My MacBook won't start up. Get folder icon with ? In it. Ideas.... Thanks

My MacBook won't start up. I get a folder icon with a "?" in it. Any ideas? Thanks.

The MacBook cannot find a startup disk...could be a corrupted hard drive or failed hard drive. If you have the install disk for your Mac OS X, you show 10.5.8, try booting holding the C key so you startup on the installation disk. If that works, use disk utility to see if you can do a repair of the internal hard drive and fix system files that are bad, or even do a reinstall so you cleanup bad files.
If that does not work, then a trip to the Apple store genius bar to have the hard drive checked out and possibly replaced.

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MacBook won't start - shows flashing folder icon with question mark

When I attempted a Spotlight search, my MacBook froze. I shut it down, and when I start again I get the sound, the blue screen, and then a flashing folder icon with a question mark. I tried starting with Option pressed down; didn't work, and now I don't even get the flashing folder icon, just the blue screen. Any suggestions?

The flashing folder with question mark means the computer can't find a working OS on the computer. This may mean your hard drive has failed.
Try holding the Shift key while starting up the machine. This puts the machine into Safe Mode.
If you have your install discs, insert Install Disc 1 and start up the computer while holding down the C key. When the Installer has loaded, choose a language. From the Utilities menu, choose *Disk Utility*. Does your hard drive show up here? If so, click on its icon (the one with manufacturer name & capacity, NOT "Macintosh HD"), and then click on the *Repair Disk* button.
If booting in Safe mode doesn't help or you don't have your install discs, you need to bring the computer to an Apple store and have the folks there look. If Disk Utility doesn't list your hard drive, it has very likely failed and will need to be replaced. If your machine is out of warranty, you're better off replacing it yourself, as it's very easy to do.
~Lyssa

Imac not starting up getting folder icon

imac not starting up getting folder icon

i got the same sithuation ..
apple icon and stop icon and folder icon alternating .. on grey screen.
I tried a NVRAM / PRAM reset using Option + Command + P + R buttons (hence refered to as "combo")
Press and hold the combo when you start the mac .. before the grey screen appears.ystem second time ..
keep holding until the mac restarts again (takes about 5-6 sec).
voila

I Mac won't start -- we get apple logo with spinning wheel, question mark that disappears and then a blank blue screen

My daughter's old I Mac won't start. It is not backed up. We want to get some things off of it if we can.
When we turn it on, we get the Apple logo with spinning wheel for awhile, then a question mark briefly and then a sky blue blank screen. Is there any hope of getting this to work? This computer is out of warranty. Does it seem that if we reinstall the Operating System we might find old data?

First try restarting with the original install disc an run Disk Utility to repair the drive. If you have to re install the OS make sure you select archive and install or else everything will be lost.

Changed out internal harddrive, now getting folder icon with ? when booting. What to do now?

See subject

First, shut down.
1. Boot from install disc (press power button, immediately insert install disc and hold down c key).
2. Select your language.
3. Open Disk Utility from Utilities menu.
4. Select the HD in the left pane (the manufacturer’s name and the HD model number).
5. Click on the Erase tab.
6. Choose the Format: Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
NOTE: if you want to zero the HD (which I always think is a good idea, but does take time), click on Security Options, click the button for Zero Out Data, click OK. The larger the HD, the longer this will take, in some cases several hours.
7. Click on Erase and wait for the entire process to finish.
8. Click the Partition tab.
9. Click on Volume Scheme and choose the number of partitions (normally just one unless you have other plans).
10. Click on the Options button (located underneath the Volume Scheme pane) and select GUID.
11. Click Apply.
12. Quit Disk Utility and continue with the installation process to install OS X; when finished, restart, repair permissions, run updates (in Apple Menu > Software Update), and repair permissions again.

My macbook won't start up, it gets stuck on the blue screen. can it be fixed? i suspect a hacking due to a strange phone call earlier which i thought was a scam.

my macbook won't start up, it gets stuck on the blue screen. can it be fixed? i suspect a hacking due to a strange phone call earlier which i thought was a scam.

Reinstall OS X 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.

My MacBook won't start up. After turn it on I get a grey screen with an apple in center and a circle below with lines around it and a blank bar below that. How can I get it to get beyond this screen?

MacBook won't start. After I power up, I get a light grey screen with an apple in the middle, a circle with lines moving around it and a blank grey bar below that. It won,t get beyond this. Please offer suggestions.

