Flashing Question Mark & Apple Icon in Folder at Startup - HELPPPPPP

Out of nowhere my computere stopped working! I turn it on and it goes to a blank screen with a folder and a flashing question mark and apple icon. I have no idea what's happening - it's not making any strange sounds but that's all it will do. PLEASE HELP!!!

It can't find a valid system to start from. The drive or it's directory may be damaged.
Put the system install disc in the drive and hold down the "c" key while starting. Release it when you see the logo and spinning gear. Once it's started, select Disk Utility from the menu (in the Installer menu in Panther), highlight the drive on the left and click Repair Disk. If it reports errors and repairs, repeat until no errors are reported.
John

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How do I fix flashing question-mark-file-icon issue on reboot?

My Mac Book Air 11" has been a bit strange recently, so I decided that a full clean would be a good idea. I had no important files I wanted to keep, so i went ahead and reinstalled the OS. Apparently that doesn't delete everything, so I did some research. Apparently I have to delete the drive. So I did, using the command-r method. I erased my HD and made a new one, but upon reboot I get this flashing-question-mark-file icon. How do I fix this?

After you erased the drive, did you install the OSX?
Ciao

Help. iMac flashing question mark, and now power loss at startup.

Hey. I've had some really weird issues with my iMac. It's a 2.8 core 2 extreme aluminium 2007 iMac. It was bought for me at the end of august 2007.
What happened was, I was watching a movie and it started freezing. Everything was so slow. So I turned it off by the mains since it wouldn't shut down. When I tried booting it back up it had the flashing question mark. So I read up on it and tried doing what the apple support website recommended, which was to put the install disc back in and use the disk utility to repair the disk. Except this wouldn't work and it said the hard disk could not be unmounted. So I read up again and apple recommended resetting the PRAM, which I did and then it wouldn't recognise the hard drive AT ALL. But after a few tries of booting up it found it again, I got on disk utility and still said the same thing when I tried to repair. So I repaired the permissions instead and restarted and the computer booted as normal. But then was still very slow and freezing. So I opened disk utility one more time and tried repairing permission, restarted the computer and now when it gets to the apple logo and the loading icon it looses power and goes blank. I've already tried resetting the SMU. it didn't work. Has anybody got ANY clue to what I can do? Is my waranty up? I don't have AppleCare. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you have an Intel iMac, it has an SMC not an SMU, so if you used the procedure that says "SMU" on it, you used the one for an iMac G5, which is not an Intel iMac.
Since you did many different things in a somewhat random order, you may want to do the following, even if you did some of it already.
Reset PRAM
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379
If that does not help, reset SMC
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1543
which is basically disconnecting ALL cables and power, then reconnecting using a precise procedure. If you have been connecting the power cord to a crowded or old power strip (surge suppressor), try connecting it directly to the wall outlet, at least initially. First, power it up with nothing connected, except for power cord. If that works, add just your keyboard/mouse and use it that way for a while to evaluate how the iMac is working. If all is well, connect your other peripheral (USB/FireWire) devices one by one. If the problem does recur at some point, identify the device added last; it may be faulty or causing some kind of interference.
If the problem remain, even when trying to start up the iMac with nothing but power cord connected, connect just your keyboard/mouse. Insert your Mac OS X installation disc (for the currently installed system) and restart with the C key held down. Sounds like you did this already. You should note if the iMac is running normally when booted off the installation disc. If so, the problem may be your internal drive; it may be faulty. Run Disk Utility from Installer's menu bar, and try to do a +Repair Disk+ again. See if it works any better this time.
You can also try using the Apple Hardware Test, including on your original disc(s)
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1509

Flashing question mark or nothing on screen at startup

I have the iMac with the iSight built in. I can't tell ya what version I'm working with but if I remember correctly its Leopard..maybe v 4+. When I turn on my computer i hear the start up chime but either just a blank blue/grayish screen comes up and does nothing more than that...or a flashing question mark comes up. I did purchase the Care Plan when I bought it in December of 2007. Any suggestions as how to get to my desktop so I can try to run Disk Utility? Please help! I have never had any issues with any of my macs

