What does a flashing question mark icon mean, alternating with the finder icon, at startup?

When I power up a small folder appears against a grey screen. Insode the folder are alternating question mark and finder icon.

It means that your iMac cannot find an operating system to boot from.
What version of OS X are you running?

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I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up. All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it. Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed. Any ideas?

I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up. All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it. Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed. Any ideas?

You need to use the computer's install disks to repair the hard drive or install a new OS.
(58033)

Flashing Question Mark Folder... with a twist

Hi all, I hope you can help me out.
A month ago I had some trouble with my MacBook. It would continually freeze, then when I restarted it would show the flashing question mark folder icon. When I booted from the OSX CD it couldn't see any drives to install to. Restting the PRAM eventually fixed the issue, but only temporarily: it kept doing it and eventually it seemed that the hard drive was well and truly dead.
I took it to my Mac shop and they replaced the hard drive for me as it was still under my Applecare warranty. Things seemed fine for a couple of weeks.
Then it happened again. Now it seems to have skipped the stage where resetting the PRAM would fix things and has gone straight to the signs of a dead hard drive. I find it hard to believe the replacement drive has died after a couple of weeks. Is there some other issue, such as a faulty motherboard, which could be killing hard drives?
My MacBook is a Core 2 Duo 2.0, with 2GB of RAM and 200GB hard drive, running the latest version of OSX.

I had this happen to my MB a few weeks after purchasing it last November. I took it to the Genius Bar at my Apple Store, and the Genius took my HD out to test it, and said that it had completely locked up, and he wasn't able to get it to load on at all, and that it was dead. They sent it away for me, I got it back a couple days later with a brand new HD, and I haven't had a problem since.
My lesson learned: Backup, Backup, Backup!!! I use Apple's Backup App because it came w/ my .Mac account, but there's plenty of other great Backup Apps out there. Have one or more External HDs set up as backups in case anything happens to your internal, and remember a computer is a computer and sometimes they have problems. However, it does sound like Apple invested in a bad lot of HDs. If it's happening to a lot of people, report it to Apple. There may need to be a recall.

What does a spinning question mark mean?

When I turned my iPad on this morning, I get only a spinning question mark (small question mark in a blue circle) when i try to go on the internet. IPad comes on fine....but I can't get on the internet. Mail is working though. I reset it, nothing happened. It is fully charged. I checked the wifi; it is on. My iMac is working....no problems getting on internet there. iPad was working when I went to sleep....I was listening to iTunes. But this morning, only the question mark when trying to get online. I am running Lion and iOS5. This is an iPad 2, one year old.
Thanks for your help.

First Go to the Home screen and double click the Home button. That will reveal the row of recently used apps at the bottom of the screen. Tap and hold on the app in question until it wiggles and displays a minus sign. Tap the minus sign to actually quit the app. Then tap anywhere on the screen above that bottom row to return the screen to normal. Then restart the app and see if it works normally.
If that doesn't help try a reboot of your iPad. Press and hold the Home and Sleep buttons simultaneously ignoring the red slider until the Apple logo appears. Let go of the buttons and let the iPad restart. See if that fixes your problem.
These two steps are often very helpful in resolving various issues.

What to do with a grey screen with flashing question mark on start up

What does a flashing question mark on a blank screen mean web starting up?

Follow the procedures in this support article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Ciao.

Flashing question mark, nothing works

My macbookpro mid 2010 with Intel core 2 duo, 3MB processor, extended Memory (4x4), with MacOSX Lion was working just fine yesterday, today when I turned it on the flashing question mark appered instead of the apple and it does the start up sound but it doesn't initiate.
1º I tried the Startup Manager it shownd a lock and a space to type what I believe is my password, but it doesn't recoganise my password (I'm really sure that I'm wrighting correctly).
2º I tried the disk utility (pressing r key) but it just go to the flashing question mark, I even tried with the cd (pressing c key) but it just go to the flashing question mark again.
3º I then tried the PRAM reset, and nothing changes, actually I never heard the second initialization sound even though I pressed all the buttons for 5 minites.
4º Tried the SMC reset and no change
5º Tried the Safe Mode but the loading bar never appeared
6º After all this I was just really scared for my hard disc, so I took it off and install it in other computer just to see if it was working. And it is. But the other computer hard disc doesn't initiate in my computer.
So I ask you what happend, and what should I do?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
Insert the Mac OS X DVD that came with the MacBook, press D key while your Mac is starting and run an extended test. It looks like the logic board is damaged, so take the Mac to an Apple Store

A flashing question mark on startup

My Mini is displaying a flashing question mark after startup. How do I fix it?