I have the exact same problem and waited it out and got to my homescreen. Whateve the problem is fried my bluetooth and my trackpad. I tried starting it again and couldn't even get to homescreen, it stayed on the bluescreen with the wheel of death. So, I took it to genius bar today. I was informed that my logic board is fried and it needs to be replaced. $300 repair that I'm looking at...

Macbook won't start, just a flashing folder w/ "?" appears

macbook won't start, just a flashing folder w/ "?" appears
this happens after it hanged-up and I turned off the power

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 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.

White MacBook won't start up.

My MacBook won't start up at all. Before it completely went haywire, it would just freeze and the whole computer would be frozen and . It wouldn't even let you "force quit". Most of this happened when I opened iTunes. Now when I start it, the gray screen comes up, it shows the little apple sign, then goes gray with a circle with a line through it. I tried starting it up with the utility disk and holding down the "C" key, and instead of the circle it has a question mark inside a file sign and flashes. Now I have no idea how to get the disk out and my computer is useless. Please help me.

Hi,
*"question mark inside a file sign and flashes"*
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Flashing question mark can mean several things. One the drive is failing or failed. Two, it can mean that your Mac can't find a system folder to boot from. Try booting while holding down the Option key which prompts the Startup Manager window. If that doesn't work, it's time to replace the drive.
Carolyn

Macbook won't start up while firewire audio interface is plugged up

I have a m-audio firewire solo and a presonus firebox, both firewire interfaces. My macbook won't start up when either is plugged up. If I restart with it plugged up I just get a grey screen. When I disconnect it I boot up fine. Is this normal or is something wrong here?

Wire Bus:
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
FW Solo:
Manufacturer: M-Audio
Model: 0x10062
GUID: 0xD6C0B007E03B7
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
FW Solo Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10001
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D

Macbook won't start - apple icon turns to circle with diagonal line/slash

My Macbook won't start. When I turn on the power, the apple icon appears but then after a while it changes to a circle with a diagonal line/slash, then it just shows a gray screen.
The last time I used the computer I did several software updates. Could this be causing the problem? Any suggestions for getting my computer operating again?
Thanks for any help/advice.

Yup, i encountered the same experience after a strange failed USB-loading, and a sudden shutdown of my macbook.
Luckily i manage to "safe-boot" (pressing "Shift" key once starting up the mac) my macbook so that i can save the necessary files before will lose them all.
After that i popped-in my SL Installation DVD, and did the reinstallation process. Fortunately, everything works as charm and everything is back to normal after Spotlight has done it's hard work.
Happy Apple user once again.

After installing latest update Macbook won't start up.

After installing the latest update my macbook won't start up. Instead of the login screen I get a flashing map icon with a question mark. My uncle says that means it can't find the startup disk and I had to startup from the install disk holding C but it didn't work. I'm quite desperate because I need my macbook for school (writing & producing music). I type this on a friend's computer... How can I fix this? Or do I really have to go to a mac store and part from my macbook for an unknown time...? :'(
I don't exactly know what version I have (can't check it now either) but it's at least 10.6.something and I always install the updates...

Hi
Anything unusual happen during the 10.5.3 update installation phase?
What type of iMac are you using? Your tag says G5 but also Intel core processors - it can't be both.
Try this:
-First unplug your computer and wait 10 minutes
-Next, simultaneously reinsert the power cord while pressing the power button for 5 seconds then release
-Press the power button again to start the computer - this resets the computer's system management unit (SMU) which controls your machines power functions.
-Next, press/hold down the P/R/option/command keys for 3 Apple chimes. This clears the machine's PRAM. After the 3rd chime release those keys and immediately hold down the Shift key to put the machine into Safe User Mode
-If you get to a log-in screen (may take several minutes as repair functions are occurring on the boot), log-in. When the login is complete, restart the computer as usual.
If no go, I suggest taking the machine to a certified Apple tech, or if you live near an Apple store to the Genius Bar.
Post back
Message was edited by: Hawaiian_Starman

How do I backup all my files if my Macbook won't start up?

