Blinking question mark and folder on startup

Hi everyone,
I'm in need of some help. I turned on my mac today and got a gray screen with a little folder icon and a blinking question mark in the center. I'm on a G4 running OS X Tiger. I'm trying to boot using the startup disk but here's the problem, I have an external dvd drive connected by firewire, so the only way I can startup the Tiger dvd is from that external dvd drive. I put the dvd in (only my monitor, mouse, keyboard and the dvd drive are plugged in), restarted, pressed 'c' got the installer menu, went to disk utility but the only hardrive it shows is for my dvd drive (2.6GB LaCieGroup SA) and the icon of the dvd underneath, it does not show the macs hardrive.
I don't know what to do can someone please help are there any other options?
Thanks
Chris

Hi Chris99,
Welcome to Apple Discussions.
Regrets you're experiencing difficulty.
In the absence of any additional details about your scenario, here are my two cents.
The folder icon with blinking question mark implies that your Mac fails to recognize its internal hard drive as a bootable device.
Further, Disk Utility fails to recognize your Mac's internal hard drive.
One possiblity is that your internal hard drive's ribbon cable has come loose. You can test this by opening the G4's case and playing with the cable.
Another possibility is that the hard drive's ribbon cable is defective. You can test this by using another ribbon cable.
A third possibility is that the hard drive has stopped functioning properly. If you have another Mac, you can test this by connecting the G4 to the other Mac using a Firewire cable, then cold boot the other Mac, then cold boot the G4 while pressing the T key. If the G4's hard drive fails to display on the other Mac's desktop, this would support the third possibility. You also can test this by using a third-party hard drive repair utility (Tech Tool Pro; DiskWarrior; Drive Genius).
If you live near to an Apple Store or authorized Apple service shop, you could bring your G4 to a technician there and request a diagnosis.
Hope this helps.

Similar Messages

  • PowerBook G4 Folder With Blinking Question Mark & Finder Icon At Startup

    Hi I'm a MacBook Pro user but I just dropped my friend's PowerBook G4. It froze afterwards so I held down the power button to restart it but then everytime it starts up, a folder with a blinking question mark and finder icon shows up.
    I tried restarting with the ctrl + command + power button but it shows up with the folder everytime.
    She didn't have her installation disc 1 but right now disk 2 is in the laptop and we can't get it out.
    How can I resolve this? Thank you!

    The folder with the blinkiung ? indicates that the Mac can't find a bootable OS. Try restarting holding down the track button to get the disk out of the drive.

  • Startup Failure (Blinking Question Mark) and more.....

    Hi,
    I have a G4 iBook that has a problem, with the hard drive I think, but I want to see if anyone has run into this problem. A search of the board didn't yeild much. Anyway, what happens is if I boot the iBook up it will get to a small folder icon with a flashing question mark and mac face. I realize this is an indicator that the startup drive isn't found. If I pinch the lower left corner during a startup then the iBook boots properly. Has anyone seen this behavior before?
    Thanks,
    Steve

    Hi love, I had this problem last october. When I bought my Mac it was an ex-display model with a new hard drive (August 2004). Last October 2006 I restarted my mac only for it to come up with the flashy finder folder / question mark. I was told that this means the Mac can't access the OS - apparently (not gospel!) this means that either your OS is being a bum or your hard drive has died, meaning that your mac can't access the OS 'cos obviously it's stored on your hard drive. I'm not sure how much of that is correct, however when I sent it off for repair, it came back with a new hard drive. I'd also like to say at this point that the Hardware test disk said my Hard Drive was OK but that when I connected my Mac to another Mac via firewire to try and retreive my data it could not access the hard disk.
    Sorry to break the bad news to you but it's very very likely you'll need a new hard drive. I am suffering at the moment 'cos my hard drive died again about 3 weeks ago, I got it back 10 days ago and it's gone again now. I have a week before I finish my degree and all my assignments were on there! (Naturally the ones I'd done this week hadn't been backed up yet!)
    Good luck with your Mac, let us know how it goes

  • Blinking question mark and smiley face

    when mac is powered on a small folder is displayed in the middle of the screen that has on it a blinking question mark that changes to a blue and white face over and over.can anyone offer any suggestions to eliminate this.
    thank you

    i've had this problem before, and at the time the hard drive was on its way out. you might want to consider replacing your hard drive.

  • Question mark/finder folder on startup

    I just installed a new power supply and it starts up now. The problem is that it only goes to a finder/question mark folder. When you press the power button in front it shuts off.
    1.6 ghz Power Mac G5 1.25 gig RAM 250 & 80 gig HD

    Hi.
    If the boot drive is present and ok, the G5 has lost the thread of where it is.
    You could try leaving it flashing for longer, to see if it finally remembers.
    Or holding down the Option(alt) key on Startup and then selecting the boot drive when it eventually appears.
    If it still won't come up, you could try Repairing the boot drive, and then try to boot from it
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=DiskUtility/10.5/en/duh1018.html
    When it boots, re-select the boot drive in System Preferences > Startup Disk.
    Probably wise to then run Disk Utility(the one on the 10.4.(8?) drive), and Repair Permissions and Verify Disk on the boot drive.
    The Apple Official is here
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
    Good Luck.

