All of the menus on my macbook pro how a question mark inside a rectangle. It looks like unsupported characters. How do I change it back to regular text?

On my early-2011 MBP running Mavericks, all of the text of menus has turned into a question mark surrounded by a rectangle. As a result, I cannot read any menus. What do I do to change the character set the OS is using back to a normal charset?

Startup in Safe Mode. http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14204
If this does not help, reinstall OS X.
Reinstall OS X 10.9 Mavericks
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13871

Similar Messages

Macbook pro folder with question mark blinking appear whent I turn on, When I press the Option key Grey lock screen appear asking for a password, can anyone help me please?

Macbook pro folder with question mark blinking appear whent I turn on, When I press the Option key Grey lock screen appear asking for a password, can anyone help me please?

Provide the computer's firmware password. If you don't know what it is, contact the person you got the computer from or Apple.
(91589)

TS2094 After resetting the pram, the screen only shows a folder with a question mark inside. What does this mean?

I followed the initial steps in this post and reset pram. After restarting, the screen just shows a folder with a question mark. What does this mean?

Thanks Niel, I tried using Option and nothing happened so I next tried inserting the Leopard disc and rebooting while holding C. Nothing happened until the disc was ejected and then the folder with question mark reappeared. I inserted the disc again and at this point and it booted OSX. I tried to acess disc utility to repair but my harddrive wasn't listed, only the CD drive and the OS disc. Does this mean I'm lost everything?

Macbook Pro - Folder w/Question Mark; Internet Recovery

Hello everyone,
I have a 13" Macbook Pro that I purchased (new) in February 2013.
Yesterday I was working on it with an external mouse plugged into one USB, a bicycle light charger plugged into the other USB, and an external monitor connected in that port with the Apple connector, plus the power cord was plugged in. I had Word documents open, an Excel doc as well, plus iTunes running, and I had Chrome open as my browser. I had to quickly leave so unplugged all of them quickly, then closed the cover.
A few hours later when I opened the computer I had no cursor. I gave it a few minutes to "wake up" but nothing happened. I then turned the computer off with the power button. When it came back on I had a folder with a question mark and it was blinking.
In looking through the discussion forums, I tried holding down the Control button. This too me to Internet Recovery. Now I'm at the OS X Utilities and it has four options: Restore from Time Machine, Reinstall OS X, Get Help Online, or Disk Utility.
I back up the computer frequently with T.M. to an external HD, but I'd rather not erase the HD and start over.
I have seen some suggest resetting the PRAM when this issue occurs. As the computer was not dropped, I hope it was more of an overload issue when I unplugged so many things at once and shut it down.
I am definitely not a skilled computer fixer, so wanted to see if anyone with more knowledge could offer the best steps to take.
Thank you!

The folder with question mark means your firmware doesn't know what or where is your volume it's supposed to boot from normally.
1: Shutdown the machine by pressing and holding the power button.
2: Press and hold the option/alt key down. Boot the machine.
3: Startup Manager appears and hopefully your boot drive (along with RecoveryHD) appears, select your boot drive and click the arrow.
4: In System Preferences, set your statup disk again. Done.
Folder with question mark issue
If this fails to work, then do reset the NVRAM and try the steps above again.
If your boot volume fails to appear, then your OS X is corrupt and is not recognized as a bootable option, but it can be fixed.
..Step by Step to fix your Mac
The worst thing is your boot drive is dead, lets hope you have backups of your data off the machine.
My computer is not working, is my personal data lost?

Macbook pro folder with question mark

I am working on a neighbors macbook pro here.
When I startup the laptop, a folder with a question mark appears. It will not go away and nothing else happens.
This laptop was working fine until bootcamp was installed, then he erased all the contents of the hard drive in firewire mode using another computer, so I am pretty sure it is not any kind of hardware problem.
I CAN hold down the T key and boot into firewire mode. When I do this the hard drive and system appears ok in my powerbook that it is connected to.
I went to the apple store and bought the latest tiger 10.4.6, but I am hearing that this will not work with the intel based macbook pro's.
I tried booting holding the c key, the command key, option key etc, all with the same result, the flashing folder with a question mark.
Does anyone know for sure if the Install discs for the macbook pros are different than the one I just bought from the mac store?
We do not have the original discs that came with this computer, It is the 15 inch macbook pro.
Any help here is greatly appreciated!

