Question mark folder, but can use it as startup disk for other machines

I have an old iBook G3 which I have put a new hard drive in, reformatted and installed Tiger. I installed Tiger off another iBook as the combo drive in this book is currently broken. When I attempt to boot the computer I get the folder with the alternating question mark and finder face. However, if I put my iBook in Target Mode, I can use it to boot my other iBook and a PowerMac G4 no problem.
I have tried resetting the PRAM, tried holding down the X key, tried holding down the option key (the boot volume does show up, but when I choose it nothing happens).
I'm completely lost as to what to do. I don't really need this computer, but I was going to keep it around for my friends' kids to use when they come over. Any help would be hugely appreciated.
Thanks!

Oh yes, I know, I did that too. Let me recap:
I have put the iBook G3 in Target mode, put the Tiger disc in my G4, installed Tiger to the G3. The computer completes the install and setup just fine and enters into the OS without issue. I then shut it all down, disconnect the firewire cable and reboot and G3 gives me the flashing folder/question mark.
I have put the G4 in Target mode with the Tiger disc in the drive and attempted to install to G3. No joy there either. And, actually, now that I think about it, I can't remember if I could ever get it to choose the install disc as a boot option...
If I hold down the option key, my drive shows up as a boot volume, but it will not boot. I can click on the drive, but nothing happens.
I have zapped the pram, as well as following all the other advice given on the Apple site, and still nothing.
If I put the ibook in Target mode, connect it to another computer and hold down the option key on the other computer, the iBook's startup disk shows as an option and, if chosen, successfully boots the other computer (so clearly the issue is not with the hd or with any physical connections within the computer).
This is making me insane! I appreciate any and all help on this.
Thanks!

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A Disk Tools PPC file can be found via Apple's Older Software Downloads list (http://www.info.apple.com/support/oldersoftwarelist.html).
http://download.info.apple.com/Apple_Support_Area/Apple_Software_Updates/English -North_American/Macintosh/System/Mac_OS_8.1_Update/Disk_Tools_PPC.img.bin
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Flashing question mark folder but wont take system disks

Hi there,
My friends macbook came up with the dreaded flashing question mark at start up. I used macs for quite a while so i said i'd have a look. Anyway, the mac won't take its system disks, keeps kicking them out and on target disk mode, there is no disk.
Don't know what to do from here, if it were mine id whip out the hard disk and try a new one but its not, so... they are the original os disks (tiger) that came with the macbook and the only os running on the mac. very frustrating.
i'm guessing if no disk shows up that all is probably lost on the drive.
any suggestion?

Hi,
Through Software Update I downloaded but did not install 10.5.3.
My Macbook is exhibiting exactly the same symptoms as yours Spike. It won't boot from the hard disk, or from CDs, and won't allow me to use target Firewire mode as the Keyboard doesn't appear to be working, the clicking noise may be have something to do with the non functioning keyboard.
There's something strange going on here, can anybody help at all ?
Cheers
Keith

Mac mini (late 2012) when booting shows flashing question mark folder

Hello, so after installing software update to my mac mini *late 2012* it froze for few mins so then I rebooted it and now it wont boot it shows flashing question mark folder, I can't use the boot buttons because it asks me for a frimware password and I dont remember setting one up so how can I fix it .

If you need to reset the firmware PW see:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-57542601-263/efi-firmware-protection-locks- down-newer-macs/

Flashing Question Mark Folder of Death

Hey Guys,
Needing help with my MacBook Air.
When I turn it on I get the flashing question mark folder. I've tried restoring the disks and restarting but it does nothing. I also tried to restore Mac OS X but about 2 minutes into the installation it tells me to restarts computer and when I do I'm back at square one.
I have a PC and I'm wondering of there's a way to download a startup disk into a USB and do it that way.
I'm out of ideas here, any help is mucho appreciated!

