Flashing folder, next steps

I have a 1st Gen unibody MacBook Pro that was running 10.6. I did something in terminal (honestly cannot remember what) and it booted up to a flashing folder ever since. I believe I was messing with the active partition settings trying to get Windows (bootcamp) to boot first.
I was never able to fix the issue, shelved it for quite a while and am just now coming back to it. So far I have tried:
-Holding option: Don't see the HDD come up
-Booting to Snow Leopard install disk and reinstalling Snow Leopard. Reboots to flashing folder.
-Booting to Snow Leopard, running disk utility, running repair (no errors returned), setting the startup disk to the HDD. Reboots to flashing folder.
-Erasing the whole HDD with Disk Utility and reinstalling Snow Leopard. Reboots to flashing folder.
-Resetting the PRAM. Now boots to Snow Leopard install disk instead of flashing folder (once).
-Using bless -info -getBoot. It does return boot.efi as the blessed file.
Regardless of any of these steps, it still can't see the HDD at the boot loader. Any idea what I can try next?

Try these guides, might help
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3353
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440

Similar Messages

Flashing Folder w/? And/or hard drive failure - I need step "12" Please.

Late 2011 MBP running latest OS Mavericks
I'm going to cut to the chase and I hope everyone will understand that I am beyond the "basic" steps of rebuild, format and re-install.
In the Last couple of weeks, My MacBook Pro intermittently would show a folder with a ? Mark when rebooted or started up. I followed instructions found here and would be able to get it to work and boot Mavericks just fine. I tried and successfully reset the pram. I reloaded from a time machine backup, but still I would get a random occurrence of the flashing question mark in the folder.
So I decided to go ahead and buy a new hard drive.
I installed it and through the usual prompts through my external drive time machine backup I used disk utility I began to format the new hard drive installed in the MBP. As I was trying to name the new hard drive it disappeared from the disc utility hard drive choices, crazy right? I rebooted and tried again with DU. It did not recognize the hard drive.
So I reinstalled the old hard drive, rebooted and I get the flashing folder with question mark. (I even reinstalled an older, older hard that worked fine 6months ago and it was not recognized.)
To recap:
Current hard drive, brand new harddrive, & older, older hard drive (still running OSX Mavericks.) all create the flashing folder with question mark upon startup.
No matter what I have tried from all of your awesome diagnosis here on support, I cannot find an answer for my situation. No matter what I try, and I have tried every suggestion I could find.
I have "re-, re-, & re-fill-in-the-blank" possible. But in most cases I can only get so far because there is no hard drive that I can find.
It is this simple, there is no target HD for me to "Re" anything to. My MBP doesn't see any of them. Disk utility sees the connected external drive I am booting from (time machine), but cannot see any other HD, I have tried.
So here I am hoping someone can help me with step "12". Or help me to see that I messed step 3.1.
In all sincerity, thanks in advance for any help.

This solved the problem. Thanks for pointing out that sometimes it can be a "hard" not "soft" ware issue. I found a cable on Amazon for $30.00. It was easy to replace and everthing seems good!

"Next" step in updating Flash Player is a purchase offer, not a download

Cannot update Flash Player. Step 3 is an offer to buy something for $9.99/month! Will be grateful for help.

Try the offline installer(s)
Flash Player for ActiveX (Internet Explorer)
Flash Player Plug-in (All other browsers)
Flash Player for Mac OS X

TS1440 Air won't boot (flashing folder question mark); tried all the steps

I've read and tried all of the fixes in ts1440 and ts2570 and hit blocks in all cases. Anybody got any more ideas before I schlep my Air to an Apple store?
MacBook Air, 10 months old, running Mountain Lion
It restarts to a flashing folder with question mark.
If I hold down the <option> key, it gives me the option of booting off the internet (takes forever) and then I can use the Disk Utility, etc. The DU Verify Disk says there is no problem with my drive. However, the Startup Disk tool doesn't list the computer hardrive (or anything else) to boot off of.
In the utility I tried the option to reinstall Mountain Lion but it gives me an error message, saying I should call Applecare.
I plug in my Time Machine backup USB disk drive but the utility has the Continue button grayed out for the option Restore from TM.
I've tried rebooting with option-command-P-R to reset the PVRAM, and rebooting holding down the shift key (safe mode).
I don't have physical copies of the OS, I think its all from the cloud/AppStore. I've got a couple other Macs around (mini, macbook) but I don't think I have a compatible cable (without buying a doggle). I always use wifi with the Air.
Thanks for any suggestions.