The Tiger retail install package is not the same as the Tiger install package that ships with an Intel Mac.
Since Intel Macs are new and all ship with Tiger pre-installed, the Tiger retail install package is for PPC Macs only since there is no reason for Apple to supply a retail version that is compatible with Intel Macs. The next OS X version when released (retail install package) will be compatible with both PPC and Intel Macs or provided separately for each.
The install package that ships with a new Mac purchase is very important and should be kept in a safe place. For one and a very important reason, it includes all additional software provided with the new Mac purchase that is not included with a Tiger retail install package.
Your neighbor needs to contact AppleCare or visit the local Apple Store and request a replacement Tiger install package that shipped with this Mac. Although not provided for free, the cost will probably include covering shipping and handling only but I don't speak for Apple.

TS1365 What does it mean when my Macbook pro displays a question mark at startup, and won't boot?

My MacBook Pro won't start up. It displays a Question Mark for a while, and you can hear the HDD spinning, as well as some clicks, but nothing happens. It started after I accepted and began a recommended upgrade download and install. I started the upgrade install, rebooted, and walked away. An hour later, it displayed the progress bar as about 50% complete for the install. 24 hrs later, it was still at the same status. Several hours later, still no progress, so I hit the on/off button, shutting down the computer. After that, it would not restart...it gives the start-up chime, I hear the HDD spinning, and also hear some ominous "click click" sounds. Then a question mark pops onto the screen, and that's all. Any suggestions?

It means that it cannot find certain startup files. In your case it's probably because you interrupted the installation or the installation failed and files were corrupted or lost. Do the following:
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 Late 2011 Question Mark on Startup

My Macbook Pro has started displaying a question mark folder icon on startup. I have been through recovery and various other steps but it seems as though the hard drive simply isn't recognised by the computer.
It worked one minute then when I opened it the next, it had locked up. I restarted the computer and it happened.
If it is my HDD that is knackered, how likely is it that I will be able to retrieve my files, and how would I go about doing it if at all possible?
Thanks!

The question mark typically indicates a problem with the Mac OS. The computer is literally asking you for a boot drive. The hard drive could be fine. Or, it could be a mix of hardware and software.
Do you have the Apple Hardware Test Disc? With your model, it is probably combined with the software restore disc. There will be instructions in very small print telling you to hold the "D" key at startup. If your computer passes the hardware test, you can boot from this DVD as if you are going to do a clean install of the OS, but run Disk Utility to see if it can repair the OS and get you back to a bootable state.
Do you have an AppleCare disc? This usually has a lite version of TechTool Pro (which typically provides a more comprehensive diagnostic than Disk Utility).
Do you have a bootable backup drive (USB or Firewire or Thunderbolt)? If this is current, you could not only run tests on the internal drive, but continue to work until the issues wih the internal drive are resolved.
Target Disk Mode can be used if you have another Mac with the right port (FireWire and/or Thunderbolt). This basically puts the laptop into a disk only mode. As such, it can be connected to another computer for diagnostics.
Oh, and just incase you're not already familiar with this, you can power down the MacBook Pro at any time by pressing and holding the power key (it usually takes about 10 seconds). And, if you have more than one bootable drive connected (this includes a boot DVD or boot CD in the DVD-ROM drive), you can hold the option key at startup for a menu of bootable drives.
When the question mark creeps up on me, I usually go through troubleshooting the startup process as listed. Although, I use Carbon Copy Cloner to keep a daily backup of my boot drive so that I always have a backup boot drive that isn't more than 24 hours old It really helps avoid down time.
Report back on what works for you in your situation.
-Warren

MacBook Pro with flashing 'Question Mark Folder'

I have a relatively new MacBook Pro that recently had the hard drive wiped clean. I would like to use it but do not have the Mac OS X discs that came with it. I do have a set that came with an older unit but they won't work. Any suggestions?

