I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up. All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it. Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed. Any ideas?

You need to use the computer's install disks to repair the hard drive or install a new OS.
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My MacBookPro has a white screen with a grey file folder in the center of the screen with a white question mark blinking in it. What does this mean? And how can I get my computer back up and running normal?

My MacBookPro has a white screen with a grey file folder in the center of the screen with a white question mark blinking in it. What does this mean? And how can I get my computer back up and running normal?

Start up in Safe Mode.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14204?viewlocale=en_US
Repair Disk.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
Reset PRAM.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14222

My Late 2013 iMac with Yosemite 10.10.2 randomly shuts down and displays a grey screen with a flashing question mark folder. According to Disk Utility, my drive is OK. What should I do?

I've had this problem for a while and I thought it went away. I've looked at all of the other discussions and tried what they suggest, nothing. I preferably don't want to erase everything on here. Is there a way to fix it without having to do that? I also noticed that other people have the screen when they first boot their computer. Mine are in the middle of a college essay or browsing online. I would really like to fix this issue. I haven't even had my iMac for a year yet. Any suggestions?

Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by one or more of these:
a. Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
b. Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
c. Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
d. The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
Note that the information I have provided is what Apple recommends, If other users suggest different solutions than found here, then be sure what they recommend does not impact on your warranty, if any, or ability to get continuing Apple service.
Please don't start removing drives or changing cables unless you know what you are doing and have exhausted other non-invasive alternatives outlined here. If you perform any work yourself that is unapproved by Apple, then you will void any warranty you may have and lose all further Apple Support.
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.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD. Simply boot from the Recovery HD to perform the above.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
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 Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain 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. 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.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
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 click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

I have an iMac, purchased in 2007. When I turn it on I am getting a grey screen with a flashing question mark

Anyone know what I need to do

A flashing question mark indicates the startup volume cannot be found. Follow the link above for troubleshooting, however be prepared for a failed internal hard drive. If I am correct you will need to take it into an Apple Store or AASP to have the HD replaced.

My Mac Apple Pro laptop is getting old - anyway, when I turn it on now, the screen just lights up white - and nothing is happening. A few days ago, I had a screen with a flashing question mark, but now just blank white. what to do/how to fix it?

My Mac pro notebook laptop - when i turn it on, it's just a lit up white screen - and nothing else is happening - it's just frozen. how do i fix it?

You may try the procedures in this support article. I suspect a trip to the Apple genius bar will be the best option. You probably have some hardware issues, such as the display or the GPU and the technicians will be to make to make a definitive determination.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Ciao.

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

Which iBook do you have?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1772?viewlocale=en_US
Which version of the OS is installed, and which version are you trying to install?
You could try starting up with Startup Manager and see if it will allow you to select the OS X install disc as the startup disk. If so, maybe you can proceed from there. I would recommend repairing the hard drive first since you are evidently having a bit of a problem with it.

I got this flashing question mark, i did some research into this and found out that the hard drive is the cause

i recently found my ibook and decided to see if it would still turn on. it did but i got this flashing question mark, i did some research into this and found out that the hard drive is the cause. so i opened it up replaced the hard drive and closed it up, booted from the disc and crossed my fingers but it did not pick up the hard drive. i thought it might not have been installed properly, so i opened it up to check the connections to make shure they were secure and closed it back up but now it wont even boot from the disc. so dose anyone know whats wrong with it because i really don't just want throw it away if its a simple fix. please if anyone know i would greatly appreciate it.
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There often were more than one build of Apple computer per model number designation...
In the instance of iBook (white dualUSB) there appear to be two with number A-1007.
And both of these were 14-inch display models.
•iBook G3/800 14-Inch (32 VRAM - Tr) 800 MHz PowerPC 750fx (G3)
•iBook G3/900 14-Inch (Early 2003 - Op) 900 MHz PowerPC 750fx (G3)
•Apple iBook Specs (All iBook Technical Specs) for entire series - everymac:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ibook/index-ibook.html
There are a few fairly good repair guides online, some on http://iFixit.com site.
Here's the link to the early iBook G3 series, includes color + white dualUSB.
If your iBook is a 14-inch G3 white dualUSB model that one is there, too:
•iBook G3 Repair guides - iFixit:
https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iBook_G3
Either of these may be able to run a system no later than OS X Tiger 10.4.11.
So a system install disc set could be used to troubleshoot, install, restore &
prepare a replacement hard drive for a new system.
Not certain what the issues are behind your situation, there may be more than
meets the eye. Some models of iBook were more prone to hardware problems
and as they age, fewer opportunities to affordably repair them exist.
Good luck in resolving the iBook G3 issues...!