I did purchase the Care Plan
Did you call Apple Care?
Leopard starts at 10.5 and ends at 10.5.8 After you get your computer repaired, go to About This Mac to find out which version of Leopard you have.
Mac OS X 10.5: Troubleshooting installation, startup, and login issues

Flashing Question Mark ? on small folder icon at start up... nothing else

I have tried following...
Start up while holding shift key
Inserting install CD while holding C key
Unplugging power cord.
Pressing reset button while holding Option, R and P keys
Im still getting flashing ? mark at start up. I tried running Disk Aid Repair and found this..
Mount Check found serious problems
Volume Bit Map needs minor repair, 4, 547
Volume Header needs minor repair 1, 0
Also when I inserted the Software CD and tried to re-install in kept asking me if I wanted to Initialize disc, but this action would erase the disc, so I choose to cancel. So I don't know how to re-install the software from the CD ??
There is also a Software Restore CD and a Hardware Test CD, which I have both tried to use, but the Software Restore CD did not actually allow me to click on the " restore" button after choosing from the 3 options.
When I tried to copy or duplicate or make an alias of the System Folder from the Software Install CD, it said I could not because the Disc Is Locked ? I was hoping the System Folder is the problem and that if I dragged a copy onto the desk top it would be there when I re-started the computer, but I can't et that to happen... So where do I go from here ?
So far... not a good Christmas. Thanks Eric OS 9.1
G3 500MHz 20GB CDRW Slot Loading Inidgo, early 2001 with 576 extra ram

Hi, Eric -
When I tried to copy or duplicate or make an alias of the System Folder from the Software Install CD, it said I could not because the Disc Is Locked ? I was hoping the System Folder is the problem and that if I dragged a copy onto the desk top it would be there when I re-started the computer, but I can't et that to happen...
The 'disk is locked' message is referring to the CD itself - since an OS Install (or Restore) CD can not be altered in any way short of destroying it, it is treated by the OS as if it were a locked disk.
In addition, it would do no good to copy the System Folder from anOS Install or Restore CD to the hard drive - the System Folders on those CDs are specialized, and will work only when on the original media (the CD they are on); they will not be able to boot a Mac when copied to a hard drive.
More importantly, apparently your hard drive has suffered some kind of damage, as Tom has suggested. This damage has made it unreadable in its present state - hence the offer by the OS or installer on the CD to re-initialize the drive. When the OS recognizes the presence of a drive but can not read it sufficiently to mount it, it assumes it is an un-initialized volume and so offers to do that.
With luck, it will be a matter of nothing more than directory damage, which Alsoft's DiskWarrior should be able to repair. You should be able to find DiskWarrior at most any outlet which handles Mac software. If you're in or near a large city, there should be several such, perhaps including an Apple Store. If you're in a remote small town (like I am), there may be no outlet close by which carries it.
You would not be able to use a downloaded version of DiskWarrior - since the machine would need to be booted to a drive other than the one being repaired (usually this means booting to a CD), where would you put DiskWarrior?
There is also another possible problem with DiskWarrior - the current versions of DiskWarrior, v. 4.x, come on CDs which boot only to OSX. If the firmware on your iMac G3 has not been updated to the current version, then you should not boot your machine to that disk (or to any disk which boots to OSX).
The solution is to locate an older version of DiskWarrior - ideally v. 2.1 or v. 2.1.1. Those versions noot to OS 9.2.x, and are safe for use on an iMac which has not had its firmware updated.
Alternatively, if you have a Zip drive available, you can get a copy of DiskWarrior v. 3.x. The 3.x versions of DiskWarrior include a copy of DiskWarrior v. 2.1.1, which can be copied to a Zip disk. You can then boot the iMac to an OS Install CD and run DiskWarrior from the Zip disk. Of course, you would need to use another Mac to copy DiskWarrior to the Zip disk.
A clarification -
Does your iMac boot at all to the hard drive? That is, if you wait long enough, does the flashing questionmark eventually disapper and the machine boot to an OS on the hard drive?

My MacBook Air just shut down, I turned it back on, and got the grey screen with flashing question mark file icon. Turned it off again unplugged everything, turned it back on and got grey apple symbol and the loading grey whirlybird thing - but won't load

Please tell me I haven't lost all my work .., freaking out!!

