My Mac Pro flashes the question mark and wont boot from hard drive, flash, or Cd... Please help!

My Computer froze so I shut it down... When I tryed to boot up again it wouldn't power up. After a few tweeks I got it to power up but now it wont boot from the hard drive, flash drive or a cd. It want to start, then, after a few seconds it stops. Not sher what to do. Can anyone help?

Have you tried Safe Boot?
You also might reset PRAM and reset SMC.
Have you tried booting with the Recovery System? See its possibilities here.
From there you can make repairs to your primary startup partition.
Do you have a backup? If not, do you have an external drive large enough to back up your primary drive? It would be good to have one in case your drive needs repair or replacement.

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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 upgraded the OS on my iMac to Lion from the App store; and after installation, it restarted and now the operating system won't start up.... it keeps displaying the apple/folder with a question mark and a circle with a line through it! Please help!

I upgraded the OS on my iMac to Lion from the App store; and after installation, it restarted and now the operating system won't start up.... it keeps displaying the apple/folder with a question mark and a circle with a line through it! Please help!

Try starting up with your Snow Leopard DVD and see if the disk can be repaired. Once you are at the installer screen go to the Utilities Menu and choose Disk Utility and choose repair disk. You might also want to try Diskwarrior.
Hope this helps.
Ben

Power Mac G4 400 MHz (AGP graphics) will not boot from hard drive

I have a Mac G4 400 MHz (AGP graphics) Machine Model: PowerMac 3.1 CPU Type:PowerPC G4 (2.8)
When I try to boot from the hard drive I get the folder with the flashing question Mark. The Machine will start up from the OSX 10.4 installer disk.
The system was running OSX 10.4.9 fine. I began to have problems with the hard drive, so I replaced it with an old Maxtor 5T040H4 40Gig Apple branded drive that I had sitting around.
The drive is jumpered (r50) for Master/Single.
I erased the drive in the old G4 using disk utility and wrote all zeros. I then used my store bought Tiger 10.4 install disk to install 10.4 on the drive.
After restarting I still get the flashing question mark. If I leave the Install disk in the DVD drive the system will attempt to install again.
I have zapped the PRAM, pressed the CUDA button, removed the battery and let the system sit unplugged for over and hour and it still will not boot from the hard drive.
To test the drive I removed it and put it in a Granite Digital firewire enclosure and connected it to another mac. The drive shows up and the system appears to be installed correctly.
What am I forgetting to do? Does anyone have any suggestions.
Thanks in advance.
Wesley G.

Hi! If Tom's solution doesn't work I would reboot from the install disc and then partition the drive as 1 partition instead of erasing it. Sounds like the driver on the disk is too old and installing a new partition map should write a new driver to the drive that is compatible with Tiger. Other than that it is possible that the drive has a spin delay jumper enabled and the drive isn't spinning up fast enough and the computer isn't looking long enough for the drive. Tom

IMac G5 iSight, flashing question mark, won't boot from CD

iMac G5 iSight, flashing question mark, won't boot from CD

Your hard drive has probably died. The ? means that the machine can't find any drive to boot to.

HT201364 Hi friends, I have a Mac Pro OS X 10.5.8, I want to upgrade newer version its possible, please help to get a solution thanks

Hi friends, I have a Mac Pro OS X 10.5.8, I want to upgrade newer version its possible, please help to get a solution
thanks
Mujeeb

See options below:
Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mavericks if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.
Upgrading from Snow Leopard to Lion or Mavericks
To upgrade to Mavericks you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8, Lion, or Mountain Lion installed. Purchase and download Mavericks (Free) from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
     OS X Mavericks- System Requirements
       Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mavericks
         1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) — Model Identifier 7,1 or later
         2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) —
             Model Identifier 5,1 or later
         3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) — Model Identifier 2,1 or later
         5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         7. Xserve (Early 2009) — Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
Are my applications compatible?
         See App Compatibility Table — RoaringApps.
Upgrading to Lion
If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mavericks, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
You can purchase Lion at the Online Apple Store. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
     Lion System Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
           or Xeon processor
       2. 2GB of memory
       3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
       4. 7GB of available space
       5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.

