Folder with ? at startup - is my hard drive dead?

At startup I got a folder with a question mark.
I started up from MacOS 10.5 DVD, opened disk utility and my hard drive was not shown in the available volumes.
In System Profiler, under serial-ATA, it says "There was an error while scanning for Serial-ATA devices.
Tried to reset the PRAM, it did't help.
Is my hard drive dead, or is there something else for me to try?

sorry to say but yes your hard drive died....it has just happened to me last week....18mth white macbook. I hope you have everything back up....(I had just got a external hard drive and was going to back up the day it died...sods law!)
Took it to the Apple store and they replaced the drive....fantastic service...got it back in a day.
so lesson to all...back up.

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Gray folder with question mark-- is my hard drive dead?

I have a white 13 inch MacBook that is about 3 years old and runs on Mac OS X 10.4 (I believe). In the past year, it has been running more and more slowly and programs keep freezing. I was going to ask for more RAM for Christmas, but decided to try a few maintenance steps first. I ran a VirusScan this morning (using McAfee), and when I came back into the room, my computer had frozen past all help. I powered it off with the power button, and now, when I try to start it, a gray screen appears with a question mark. I have tried some of the support steps listed to get it working again such as trying a safe boot (didn't work) and resetting my PRAM (didn't work). Is my hard drive dead? Is there any way I can get my files off the computer? I haven't backed up in about 3 months, and I am very upset because I have a lot of important papers and photos on my HD.
Thank you..

Hi corimazz and welcome to Apple Discussions!
It is possible that your hard drive has kicked the bucket, but the folder with the question mark just shows that the computer cannot find a valid system when it starts up. There are a number of possible reasons for this.
Do you have the 10.4 install disk? If so, insert it into the optical disk drive, restart the computer and hold down the C key during startup. Once the computer is booted to the install DVD, select your primary language, then look for the utilities menu and from it select "Disk Utility".
In the Disk Utility, you should see a list of available disks, which we hope will include your hard drive. If the hard drive does not appear in the list, it is dead. If it does show up, select it and click the "Repair Disk" button to see if the problem is being caused by directory damage that can be repaired.
If the drive is truly dead, you are going to have to decide how much the data from the last three months is worth to you. There are companies that have quite good records of recovering data from even very badly damaged hard drives (sunk in rivers, burned in fires, etc) but they are not cheap.
In the USA some data recovery options include:
DriveSavers.com - 800-440-1904
www.ontrack.com - 800-872-2599
www.lazarus.com - 800-341-3282
Once you have the drive out (it's a simple process to remove) it can be replaced with a new one.
I hate to say it, but keeping backups of important files is vital to safe computing. Both the Leopard and Snow Leopard operating systems make this a much easier process using the "Time Machine" application.
Best of luck.

Not solved with Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive

Before asking, I found someone had asked exact the same question, but that was actually an unsolved thread.
Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
Level 1(0 points)sdc3gJul 5, 2013 6:24 PM Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
Re: Blinking Folder with Question Mark after Erasing Hard Drive to try to restore to Factory Settings
in response to Niel
Thanks for the reply, held command+R again and it is trying to pick up WiFi, but it's not picking up my network and won't accept the password even when I try to put it in manually. Any thoughts on that?
Me too had tried the command+R and failed to manually connect to my network. Can anyone help?

Well, it was solved. I shifted to other place and tried other WIFis. One of the WiFi had the 2002f problem and another was fine, so the reinstall worked smoothly eventually.
On the apple support page it says that Supported network configurations and protocols includs both WPA/WPA2, not matter what they are, but it might not be true.

Folder with question mark after unpartitioning hard drive

I am running Snow Leopard on my Mac Book Pro.I unpartitioned my hard drive with Boot Camp. Now when I start up I get a folder with a question mark (not a flashing question mark) and then the apple logo. I repaired the disk permissions but there is no change. I don't know what to do now. I really do not want to reformat the hard drive if I don't really have to. What do I do now?

