Flashing Question mark after Reboot?

I left my computer and came back to find a screen that said to restart my computer so I did. Now when I turn it on I get a flashing question mark. I don't care about the computer itself, all I care about is saving the data thats on it. HELP!!!

That does not sounds good!
1. Boot from your install DVD and see if your Disk Utility sees the drive. If so, repair the drive with Disk First Aid.
2. If it does not see the drive, try DiskWarrior to repair the drive.
3. If that does not work, use something like Boomerang or Data Rescue II to try and retrieve your data.
4. If that does not work, stop here and pick up a paddle. You're going to need one.
Read this article and check the make of that drive: MacOSG: MacBook Seagate hard drives catastrophically failing
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'
Note: I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Flashing question mark after 10.4 upgrade

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Boot from this external drive. Then do the following:
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Apple TV shows a flashing question mark after trying to update

Hello everyone!
I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.
Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.
What I've done next:
1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)
So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature
"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."
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Message was edited by: robertternes

robertternes wrote:
Hello everyone!
I own a first generation Apple TV which I updated succesfully up to v2.1 so far. By then this procedure came along with more or less the same problems I'll describe below - but up to now the updates always worked some day.
Now I wanted to update my ATV to v2.2 and used the usual update feature in the settings. ATV downloads the update, asks for updating and then restarts with an ATV-logo with a flashing question mark.
What I've done next:
1. Pulling out the power plug leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2. Holding down MENU + Minus on the remote restarts the ATV with Apple TV Recovery Mode
2.1 Restart leads to a restart with the old v2.1
2.2 Diagnostic analysis says ATV is free from defects
2.3 Restore resets the ATV to v1.0
3. Now I've got v.1.0
4. Step 1 leads to a restart with v1.0
5. Step 2 to leads to the same results (restart leads to a restart with v1.0)
So what am I to do? I'm out of warranty and don't want to pay for a malfunctioning update feature
"Our records indicate that your product is not covered for service.
Your product is not eligible for complimentary phone support."
Thank you!
Message was edited by: robertternes
I had this problem: Disconenct your internet modem and router, plug them back in,make sure the WEP password (if you have one) is right when you reenter it in on your Apple TV, and than try. If that doesn't work, I would d the last resotrt - Take the Apple TV to the nearest Apple Store/Best Buy or Comp. USA (if they're still alive where you live).
Good Luck.

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Hi Brian Welcome to the Apple Discussions, The flashing question mark is a symbol that the computer cannot locate a startup drive. When booting press and hold the option key as soon as your imac's chime goes off this should take you to a menu and give you some startup options click the X symbol and press continue, if it does not boot properly then please contact me in this topic and i will try to fix the problem if it continues . HTH Aaron

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Run the Apple hardware test by inserting the fist of the two recovery disks that came with your Macbook and holding down the D key while you start the machine. See if it gives you any errors.
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Hello, I have an iMac 9,1 and it recently booted with a grey screen and a flashing question mark. My HDD made a very loud ticking noise, which to my knowledge and people on Google, the HDD is basically dead. No big deal. I purchased and replaced the HDD myself, no more ticking but I still get the same screen. I put in my OSX installer DVD and it spits it back out. Tried holding C on start up, same thing. I tried reseting the PRAM and SMC, no luck. Can't boot into safe mode nor the start up manager. I just get a blank screen with the cursor that I can move around, that's it.
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Linc Davis wrote:
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A flashing question mark on startup

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

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Flashing question mark/software install disc problem

Hello,
I'm getting the flashing question mark at reboot. I've followed these steps:
a. Insert the Software Install disc that came with your Mac.
b. Restart the computer and immediately press and hold the C key to start up from the disc.
c. When you see the Installer screen, choose Open Disk Utility from the Installer menu.
d. Select your hard disk volume in the left pane, click the First Aid tab, and then click Repair Disk.
e. When it's finished, restart your computer.
HOWEVER, when I restart my computer it STILL reads/loads from the install disc (as opposed to just booting from my hard drive). It's like a endless loop I can't get out of. Am I doing something wrong?
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- Davey

Here's Apple doc.#106178 on Startup Manager.
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Cheers!
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How do I fix flashing question-mark-file-icon issue on reboot?

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Flashing Question Mark Folder after Clean Install in Target Disk Mode

I have an old iBook G4 with a failing optical drive and the need to reformat the hard drive and re-install OS 10.5.4. Since the optical drive is failing and unpredictable, I figured I'd do everything in target disk mode.
So I mounted the hard drive of the iBook to my Mac Pro via Firewire in target disk mode. I was able to successfully format the hard drive of the iBook, zeroing out all the data with 7 passes, and I was also able to successfully install OS 10.5.4 from my original Install DVD, again in target disk mode.
After the install was complete, I went through all the registration process and User Account setup and the iBook booted fine albeit still in target disk mode. So I shut down the Mac Pro, turned off the iBook and unplugged the Firewire cable. My Mac Pro booted up just fine afterward. But the iBook now gives me the flashing question mark/finder folder.
I know this means that the iBook is having trouble located a startup volume, or that the startup volume is corrupt or missing data. How can this be, though, after a reformat and clean install? Did I do something wrong in target disk mode? Or did I neglect to do something necessary?
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Thanks, Niel.
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How do I get my Mac Pro to repartition the iBook properly in target disk mode?

Persistent Flashing Question Mark Folder Icon, after Repair & Rebuild-THX!

