I get the question mark in the folder on start up, but if i connect the same hard drive via usb it works fine is the hard drive faulty?

but if i connect the same hard drive via usb it works fine is the hard drive faulty?

It sort of sounds like a startup disk issue. Have you tried starting up holding down the "Option" key? This should generally give you the option of which drive you want to boot from after a few seconds. Sometimes, especially if you had previously booted from an external drive (and it sounds as if you have) they system wants to continue booting from that drive. If it can't find it, it just sort of hangs there. Try holding down the "Option" key and see if your internal drive is shown as an option. If it is, select it. If you manage to get into the OS, go to System Preferences / Startup Disk and select the correct drive (even if there is only one drive shown, you should still select it).

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HT1752 I have a Power PC G4 tower and start up is not going to OS, I'm getting a question mark in a folder icon. What do I do?

I have a Power PC G4 tower and start up is not going to OS, I'm getting a question mark in a folder icon. What do I do?

Is OS X installed?
Try a Startup Manager boot. Hold Option while starting.
Try a Safe Mode boot. Hold Shift while starting.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
If the PRAM battery is old, the system can lose it's mind.
Reset the PRAM.
resetting the PRAM - Support - Apple

TS1440 Question Mark in Flashing Folder at start up problem.

After trying to fix the flashing question mark folder problem, I took my iMac to the Apple store and, naturally and a little embarrassingly, the iMac booted up just fine and everything seem to be intact.However, when I brought it home it reverted but to same problem i.e. question mark in flashing folder. I read and tried most suggestions I could find but still cannot get the iMac to startup. I tried holding down the "C" key, then the Option key, then PRAMed it and even attached the separate back up disk I use as a Time Machine for my new iMac. IThe problem Mac is a 2008 iMac though I don't exactly know which OS came with it, in any case, I cannot find the original disk. The iMac is networked with my latest iMac. Can anyone help? Thank you.

Does it boot to Single User Mode, CMD+s keys at bootup, if so try...
/sbin/fsck -fy
Repeat until it shows no errors fixed.
(Space between fsck AND -fy important).
Resolve startup issues and perform disk maintenance with Disk Utility and fsck...
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214

Question mark in a folder at start up - NEED HELP I LEAVE FOR COLLEGE 2M

When I arrived home tonight my computer was frozen. So i force shut off my computer. When I re-booted the computer, the gray screen comes up and after 2 minutes a flashing question mark in a folder comes up. PLEASE HELP ASAP I LEAVE FOR COLLEGE TOMORROW MORNING! I have a cd in the cd drive so i cant insert the os x cd pleasee help

Well, if you have done all of that, and it doesn't respond to anything at all, I would imagine it has some type of hardware failure, either it can't see the keyboard/mouse anymore, or corrupt firmware of some sort.
Typically Apple only does a straight out new replacement within 14 days of purchase. You might be able to convince them otherwise, but it has a lot to do with who you end up talking to, and what kind of day they are having.
Just to be absolutely sure, since you seem to be in panic mode (which I certainly would be in in your situation).
You have done the following:
1. Remove battery
2. Unplug machine from charger - so at this point the MB can't get power from anywhere
3. Hold down the power button for 5 to 10 seconds (since there is no battery and it isn't plugged in you should get no result, there is a capacitor that holds some charge to keep the PMU running without another power source. This drains that capacitor to force the PMU to lose power)
4. Wait a minute or so to be sure
5. Put in battery and plug into the charger
6. Try starting the computer with either the mouse button down or the option key held.
I'm sure you have done that already, but just in case you missed a step it never hurts. Good luck.

Flashin question mark with a folder at start up

I recently purchased an old imac g3 from ebay. When starting up the computer I get a flashing question mark inside of a folder. I do not have the original software that came with the computer, I do however have 4 other mac's ranging from a perfoma to an Imac g5. My question is; how do I get original software for this imac? Or I guesss more importantly is this a software issuse or a hardware issue. Do I need to take the computer to an Apple repair shop.
imac g3

"how do I get original software for this imac?"
Contact the seller & get the CDs from them. They are not suppose to sell the computer without them! Are you aware you can notify eBay about this? I believe it's against eBay's procedures.
Never purchase a used Mac w/o the original install & restore CD that came with the computer unless you only want the Mac for parts or a glorified door stop.
You can get replacement System Install & Restore CDs from Apple's Customer Support - in the US, (800) 767-2775 - for a nominal S&H fee. You'll need to have the model and/or serial number of your Mac available.
If you're not in the US, you may need to go through the regional Apple Store that serves your location to find the contact number. Here's a list of links to all of those -
http://store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/intlstoreroutingpage.html

HT5783 My MacBook Pro (Mid-2009) digital output has stopped working. It turns on the red light at the other side of the plug, but fails to connect with my receiver. Output from Airport works fine.

It was working fine until now, and now suddenly, the sound is gone. I've tried PRAM and SMC reset. Nothing works.
Using the same cable with my airport express, through airplay, the sound comes out fine.
It wasn't working when on Mavericks, nor now, on Yosemite.