Here is some info on MacBook Pro (17-inch mid 2010) which matches the A1297 model code. You can have Mac OS X 10.6 installed from the retail disk purchased from apple and then to 10.6.8 (free combo update download or software update). From 10.6.8 you can upgrade to 10.9 if desired (free) via the App store.
http://www.apple.com/support/osx/upgrade/
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23915442#23915442
SOFTWARE
Original OS
Mac OS X 10.6.3 (10D2094)
Maximum OS
Latest release of OS X
OVERVIEW
Introduced
April 2010
Discontinued
February 2011
Model Identifier
MacBookPro6,1
Model Number
A1297
EMC
2352
Order Number
MC024LL/A
Initial Price
$2,299
Support Status
Supported
Case
Precision aluminum unibody
Weight and Dimensions
6.6 lbs., 0.98" H x 15.47" W x 10.51" D
PROCESSOR
Processor
Intel Core i5 or Core i7 (M 540, M 620, M 640) ("Arrandale")
Processor Speed
2.53, 2.66, or 2.8 GHz
Architecture
64-bit
Number of Cores
2
Cache
3 MB (Core i5) 4 MB (Core i7) shared L3 cache
System Bus
Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) at 2.5 GT/s

Im trying to send an iMessage and it use to work but now it doesn't send. Did this person block me? Ive tried from iPhone 5, iPad 2 and macbook pro. I can send an SMS or it looks like I can send it. because it doesn't say not delivered.

I have a friend that I use to be able to imessage with. We havent talked in a long time. Now when I send message from all my devices it will not send. Did he block me? Or is there another reason it wont send.

Have you tried calling or sending a letter? Keep it simple, "i haven't been able to reach you in a while, and wanted to see if your OK." Who knows maybe he's thinking if you blocked him. And if he is blocking you, don't waste a moments more time on him.

The audio on my macbook pro cuts out after a few minutes.

The audio on my macbook pro cuts out after a few minutes. It sounds like all the low end is removed. I still hear audio but it is MUCH lower and sounds filtered. I can barely hear it maxed out. Nothing attached (no external drives, no speakers, etc) and it's only a few days old.

Apple store pronto. If need be (if less than 14 days from purchase) exchange for a new one!
Ciao.

My computer suddenly refuse to start. When I turn it on it gives the startup sound but the screen is grey and after a while a little folder icon with a question mark inside turns up. It doesn't blink. What to do? Nothing happens if I try to start up from

As I say my computer, a mac mini refuse to start. When I turn it on it gives the startup sound and the screen turns grey and stay that way for a long time. And in the end a small folder icon with a question mark inside (it doesn't blink) turns up in the middle of the screen.
I have tried to start up from the installation CD holding down the C key on the keyboard. Same result. I have tried different key combinations while starting up. No result or rather same result. Nothing. Is the computer suddenly dead?
I was about to buy a new computer but I need access to my data on this one (I write this on an iPad) but hven't yet found a way.
Anybody have any good advice?
I thought it was a software problem, that the computer couldn't find the startup software or something and maybe it is, but I am beginning to fear that it could be a hardware problem.

You need to re install OSX. If you have the dmg file downloaded via torrentz this is how you can create a bootable external HD or Flash drive (8 GB+)
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23957654#23957654
Peace
Harry

So in the last few days I've noticed that pressing my volume change keys actually isn't changing the volume on my macbook pro at all. When I press the volume up or down keys, it makes the recognisable pop sound but stays at the same volume while the squar