Hello All,
Thank you in advance for any insights.
For the past week, one/two days after a force re-boot, my Quicksilver Mac (OSX 10.4.11 and OS 9 Classic) starts up with the dreaded flashing question mark folder.
The start up disk has always been on "Mac OS X, 10.4.11 on main stuff" ("main stuff" is the name of the hard drive.)
The first time, I ran DiskWarrior and rebuilt the hard drive, which is kind of new as it was replaced in April 2009. Then I ran OnyX and got a clean bill of health. The Mac was shut down at the end of the day as is my habit via turning off the power strip.
If it helps, here's part of the DiskWarrior report:
• 13 files had a directory entry with an incorrect text encoding value that was repaired.
• 340 files had a damaged extended attribute that was repaired.
• 3 folders had a directory entry with an incorrect custom icon flag that was repaired.
• Incorrect values in the Volume Information were repaired.
Disk Information:
Files: 370,719
Folders: 85,161
Free Space: 92.55 GB
Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Block Size: 4 K
Disk Sectors: 268,171,472
Media: WDC WD5000AAKB-00H8A0
The next day, the flashing question mark folder reappeared. This time I used the original system installer CD (labeled Power Mac G4 OS X Install). Disk Utility made its repairs. And this time, the computer was put to sleep instead.
In the morning, it woke up, the wireless optical mouse worked for a few seconds, the hard drive is humming along then all of a sudden the arrow (mouse) froze and none of the keys on the keyboard functioned.
After some research, I deleted the energy saver preference (powermanager.list?) and ran Disk Utility again. And again, I shut down b/c I wasn't going to use the Mac for a day or two.
This afternoon, the pesky icon reappeared at start up. At first Disk Utility didn't see the hard drive then I restarted and the hard drive was selectable though not mounted. It was repaired and verified yet once again. Btw, when I did hard drive test, the message says something to the effect that it appears to be working properly.
My question is, might anyone know what's wrong? I've been backing up after every use and I have a laptop. But I love working on the desktop and if this issue can be fixed, that would be perfect.
As an aside, I've read that I should do a clean install. Would doing a clean install mean I need to re-install OS 9 as well as all other all other software programs-Adobe Creative Suite, Quickbooks, Verizon DSL, printer drivers etc.?
One final question, can I continue to boot up from the CD, repair then restart or will I damage the computer? Once it restart, everything seems to work normally and well.
Many, many thanks for reading and any help would be greatly appreciated!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Sam

Disk damage can also affect the startup sequence, but I think what you have already done should have repaired any disk damage, or given you more information.
Once you have ruled out Disk damage, you get the flashing question mark when your Mac cannot find:
• the preferred operating System
• of the preferred version
• on the preferred startup drive.
All these items are stored in the parameter RAM, backed up by a 3.6 volt, non-recharging 1/2-AA size battery that lasts three years or so, unless you turn off all power at night.
If you cannot remember when you last changed that battery, now is a good time. Be sure to reset the PMU/PRAM after installing the new battery.
Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

Hey, I just installed ML on my OCZ Octane SSD, everything went ok, However, it got stuck while rebooting and now I can only see flashing question mark icon and ML won't boot at all. Only in safe mode...

Hey, I just installed ML on my OCZ Octane SSD, everything went ok, However, it got stuck while rebooting and now I can only see flashing question mark icon and ML won't boot at all. Only in safe mode...

It looks like ocz is aware of the issue and trying to address it via firmware:
http://www.ocztechnologyforum.com/forum/showthread.php?103700-Mountain-Lion-and- OCZ-Octane-Petrol-and-Octane-S2-SSD-s
It's a shame because apple is clearly the party that changed something.

When i make internet recovery i see question mark after install and reboot. Why?

When i make internet recovery on clear HDD's with created striped software RIDE 0 with two HDD in mac mini.
I see question mark after install and reboot. Why?

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store to have the machine tested. Back up all data before you go.

Flashing question mark folder when start iMac after Time Capsule performed a new back up

I switched my iMac on after a few days away and I was asked to start a new back up for Time Capsule to enhance the performance of the device (or something along those lines). Clicked the back up now and carried on, having read the process could take a few hours (not surprising because of the amount of data on my computer).
Left it running overnight and when I came back this morning the computer was off. Switched it on, saw the apple logo and the progress bar but it didn't move past 25% before I had a message in several languages to turn the computer off (and some script in the top left corner. From memory I think I saw <panic> in that script but not 100% sure).
When I switched it back on I had the dreadful flashing question mark so performed steps described in support.apple.com/kb/ts1440 several times and performed a safe Boot. No results.
I haven't reinstalled Mac OS X (step 11 in ts1440) as I don't want to erase the hard drive.
I have plugged the Time Capsule in a MacBook and it seems empty bar 2 very small files so I'm now very worried. I have some questions:
1- I'm not a technical person so is this now a case of bringing the iMac and Time Capsule to an Apple shop or call Apple support when they reopen tomorrow Monday?
2 - Is my data wiped out in the iMac and Time Capsule? If yes is it recoverable - obviously not by me but by an expert?
3 - what created the problem? My Lightroom 3 catalog was corrupted 3-4 times over the last few weeks and was surprised that Time Capsule wanted to perform a new back up but everything otherwise was working fine.
I'm very much looking forward to your help and suggestions.

You have a couple of options and I also have a suggestion for the future. First is you can try Data Rescue software. You can find it at:
http://www.prosofteng.com/products/data_rescue.php
The other is sending the HD out to a professional data recovery service.
My suggestion though is using a redundant backup system. Many on this forum do just that because a backup (as you have found out) can fail too. What I use is TM and on a separate EHD I created a bootable clone using SuperDuper. You can use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner for this. I'd recommend reading the following MacWorld articles for backup strategies. I think you'll see a recurring them in them and that is redundancy is wise.
Backup Plan
Backup Plan II
Backup Plan III
Also it wasn't a virus, you are correct there are none for OS X.
Good luck on the recovery.

Flashing Question mark after Reboot?

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