  • Flashing question mark in folder at startup

    I just got the hard drive replaced in November at the Apple store (I'm really loving the care plan now!) and ever since then on startup I've been getting the folder with a question mark for a brief second and then it goes to the normal startup screen with the grey apple and spinning cog. The hard drive isn't making any strange sounds and I haven't experienced anything out of the ordinary. What could this be and is it something serious? Thanks!

    Hello Travis,
    I doubt that it is anything serious. It may help to look in here to rectify the issue though...
    Black Apple > System Preferences > Start up Disk.
    Check to make sure that the computer is trying to boot up from OS X 10.5.6. on the internal hard drive of that Mac.
    Regards.
    Ian.

  • Blinking question mark/file folder icon on start-up

    I cannot boot up my laptop--It makes the chime sound, then goes to a gray screen, then eventually an icon of a file folder with a flashing question mark superimposed on it appears. I've tried resetting the PRAM, and won't have access to the software installation CDs until I'm back at my office tomorrow.
    Any ideas?

    I also have the blinking folder. I tried starting up in safe mode but still just ended up with the folder. I used the install disc 1(pushing the c)and my hd doesn't show up to even repair it. I have tried everything else listed here and in the manual except reinstalling because I am afraid of losing all of my data, etc. When it is turning on it makes a weird clunking noise that has never happened before, along with the clicking that someone else had referred to.
    Is there anything else I can do? My macbook is just barely beyond the one year mark. What causes things like this? I also now live outside of the US so I can't take it in to the Genius bar. What should our next steps be?
    Thanks!
    Kristina

  • Flashing Question Mark in Folder at Startup - Retrieving Lost Data on HD

    I've had my macbook for 9 months and Thursday it started making a clicking noise. I remember accidentally opening iMovie, then all my applications slowed down. The rainbow wheel wouldn't go away and everything froze (clicking noise continued). So I shut it down manually using the power button and instead of starting up, the flashing question mark in a folder popped up. I took my computer to an Apple Store and they told me I can either get the hard drive replaced, meaning all my data would be lost, or I could contact a hard drive recovery company to try to retrieve as much of it as possible. They said it would be fairly expensive ($500-$1000)..
    Does anyone have any experience with any of these companies? Do they try to fix your old hard drive (I've noticed that a number of other people have had problems with 9-month old macbooks) or do they retrieve as much data as they can and save it to a new hard drive? And how long could this process take? I am a college student and I need access to a computer as well as the information on my own laptop.

    Funny I has a very similar problem with my 8 mo old MacBook on the 15th and got the same reply from the Genius at the Apple Store today.
    I spoke with someone at one of those companies located in the Boston area. They could look at my computer with in the hour if it was an emergency, turn around time could be pretty quick or take up to a week. They charge $95 to look at it and then will give you a list of files they can retrieve. You can then make a decision as to whether they should go ahead and recover. The fee for them to actually recover your files is $500 at a minimum and it could be higher. They do not fix your hard drive. They said my warranty would still be valid when they were done. hope that helps...I can't decide what to do for myself, it was just pictures that I had not backed up yet. Good luck.

  • Flashing question mark and folder icon

    Hi
    I got the dreaded flashing folder/question mark icon a couple of days ago I used a friends computer to read the information in these forums and eventually managed to get my iMac to start up again. I have a very recent Time Machine back up, so am not worried about losing anything. During the numerous re-start attempts I decided to **** with it and do a re-install of the software, but the HD icon wasn't showing up as an option. If thats what I have to do then so be it.
    A lot of the posts talked about a Apple Hardware test, which involves a re-start. If I do that I am afraid that I wont be able to start again
    Any suggestions about what my best move would be?
    Thanks in advance
    By the way, what causes this to happens? Is it a hard or soft ware issue?
    Message was edited by: Tony Hague

    It sounds like you may have an intermittent issue with that hard drive. I would get it replaced--especially if it's under warranty.
    Dave M.
    Check out the new remodeled MacOSG website! 24-hour Apple-related news & support.
     MacOSG: An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast  Follow us on Twitter: MacOSG

  • Flashing Question Mark atop Folder at Startup

    I know this means the system cannot find the hard disk, which makes sense since it makes a bit of a racket as it attempts to boot. I was wondering if there are any tips or tricks to temporarily jumpstart it.
    My main goal at this point is to recover some documents that I worked on all morning. (I tried to target the PowerBook to my iMac to no avail.)
    I was thinking about checking the HD connection to see if it became unseated, but unlike iBooks, I'm not sure I can get to it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

