Mac Pro wont book, getting folder with flashing question mark icon

I opened up Disk Utility but it only shows one of my two hard drives. I'm guessing it's toast. But before I go buy a new one, is there any value in going into an apple store and see what they can do?

I have the same problem with my brand new Mac Pro. from the start, upon bootup, i see a flashing folder with a question mark. I've already sent this Mac back for service. I believe the problem may have something to do with the airport card i had installed. something about the OS trying to find the wireless network...i'm not savy at this, by any means and hope we both resolve this issue. Do you an airport card installed?
I guess I'll be calling tech support again.
j

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IMac won't turn on. Only a clicking sound and a grey folder with flashing question mark.

iMac won't turn on. Only a clicking sound and a grey folder with flashing question mark.
Help.

Your iMac is actually turning ON as proven by the grey folder with the flashing question mark.
The flashing question mark indicates that your system is unable to find a bootable volume. The clicking sound that you hear is probably coming from your hard drive while it tries to recalibrate. I suspect your hard drive has failed.
What model imac do you have? If it's under warranty I suggest taking it in for service. Hopefully you've been maintaining a regular backup of your data as all users should. I lost my data once and it was a valuable lesson. I back up regularily now.
If your iMac came with install disks then you can boot from them, choose your language when asked, then pull down the Utilities menu to launch the Disk Utility application. The Disk Utility application will allow you to verify whether your hard drive has an issue. Usually a clicking sound, assuming it's coming from the hard drive, is a sign of a bad hard drive.
If your system has Lion installed then you can hold down the Command and R keys when you restart the system, then launch the Disk Utility application from the menu that appears.

Turned my mac book pro on and a folder with a question mark just flashes

TTurned my Mac book pro laptop on and all I get is a flashing folder with a question mark on the screen

Have you tried to boot in Safe Mode (keep the Shift key down while booting, until the Apple grey backdrop, spinning gear and progress bar appear)?
If you can boot that way, it means some third-party software is causing problems.
If not, try to boot in Single User mode (press the Command/Apple and S keys on startup), then type "fsck -y" (no quotes), press Enter.
You should get a return such as:
fsck_hfs: Volume is journaled. No checking performed.
fsck_hfs: Use the -f option to force checking
If you do, then your startup volume is accessible. Type "restart" (no quotes...), then press Enter.
If not, you can try the following command:
mount -u/w /
(there's a space between mount and the dash, no space between the dash and u/w, and a space between u/w and the slash sign).
There shouldn't be any visible return on screen after that command, but if you wait a few seconds, you could then enter the following command:
systemstarter
Then press Enter.
That could suffice to boot your system, but still not the graphical user interface.
When the prompt sign (#) returns, type "restart" (again, without the quotes), and press Enter.
Tell us how it went.

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...

Folder with Flashing Question Mark

I put a new HD in this MacBook, for the third time, in three years. This time it is a Seagate and not a WD as the other two were. This one is 500GB 300 MB/s.
The only software I have installed on it was Adium. I haven't even configured it yet.
The MacBook is Dual Boot with 10.5.8 and Windblows XP. The dual boot is so fresh that I haven't even taken the Windblows CD out, when I use the MacBook.
This afternoon, I was having network trouble, so I used the MacBook to run DSLReports and pings. I took out the Windoblows CD and put the MacBook to sleep. This evening I woke it back up. It was frozen and the clock was 8 hours behind. I let it sit for a few minutes. Then I couldn't move the mouse either. So I force Shut Down. When I started it back up, I got the folder with the blinking question mark.
I Reset the PRAM. Nothing. I started the MacBook, then inserted the Mac OS CD, and went into Disk Utility... the HD wasn't in the list. I started the MacBook then inserted the WindBlows CD, and tried to do a repair... It said there was no HD.
Message was edited by: MegaByte

I reseated the HD and the RAM, since I was there. It started up.
It started up. Thank you for your help.
I ran Disk Utility, just to be sure. It had to repair some permissions, but that was about it.

Computer keeps getting folder with a question mark (?) I changed the HD and the SATA cable, now what?