Have you tired holding down the Alt/Option-key at startup to get the Boot Selection Screen ?
If you can boot into your OSX go to System Preferences -> Startup Volume and reset your OSX to be the default.
Stefan

Macbook crashed : Flashing folder with question mark (noise on hard drive)

My macbook (intel core duo) just crashed a few days ago. This is what it's doing:
The screen displays a a flashing folder with a question mark. I did find an article in apple for that : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
But the think is, it (macbook) turns off after a while. I did try to boot up with the installation CD, but it can't find my hard drive. So, I thought it must be a hard drive problem. And I could hear that the hard drive makes a noisy sound. So, before I run to bestbuy or futureshop to get a new hard drive, I wanna make sure that it's really the hard drive that went kaput!
I was trying to install the leopard. It just crashed when I went surfing, and editing on iMovie.

I have a MacBook 13" Core 2 Duo, 160GB HHD, 2GB memory. My hard drive appeared to "crash" a few days ago. Whenever I pressed the power button, I would eventually get a grey screen with a folder with a "?" in front of the folder icon. I decided to re-install OS X thinking this would resolve the issue. During the install process, I would eventually get to the point where I am asked which drive to install OS X. The computer didn't recognize the internal hard drive. I do have an external hard drive for backups and the computer did recognized this one (WD MyBook).
I have since bought a new internal hard drive (Seagate 200GB 7200RPM 2.5" Mobile with Shock guard), installed it and went through the process of re-installing OS X. Again, the computer doesn't recognize the new internal hard drive. And again, the external hard drive is recognized.
For the time being I've installed OS X in the external hard drive. But now I have a new internal hard drive but is useless since the computer will not recognize it.
Anyone installed a new internal hard drive and experience the same thing as I have? Anyone with possible solutions or any advice you can offer?
Thanks.

Blinking Folder with Question Mark after replacing Hard Drive

I have a 2010 Macbook Pro. It recently stopped starting up. I took it to the Genius Bar and the guy working there told me I needed to replace the hard drive. I did that. Now when I start the computer up I get a blinking folder with a question mark on it.
I've tried holding Option to get to the Start Up Manager and I've tried holding Command+R to get to Recovery and both give me no results.
I cannot find my original Installation Disc.
Can anyone give me advice on what I should do next? Do I need to get another copy of the Install DVD to continue?

Install Snow Leopard from the original discs that came with the computer. You cannot use a retail Snow Leopard DVD with that model. Update to 10.6.8. You can then redownload Lion or Mountain Lion freely if you have purchased them already.
The first thing you must do is partition and format the drive before you can install OS X. To do that you will need an installer disc. You can purchase replacements from Apple:
Apple Store Customer Service at 1-800-676-2775 or visit online Help for more information.
To contact product and tech support: Apple - Support - Contact Apple Support.
You cannot use Internet Recovery unless you had Lion or Mountain Lion already installed. In that case see:
Install Lion/Mountain Lion on a New HDD/SDD
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard drive.
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your external 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 Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

My iMac Seagate 1T hard drive crashed. I replaced it with a Western Digital 1T hard drive. Where can I get the Lion OS?

My iMac Seagate 1T hard drive crashed. I replaced it with a Western Digital 1T hard drive. Where can I get the Lion OS?
The iMac comes up with a ? in a folder, even after starting with Option/Command/R keys pressed.
Please help.

Call Apple to purchase replacement discs or order a copy of Snow Leopard from Apple's Online Store. Follow these instructions:
Drive Preparation and Install Snow Leopard
1. 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.
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 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.
7. When completed quit DU and return to the installer. Install Snow Leopard. Once you boot from Snow Leopard you should open Software Update and install all the available updates required. After you complete this and restart the computer open the App Store application in the Dock or Applications folder.
8. Sign into the App Store with your Apple ID and password. Purchase and download Lion.
9. After Lion's installer downloads, install Lion.

