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.

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HT201364 I am unable to redownload OS X Mavericks on a Late 2013 new Macbook Pro 13". I get a message saying "We could not complete your purchase" " OS X Mavericks can not be installed on this computer"

I am unable to redownload OS X Mavericks on a Late 2013 new Macbook Pro 13". I get a message saying "We could not complete your purchase" " OS X Mavericks can not be installed on this computer"
I nee an easy way to resolve this with Apple.

why is it this problematic to resolve?! obviously there's a valid installer image for our macs, why can we not have access to it to use on our laptops?
I do not understand, nor accept the explanation given before - about it being a newer model... it doesn't make sense... how does that translate to "no download available".
also, if it was a valid point - we would have had that download with the release of 10.9.1 - which we don't.

HT201364 I have macbook pro 15", 2,6 ghz, 8gb, osx 10.9 but the pop up window says that maverics can not be installed on this computer. why is that? thank you

I have macbook pro 15", 2,6 ghz, 8gb, osx 10.9 but the pop up window says that maverics can not be installed on this computer. why is that? thank you

Check here > OS X Mavericks: System Requirements

Just installed new hard drive in mac book pro 15", when trying to boot OSX from original disk I still get a folder with a question mark in it. How can I reinstall the OS?

Can't seem to get my mac book to boot from the CD after installing new hard drive.
I keep holding down "c" while restarting the machine with the disk in but it just keeps ejecting the disk and giving me a folder with a question mark.

If your on 10.5 with a Intel Mac, I think Apple has jinxed the firmware so you can't boot from the 10.5 disk anymore.
So far several people, myself included, can't boot from a 10.5 OS X disk on a Intel Mac.
Your going to have to buy a 10.6.3 Snow Leopard retail disk, it's wayyy better than 10.5 anyway, faster and most stable even better than Lion. Have to buy iLife though as it doesn't come on the 10.6.3 retail disks, only free with grey disks.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

Macbook has the folder with flashing question mark

Yesterday as I was watching Netflix my Mac froze. I was skipping around an episode and then started opening a folder to do something else while it loaded and then it just froze. I thought maybe I was clicking on too many things at once or whatever and it got screwed up a bit so I closed it for a minute or two. When I opened it back up it had a (light) blue screen that wouldn't go away so I shut it down with the power button. Then when I turned it back it just had a white/gray screen for like a minute before the folder with the flashing question marked appeared.
I've googled possible solutions but nothing seems to work. It won't boot up in safemode. One answer suggested trying to do comm-opt-P-R (can't remember what that was trying to do) and that didn't work. The screen would just go black and then start up over and over. When I just press the opt-key it takes me straight to Internet recovery. However, none of the options available work. I don't have the TimeMachine thing, I don't have a disk to reload the Lion software, and there's nothing to click on at all in the disk utility. All that's available in that is a disk0 and the Mac OS X Base System and I can't click on First Aid/Erase/Partition/Restore. I've opened up the startup disk and there's nothing that shows up.
Is there something else I can try at home or should I just go ahead to the apple store? My Mac is under a year old still, but I spilled soda on it back in like October and had to get all the parts replaced so I don't know if that would do anything to the warranty....And if something does have to get replaced will I lose all my stuff? It was bad enough losing four months worth of data, I don't want to lose seven.
Thanks for any help.

As long as the parts were replaced by someone authorized to do the repairs, you should still be fine. This error indicates that they computer isn't able to find a disk to boot to.
The "disk" to reload Lion is that internet recovery (also can be launched from command + r).
Seeing as how you don't have the startupdisk in Disk Utility, I would recommend getting it into a store to see why that drive isn't detected. It could be something as simple as a loose SATA cable, or as catastrophic as complete hard drive failure. While you're at the store, I'd look into investing in an external drive to start running Time Machine...

Mac OSX can't be installed on this computer

I have a Macbook (circa mid-2007). It's running Leopard and I want to do a clean install of ANY OS that is more current. Unfortunately, any other OS I try will not install. I tried Mountain Lion (since I had recently upgraded my iMac) and that didn't work. Then I found a disk for 10.6.3 that my son had from when he got his Macbook before he left for college. I got the same error message that it couldn't be installed. I had tried the 10.6.8 that came with my iMac but that didn't work.What the heck is going on? According to the specs for this machine (2 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB 667 mhz DDR2 SDRAM) these upgrades should work (except maybe the one for the iMac).

The DVDs which come with Macs contain a Mac OS X version which is only compatible with the computer they came with, so you can't use them to install Mac OS X on the computer you have now.
You have to buy Mac OS X Snow Leopard from the Apple Online Store > http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard Then, the installation is simple: insert the DVD, start your Mac holding the C key while your computer is starting and install Snow Leopard. Also, you can install it without starting from this disc

My MacBook Pro turns on and only shows a folder with a question mark and blinks. The computer will not continue start-up. Suggestions/Advice?

I'm not sure how this screen is appearing, but I tried powering up my computer this morning and it immediately presents a grey screen, then displays a blinking folder with a question mark in the middle of it.
I am looking for troubleshooting advice and procedures to bypass this screen and allow my computer to complete it's start-up.
Thanks-
Gary D. Aston, Jr.
[email protected]

The folder with a question marks is usually an idication that the Mac can't find the system file to boot from.
Since you never told us which system your Mac was running there is nothing more to say.
Allan

My macbook pro is still under warranty. I have just put it into Mac 1 to be repaired because I had the folder with the dreaded Question mark on it....new hard drive. I was told that if I wanted my data retrieved, I would have to pay $445 p/h. Ahh!!!