So in the last few days I’ve noticed that pressing my volume change keys actually isn’t changing the volume on my macbook pro at all. When I press the volume up or down keys, it makes the recognisable pop sound but stays at the same volume while the squares go up or down. I mute it but my computer still makes sound. It’s the same with the volume control up the top of the screen, too. I slide it up and down and it doesn’t change the volume at all. The only way I can change the volume is with my speakers or the program I’m in (iTunes, VLC etc). I restarted and it seems to be okay then I go to change it a couple minutes later and it’s back to not working again.
I’ve checked my settings- the “use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard fuction keys” is not switched on, and I have tried a suggestion of moving the com.apple.systempreferences.plist file out of the library and onto the desktop and restarting and neither of those seem to make any difference whatsoever. I’ve tried to find online forums but the only suggestions I found were those two and they didn’t work.
I’m just annoyed because I usually have the worst luck with technology but my macbook had been going strong and I got it because of the apparent lack of things that could go wrong, but of course even if there is one thing that could go wrong it will happen to me.
Please help!

You migh give resetting your NVRAM a try:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1379

The display on my MacBook Pro from 2007 finally gave out, how do I transfer all the data from the old one onto my new one?

A week or so ago, the screen on the Macbook Pro I've had for 5 years went permanently black. The screen itself still works, but it's just all black. Went from flickering/flashing to black. I didn't have any kind of warranty on it or anything, and in addition to all of the other things about it that needed fixing, it seemed like it'd just be cheaper to get a new Macbook Pro.
My question is: How do I get all the stuff from the old laptop to the new laptop without having to use the old laptop's display? Is there a cable I can use to connect the two, and I can just access the old one from the new one?

FireWire between the two (get appropriate 800-800 or 400-800), Target Disk Mode on the old one, appears as an external disk on the new one. Drag everything over, or use Setup Assistant if first start of new one, or plain old Migration Assistant. You really don't need a display to see a prancing FireWire icon, do you?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889
(with the added advantage that since you ain't booting anything off the drive, can turn the Mac on or off at will without risking data corruption on the drive)

I can not store all my Music on my internal Macbook pro hard drive so I am storing it on a large external drive connected to my airport extrem. How do I get Itunes to search for the music here with out trying to copy it to my laptops hard drive??

I can not store all my Music on my internal Macbook pro hard drive so I am storing it on a large external drive connected to my airport extreme (2 TB drive plugged into the USB port). I see the drive on my laptop and I can add and delete files no problem. How do I get Itunes to search for the music here with out trying to copy it to my laptop's hard drive? I don't have enough space to do that.

How did you move the music to the external drive? What exactly is on the drive? The entire iTunes folder or only music? If it is the entire iTunes folder you can do the option+start suggestion earlier. If you copied only music and did so by dragging it there then you need to delete it again and consolidate/organize it there instead so iTunes tracks the move. iTunes 12 for Mac: Change where your iTunes files are stored - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH19507

IBooks from Australia and the USA - how can I see all of my collection on my MacBook Pro?

G'day,
I am Australian. I began using iBooks in Australia by purchasing books through the Apple store in Australia on my iPhone.
In those days I had a PC running windows, and used to sync my iPhone on iTunes in Windows 7.
Later, I moved to Illinois in the USA. I also changed from using a PC to using an Apple MacBook Pro.
So these days I sync my iPhone with my MacBook.
I now have a mixture of books on my iPhone. Some purchased from the Apple Store in Australia, and some purchased from the Apple Store in the USA.
I can see and read ALL of my books on my iPhone.
But I can only see and read the 5 books I purchased since living in the USA on my MacBook Pro.
My login and password are exactly the same for the Australian Store, for the USA Store and for iCloud.
How can I see and read ALL my books on my MacBook Pro here in Illinois?
My iPhone is running iOS version 8.1.2
My MacBook is running OS X Yosemite 10.10.1
Message was edited by: bruce in Illinois
corrected typos

Thanks for your prompt response King_Penguin.
I carried out your suggestions.
A strange thing resulted.
Just one (1) of my 34 books on my iPhone now appears in the iTunes list of books on my Mac, and subsequently was moved to iBooks on the MacBook Pro.
This happens to be the book I am currently reading. So at least I can get on with reading on either device.
But I am mystified why only one book was copied across.
Thanks again for your help.

All of the menus on my macbook pro how a question mark inside a rectangle. It looks like unsupported characters. How do I change it back to regular text?

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