Editing with media on an external hard drive

I would like to edit with media on an external hard drive without importing it, like you can do in FCP. It seems like a waste of hard drive space to copy it to another folder on the same drive, or any other drive, and I certainly don't want to edit with the media on my laptop hard drive.
Terry Kelley

Hi Terry,
This can be done by creating an iMovie Library on your external hardrive, as detailed in the article linked below.
iMovie (2013): Work with multiple libraries
https://support.apple.com/kb/PH14745
Cheers,
Allen

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive?

I have an iMac 21.5 inch purchased in 2011 with a failing 1TB Seagate hard drive. Can I get a replacement hard drive thru the Apple Replacement Program? I did purchase the Applecare Plan but it expired in Dec. 2013.

FWIW, if you purchased the iMac in 2011 and purchased Applecare, you are covered for a total of 3 years. You mentioned yours expired in December 2013 - that cannot be unless you bought yours in 2010. If you bought it in December 2011, you should still be covered until December 2014 - if so, contact Apple/make a Genius Bar appointment quickly so the replacement is covered by the warranty. The hard drive replacement program might have expired, but as long as you're covered by Applecare, a drive replacement is covered.

Can anyone help me with advice for a replacement hard drive

Hi there,
Can anyone help me with advice for a replacement hard drive and RAM upgrade for my Mac Book Pro 5,3
Its 3 years old & running Snow Leopard 10.6.8
I do a lot of audio & movie work so performance is important.
The logic board was replaced last summer & I was advised to replace the hard drive then...oops
Anyway it has limped on until now but is giving me cause for concern...
I have found a couple of possibilities below...so if anyone does have a moment to take a look & help me out I would be most grateful
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Western-Digital-Scorpio-7200rpm-Internal/dp/B004I9J5OG/r ef=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356787585&sr=8-1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kingston-Technology-Apple-8GB-Kit/dp/B001PS9UKW/ref=pd_s im_computers_5
Kind regards
Nick

Thanks guys that is so helpful :-)
I will follow your advice Ogelthorpe & see how I get on with the job!!! Virgin territory for me so I may well shout for help once my MBP is in bits!! Is there a guide for duffers for this job anywhere??
& yes in an ideal world I would be replacing my old MBP but I'm just not in a position to do that at the moment....let's hope things pick up in 2013
All the very best
Nick

I need to make space on my Mac. If I copy a folder from iPhoto on to a hard drive, then delete it from iphoto then import it again, does it retain all my editing? It does not seem to retain Faces info and I have spent hours and days naming people :(

I need to make space on my Mac. If I copy a folder from iPhoto on to a hard drive, then delete it from iphoto then import it again, does it retain all my editing? It does not seem to retain Faces info and I have spent hours and days naming people

There is no way to export Faces information.
I'm not sure why you would do this:
If I copy a folder from iPhoto on to a hard drive, then delete it from iphoto then import it again,
If space is an issue then move the whole Library to an external drive:
Make sure the drive is formatted Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
1. Quit iPhoto
2. Copy the iPhoto Library from your Pictures Folder to the External Disk.
3. Hold down the option (or alt) key while launching iPhoto. From the resulting menu select 'Choose Library' and navigate to the new location. From that point on this will be the default location of your library.
4. Test the library and when you're sure all is well, trash the one on your internal HD to free up space.
Regards
TD

Help with Organizer (Ver 11) after hard drive failure

I have Elements 11 and am an experienced user. Problem is with the Organizer program. Hard drive (Network attached drive) with 16,000+ images failed. Actual Organizer catalog is stored on my regular computer C:\ drive. ONLY the photos were stored on the external drive. I replaced drive with a new drive (also external network attached). When I run Organizer, all the thumbnails indicate the files are "offline." When I run "reconnect files" from the menu bar, it tells me there are no missing files. If I use the file info window (in Organizer) and click on "Location" it tells me the file location ON THE ORIGINAL DRIVE is offline. If I go ahead and reconnect the file from that window, it does ok... BUT... when I go back to the Organizer and open that image full screen, it does NOT show the name tags of the subject when you mouse-over the displayed image. The "name" tags are still listed in the tag window, but no name on the screen. It looks as if the catalog is somehow looking for that very specific old drive, and that the tag database can't connect to the image on the replacement drive.
What happened to the database of all the people's names that are actually shown on-screen for each image?? The catalog on C:\ is intact and untouched by the external drive failure. How can I get Organizer to recognize all the image files on the new hard drive? I have screen shots of all the messages, etc., if that would help.
Thanks..... Earl