I've accidentally closed my program sequence at the top. And now I can't get it back. Please help

I've accidentally closed my program sequence at the top. And now I can't get it back. Please help. All my source, timeline, sequences are blank...

Go to the Media Panel and double click on the sequence.

My Macbook doesn't turn on, it just show a white screen and after a while a question mark blink, I cannot click the question mark, and cannot do anything. Any suggestions?

Hi, my Macbook doesn't turn on, it just show a white screen and after a while a big question mark blinks but nothing else, cannot click the question mark, cannot do anything.Also it makes a funny noise. Any suggestions?

Suppose it's a HDD crash. Boot from Install DVD which came with your MacBook(Press C during startup) and open DiskUtility to repair your HDD if it's able to mount.

IBook G3 flashing question mark/won't boot from disc

I recently bought a used iBook, and I knew that the hard drive was bad. No big deal, just replace the HD and reinstall OS X, right? Not quite. I'm still getting the flashing question mark, and the CD won't boot. I reset the PRAM, etc. Still nothing. Held down alt/option at start up. It recognizes that the OS X disc is there, but still won't boot it. It just shows me a smiling computer with a spinning rainbow CD looking thing in the upper left corner. At this point I'm thinking it might be a failed optical drive, or the ribbon might not be seated properly (Entirely possible, since the retard that owned this before obviously took it apart at least once. Half of the screws are missing). Am I correct in this assumption, or is there something else I should be looking for?
Edit: I have 256MB of RAM, a combo drive, and am using a 10.1.3 disc.
Message was edited by: InVenereVeritas

Well, that iMac has a G3 processor and I see it's running OS X, so if you can get the iBook working, that is about what you can expect from it.
There was a later G4 processor (in iBooks and iMacs), and the end of the PowerPC iMacs had a G5 processor in them, but that processor ran too hot for a portable — a main consideration in Apple's decision to switch to Intel processors.
Surfing the web may be a trifle difficult with it, depending somewhat on the speed of your internet connection.
The MacBooks are a phenomenal improvement over the iBooks (even the iBook G4). There's no way around it — the Intel processors are just so much faster. I wince a bit when I hear someone say they're basing a future purchase decision on the performance of such an old model as this. It's simply not an accurate representation of what modern Macs are like.
Comparing Mac OS X 10.2.4 to Mac OS X 10.6.7 is a bit like comparing Windows 98 to Windows 7.

Flashing question mark, utilities won't find hard drive

On an iMAC DV 400, 640MB ram running OS10.4.5, I tried to install an OS9 folder, so I could run some classic software. Started install, but a pop-up message gave the impression that the install would write over my OSX, so I aborted the install to re-check the instructions and reassure myself that all would be fine. From that point on, I got the flashing question mark. The computer will boot to OS9 or OSX install disks, but disk first-aid (on 9) does not find the disk and disk utilities (on X) finds it but will not let me repair the disk. Tried resetting PRAM, but it did not help. I am still on the original 10GB harddrive, so am considering an upgrade anyway, but would prefer to save this one if possible.
Grateful for any suggestions.
Lemmer
iMac DV 400 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Lemmer,
re: "will eventually boot to X" and "just keeps flashing that questions mark"
A question mark at boot up I believe usually means that the computer is looking for the system folder and cannot find it.
Look here and the last resort.
What happened when you tried holding the "x" key during startup without the cd in? Did it just go to the question mark?
littleshoulders [:-)

Macbook pro flashing question mark folder, won't recognize hard drive

My 2010 macbook pro froze and after restarting I was greeted with a flashing question mark folder. I then restarted again and held down "option" key and went into Mac OS X utilities then into disk utilities. In disk utilities, my only drive options are "superdrive" "disk0" and a subfolder of "disk0" labeled "Mac OS x Base system". My hard drive is no where to be seen. I also tried to install a new hard drive but the same thing happened, the computer could not recognize that there was a hard drive present. What can I do to fix this??

Hi bigdubee,
The exact same thing happened to my 2010 MacBook Pro today. Restarting with the "option" key held down, I get only 2 of the 3 options you listed in disk utilities ("disk0" and a subfolder of "disk0" labeled "Mac OS x Base system".
Did you take your Macbook Pro to the Apple store? And were they able to fix it?