    Hi Jon:
    Welcome to Discussions.
    Your computer cannot find a startup disk, is right.
    Questions:
    Did you have a startup disk selected?
    When was the last time you were able to boot successfully, and have you done anything, made any changes (such as upgrading RAM etc.)?
    Try zapping the PRAM (Hold down CommandOption+PR while you hit the Power button. Keep holding until you hear 3 chimes. If this does now work go to the next.
    Hold down the option button while you hit the Power button. If there is a startup drive or drives, it should show up, and you can select your HDD.
    If that does not work start up from your install disk while holding down the "C" key. If you are able to start successfully, go to the Intaller menu and select Disk Utility. In the first column see if you internal HDD appears. If it does select it then run Repair Disk. After that run Repair Permission. Quit Disk Utility, and select a startup disk. Then restart.

  • Blinking question mark on folder when powering on.

    Should I use command r? I am not sure what steps to take by either using the command r and beyond.  I do backups.

    Usually means a missing or corrupted system file. 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.

  • Folder with Question Mark and a useless disk stuck in my disk drive!

    Hello,
    earlier on today my computer crashed. I have read on a couple of posts that I should try to boot the computer from the install disk. Cool. The only problem is that when my computer crashed I had a CD in the disk drive. When I try to start the computer up I see a question mark and folder, but will not respond to any commands like "eject" or even holding the mouse button.
    What do I do? I'm in Korea and going back to Canada in two weeks, but I need my computer!

    Hi,
    The Question Mark folder implies that your MacBook can't find a System Folder to boot from. It doesn't mean the drive is bad.
    Are you holding down the C key while booting? Make sure the MacBook is shut down. Now, press the power button, hold down the C key and insert the restore disk all at the same time. Keep holding down the C key until you see the Apple logo on the screen, then let go. You should see an Installer window, select English. DO not proceed with any installation.. do this. From the Menu Bar, click Utilities/Startup Disk. When that window opens, select MacintoshHD 10.x.x and click the Restart button. That will boot your Mac back up from the hard disk, not the restore disk. If this works, don't forget to eject your restore disk and store it in a safe place.
    More help for the question mark: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
    Carolyn
    Message was edited by: Carolyn Samit

  • HT1553 I did the back up as instructed... Installed a larger hard drive and followed the restore instructions... Now I get a white screen with a folder icon and blinking question mark. When trying to set startup with new drive I get a bless tool error...

    I did the back up as instructed... Installed a larger hard drive and followed the restore instructions... Now I get a white screen with a folder icon and blinking question mark. When trying to set startup with new drive I get a bless tool error... Help!!

    If you have installed a new hard drive , you will need to have formatted it in Disk Utility correctly. This may explain your problem.
    Boot  into your 10.6 Install disk again at the top menubar > Utilities > select Disk utility and in there select your new hard drive, and select the tab Erase and choose to make the format as  Mac OS Extended Journaled. When that is finished look in the main window to make sure that the partition map scheme says GUID Partition Table.
    Now go to the Restore tab and reinstall from your backup.

  • My iMac has a blinking question mark folder on it and won't let me boot.

    I have a late 2009 27 inch iMac whos hardrive failed a while back. A couple days ago i decided to pop in a new hard drive in it, the same brand, just different capacity. I wanted to put windows on it, and tried to boot it with pressing c on the keyboard at startup but encountered a few problems.
    When i power on my imac the screen is just a blank white screen for about 20-30 seconds. During this time, any devices plugged into the USB ports do not work. My mouse is not lit up, and my keyboard will not react to pressing caps lock, num lock etc. After that 20-30 second period the folder with the blinking question mark on it pops up. I tried holding C, as well as windows key and C but nothing seems to make the mac recognize i want it to  boot from other devices.
    The hard drive i installed is empty (obviously) So i'm not sure if its an issue with the way I installed the hard drive (pretty sure i did it right) or another issue that may involve trying to put windows on it. Also worth noting is im using a normal USB mouse, and a normal USB keyboard, not mac devices. I'm willing to put OSX on this computer if its necessary to make it work, but right now all i can get on it is that white screen and then the blinking folder. Does anybody have any idea how to fix this?

    Drive Partition and Format
    1. 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 Utilities menu.
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area.  If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing.  SMART info will not be reported  on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    When formatting has completed quit Disk Utility and install OS X.

  • Blinking question mark folder upon startup on a 2 month old Pro?

    Hi I had the grey screen on my macbook pro. I tried reinstalling maverick os x, but my wifi connection got interrupted and so did the download. I now have the blinking question mark folder upon start up. What can I do since I know it's probably not a hard-drive problem?

    Startup Issues - Resolve
    Startup Issues - Resolve (2)

Maybe you are looking for