First of all, did you backup your catalog/media files via the catalog manager ? In that case the answer is to do a restore to the new custom location.
Since you are asking for help, I presume you have no backup available.
Now, the explanation for the problem. Network drives are considered 'offline' just like CD or DVDs when there are not active. On the other hand, each of those removable storage media are identified in the catalog database with a unique internal identifier which has the letter drive, device serial number, name and type of device. I am not competent about network drives, but I am sure that pluging another network drive will show different properties. Your drive will be considered offline.
Then, when you want to reconnect, the organizer does not consider the files are missing, it waits for you to plug in the original drive.
What solution ?
What could you do to enforce the Organizer to recognize the new drive as the old one ?
Let's suppose your files had not been on a network drive, but on an external USB drive. Then all your files would have been seen as 'missing' because the recorded paths of your media files would have been different for thedrive identifier, and reconnecting could have been a solution.
The main problem I see is that I am pretty sure that you can't tell the catalog manager how to change the identifier of the offline drive, and I can't see any easy workaround. If someone knows a way, I would be extremely interested! Would it be possible to fool the Organizer to identify the new network drive with the same parameters as the old one?
So, what I would do in your case would be to use an external sqlite database manager to look at the catalog.pse11db file and see how I could change directly the identification of the new drive.
I am pretty sure I could do that if the files had been on an external USB drive (not considered 'offline'). It's worth trying that for a network drive.
Tell me if you want to try such a solution. Otherwise, if you have 'written metadata to files', your only immediate chance is to start a new catalog and import from the new drive.

I just purchased the Mac Mini Server with the intention of replacing Lion Server with Lion for the first hard drive while installing Windows 7 thru Bootcamp on the second hard drive. Is it possible for me to do this? Thanks.

I just purchased the Mac Mini Server with the intention of replacing Lion Server with Lion for the first hard drive while installing Windows 7 thru Bootcamp on the second hard drive. Is it possible for me to do this? Thanks.

I would use Parallels or VMWare and use the second drive to hold the virtual machine. That way the VM only uses the space that it needs and you can still use the remainder of the drive for other things, not to mention that you would not need to reboot to run windows.
Also Time Machine does not back up a boot camp partition.

HT5096 where is the administrator window when I drag the folder "Backups.backupdb" from the old hard drive on the new one?

where is the administrator window when I drag the folder "Backups.backupdb" from the old hard drive on the new one? At the moment when I try to do it, the window that appear doesn't allow me to continue. it only says "the volume has the wrong case sensitivity". thanks

Although the documentation says you can copy Time Machine backups in the Finder, it's very slow and sometimes doesn't work at all.
Launch Disk Utility, open the built-in help, and search for the term "Duplicate." Follow the instructions. All existing data on the destination volume will be erased. That shouldn't be a problem, because you don't want to mix backup and non-backup data on the same drive anyway. Turn Time Machine OFF in its preference pane while copying the volume.

In which folder of my Seagate 3TB external hard drive, can I find my iPhoto photos from my iMac (iOS X Maverick)?

In which folder of my Seagate 3TB external hard drive, can I find my iPhoto photos from my iMac (iOS X Maverick)?

tlah wrote:
The Seagate 3TB external hard drive backs up the entire internal hard drive of the iMac.
Is this external drive a Time Machine backup?
Then find what you want using Time Machine (or whatever application you used to make the backup).
Your iPhoto pictures are in the iPhoto library in Users/Pictures.

Folder with ? at startup - is my hard drive dead?

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