It restarts to a flashing folder with question mark.
If I hold
down the <option> key, it gives me the option of booting off the
internet (takes forever) and then I can use the Disk Utility, etc.
The
DU Verify Disk says there is no problem with my drive.
However, the
Startup Disk tool doesn't list the computer hard drive (or anything else)
to boot off of.
Since you have TimeMachine you can opt to use Internet Recovery to erase/format the entire drive and restore from that.
1 partition, option: GUID, format: OS X extended journaled in Disk Utility.
If it doesn't work to restore, then take it into Apple as you have a one year warranty, Buy AppleCare.
Also a solo TimeMachine drive isn't the best,
Most commonly used backup methods

Getting a flashing folder with a question mark when starting Imac.

I got this flashing folder with a question mark on it when starting my Imac this morning. Im running on Osx 10.6. I put it in target disc mode and connected it to my macbook pro. I opened the disc utility app on the macbook and found my imac. I "verified" it and found an error. When I clicked "repair" the disc utility app froze and crashed. When I opened it again my Imac didn't show up. I've restarted both computers several times with no luck. Whats my next step?

Hi.
Try restarting your iMac while holding down the option (alt) key until the spinng gear appears. You should momentarily be presented with a list of startup drives to select.
Choose Macintosh HD (your normal startup disk drive) and click the right-arrow.
When your iMac boots, go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and again select your normal startup disk. Then click Restart.
I hope this is helpful.
EDIT - disconnect the machines from each other first.

Flashing folder with a question mark in it when starting up

Hi, I own a white MacBook that is fairly new. When I boot it there is a flashing folder with a question mark in it. I read here: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440 what to do.
I inserted my Leopard disc, held C while booting and then opened Disc Utilitiy. But the only images to appear in the left column of Disc Utility is the "Mac OS X Install DVD". So I tried resetting the PRAM by holding down cmd-opt-R-P while booting.
Then I tried the same thing again but still there is only the install disc in the left column. If I go to Startup Disc there is only the install CD and "Network Startup".
Now, if I were to reinstall the system as it says in step 4 of the guide, what will happen to my data? I read that this error could be a sign of the hard drive crashing, and with no back up I really don't want that to happen.
So, is it safe to reinstall the system, or what do you suggest my next step to be?

Try booting in Safe Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck
I tried booting in Safe Mode by holding down shift while starting, but it just went to the flashing folder with the ?-mark in it. Then I tried to enter single-user mode by holding down cmd-S while starting (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1492), in order to try the fsck-thingy, but still just the flashing ?.
When I start my computer it makes bad noises from the bottom right side. I fear that the HD is broken , it sounds as if it is working very hard, making scratchy and clicky noises.
I also tried using the computer as a FireWire target in order to retrieve some data (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661). When I bootet the "broken" computer and held down T the FireWire symbol appeared on the screen. But on the host computer I could not find the target computer.
Any more ideas?

MacBook Pro can turn on and off, but does not start up. Stays on white screen with flashing folder icon, does not go to desktop.

MacBook Pro is not starting up. It just stays on a white screen with a flashing folder icon. Have tried restarting while holding the Option key, and the cursor becomes visible and movable, but it does not go to the desktop.