The flashing question mark indicates that your Mini cannot find a valid startup disk. Restart with the Install disk in place and hold down the C key and the Mini will start up from the CD. Repair the Mini's hard disk using Disk Utility on the Install CD (Look under the Apple menu). If this does not work, you may need to obtain a startup CD with a third-party recovery utility such as Disk Warrior to attempt to rebuild the Mini hard disk directory.
Here's a link to an Apple document to help you:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
Bob N.
Mac Mini 1.5 GHz; iBook 900 mHz; iPod 20 GB Mac OS X (10.4.5)

What does a folder with alternating ? and finder icons mean?

After booting my G5, it now goes to a blue screen containing a solitary folder in the center with alternating "?" and "finder" icons in the center of it. They flash for approximately 22 times, stop on the "finder" icon briefly, then start up again. I was told that this is a sign that my hard drive was 'fried'. Can anyone verify this--or perhaps give me other information on what might be occurring. All I want to do is reformat my hard drive and give the unit to my grandkids for researching, word processing, etc.--as it is only running Tiger 10.4.11. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks for the information, Chris. I did run disk one of the system install, buy it would not take me to the hard drive in the G5--only gave me an icon for a remote(online) startup. Any other suggestion as I tried resetting the PRAM and the SMU--both of which did basically anything new?

Flashing question mark at start up (details in post)

Problem: Flashing question mark at startup.
System: iBook G4 running OS X version 10.3.something.
Details: The machine froze on waking up when I opened it last night. I held down the power key to turn it off, then powered it up again and got a flashing question mark superimposed on a small blue folder icon.
Further details:
(1) I tried to start the iBook up in Firewire target mode to copy my data to another machine. Holding down the T key at startup brings up the Firewire screensaver, but the iBook drive does not appear on the host machine's desktop.
(2) I can start the iBook from CD: I cannot find the CDs that came with the machine at the moment, but I can boot from a OS X 10.3 install CD that I have laying around.
(3) The hard drive is not visible to Disk Utility: When I boot from the OS X 10.3 install CD and then start Disk Utility, my hard drive is not visible to Disk Utility.
(4) Zapping PRAM does not help: I held down option-apple-P-R and restarted, letting the iBook chime four times for good measure. I still get the flashing question mark and the hard drive is still not visible to Disk Utility.
(5) The hard drive is visible in single-user mode: I powered down again and held down apple-S while powering up. I am now in single-user mode. My hard drive is visible and all of the files I have inspected seem to be just fine. I have not done anything except cd into various directories, use ls to list the files in the directories, and use cat and more to display the contents of various text files.
Questions: Obviously what I would like is to be up and running as quickly as possible. But more importantly, I don't want to do anything that would muck up the data on my hard drive.
(1) Is there any way to manually back up the data to a removable device while in single-user mode?
(2) I have not done anything with fsck yet. Should I? What are the risks/benefits of using fsck?
(3) Just for curiosity's sake: Why is the hard disk visible in single-user mode but not to Disk Utility?
(4) What are your suggestions for what to do next? I am still in single-user mode and am happy to stay there while I wait for advice.
Thanks,
RJH
iBook G4 Mac OS X (10.3) OS version 10.3.(something) -- don't remember and can't start up to find out

Here are some troubleshooting guides:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106464
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=50959
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
The following link is about backup:
http://homepage.mac.com/lee_cullens/Bx3.html
(1) Is there any way to manually back up the data to a removable device while in single-user mode?
Yes. If you have an external backup drive you can copy your files while in single-user mode. There are several available tools you can use: cp, rcp, rsync, and diskutil. These utilities may require knowing the Unix device names and paths. You can use the df command to obtain that information. Use the commandline "man cmd" to obtain the Unix help on the particular "cmd", e.g., man rcp.
(2) I have not done anything with fsck yet. Should I? What are the risks/benefits of using fsck?
Fsck is simply a form of Disk Utility that can repair a startup volume when in single-user mode. One of the above references explains how to use fsck to repair the disk. Note that if fsck returns anything other than "** The volume (nameofvolume) appears to be OK", you should re-run fsck until the preceding message is received. If you re-run fsck more than 5 or 6 times without getting the OK message, then fsck is not able to fully repair the drive.
If you have other disk repair tools like Disk Warrior or TechTool Pro, you should try to repair the drive with them. Both tools can perform repairs that neither Disk Utility nor fsck can.
Of course all the above is contingent on the drive actually being functional. If the drive has failed you may not have any success.