My macbook pro is still under warranty. I have just put it into Mac 1 to be repaired because I had the folder with the dreaded Question mark on it....new hard drive. I was told that if I wanted my data retrieved, I would have to pay $445 p/h. Ahh!!! Shouldn't that be covered by warranty?

My newest Mac just did the same "folder of death" dance. It's too late for you now, but you might consider a passport backup drive.You can get 2&3 T-bytes now fairly reasonably priced. A given with computers is they will crash, just a question of how bad and when, so you can be prepared for the next time.

I have a Mac 10.5.8 Dual. I cannot get any videos that I have stored to play. I have tried QT and then DL two out side players from apple site and then went to install and comp said can not be installed on this comp.

I have a Mac 10.5.8 Dual. I cannot get any videos that I have stored to play. I have tried QT and then DL two out side players from apple site and then went to install and comp said can not be installed on this comp.

When Microsoft decided not to support Windows Media any more, they made Flip4Mac available for free. If you have not taken advantage of that free download, this might be a good time.
It may not completely solve the problem, but your Mac will play more with the free player. No need to pay for the Upgrades.
http://www.telestream.net/flip4mac/

Hey ppl,my macbook is not booting and by that i mean u can hear the audio wave when its starting up,the screen goes white and then after a while there's a folder with a question mark in the middle of the screen...anyone,any ideea?!?

Hey ppl,my macbook is not booting and by that i mean u can hear the audio wave when its starting up,the screen goes white and then after a while there's a folder with a question mark in the middle of the screen...anyone,any ideea?!?Regards.

That folder with the question mark icon means that the MacBook can't find the boot directory. That can either mean it can't find the hard drive or the hard drive data is somehow corrupted.
Put your install DVD into the drive and reboot. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option key until the Install Disk shows up). That will force your MacBook to boot from the optical drive.
Once it has finished booting and you are at the Install screen launch Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is then select the First Aid Tab run Repair Disk and if that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

Hello, can someone help me: my eMac G4 700 MHz. I can not boot it. If he starts appears on the screen, only a small "folder with a question mark." The Mac was not used 1 year. Question 1: Problem = hard drive? Question 2: Problem = PRAM battery? the What

Hello, can someone help me: my eMac G4 700 MHz. I can not boot it. If he starts appears on the screen, only a small "folder with a question mark." The Mac was not used 1 year.
Question 1: Problem = hard drive?
Question 2: Problem = PRAM battery?
the
What can I do to boot?

Restart with the Option key held down.
If the internal drive shows up, it's the PRAM battery.
If it doesn't, insert a compatible Mac OS 9 or X install disk, click the button with the circular arrow, and either repair the internal drive or install a new OS on it. If it doesn't show up in Disk First Aid(9) or the Disk Utility(X), it's either not plugged in or needs to be replaced.
(97530)

I erased my HD and could not install lion. if I turn on the mac now all I see is a folder with a question-mark. How can I install a new operation system?

I erased my HD and could not install lion. if I turn on the mac now all I see is a folder with a question-mark. How can I install a new operation system?

Install or Reinstall Mavericks, Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
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 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.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
      left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
        the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
      the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion, Mavericks and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.

I can't restart my mac , I get a file with a question mark? Help

Need help, what to do when I cannot restart my mac. I get a file with a question mark?

That indicates that your Mac is unable to find a system to boot from
This is usually caused be either a corrupt system file, corrupt ot dead disk drive
Allan

I can't get on my mac it flashes a folder with a question mark

I have an Imac with Leopard installed, my computer is several years old and it started to act up, it froze in the middle of my working on it and I had to force quit and another time I had to just shut it down. This happened a few times and the last time the screen came on with a gray folder with a question mark in the middle, flashing, what can I do and not lose my work and pictures?
Help..

Start by booting into Safe Mode. Then follow these instructions to reinstall Leopard without having to lose your files:
How to Perform an Archive and Install
An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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. Now restart normally.
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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.

Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer. Power Mac G5

continued from https://discussions.apple.com/message/18069601#18069601
Hi again. My power mac g5 model number is a1177 and when I put the installation disc in (Mac OS version 10.5)(AHT version 3a137)(2z691 6150 a). It loads everything and It setups to say what language you want, i say english. Then it says preparing to install. After that it says Mac OS X cannot be installed on this computer. Can anyone help me??

Leopard requirements/10.5.x...
    * Mac computer with an Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor
minimum system requirements
    * 512MB of memory (I say 1.5GB for PPC at least, 2-3GB minimum for IntelMacs)
    * DVD drive for installation
    * 9GB of available disk space (I say 30GB at least)
Trouble is Apple no longer sells it, check eBay & such for the Retail version, not the Gray Discs...
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=mac+os+x+leopard+retail+10.5
Apple Computers Software Leopard (Full Install) 10.5
Item #:
2Z691-6150-A 1005900
Notes
Disk 1 2Z691-6150-A
Disk 2 2Z691-6023-A
Compatibility
MacBook (13-inch Late 2007)
Machine ID: MacBook3,1
http://www.welovemacs.com/2z6916150a.html

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 ?

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