Hello Sonya_Rose,
I found this article when researching the issue you describe here named A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac found http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440.
Check the mouse and keyboard
This issue might occur if a mouse or trackpad button is pressed during startup. Make sure the button isn't pressed.
If the issue persists, shut down your Mac with its power button, disconnect any external mouse and keyboard, then turn on your Mac with its power button. If the flashing question mark issue persists, reconnect the keyboard and mouse.
Additional steps
If your Mac still starts to a flashing question mark, follow the steps below. If any step resolves the issue, you don't need to continue to the next one.
Select your Mac OS X startup disk with Startup Manager by restarting and holding the Option key. After your Mac starts up, restart again to verify that the flashing question mark does not appear.
If the issue persists, insert your Mac OS X installation disc. 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.
MacBook Air note: On a MacBook Air, there are two options for starting up from Mac OS X media: Either connect a MacBook Air SuperDrive to the MacBook Air via the USB port and restart the computer, holding down the C key during startup, or use Remote Install Mac OS X to startup from a system software DVD that's located on a partner computer. Once started up from Mac OS X media, skip to step 3.
Restart the computer, then hold the C key during startup.
From the Utilities menu, choose Disk Utility. Don't click Continue.
Select your Mac OS X disk (named "Macintosh HD" by default) in the left side of the Disk Utility window.
Click the First Aid tab.
Click Repair Disk to verify and repair any issues with your Mac OS X startup disk.
After repairing the disk, try to start up normally.
Important: If Disk Utility finds issues it cannot repair, you may need to back up as much of your data as possible (or use Time Machine to back up to a different disk), then erase the disk and reinstall Mac OS X. You should back up important files and data before erasing a drive. Erasing deletes everything on the hard disk (including things on your desktop). Also, you can install Mac OS X onto an external disk, start from the external disk, and use Migration Assistant to transfer items from your usual internal Mac OS X startup disk to the external disk, then erase the internal disk and reinstall Mac OS X.
If the issue persists, and Disk Utility didn't find any irreparable issues, quit Disk Utility, quit the Installer, select your disk when prompted, and restart.
If the issue continues, reset PRAM. Note: After resetting PRAM, if the computer starts up normally, reselect the startup disk in the Startup Disk preferences.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, start up from the Mac OS X Installation disc and reinstall Mac OS X.
Regards,
Sterling

Flashing Folder Icon on Screen after updates

So...My MBP is about two months old now. Last night, I downloaded the most recent set of updates, which included a firmware update to regulate fan usage, an Ipod update, a quicktime update, and some other update which I don't remember now. It told me I had to restart my computer, but as I was in the middle of rendering a video file, I figured I would just let that finish before hitting restart. Later that evening, I plugged my Ipod in and the screen suddenly dimmed and a large message popped up saying I needed to restart the computer NOW. My system froze, preventing me from either ejecting my Ipod or quitting the program I was rendering the video file with. But faced with no other choice, I went ahead and powered down the computer and removed my Ipod. I restarted it, and everything seemed to be going normally. I saw the startup screen with the little circular icon "circling" for lack of a better word. It stayed like that for about twenty minutes, which I thought was still perhaps within the bounds of the processing time of a massive firmware and software update. I left the house to get dinner and a movie, and when I returned (about six hours later) it was still stuck on that screen (with the circle still "circling"). This seemed a little extreme to me, so I figured I'd power it down and restart it. This time however, when the computer came back on, it merely displays a flashing folder icon with a question mark. I understand that things have gotten massively tweaked now, so I figure I'll just take my laptop to work and use it as an external hard drive so i can transfer all my files over to my workstation and then just reinstall the OS. However, my computer at work will not recognize it as an external hard drive. Now I'm really concerned because all of my photos from the last six years of my life are on my hard drive (I know, I know, I should have had a backup somewhere else) and I don't want to reformat anything until I get my files off. I have the Apple Care Protection Plan, but I would really like to fix this problem myself without having to send it in to anyone. If I reboot from the install discs, this will erase everything I have on there right now, right? Any suggestions?

Actually...it sounds like your system files have either become corrupt, damaged, or otherwise unusable following a kernel panic. If your office machine isn't an Intel-based Mac, it likely will not see the MBP's hard drive due to the way it is formatted, but another Intel-based Mac should. If you are near an Apple store, take it in and ask the Genius to check for you... If so, you can back up your files before taking the next step (which should fix your machine and NOT hurt your files, but you can never be to careful).
Once that is done (or if you can't) just boot from the Mac OS install DVD that came with your machine and try using the "Repair Disk" option from the main screen... This may fix your problem. If not, you can do an 'archive and install' to install a new version of the OS; this will leave your old OS (and all your files) intact... It is VERY hard to accidentally erase your machine with these tools...
If you still need help, see a Mac Genius at an Apple Store or call Apple Care and ask the technician how to walk you through it.

I got a flashing folder with a question mark. I got a new hard drive and upgraded to 4 gigs and can't open anything or reload the operating system? Help?

I got a flashing folder with a question mark. I got a new hard drive and upgraded to 4 gigs and can't open anything or reload the operating system? Help? FYI: I have been using boot camp with windows 7 and started getting a kernal_data_Page_error and it would reboot windows, i was trying to do a chkdsk on the next reboot, but thats when i started getting this issue. I have put in a new hard drive and went from 2 gigs to 4. I can not get the computer to do anything, even the monitor does not show anything now????

