Macbook Pro Late 2011 Question Mark on Startup

Question

My Macbook Pro has started displaying a question mark folder icon on startup. I have been through recovery and various other steps but it seems as though the hard drive simply isn't recognised by the computer.
It worked one minute then when I opened it the next, it had locked up. I restarted the computer and it happened.
If it is my HDD that is knackered, how likely is it that I will be able to retrieve my files, and how would I go about doing it if at all possible?
Thanks!

Answer 1

The question mark typically indicates a problem with the Mac OS.  The computer is literally asking you for a boot drive.  The hard drive could be fine.  Or, it could be a mix of hardware and software.
Do you have the Apple Hardware Test Disc?  With your model, it is probably combined with the software restore disc.  There will be instructions in very small print telling you to hold the "D" key at startup.  If your computer passes the hardware test, you can boot from this DVD as if you are going to do a clean install of the OS, but run Disk Utility to see if it can repair the OS and get you back to a bootable state.
Do you have an AppleCare disc?  This usually has a lite version of TechTool Pro (which typically provides a more comprehensive diagnostic than Disk Utility).
Do you have a bootable backup drive (USB or Firewire or Thunderbolt)?  If this is current, you could not only run tests on the internal drive, but continue to work until the issues wih the internal drive are resolved.
Target Disk Mode can be used if you have another Mac with the right port (FireWire and/or Thunderbolt).  This basically puts the laptop into a disk only mode.  As such, it can be connected to another computer for diagnostics.
Oh, and just incase you're not already familiar with this, you can power down the MacBook Pro at any time by pressing and holding the power key (it usually takes about 10 seconds).  And, if you have more than one bootable drive connected (this includes a boot DVD or boot CD in the DVD-ROM drive), you can hold the option key at startup for a menu of bootable drives.
When the question mark creeps up on me, I usually go through troubleshooting the startup process as listed.  Although, I use Carbon Copy Cloner to keep a daily backup of my boot drive so that I always have a backup boot drive that isn't more than 24 hours old  It really helps avoid down time.
Report back on what works for you in your situation.
-Warren