Flashing question mark, won't boot from CD

This is a children's emac and the 4 year old put lots of things into the trash. The clock keeps losing it's correct time (perhaps needs a new battery). I tried booting from the CD and I could get through the beginning couple of okay buttons until the install on desination disk. No volume appears. It's running panther. I get the flashing question mark upon restart. I have zapped the pram. What next? unplug keyboard and mouse? Thanks,
Anne Z

AnneZ,
Welcome to the Apple Discussions!
The clock losing the time (especially if the year is being set back) is a classic symptom that the PRAM battery needs to be replaced. The 1/2 AA 3.6v lithium battery is a stock item at places like Radio Shack or can be ordered online. Battery replacement instructions are at eMac - Do-It-Yourself.
Before trying an a href="http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107120" target=_blank>Archive and Install, with the computer booted from the OS X Install disc, go to the Installer menu and open Disk Utility. From the First Aid tab, you should see the hard drive in the window pane on the left; select it and click on the Repair Disk button. Take note of any errors. If erros are reported repaired, repeat Repair Disk until you either get a clean bill of health or an unrepairable error message. Post back with the results.
If the hard drive passes Repair Disk, continue with the Installer. After the restart, you'll likely need the Panther OS X 10.3.9 Combo Update. Following that, you can use System Preferences>Software Update to check for security updates. After that restart, open Disk Utility from Applications> Utilities and run Repair Permissions on the hard drive.

I had to erase and reinstall mavericks to hd, now i cannot boot up , i get a folder with flashing Q mark and i cannot boot from dvd drive...Ideas please

hi
its a long and sorry story, i have a imac running mavericks
a few days ago i noticed that the dvd drive was ejecting every disc i put in, so i decide to check hd with onyx and reset permissions etc
onyx said the smart status couldnt be checked and i should check hd using disk utility.
i did this and it came up that hd had errors , so i ran the repair facility....it came up with disk can not be repaired, reformat and reinstall mavericks
this i did.
i reinstalled mavericks into mac hd, which took about 3 hrs, i then rebooted and a folder with flashing Qmark appeared, i cant get past this at all.
i have tried to use internet recovery but it comes up with 6002f error, and the dvd drive still does not accept boot disk, so i am at a lose as to how to proceed
anybody got any ideas?
thanks
L

If your hard drive has SMART errors then it is failing and should be replaced. Disk Utility cannot fix SMART reported errors.

I can boot up my macbook pro but all i see is the wallpaper and the dock and the toolbar at the top. I can not see my hard drive or anything else. please help

Please help. I can boot up my macbook pro and log in but after that all i see is the wallpaper, toolbar and the dock. In the dock it has 2 ? where the doc and download folders should be. If I open up a new finder window it doesnt show anything in there no hard drive or anything. If anyone konws how to help let me know please and thank you.

Agree with baltwo, though even if you have saved the install app I wouldn't use it unless its been used to install a known good copy of the OS already.
In your case, that probably means start fresh:
Restart the computer, holding down 'command' and 'r'. When the recovery disk window shows, choose 'Reinstall Mac OS X'.

Folder with question mark upon bootup with new hard drive

I've decided to be bold with upgrading the hard drive on my Macbook and go from a 60gb to a 120gb drive. I used Erase to format (I believe) the drive and used Super Duper to clone the drive (per the instructions found here: http://www.andybiggs.com/blog/?p=53). However upon startup, it will flash a folder with a question mark. Doing the digging - it's a symptom of not finding the OS.
A few questions:
1) Did I do anything wrong with regards to formatting the hard drive to make it bootable?
2) If the drive is made bootable, do I need to do anything to make the workstation recognize it?
3) If I need to go back and clone the drive again, is there better software than Super Duper?
Thanks,
Nick
Macbook blanc, 2gb ram Mac OS X (10.4.7)

1. You need to partition the disk using the GUID scheme to use the drive to start up your computer. In addition, the disk needs to be in one of the Mac OS Extended variants or in the UNIX File System format to use it; you should only use the UNIX file system if you have a specific reason to do so.
2. No.
3. You should stick with SuperDuper!.
(14253)

My Mac Pro flashes the question mark and wont boot from hard drive, flash, or Cd... Please help!

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