So a few days ago, my dad and I got into a fight - he reacted by pouring coffee all over my macbook, then continuously slammed it on the floor. There wasn't really much I could do for my macbook then, except the basic procedure of powering it off, turning it upside down, then waiting for a couple of days to use it. Luckily enough, my macbook was able to turn on, but it got stuck on the logo screen and couldn't go any further than that.
I had already planned to diagnose my macbook after an earlier water spill, and spent over $500 on tools/replacements. I bought an external hard drive to backup my computer files with before diagnosing it - but now I can't really do that since my macbook won't start up. Is there any way I can boot it up just to back up my files before they get lost forever?

yes, the HD contains all you data, SEE PIC BELOW of macbook
Do you have 2 HD in your macbook? Some macbooks are modified and have removed DVD/Superdrives and contain a second hard drive (if you didnt do that, it isnt in there)
The HD itself is sealed, however the internal armature and heads are fragile, these are like records and needle.
obviously torturing these HD heads is like shaking an old record player with its needle and arm (bad idea)
The HD is like a metal sealed box (in simple explanation)....which is GOOD.....since liquid doesnt get in there...
what is BAD is what is inside that box is fragile
also what is bad is that the underside of that "BOX" contains a control board which CAN get ruined by nasty liquids.
if this was also possible to do with the hard drive.
No, dont think of putting any liquid ON / IN the HD, ..as said the HD is sealed, but it does have a circuit board on it (controller board) you cant see in this pic above,.....nasty liquid on it can of course fry the ability to access the data ON the HD platters inside......data recovery experts can get around this,....so can I, but its costly and very "painful" to do.
see picture of that control board here> http://www.irisvista.com/tech/laptops/Toshiba-Portege-R500/small/remove-hard-dri ve-10sm.jpg
inside of a HD:

If my MacBook won't start, is there a way to access my data without replacing the battery? Someone mentioned removing the hard drive?

I'm assuming that my MacBook won't start because it's been spilled on... It's happened once before and when I brought it in, all that was needed was a battery replacement. I have a brand new MacBook Pro and all I really want is my pictures, videos, music & other documents from my old MacBook.. Is there a way of getting all of that without buying a new battery, and then using Mavericks to switch over everything? A friend suggested that I just get all of it from the hard drive, but I don't really know much about that. Help?

If you can take the computer to somewhere or someone who has a known-good battery, and if the MacBook is dry, you could tell in quick order if a replacement battery would be worth it. Likely, you won't have been as fortunate more than once; electricity and water don't mix well, and short circuited or fried electronics result.
{There used to be a way to access one Mac from another if you could get the bad one to boot into Target Disk mode, but Intel-based macs didn't always work; they both needed FireWire ports & correct cable. If In an enclosure, you may be able to use a migration assistant utility.}
An authorized service tech with Apple certification in portable computers should be able to remove the internal hard disk drive, install it into an external enclosure, & test it, for a fee; once in an enclosure it may be accessed to see if the hard drive's data files on the drive, or at least sees them. Labor + parts?
Once the hard disk drive is removed, your user files would still have whatever account password protection needed to access them, but there are ways to migrate data from drives into another computer; in some cases the information on this may be tilted toward using a device you don't have, such as a Time Machine. If the data had been backed up on a Time Machine, it may have been possible to get it from that device using a method available in a Support article and put directly into another Mac.
If the computer has failed due to contact with moisture or a drink pouring over it, more than once, it may require more than a new battery to see if it'd work well enough to run and get data from its hard disk drive. You may pay quite a bit of money to have someone do anything at all.
How long ago did the MacBook get wet again? If several weeks ago, it may be dry inside. But may be damaged and the main logic board short-circuited or toast. So, it may not work even with the MagSafe attached due to other damages beyond a new battery. That could be a waste of money to buy one.
There are repair guides at http://ifixit.com which may help you determine if you can extract the HDD from the failed MacBook, but even then you'd have to install it into a suitable USB enclosure to gain access to data. Some drive enclosures already have a hard disk drive inside, so try and get one that would work with the MacBook's SATA hard disk drive, and with no HDD installed. One less thing to do.
So I know only enough about it to be dangerous.
And to troubleshoot the old MacBook may not
be worth the cost, if logicboard now is toasted.
Maybe someone else can say it direct w/ less words? LOL
Good luck & happy computing!

My Brand New MacBook Won't Start Up!!!!!

My new MacBook won't start up - from the first time I ever switched it on!!!
All I have is a black screen, the sleep light is on either permanently or flashing and now the install disc is stuck in the drive and I can't get it out!
Help please!

From my experience, resetting the PRAM and PMU do not work in this situation, at least with my MacBook. I have a feeling that 10.4.7 update didn't flash correctly or the firmware is buggy in some way.

My MacBook won't start up. Get folder icon with ? In it. Ideas.... Thanks

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