At startup I get grey screen and a folder with a flashing question mark. How do I reset my MacBook Pro to the manufacture defaults?

At startup I get grey screen and a folder with a flashing question mark. How do I reset my MacBook Pro to the manufacture defaults?

Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer originally shipped with Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier, when you reach step 5, insert its original disk, restart with the C key held down, use the Disk Utility to erase the internal drive, and install a fresh OS.
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MacBook Pro 13 2010 running Mountain Lion: will not boot and shows a folder with a flashing question mark. Will not start in 'safe mode' i.e holding shift on start up - nor can I call up any utilities with the OSX shortcuts. Any thoughts?

Following an automatic update, the machine wouldn't boot. Screen came on (shows white) - then either showed a 'No-Entry' Sign and a spinning cog, or a folder with a qusetion mark. I tried to start the machine in different modes ( eg. holding shift after the tone ) but nothing worked. after leaving the machine alone for 1 hour. It worked perfectly again. I did a 'verify disk' check which found no problems. 2 hours later it then froze ( In - Photoshop). Could not force quit, so shut down, and have not been able to boot again since (white lit screen - flashing folder with question mark) . I have also taken the hard drive out and checked the connections which seem fine. Any suggestions? - Is the Hard Drive dead. : other info : It was also running parallels 8, with Windows 7. at the time of the update....

This article may help: A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac.

I have installed new hard drive to iMac intel 2007 model and all I get on the screen is a grey question mark, tried system disk and now that's stuck in drive and just spinning around, any help please

Sorry put all question on subject line. As I said fitted new hard drive, but all I get is a folder with a flashing grey question mark. Tried system disk but that is now just spinning around in DVD drive and I can't get it out. Any help with these problems would help

Sounds like the new drive is not being recognized. Could be it's a SATA3 drive with a 6Gb/s transfer rate and needs to be jumpered down to 3. But if the 2007 is 1.5, it may not work at all, even if jumpered down. Other possibility is a not properly secured cable or a cable that's come loose from the logic board.
What is the model of the 2007 Mac? What's the new drive? Did you do the installation or was it done by a shop?
You can find your model here. Look next to Standard Hard Drive:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/index-imac.html
Message was edited by: WZZZ

My iMac (OS X) won't boot up. All I get is a blank screen with a blinking question mark (?). I've tried resetting the PRAM, but that doesn't help. What do I do?

My iMac won't boot up. I get only a blank screen w/question mark (?). I tried resetting he pram, but that didn't help. What do I do?

Thanks. Did a safe boot, repaired disk permissions, and took your advice on the combo update.
Running perfectly fine now, if not slightly faster.
For the benefit of others this link: http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570 will get you to the Apple Support article that covers safe boot and parameter reset in OS 10.4, 10.5, 10.6.
Thanks for all your help and advice.

Problem with Lightroom 5: how to connect the app with my original pictures which are on a external hard disk and, once this resolved, how to create virtual pictures

A friend has installed Lightroom 5 on my MacBook air. he transferred all my picture that were on my IPhone an on Iphoto on Lightroom but without making virtual copies systematically. He put the original (real?) pictures on a external hard disk under Data_photos folder to allow more memory space on my Mac book Air. My problem now that when I connect the external hard disk with my computer the connexion does not happen automatically. it is like if Lightromm does not recognize the path to get connected to the original/real picture and therefore I cannot see pictures with all their potential and I cannot work on these. I am stuck! What should I do to 1) create this link? 2) create then virtual copies in order to be able to work on my computer without been obliged to connect my external hard disk to be able to use the application Lightroom. The friend who helped me disappeared! He is not in Japan and unable to help me.I hope you can help me. I have been looking for support to apple stores, photo shops, computer specialists but I have not found the expert capable to help me. I am leaving in Geneva. And believe that I should have some one with me physically to resolve a problem which I believe is not a serious one if one knows lghtroom an dinformatic basics... thank in advance to come back to me asap !!!!