Have you tried starting up in Safe Mode (hold shift key at startup)?
If that doesn't work, try starting in Recovery mode (hold command r at startup) and run Disk Utility to repair your disk.

TS1440 Flashing question mark, cancel, apple, and folder symbol.

My computer has been acting weird for the longest time, I used to have a done of room on it and one day it disappeared. So I started deleting stuff off of it, big apps and what not so I could have more space, I would gain little bit of space but then a second later it goes back to "Zero KG" so I'm thinking I should restart my computer.. So I turn it off, then turn it on, and flashing symbols come up. After multiple times of turning it on and off, I put in my startup disk, but I can't get past the choosing the start up disk because it says I have zero KG on the disk.. So I take the disc out and it goes back to the flashing question mark/apple/folder symbol..

Hello,
Try holding the Option key at startup to see if you can boot off the Install Disc to repair the drive, or the c key.
"Try Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at the top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the First Aid tab.
4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
5. Click Repair. Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
(Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)
We need to clear some really big files off of it, like Movies, or I suspect some huge logs from something going wrong. 0 KB on the drive can ruin many files on there.

Flashing Question Mark Icon on Start up. DEAD iMAC. HELP

Well, i think i've hit a break wall...
It wont even recognize my internal HDD, it just has a flashing question mark (?) icon when i start the machine.....i've used Tech Tool Pro 4 and the Leopard start up disk, both with no luck, they don't even think a HDD is present at all.
I have pics of what i'm looking at:
http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9631/26052010014.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/3278/26052010021.jpg
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/6130/26052010019.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/3041/26052010018.jpg
http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/4143/26052010016.jpg
its one dead HDD..... any clues on what to do next?
Message was edited by: Matt-Beasley

You must use the original grey system DVD disc that came with your iMac to run the Apple Hardware Test, the one that is marked with instructions for running the test on it. Depending on the version of OS X that shipped with your iMac, this could be either disc 1 or disc 2.
When you restart with this disc in the optical drive & the D key held down, you should not see a question mark icon or the leopard installer. If you do, it means that either you don't have the correct disc inserted, you waited too long to depress the D key, or you are releasing it too soon.
You don't say exactly which Core 2 Duo iMac model you have. If it is a Mid 2007 or later model, use the chart at Apple Hardware Test: iMac (Mid 2007) and later models to identify the AHT version you need. That version number should printed on the grey disc you need to use. You can't use the instructions there to start the test from the hidden HD partition if the HD is dead or damaged but the ones for running the test from the Install DVD should work fine.

Screen shows aflashing question mark on a black folder and alternates with a small globe illustration? What's does this mean?

MY screen shows a flashing question mark on a dark folder and alternates with a small globe symbol ---does anyone know what this means?

How many accounts do you have?
Regardless, https://discussions.apple.com/message/25709811#25709811

Cannot install 10.5 on G5 iMac - flashing question mark

I have an iMac G5 that I am trying to install OSX 10.5 on. I get a flashing question mark and mac face folder after booting to that disk.
I was able to boot with my 10.4 disk, go into disk utilities, and erase the hard drive as per the instructions here:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2311038&tstart=0
Any reason why 10.5 will not install?

rswurth wrote:
This disk came with another iMac (Intel) that I bought for parts.
A grey Leopard system restore disc can't be used on any Mac other than the one that it was bundled with when new. See here: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1976068
You need to find a retail Leopard install DVD (black with a big X on it) if you want Leopard on your G5.

Flashing question mark/folder icon

I have a PowerBook G4 17 " that I got in November, 2005.
Tonight, trying to boot it up it went to a gray screen on which a folder icon alternates with a flashing question mark.
Two things happened to the machine earlier today: 1) i installed the latest security update and (i think) it was an iTunes update that my software installer announced; 2) a kid knocked a glass of water over on the table and, though I quickly scooped the mac up, i think the bottom of the machine might have gotten a little bit of water on it.
Anyway:
I've tried booting with the shift key held down. nothing.
I've tried booting from teh install disk 1 pressing the "C" key to see if I could try disk utility, but it just takes me straight to the reinstall menu (I'm not ready to try that yet).
I've run the Apple Hardware Test -- everything passed.
I've tried to reset the PRAM (though I don't know if I did that right), same for PMU.
what's next?

