Question Mark Blinking-HELP!!!!

    Its been like a day and half since i last used my macbook, and all of a sudden it won't work.
    It still turns on but it goes to a white screen and stays that way for about 20 minutes. Then a file folder with a question mark in the middle shows up and blinks. It doesnt go away at all. The only way for me to make it go away is to either turn it off or to push the eject button, and now it just turns off all together.
    When all this started happening it took a long time for it to even go to the home page, but it didn't go to the desktop screen. It would take a long time on the screen when it first turns on then a a lonnnnngggg time after that it would go to a light blue screen and then a longgggg time after that a pointer would show up, and thats all it would do.
    Do I need to get the software that first came with it and put it in and see if it fixes the problem or what?
    WHAT SHOULD I DO?!?!? please help.

    You have corrupted system files. The following is a solution:
    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.
    If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) 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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
    3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
    4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
    5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
    6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

  • HT2433 My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it .  How to to open my laptop!  I have tried fir e clising several times and restArting  nope nada!

    My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it .  How do  I open my laptop!  I have tried force closing several times and restArting  nope !  nada!  Suggestions?

    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, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7, 10.8 or 10.9 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.

  • 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

    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

    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.

    I have a first gen MacBook pro with intel chip. All of a sudden when I try to start up instead of the apple logo I see a file folder with a question mark. Phone support wasn't much help since it is a older machine. It's either a software issue or the hard drive went. Any ideas on how to fix if it's a software issue would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

    Thanks I tried that and when I click repair it tells me
    Invalid volume header
    Checking hfs plus volume.
    Invalid b-free node size
    Volume check failed
    Error: the underlying task reported faliure on exit.
    1 hfs volume checked
    1 volume could not be repaired because of an error.

Maybe you are looking for

  • Possible bug for emails with a large number of recipients

    When receiving emails which was also sent to a large number of people (more than can fit in two lines), it then displays the text 'and 10 more..." or however more there are. Clicking on this text is supposed to then display all the email addresses th

  • SQL SERVER Failover Cluster switch failure because the passive node automatically reassign drive letter

    I switch the sql server resource group to the standby node , when the disk resource ready bring online in the passive node ,then occur exception. because the original dependency disk resource the drive letter is 'K:' , BUT when the disk bring online

  • Command Line Compile errors in RH6

    We're evaluationg RH6. We can compile Webhelp from the command line, but on one of our machines we get the following template errors: <Snip>___________________________________________ Applying WebHelp 5.50 Template... Template Error: can not resolve

  • Temp tablespace usage coming in Negative values

    Hi, We got the error in our alert.log stating "unable to extend temp segment by 128 in tablespace" TABLESPACE_NAME FILE_ID BYTES_USED/1024/1024 BYTES_FREE/1024/1024 TEMP1 2 622 878 TEMP1 3 -4826 5326 TEMP1 1 414 2586 TABLESPACE SIZE MB USED MB FREE M

  • Error: 0x80004005: Got no principal record from principal URL request!

    When trying to setup icloud 1.0.2.17 on Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit machine I get the message: Outlook Setup Error  "Your setup couldn't be started because of an unexpected error" Or No network connection "Setup can't continue because you 're not connec