The problem started when my computer was having problems reading the HD by slowing down and freezing. The Apple Genius told me the computer needed a new HD, and that it would cost $228 to replace it through them. I opted out and purchased a Hd myself and installed it. Everything was good for about two months until one day the screen went black and I smelled something burning on my Mac, yes like fire. Upon inspection I found the burning smell came from the middle of the SATA cable and that it shorted. I ordered a new cable from Hong Kong that took 22 days to get here. It still does not read the HD. I tried a SATA cable from a 2011 MacBook that still works (had to stretch it a little but still connected) I also tried the previous HD that was in there and two other HD from 2 different MacBooks that are still functional. Nothing worked. Is my motherboard toast as a result of the SATA cable dying? The computer reads an external drive, however, and can boot into time machine. The cable, btw had been receiving physical damage from the case when the MacBook lost its little black feet. This is where it fried as the section that had marks from the case melted the plastic right underneath.

Prep your new drive:
Drive Preparation
1. 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 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 (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs,) 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.
After formatting has completed quit DU and return to the installer. Install OS X.

Folder with Flashing Question Mark on Startup

I tried pressing the option key and no startup manager appeared. I unplugged everything, which was not successful. I booted using the snow leopard DVD, went to the Startup Disk option and my hard drive is not an option (only the snow leopard DVD and a network startup (which has a question mark over it). Any thoughts? Thanks

Sounds like the hard drive has died. Does Disk Utility show the drive at all in the left-hand column, or is it completely missing from that list? If missing, your drive is completely dead. Hopefully, you have your data backed up, since in this case the only option for recovering data will be to send the drive to an expensive data recovery service, where they will tear it apart and read whatever they can (which may or may not be much or even anything).
You'll need to contact Apple for service if you're not comfortable opening up the machine and replacing the hard drive yourself.

HT4718 What do I do if I get a folder with a question mark?

I have a mid 2009 MacBook Pro and just installed a brand new SSD hard drive after my original HD crashed. According to this document and others that I found online, I thought I could boot up while pressing Command+R and follow instructions to install Mountain Lion, which I had purchased before and was on my old HD. However, almost a dozen times I have tried following those instructions (including trying to hold down just the option key) but all I get is a flashing folder with a question mark icon.
Does anyone know why? Am I actually supposed to boot from the disk that came with my computer? If so, won't it install the old OS, or am I not understanding something? Or am I supposed to boot from Time Machine?
I'm pretty sure from what I've read that I can't boot from my old HD because it died, but is there something I'm missing?
Thanks for any help you can give.

If your computer originally shipped with 10.6.8 or earlier and you swapped the drive out, you need to use its original disks; there won't be a recovery partition on the new one.
If your computer originally shipped with 10.7 or newer, pressing those keys will load the recovery partition from Apple's website.
(80677)

HT2433 My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it . How to to open my laptop! I have tried fir e clising several times and restArting nope nada!

My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it . How do I open my laptop! I have tried force closing several times and restArting nope ! nada! Suggestions?

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 Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. 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) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
Or if you are running 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7, 10.8 or 10.9 partition.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

Flashing file folder with a question mark when starting my macbook after a few minutes it shuts down, any ideas??

When turned on our Macbook flashes a folder with a question mark in the center screen, then it shuts down after a few minutes. Doea anyone have any ideas how to boot the computer back up?
Cheers

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 Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
Put your install DVD into the optical 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 install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Just press the Return key on yourkeyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left handlist. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. 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.

What is the problem when I turn on my macbook and all I get is a picture of a file folder with a question mark in it?

First my Macbook is almost 5 yrs old and is probably on it's last leg. The other day it froze and was making some pretty loud clicking noises. I turned it off by holding down the power button and tried starting it up again. At that point the screen was just blue and the noise came back on. Then a file folder appeared in the middle of the screen with a question mark in it. Does this mean the hard drive crashed or something? We blew a hard drive once before (though it didn't happen like this) but I just wanted to check before I go to the store. If it's something that is bad then I may just be sending this one to the grave and replace it with an iPad. Any insight into this problem would be appreciated. Thanks.

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 Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
Put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD 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 install DVD in the optical drive.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. 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.

What does it mean when my screen just flashes a file folder with a question mark?

I just did software update and now my screen flashes a file folder with a question mark in the middle???

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 install DVD in 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.

Please help me with my mac. when i turned it on, a small question mark icon (?) appears at the center.

hi,
Please help me out with my MAC model m6497. when i turned it on, only a smallquestion mark appears at the center and does not proceed to its descktop at all

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 Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
Put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. 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) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
Or if you are running 10.7 Lion, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7 partition.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

HT3964 What does a file folder with a question mark that appears upon startup?

What does a file folder with a question mark which appears on startup mean??

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 Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.
With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. 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) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
Or if you are running 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7 or 10.8 partition.
When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.
If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.

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.

Mac Pro wont book, getting folder with flashing question mark icon

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