Did you ever find a solution to your problem? I too have the same problem with a 12" G4 PowerBook DVI that I just bought off eBay. The original owner claims to know nothing about it. Sometimes it boots just fine and sometimes it starts up with the screen that you're describing.
Here are some things I have done already:
- Reset the PRAM. (multiple times)
- Rand Disk Utility from both within the OS and from the rescue CD. Fixed permissions and verified the hard disk. (multiple times)
- Formatted the hard drive and did a fresh install as well as all available updates from Software Update.
- Bought a brand new battery, made sure it was fully charged and tried booting both with the AC adapter plugged in and also running soley on battery.
- Made sure (once it booted) to select OS X as the primary startup disk.
If it helps, here are some specs on the computer:
- 12" PowerBook G4 DVI model. 1Ghz, 1.25GB Ram, 40GB HDD.
I haven't tried resetting the PMU because I can't figure out how to get the keyboard to come off. I suspect a faulty HDD because that's all I can think of at this point. I'm probably gonna have to take it to Apple if you guys don't have any ideas. Just thought I'd check here first.
2Ghz 15.4" MBP, 1.5Ghz 12" PB, Dual 2Ghz G5 PM Mac OS X (10.4.6)

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

How to fix the " flashing question mark after the finder icon when starting up" withou an apple keyboard?

Hi
I am wondering How to fix the " flashing question mark after the finder icon when starting up" without an apple keyboard. I have 2 of those .7Ghz emacs so just wanna fix them
Thx

Hi,
>I am using a wireless standard keyboard so maybe the emac doesn't regognise it
Installation of driver software may be required. Do not expect any wireless device to automatically work with a Mac unless guaranteed to do so. In a case like this, use a wired USB keyboard (a PC keyboard should be OK) and a wired mouse to begin with.
>I have installed Ubuntu 13.00 on the HDD from another computer.
Is it a version for PowerPC?
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCFAQ
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/PowerPCDownloads
>a list of eMac hotkey's that can be used before OS boot from a standard Windows keyboard?
Could the following article be of interest?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/970299
If/when starting from a bootable CD, press and hold the C key.
Jan

Gray screen with flashing question mark inside a folder icon

Screen was unresponsive, cursor would move, but nothing else. Turned power off, turned power back on, now has a gray screen with a folder icon and flashing question mark in it. any ideas to correct or should i take it to Best Buy for service ( Geek squad) ?

Before taking it in for service, I'd folllow this article. Although it's possible it's a drive issue, it's equally likely to be something else. That article walks you through steps to fix it if it's not the drive.
Note: For the archive & install, if you're on 10.6, follow the disk instructions, if you're on 10.7 or later, you'll want to boot into the recovery partition. To do that, just boot the computer while holding down the Command+R button. No need for disks.
Regards,
Gnomish8

Flashing Question Mark in a Folder

Hello All:
I have an iMac 24" (Model A1225; Mid 2007) running 10.7.3. The CPU will rarely boot up and will boot up with the Flashing Question Mark in a folder most of the time. I can start up from a OS DVD (Snow Leopard) or Lion on a Flashdrive, but the HDD will not appear when I attempt a reinstall. I was able to boot up once from my Lion Flashdrive and reinstall 10.7.3 with a normal restart. The HDD checkout fine using disk utility and I repaired my disk permissions. The CPU seemed fine and this morning the Flashing Question Mark is back.
I can start up the Target disk mode and I will see the FireWire icon, but the HDD will not appear on the desktop of the host CPU. I have a new iMac on order, but do you think it is wise to pull my data from the HDD via the Target disk mode or my Time Capsule? I guess I am not sure if it is the logic board or a bad HD.
Thanks in advance,
Irv

It sounds more like a failing drive or a drive in need of repair. Have you tried repairing it?
Repair the Hard Drive - Lion
Boot from your Lion Recovery HD. 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, then quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
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.
If the drive is repairable then you will need to reinstall Lion:
Reinstalling 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. Alterhatively, 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.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.
If none of this works then I would definitely backup your data, but not with Time Machine. I would make a backup to a separate drive, not the Time Capsule, using Carbon Copy Cloner.

Flashing Question Mark & Apple Icon in Folder at Startup - HELPPPPPP

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