Flashing Question Mark on Folder Icon on Startup: Not Yet Fatal

I running into a potential problem with my White, 13" MacBook. I'm running 10.5.6 (upgraded from 10.4).
I recently bought a new, larger capacity hard drive. I used the Applications "SuperDuper" to clone my existing drive onto the new drive. My computer runs (as far as I can tell) the same as it always did. However, whenever I startup the computer, it briefly flashes the dreaded "giant folder with a blinking question mark". However, this is quickly replaced with the Apple Logo, and the computer boots normally.
I have repaired permissions, and verified the disk using disk utility. The disk verified with a message along the lines of "The disk appears to be ok".
While my computer's working now, I'm concerned there might be a deeper problem, and I'd like to catch it before it becomes critical. Also, if this is something standard that happens when you replace a hard drive with a new one, I'd like to know that as well so I can stop worrying.
If your answer is "put your old drive back in", pretend I did that and am still seeing the problem. What now?
Possible data point, I opened the console and saw the following two lines right before the "got boot device" line
4/29/09 5:00:07 PM kernel Waiting on <dict ID="0"><key>IOProviderClass</key><string ID="1">IOResources</string><key>IOResourceMatch</key><string ID="2">boot-uuid-media</string></dict>
4/29/09 5:00:07 PM kernel AppleYukon2: 532111ab,00000000 sk98osx_dnet - CheckDictionaryEntry failed, expected vs. dictionary
Thanks in advance for your help.

Open Startup Disk preferences, select your startup volume from icon list, click on the Restart button.

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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
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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.
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Boot error with question mark on folder icon

Hello.
This is very newest iMac (2014 late).
It worked very first time with basic way.
But 3 days later, iMac doesn't boot at all.
I've tried everything about reinstall and boot
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Given Solution
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and
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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)..
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Flashing question mark on folder at start up...help,please

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Hello,
I too have this exact problem. This morning i went to jiggle the mouse to bring the screen back from sleep but it wouldnt. I did a hard reset, but kept giving me the flashing question mark folder. I inserted x.5 disc into the drive to do a disk repair, but couldn't find the disk. I've assumed that the HDD is dead so have ordered a new one.
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Hi everyone,
last night I was just on my macbook as usual and suddenly it froze, so I turned it off. When i went to turn it back on, all that appeared was a flashing question mark in a folder.
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Melissa,
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Flashing question mark in folder at startup

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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.
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Hello, I have a question mark on the dock where once were icons which were not opening for
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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.)
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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.

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.
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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.)
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http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
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Flashing Question Mark on Folder Icon on Startup: Not Yet Fatal

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