Flashing Question mark: New hard drive not working Macbook Pro late 2008

After following several peoples advice on this forum I decided to upgrade my Macbook Pro late 2008 with a Seagate (1TB) Solid State Hybrid Drive 2.5 inch.
Heres the device.
http://www.morecomputers.com/spec.aspx?pn=ST1000LM014
After creating a mountable boot on a External hard drive with Mavericks install I removed the current hard drive and replaced with the new seagate drive. However it didn't seem to recognize the external hard drive (it is quite old but works perfectly) and went to a flashing grey question mark screen and wouldnt do anything else. Ive tried holding down command-r and option-r but I get nothing. Its just the same flashing question mark. I have done this several times and the same result.
I put the old drive back in and it works fine.
I am trying to work out is the problem with the mountable external hard drive OR is it the hard drive is not compatible with my computer?
Appreciate your help
Gary

Sorry I think you may be confused.
I am trying to install the new Seagate hard drive to my mac (not as an external hard drive).
I replace the macbook pro hard drive with the seagate drive:
http://www.morecomputers.com/spec.aspx?pn=ST1000LM014
I then started up the machine with a usb external hard drive with a boot copy of mavericks on it. However, it just displayed a flashing question mark and wouldnt start booting the osx.
I am trying to work out is the problem with the mountable external hard drive OR is it the hard drive is not compatible with my computer? Im guessing it must be hard drive. Would it be better to use a USB pen drive as the external hard drive is quite old?
Does anyone know what the problem could be as the hard drive is brand new.
Appreciate your help
Thanks, Gary

Flashing Question Mark on Sawtooth

Hello. I've got an upgraded Sawtooth that I'm having problems booting off the Hard Drive. First off, here's the system:
Sawtooth G4 (AGP Graphics)
Sonnet 1000/2M G4 upgrade
1.25GB of PC133
Flashed ATI 9800 PRO w/ 128MB RAM
DVD-ROM - I don't remember what brand
350Watt ATX PSU converted for use in Mac
Generic no-brand PCI-to-USB2.0 adapter (5port)
ACARD ATA133 PCI-to-IDE card (w/ large HD support)
200GB Maxtor ATA100 Hard Drive
USB RaLink G Wireless Adapter (sometimes - shared with eMac)
Notes: Fresh PRAM battery and extra fan installed about 4 months ago.
The first 3GB of the drive is partitioned for OS9 (for legacy support), but I don't have anything installed on it. The remaining (like 186? GB) has Tiger installed on it, with iLife and all available updates. My little brother uses it for light gaming, and recording himself playing the guitar w/
GarageBand.
Anyways, I had a problem a month or so ago where it stopped booting properly, and would sit there flashing a question mark/floppy drive. I could boot off the 10.4 install cd, and the drive would show up fine. Choose Start-up, select that disk, and it would yield the same results. So I did an archive and install, and it worked fine. Ran the same updates to bring it to 10.4.11, had to re-install iLife (they stopped working after that, even after the 4.11 update), and went on my way.
Well anyways, now it's doing it again. It just sits at that flashing question mark for hours. I can boot off the CD, and the drive passed verification and permission checks. Nothing has changed since last time it booted fine, and when it decided to do this again.
I've tried everything that I can think of, either from here or past experience. Removed all extras; removed the unneeded PCI cards (can't boot off the 200GB w/ out ACARD PCI card); reset PRAM; reset-NVRAM; OF reset-all; verified OF date&time; reset the PMU; unplugged it and left it w/o a battery for 48 hours. Nothing has worked.
Does anyone have an idea that can help me out? I've worked on plenty of Macs in the past, G3s to new Intels, but I'm at my wits end on this one. Even if I do reinstall and update, is there something that is incorrect, maybe w/ the driver for the ACARD adapter that is causing it to write to the HD incorrectly when it shuts down? IDK, and if you can help me, please do!

The flashing question mark appears when your Mac cannot find:
The preferred OS Type {macOS, Linux, BeOS, Joe's garage shop special}
Of the preferred Version {7.5.3, 8.1, 10.4, 0xFF}
On the preferred Startup Disk { ATA 0 Master, SCSI 0 drive 6, device 0xFF}
All these things are stored in the Parameter RAM. If the power fluctuates, even for an instant while your PRAM Backup battery is weak, it may allow corruption to creep into those parameters.
A good battery should measure over 3.2 Volts in Hand, a little less is OK when measured in-circuit with the AC power plug removed. Anything less should be replaced. They are available from online vendors for as little as US$8 delivered, or from Radio Shack for US$20+.
A PRAM Reset with the tiny button is required after replacing the battery.
A bad battery is much easier to fix than any of the other problems you could be having. Make sure the battery is good first, because a weak battery makes all other debugging more difficult.