Follow these instructions: Adobe Lightroom - Find moved or missing files and folders

After trying to backup my hard drive i can't get my G4 quicksilver to boot. I get the old icon of a folder with a split face that alternetes with a flashing question mark

My G4 won't boot. I have tried holding down the c key to boot from a 10.3 disc and it doesn't boot. I keep getting the icon of a folder with a split face that flashes to a question mark. I know that usually means that the startup drive can't be found, but I have 2 good drives i have tried to boot with and it won't start up. Any ideas from out there/ Thanks in advance.

I doubt it's CCC's fault, possibly a bad DIMM, or slot, or corrosion in the slot.
How large is the drive? Which G4? Some can only handle 128-123 GB Drives. Is it an old drive?
So we know more about it...
At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac, then click on More Info, then click on Hardware> and report this upto but not including the Serial#...
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: eMac
Model Identifier: PowerMac6,4
Processor Name: PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Processor Speed: 1.42 GHz
Number Of CPUs: 1
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 167 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.9.2f1
If you don't know the model, find the Serial# & use it on one of these sites, but don't post the Serial# here...
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
How to find the serial number of your Apple hardware product...

HT201210 I was backing up my iPad and it gave me an error and ever since my iPad is dead. It shows the iTunes icon on the screen with an image of a USB pointing to the iTunes image. I have tried to restore but it isn't working. I have the iPad 2. Please h

Hi, I was backing up my iPad 2 and it gave me an error message. Since then, my iPad has been dead or should I say, STUCK. The screen shows the iTunes image with an image of a USB cable under it with an arrow pointing towards the iTunes icon. I haven't been able to get it to unfreeze and when I connect it to iTunes, iTunes doesn't give me the option to Sync or Restore. It actually just goes into the iTunes Store section and I can't access the part I need. Please help! Thank You!!!!!

You may need to put the iPad in recovery mode to restore it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

I have an imac running OSX leopard 10.5.4, and a flashing question mark comes up on the screen. I opened disk utility, and in the sidebar my hard drive is not there. I also did the Hardware test supplied with the install CD, and "no problems were found".

note: I have not done the extended hardware test yet.

Can we assumed that the Disk Utility you used was not on your hard disk? If it was on the hard disk you can ignore most of the advice here and we should start again.
I am am a retired Electrical Engineer with many years electronics and IT experience and advise that whilst it is likely that the hard disk has failed and may never work again this may not necessarily be the case.
Do you normally hear or feel the disk running and has this changed?
Have you moved, dropped or hit your Mac while the disk was rotating? - never good for disks.
Even if the disk is not rotating it may not have failed - there could be an imperfect connection, damaged pcb track, a Mac electronics failure such as disk power etc.
The disk could be working mechanically and there could be a break in the data route to or from it etc.
Getting at disks inside some Apple assemblies can be tedious but probably not as bad as you may think - Google for instructions and pictures.
Much may depend upon how important information on a troublesome disk is. Even with a totally dead disk 90% of data can normally be extracted - ocasionally I have been lucky enough to do this at home - a few years back several experts were offering to to this for about 1,000 USD.
Trying the disk in another enclosure was good advice.
You could try gently moving your powered up Mac to see if anything changes.
It is technically possible for a software (unlikely as issue still exists booting from DVD I assume) or firmware issue to cause your symptoms so it might be wise to try every type of reset you can find before going any further. Firmware normally resides within the electronics - it often affects booting and power supplies etc.
Good luck.

I have a PowerMac G4 running ProTools that no longer boots up. All I get is a file folder on the screen with a flashing question mark in it. Ran the Utility disk and all systems passed. Any ideas?

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