Hey marcalc,
Thanks for the question. I understand that you are experiencing issues with the digital output of your MacBook Pro. The following resource may provide a solution:
OS X Mavericks: If you can’t hear sound from your speakers
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH13841
If you’re trying to listen through a digital receiver
If you’re using your computer’s digital output port (not available on all computers), choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Sound, then click Output. Make sure Digital Output is selected.
Make sure your computer is connected to a digital-ready receiver using an optical digital cable, and that your receiver is set up for digital input (see the information that came with your receiver).
Try adjusting the volume on your receiver. You can’t use the computer’s volume controls to adjust the volume while using digital output.
Thanks,
Matt M.

Flashing Question mark and Finder Folder at Start UP!

Hi there,
I just installed a new processor with upgraded firmware with mac os 9.1 as my OS. Well I have a start up tone but thats it. I have used a cd to choose which disk I want my computer to start up from but now I only get a start up tone and a gray screen during boot up. I have tried to reset my PRAM more than 4 times and it hasn't done anything. I have also reset the processor but that hasn't done anything either. I don't wish to do a clean installation because I don't want to reinstall my old 450 mhz processor. It would be great if I could have some help. thanks

Hi, DC502. If I understand you correctly, you have been able to boot to a CD with the new processor installed — is that correct? If so, what OS version is on the CD, and is the same version on your hard drive? Does the new processor (what make and speed is it, by the way?) have any minimum OS or hardware requirements, and have you checked to make sure you are meeting them? What firmware update did you apply?
If you aren't able to boot even to a CD, check the processor upgrade to make sure it is solidly seated, not crooked or uneven in its slot. Reset the CUDA after every internal hardware change. Perform all testing with all external devices except monitor, keyboard and mouse disconnected from the computer.
Please post back with further details if these ideas don't help.

My iPhone 4S keeps loosing signal when 3G connection is on how can this be it worked fine until the latest software update

I recently updatedy iPhone 4S to the latest software now when I have 3G turned on it says searching for network and I can not make or receive calls 02 say 3G has to be turned off but that's the reason I have this phone is to access the Internet when away from home l. Please help anyone?

Yeah, my iPhone 4S sometimes manages to connect to wifi for about 10 minutes now. I think there is a problem related with the antenna because when the phone heats up, the WIFI stops working. I had a similar experience with my older iPhone 4S which I bought from the U.S.A. (unlocked version) but after a couple of days, WIFI icon grayed out and I wasn't able to switch it on and off. Now the phone I'm using was bought in Turkey from a local carrier, (it's not locked I suppose) I'm planning on upgrading to an iPhone 6 and I will try to get my 4S repaired. I hope it is something related with software rather than hardware. Because a friend of mine sent his phone to the local Apple store to be fixed, they sent the phone back claiming that they had repaired it. But in about 2 days, the phone shut itself down and never turned off back again lol. I don't want to experience the same thing. But anyway, thanks for your answer. At least now I know that I'm not the only one that has this problem .

Can t find the question mark on the keyboard

hi
I ve just installed tiger 2 days ago and I can t type the question mark any more.. it gives me either this ^ (with shift) or § (with alt)..
any ideas..

gallinette:
Boot from the Tiger install disk.
Go to Utilities menu.
Launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in sidebar.
Select First Aid tab in main panel.
Click or Repair disk button.
If DU reports disk needs no repairs, quit DU.
If DU reports errors, click Repair again and again until DU reports disk repaired.
If DU reports errors it cannot repair you will need to use a utility like Tech Tool Pro or Disk Warrior
In this case, because of your keys being out of order, I believe Disk Warrior will do a better job.
While booted from internal HDD go to Home > Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility.
Launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in sidebar.
Select First Aid tab in main panel.
Click or Repair Disk Permissiions button.
Quit DU.
Please don't hesitate to post back with further questions or comments, or to report on how procedure worked for you.
Good luck.
cornelius
Message was edited by: cornelius

I have a question mark in a folder blinking. Help please

I have a question mark in a folder blinking, what to do?

You will need to reinstall Snow Leopard:
Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
1. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
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. 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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
2. Reinstall Snow Leopard
If the drive is OK then quit DU and return to the installer. Proceed with reinstalling OS X. Note that the Snow Leopard installer will not erase your drive or disturb your files. After installing a fresh copy of OS X the installer will move your Home folder, third-party applications, support items, and network preferences into the newly installed system.
Download and install the Combo Updater for the version you prefer from support.apple.com/downloads/.

Trying to update iTunes but keep getting the error messag "the url could not be opened" when it's always worked fine in the past. What does this mean?

Trying to update my iTunes but keep getting the error message "the URL could not be opened" what does this mean and how do I resolve this? It's always worked fine in the past!

Select a broken track and press ctrl-i to Get Info. Look on the summary tab for the location where iTunes "thinks" the file should be. Where is it really? Post back the two locations and I can suggest the best approach.
tt2

Late 2008 macbook 13" prompts mac OS can not be installed on this computer after booting from disc as l get the folder with the question mark screen. New HDD or ?