Prep your new drive:
Drive Preparation
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 (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs,) then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition 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.
After formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Install OS X.

So i have a 2011 MacBook Pro and when i turned it on this morning a flashing folder came on with a question mark in the middle of it and it keeps flashing. So i tried googling any solutions and up so far nothing has worked. Please Help ?

I tried googling several solutions, but so far nothing seems to work. Everytime i start up my laptop i press CMND+R to make it go to the repair disk utility but instead it takes me as if i have to install lion when i had Snow Leopard 10.6.8. When i do go to the repair disk utility, on the eft hand side shows two hardrives one is Untitled and another is Hitachi, i tried downloading snow leopard 10.6.8 onto a Re-writable disc using my windows computer. When i insterted it onto the disc drive it came out under SUPER DRIVE and everytime i double click on the CD it says something about attaching images/ I also forgot to mention that the MAC OSX 10.6.8 Update shows on the left hand side on the bottom in DMG format. I dont know what else to do, please help?

DestroyGalaxies wrote:
a flashing folder came on with a question mark in the middle of it
This is the firmware telling you it can't find a bootable OS X volume.
Usually to solve this all you do is hold the option key down on the built in keyboard while booting the computer, this enters Startup Manager and then you choose OS X to boot, then in System Preferences > Startup Disk you change it to the boot volume and it tells the firmware.
Everytime i start up my laptop i press CMND+R to make it go to the repair disk utility but instead it takes me as if i have to install lion when i had Snow Leopard 10.6.8.
What you have is a 10.7 or 10.8 Recovery HD from when 10.7 or 10. was on the machine previously.
The Macintosh HD partition only was erased and 10.6 installed on it, without erasing the entire drive like what should have occured to remove the Recovery HD partition.
So you have a mucked up machine.
i tried downloading snow leopard 10.6.8 onto a Re-writable disc using my windows computer.
Well there goes your problem there, your downloading illegal copies of Snow Leopard from a untrusted location.
10.6 is not available for download, except from pirate sites. You likely have malware or a compromised system.
I dont know what else to do, please help?
What you need to do is call Apple via phone, tell them the make of your machine and order the appropriate 10.6 disks, they are inexpensive now. Some machines that came with 10.6.3+ origianlly need machine specific disks, other wise pre-10.6.3 Intel Macs can use the 10.6.3 white retail disks.
Once you have the disks, you need to backup your personal information off the computer to a external storage drive using the emergency quick copy method, then disconnect it to prevent mistakes.
Most commonly used backup methods
Next follow this proceedure and make sure to select the ENTIRE drive on the far left with the drive makers name and size, this will erase the entire drive, then install 10.6 from the disk
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
When finished setup the machine and log onto the Internet and use Software Update to get current on 10.6.8
Don't use pirated software, it's likely been compromised in some fashion.

Have a flashing folder with a question mark on start-up but cannot hold option as wireless keyboard won't connect, how do I get it to connect if I cannot turn on the machine?

Hello all, I've registered here because I can't work out how to get my keyboard and mouse to connect.
The issue is that when I turn my mid-2010 iMac on it doesn't load up, but instead shows a flashing folder with a question mark. I've Googled this and have some idea how to fix it, the first step in all guides to fixing the problem states that you should hold the option key upon start-up. The problem I'm having is that I've just had to change the batteries on my keyboard and mouse and they are now not connecting. I can't see how to get the keyboard and mouse connected with the Mac stuck on the flashing folder screen, and I can't get the Mac past said screen without using the keyboard. Does anyone know how I can connect the two devices?
Thanks.

The flashing folder with the ? mark indicates that a bootable system can't be found. You'll need to borrow a wired keyboard so you can boot into the Recovery volume (boot with the Command + R keys held down). From there you can reinstall the system and try a normal reboot.

The first time I connected my new My Passport portable hard drive to my Mac, the message asking if I want to use the drive to back up with Time Machine did not appear. What is the next step?

The first time I connected my new My Passport portable hard drive to my MacBook Pro, the message asking if I want to use the drive to back up with Time Machine did not appear. I would like to set it up to do this. What would my next step be?

Drive Partition and Format
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. 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.
Open Time Machine preferences to select this drive for use as the backup drive. Turn on Time Machine.

Flashing folder at start-up, have I done all I can?