Flash question mark, and no disk

Hello!
I've got a problem with my Power Mac G5. After a freeze-up, I did a hard reboot, and when it restarted, all that displayed was the 'flashing question mark'.
I read through the support tips. I booted from my install CD, and ran Disk Utility. It couldn't find any partitions on the hard drive, so I reset the PRAM and tried again. Still no luck.
In PC parlance, I would say that my machine has lost its Master Boot Record. I know how to fix this, there. What's the equivalent terminology in Macland? And, what's the tool to fix this?
I'd really like to be able to fix this myself (I'm in IT at a Canadian university, and it would be useful to know this for the machines that are charged to my care), and while I'd prefer a solution that uses free software, I'd be willing to purchase if necessary.
Thanks for your help!
Power Mac G5 Mac OS X (10.4.6)

When doing a hard reboot, my choice is to
boot into Single User Mode, run
/sbin/fsck -fy
run Applejack
Or, use the OPTION key and boot to an alternate (emergency system) drive (FireWire or partition on another drive).
You want to use the latest version of Disk Utility, which would be the fsck command, or 10.4.6 on another drive.
And to have handy a copy of Disk Warrior (and/or TechTool Pro 4.x).
You don't want to use a version of Disk utility from 10.4.2 or older to fix 10.4.3 or later.
Along with resetting PMU, sometimes you need or want to reset nvram from the Open Firmware screen - nvram can be corrupted, or the device tree needs to be rebuilt (adding or changing memory, disk drive, PCI cards).
MacGurus FAQ

Flashing question mark folder drives have been swapped

Hi there thank you for taking the time to read this. Spookily within days of each other 2 friends MBP's have succumbed to the flashing question mark folder upon booting. The first we swapped the drive out ran internet recovery saved what we could from the old HD and away we went.
Oddly when getting into disc utility Macintosh HD didn't exist only a tiny 1.53Gb partition called Disk0 which I assume is the recovery program????
However I have just took it apart and assumed by popping my healthy HD from my MBP into the faulty one it would boot as my Mac and troubleshoot a faulty HD
Am I wrong in thinking this, does my Mac having a Beta version of OSX affect this or do you think we are looking at a larger problem.
Many thaks
Gareth

Sort of a bump of kinds
Had various drives in and the Mac doesn't see it however plug same drives into a SATA USB adaptor and OS sees the drive. Have tried replacing the hard drive to logic board cable with same results?
Im assuming at this point the board has gone belly up. Although hardware test is report zero issues there is no startup chime and the machine refuses to recognise any discs connected in the expected manner
As always any thoughts/advise is welcome
Gareth

Flashing Question mark on start up?

So when I try to start up my PPC G5, I hear the start up tone, and then it goes straight to a grey screen with a flashing question mark. I followed all the steps on Apple's website to resolve this, I held option and started up, and all that came up were two buttons, one looked like a circle with an arrow at the end of it and the other was a straight arrow, also I couldn't move the mouse past a certain point on the screen, so the mouse was responding, it just couldn't move past maybe an inch on the left side of the screen. I tried restarting with the mouse and keyboard unplugged too, no dice. Then finally I decided to just re-install the leopard operating system. I put the disc in, go through all the steps, and when it asks me where i want to install Mac OS X, there's nothing to select. Where an icon for the hard drive should be it is just blank. I tried clicking the blank space to refresh it and nothing happened. Also, I read online that usually waiting fixes it, I left it on overnight and still nothing has popped up. Also, I've already tried resetting the PRAM, and nothing happened. If anybody can help me fix this it would be greatly appreciated. Either how to install Leopard again or how to start it up without the flashing question mark. Thanks!

"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

10.4.3 upgrade & archive install = flashing question mark

I upgraded to 10.4.3 reboot, flashing question mark appears.
Tried everything, PRAM zap, NVRAM reset, pull battery for a day and unplug. Reset PMU.
Tried combo update. Same flashing question mark. Boot from 10.4 DVD repair permissions all the time, repair disk, all is ok. Startup Disk selection to hard drive, see os x, reboot, flashing question mark again.
Reboot + Option, pulls up view, no startup disk shows, except for 10.4 dvd.
Target disk mode startup from another mac, boots up, run startup disk, shows the hard drive, select as startup, reboot, still flashing question mark.
Re-install os 10.4 - install 10.4.2 upgrade, still flashing question mark.
Have a Dual 1.2 G4 gig ethernet, 2gb ram, pulled out all but one ram chip tested booting with every different kind of ram configuration. Still flashing question mark.
QUESTION: Has anyone been able to fix this issue? I see it all over and nothing that really solves it?

i dont have a solution... but what you might want to do is reinstall 10.4.. upgrade to 10.4.2, reinstall everything you need and run yasu or cocktail..
then with carbon copy cloner.. make a backup of your system to another hard drive..
that way when 10.4.4 comes out... you can upgrade with out worrying if something bad happens.. hopefully by then theyll have everything worked out.

What does a flashing question mark icon mean, alternating with the finder icon, at startup?

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