How do you fix the question mark folder on startup?

My mac keeps showing a question mark when I turn it on.I am not able to even able to run a hardware test.I think this problem happend when my friend tried to update my computer.Any Solutions???

It sounds as if your drives partition structure and/or volume structure may have been fatally damaged. Assuming that is the case you will have to boot from another drive to effect repairs and recovery. If your mini is in warranty or covered under Applecare by far your best option is taking your mini to the nearest Apple Store or Apple Approved Service Provider. (Be sure and phone ahead for an appointment and save yourself a long wait in line until they can work you in.)

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  • Question mark folder at startup, safe boot not working

    Last night my iMac froze up, Force Quit didn't work, and I used the Power button to shut it off.  When trying to restart, it was getting stuck at the grey Apple.
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    The question mark folder usually means that the
    firmware could either not find a valid operating
    system to boot, or, it could not find a hard disk
    with an operating system on it.
    Have you tried booting to Lion Recovery?  If
    you can, then go into Disk Utility and do a
    Repair Disk on your OSX volume.  If the
    OSX volume is not showing up, you may need
    to do a reformat and re-install.
    Since it is a 24" iMac (from your description) it was
    a pre-Lion Mac.  If you still have the original install
    disks, try booting with it and use Disk Utility from it
    to see if the hard drive is working.
    Try this first before making a road trip.

  • How do I fix my question mark key, it shows up as É

    How do I fix my question mark key, it shows up as É

    Hi Simone,
    If you want Firefox to automatically open your uni website as soon as it is opened, you have to set your "Home Page". You can read the following article for step-by-step instructions to set your Home Page: [[How to set the home page]].
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    Everything in the Dock is an alias.... that is a tiny file that points to the original app, folder or file.
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    It is a mid 2011 mac mini. It boots to the 'question mark folder'. I installed lion server over my lion OS. After trying to remove the server app unsuccessfully, I id a command-r boot and erased the Macintosh HD where my OS was wiht the intention to reinstall. THe on-screen instruction I thought said I had to reboot after to use the recovery HD so I di. Now when it boots, it jsut goes to the 'question mark folder' and does not load. I only have the bluetooth keyboard so will the mini recognize the command-r on boot? It doesnt appear to.
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