I really hope someone might be able to help with this cause I am getting frustrated beyond belief.
I have a MacBook Pro with Mavericks OS X 10.9. About a week ago it crashed while I was printing, first my desktop went gray while still displaying my desktop folders and then it froze. I manually shut it off and upon restart I got the flashing folder with a question mark.
so far my steps have been: (not completely in order)
Holding shift at start up - the screen stays grey and freezes (doesn't even get as far as the flashing folder)
Connecting my MacBook Pro to my old White Macbook (that is running Snow Leopard) via firewire and holding T during start up, though my MB Pro has the symbol for migration assistant, my White MB could not recognize it. (This was to test the hard drive and recover data)
I was able to access and copy my files when I connected my MB Pro to my White MB via a hard drive enclosure through the USB port.
(with hard drive back in my MB Pro) Holding command + R - continues into internet recovery mode
in disk utility through recovery mode - Disk0 and mac OS X base system are available
under base system / first aid / verify disk - I get an all green and no repairs are needed
under erase and restore - all options are grayed out
when closing out of the OS X Utilities window and going into start up disk - no disk is available
Reinstall OS X under Utilities widow - I am able to get though licensing agreement and then it stops on selecting the disk to install on because no disk options show up and there is no searching indicator or failed message.
holding D during start up and running the extensive hardware test. No problems were detected.
holding command + option + P + R during start up until the starting sound plays twice to reset NVRAM. It went right back to the flashing folder
holding command + S at start up for single-user mode and my laptop doesn't register, it goes straight back to the flashing folder
As far as I can tell, my hard drive is fine, all the files were available, there are no strange sounds while it is spinning and I am completely at a loss. Is there anything left for me to try?

My niece had the same problem. In case this helps anyone...
She has a MacBook Pro | 13-inch, Mid 2012 | Model A1278, running Yosemite. She has owned it for a little less than two years. Here were the symptoms:
Flashing folder with question mark after start up and chime. (Note that her Mac worked fine that morning.)
She was able to get into Internet Recovery, but after selecting Disk Utility, no hard drive disk displayed in the left pane.
I had her launch Terminal from Internet Recovery and check the drives listed under /Volumes/ and the hard drive didn't display there, either.
She was not able to boot in single user mode to launch fsck.
I figured it was either a bad hard drive, loose or bad cable.
I advised her to make a Genius Bar appointment to a diagnose the problem.
She had her appointment today and it turns out it was a bad cable. The cost was $60 for the replacement (and labor). Curious how often these cables malfunction.
I agree with mmblar... if you or someone you trust has technical skills and the tools, save yourself ~$30, purchase the cable from Amazon and do it yourself. This is not a particularly tough replacement. I would have helped her out, but I'm over 100 miles away and she couldn't wait.

How can i retrieve data from a macbook pro that has the flashing folder with an ? mark in it, to a brand new iMac

I want to do a data recovery of my 15" MBP that has the flashing folder w/ ? mark in it, to an iMac 21.4"; how can i go about that?

DJSMACC wrote:
How do I go about removing the internal drive and mount it to an external enclosure @Linc Davis??? Sorry that I'm not too hip with all the technology lingo & etc?
You'll have to watch the video and buy a few tools to extract the driive.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/
Then use something like this to connect to the other Mac or PC with MacDrive installed.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/U3NVSPATA/
You also can get the same adapter elsewhere online for as low as $12 I've seen.
Likely it's a USB 2,1 which your Mac's can only accept USB 2,1 anyway, no need to pay more for a USB 3 unless you want too.
No compensation for site or product mention
You likely should be having a professional or Apple tech attempt to bypass the firmware password if you forgot it, it's the best way to go about things.
Just because the Mac has a spinning wheel gray screen at boot doesn't mean it's ruined, you just need to bypass the firmware password and then from there fix the machine's cause for not booting, which is likely a software issue from a third party kernel extension file.
Step by Step to fix your Mac
You should know that opening the iMac could likely ruin it and will ruin any warranty or AppleCare, and if it's a Early 2011 model or later you can't replace the hard drive yourself as Apple has proprietary software installed on the drive that needs to "talk" to OS X to control the fans speeds.
Good Luck.

I just powered on my mac book pro and have a blue screen with a flashing folder with a question mark in the middle, how do I get out of this?

I just booted my mac book pro and it is at a blue screen with a flashing folder with a question mark in the middle of it. How do I get out of it?

Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer was running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier and you reach the third set of steps, insert a Mac OS X install disk.
(126818)

Flashing folder, next steps

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for