Boot problem: sometimes I get a folder with a question mark at start up

I am having a problem lately which I think might be hardware related. I get a question mark in a folder icon on start-up This happens randomly. In most occasions it occurs when I do a cold boot (so the system has been off for a while). As soon as I switch it off and switch it on again, my Mac Pro starts fine. The hard-drive is "verified" in the disk utility and I tried to fix/repair permissions. I also cleared the PRAM, did a firmware reset (option key on startup) and repair disk using the installation DVD. All these thing do not seem to work. I also had this issue sometimes in Tiger.
I do not have a library/receipts folder as someone indicated. I am running 10.5.1
I haven't had any other issues with Leopard so far.
I am wondering if this issue might be hardware related. The S.M.A.R.T. status of my boot up disk is "verified" and I have no other issues in Leopard (no crashes/freezes). So if it is my hard-disk, why does this only occur at startup and not randomly when using other programs?
Any suggestions? I have 3 year Applecare so if there are no solutions... I might use that.

This may occur for several reasons. One may simply be that you need to set the startup volume in the Startup Disk preference - open Startup Disk, select your startup volume, click on the Restart button.
However, more often this is indicative of a problem with one or more required system files for startup. If the problem is simply cache related then you may fix the problem by using a utility such as TinkerTool System or Leopard Cache Cleaner to clear out the system caches then do a restart. However, if you truly have a bad system file then only re-installing OS X is going to fix the problem. You may be able to do this by Archive and Install which doesn't require erasing the drive provided your drive is OK and you have adequate disk space.
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, 4.1 for Leopard) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger, 4.6.1 for Leopard) 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.

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Why do I get a folder with a question mark on bootup

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http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
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Hello all, I've registered here because I can't work out how to get my keyboard and mouse to connect.
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I have a mid 2009 MacBook Pro and just installed a brand new SSD hard drive after my original HD crashed. According to this document and others that I found online, I thought I could boot up while pressing Command+R and follow instructions to install Mountain Lion, which I had purchased before and was on my old HD. However, almost a dozen times I have tried following those instructions (including trying to hold down just the option key) but all I get is a flashing folder with a question mark icon.
Does anyone know why? Am I actually supposed to boot from the disk that came with my computer? If so, won't it install the old OS, or am I not understanding something? Or am I supposed to boot from Time Machine?
I'm pretty sure from what I've read that I can't boot from my old HD because it died, but is there something I'm missing?
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If your computer originally shipped with 10.6.8 or earlier and you swapped the drive out, you need to use its original disks; there won't be a recovery partition on the new one.
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(80677)

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Hi.
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Here's an Apple article on the subject.
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
Regards,
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Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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. 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 installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro 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.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your Snow Leopard 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. 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 installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro 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. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
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.

G4 shows folder with blinking question mark on start up

I bought my son a used G4. It worked well. We noticed it had 2 hard drives and only one was hooked up. We plugged in the second one, rebooted it and it will not load X, 4.2. Tiger. It worked fine before so we unplugged the second hard drive plugged in the first on as before and we have the same problem. I have tried to boot from the install disc but it will only let me verify the drive not to repair it. Help please.

Look at A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
If two drives are installed, the jumpers on one must be located for Master & the jumpers on the second drive located for Slave. There should be a label on the drives showing the proper jumper locarions.
 Cheers, Tom

After installing brand new Macbook hard drive, boot to disk shows a flashing folder with a question mark

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Have you tried inserting the Snow Leopard Install disc and using Startup Manager to select the Snow Leopard disc as the startup disk? Once you get started up from the Snow Leopard Install disc, the rest of the instructions can be found in the manual for your MacBook Pro. Here are the ones for mine:
Installing Mac OS X and Applications — New Hard Drive
from http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf
To install Mac OS X and the applications that came with your computer, follow these steps:
1.          Start up from the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 that came with your computer, and choose your language.
2.          From the menu bar, choose Utilities > Disk Utility.
3.          Open Disk Utility and select the new drive in the list to the left. Note: If you are formatting the primary drive, use the Disk Utility program on the Install disc.
4.          Click the Partition tab.
5.          Click on Options, and verify GUID is selected if this is the startup drive.
6.          Name the volume “Macintosh HD.”
7.          Apply the change by clicking the Partition button.
8.          At this point, either
•          Quit the Disk Utility application, and proceed with the Mac OS X installation. Follow the
onscreen instructions. After selecting the destination disk for installation, continue following the onscreen instructions. Your computer may restart and ask you to insert the next Mac OS X Install Disc 2.
or
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Installing Applications
To install just the applications that came with your computer, follow the steps below. Your computer must have Mac OS X already installed.
1.          Back up your essential files, if possible.
2.          Insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 that came with your computer.
3.          Double-click “Install Bundled Software Only.”
4.          Follow the onscreen instructions.
5.          After selecting the destination disk for installation, continue following the onscreen instructions. Your computer may restart and ask you to insert the next Mac OS X Install Disc 2
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Folder sybol with a question mark on start up

When I start up my G5 desktop I get a folder with a question mark on start up. I have seen this before when the computer cant find a start up but this sybol dissapears after a few seconds and the computer completes its start up. Can I get rid of this?
Many thanks
Alf

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Boot problem: sometimes I get a folder with a question mark at start up

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