From the little research l have done, l have been convinced l may be having a dead hard drive though after having tried all the other troubleshooting tips found here, when trying to boot l get the grey screen and folder with the question mark suggesting it can not find the files neccessary to boot hence l tried booting with the disc and the message l get is that mac OS X can not be installed on this computer, though after doing the hardware check etc they all say okay. I've even tried erasing the drive and trying to instal the OS afresh with no luck. Any ideas or l must just get a new hard drive?

Pretty sure BGreg hit the nail on the head. If your hard drive was failing, you would still be able to at least attempt an install, provided your ard drive was mounting. You usually get that message when the disk is incompatible with the computer. If it is the proper disk, you might try erasing the disk (provided your info is backed up) using Disk Utility (under Utilities in the menubar) and choose the Mac OSX Extended (Journaled) format.

On a macbook I purchased secondhand hard drive got corrupted and I started to get the flashing folder with the question mark, I purchased a new hard drive and snow lion install DVD I installed the hard drive and tried disc but kept getting blinking folder

On a macbook I purchased secondhand hard drive got corrupted and I started to get the flashing folder with the question mark, I purchased a new hard drive and snow lion install DVD I installed the hard drive and tried disc but kept getting blinking folder

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We're users here and do not speak for "Apple Inc."
Power on the computer and insert the DVD immediately.
Hold down the 'C' key to boot from the Snow Leopard DVD.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
After selecting the appropriate language, if necessary, select Utilities, and Disk Utility.
You'll likely need to partition and format the new drive before it's recognized.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/0/MA161/en_US/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY .pdf
(Yes, these instructions ARE 7 years old, but the procedure is the same for installing from DVD media.)

I replaced the battery on my RAID card, when I booted my mac pro up, I get the folder with the question mark. I used a boot USB drive to boot and when I looked in the RAID utility, my RAID 5 volumes were no longer showing, advise.

I replaced the battery on my RAID card, when I booted my mac pro up, I get the folder with the question mark. I used a boot USB drive to boot and when I looked in the RAID utility, my RAID 5 volumes were no longer showing, advise.
Ernest

Not sure if I'm following you. I have 4 hard drives installed on my Mac Pro. I had a RAID 5 configured and functional for about 5 months. My battery died on the RAID card. I replaced the battery, seated the RAID card back in the slot I removed it from. When I booted to the USB drive to look in the RAID utility, I could see the battery is charged but my volumes are not showing.
The drives don't show in disk Utility. I built the RAID with the RAID Utility and they did show there. I have a early 2008 Mac Pro, Mavricks OS running Mac Server

My MacBook Pro Hard Drive recently gave me the gray folder with the question mark of death. Even as

My MacBook Pro Hard Drive recently gave me the gray folder with the question mark of death. Even as a Mac Newbie/Novice, I successfully installed a new hard drive and the OS (10.6.8) software from my installation discs. I have, however, lost the ability to play video using the spacebar and I have no idea on the steps necessary to correct this seemingly simple technical blip. .Here's my system overview:Model Name: MacBook Pro Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2 Processor Name: Intel Core i5 Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz Number Of Processors: 1 Total Number Of Cores: 2 L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB L3 Cache: 3 MB Memory: 4 GB Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s.
I am using the Premiere Pro CS5 NLE (with the 5.0.4 updates), and I have tried to reinstall the software (which is actually the Production Premium package) several times, but I still cannot use the spacebar (or any method) to play any of my imported videos.
PLEASE HELP in any way you can!
Prior to having to replace my hard drive, my software was working just fine. No problems at all. But now, it seems that I can't get it to play whatever type of file I import.
Again, I am a newbie to the Mac, so any and all correctional/repair assistance needs to be expalined as if I were a child : )
I would hate to try to revert to considering the sophmoric Final Cut Pro X editing software package, but I've got to do something to be able to get back to my editing activities.
zionhall
[email protected]

Jorge242 wrote:
@FatMac the internet recovery doesnt work. It goes into recovery mode and then when i try to reinstall it cant find a disk to install it to. So what would be a good choice to take now?
Recovery Mode presents you with, among other things, Disk Utility. When you open that, if the internal shows up at all, first try to "Repair DIsk." If that doesn't work but if the "Media" line is present, try to format and partition it with a GUID partition table (understand that you will be erasing the contents of your internal). Then try to reinstall the OS. If that doesn't work, and since your Retina MBP didn't come with a DVD drive or DVDs, you'll need to try a hardware test using these instructions from Apple (short version: shut down, press the power button and hold down the "D" key). If none of those things work, let's hope you either have AppleCare or your warranty has some life left because the SSD in your rMBP is proprietary and expensive. You'll need to bring it to an Apple Genius for evaluation.

I get the question mark in the folder on start up, but if i connect the same hard drive via usb it works fine is the hard drive faulty?

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