Help us help you - the more complete information we have the more assistance we can provide.
Yes - if you tried to install an old OS over an new one that can present problems.
You attempted a Restore boot? Did you restore from backup? Have you reformatted (wiped) the old HD before attempting to reinstall the OS (you will lose non-backed up data). If you haven't verified/repaired your SSD from Disk Tools your problem might be a scrambled or failed/failing SSD.

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

Which iBook do you have?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1772?viewlocale=en_US
Which version of the OS is installed, and which version are you trying to install?
You could try starting up with Startup Manager and see if it will allow you to select the OS X install disc as the startup disk. If so, maybe you can proceed from there. I would recommend repairing the hard drive first since you are evidently having a bit of a problem with it.

TS1440 Clicking sounds. No entry on start up. Slow. Error code 36. Finally question mark folder. I don't understand what's wrong with the thing I barely use it. Can you help?

Iv been having multiple issues with my mac. This comes as a surprise as I rarely use it.
Symptoms-
Clicking noises
Slow
Unresponsive
(Error code 36)
Question mark folder
I used single user mode to try and repair the disk through utilities but the option wasn't available. I then verified the disk and it came up with few error messages
-invalid leaf record count
-invalid directory item
-found corrupt and needs to be repaired
Unfortunately I don't have an instillation disk, I didn't get one when I bought the computer. I don't know what else to do.

If the Mac is running v10.7 Lion or v10.8 Mountain Lion ..
Startup your Mac while holding down the Command + R keys so you can access the built in utilities in OS X Recovery
From there you can repair the startup disk.

HT1310 I have a macbook pro about 4 years old. I can't get it to open past the flashing question mark folder. However, I just tried to hold down the option key and the question mark disappeared. Still, nothing...the light is on the screen but nothing e

I have a 4 year old macbook pro and when I turn it on, the screen and fan come on but there is a flashing question mark folder that appears. Nothing beyond that point....help?

There is no installed OS or you have a dead hard drive. Start by booting from the original installer disc that came with the computer or an installer disc that has a later version than the original such as a Snow Leopard DVD. Then you can do this:
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.

TS1440 I followed all of the directions after seeing that my laptop flashed the folder with the question mark. But when I went to disk utility to repair/ verify issues w/ start up disk it would not allow me to.button to repair/verify is there but cant be

I followed all of the directions after seeing that my laptop flashed the folder with the question mark. But when I went to disk utility to repair/ verify issues w/ start up disk it would not allow me to. The buttons to repair and modify we're there but they were grey and couldn't be pressed.

Were you trying to repair the disk you were booted from? You can't do that - you need to boot from your install disk, and choose 'Disk Utility' from the 'install' menu.

TS2570 i have an intel imac and im getting a grey sceen. I get the flashing question mark folder. iv changed the H.D 2x and tired to install a new os into it but no luck. The mac isnt going into safe mode or anything. help?

Intel imac 2009. Grey screen with question mark folder. Changed harddrives 3 times now. Tired 5 keyboards on all Usb ports and a hub and keyboard wont boot to startup or safemode of anything but hub gets power. disc drive wont eject or accept a disc cuz keyboard commands not being sent to computer. Help?

Keyboards must be connected directly to the USB port, not through a hub.
Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
Do the following:
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.
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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 the Combo Updater for the version you prefer from support.apple.com/downloads/.

I see that i have a problem after installing my new hard drive on my macbook pro mid 2009 version. I put a new hard drive, with all of my information from my old drive installed on it, into the computer. but now have the blinking question mark folder

i see that i have a problem after installing my new hard drive on my macbook pro mid 2009 version. I put a new hard drive, with all of my information from my old drive installed on it, into the computer. but now have the blinking question mark folder. I see that it means that it isn't reading the new hard drive.
did i miss a step between transferring all of my information from my old hard drive to the new hard drive and installing the new hard drive into the computer. I believe that i installed properly. it was quite easy.
thanks for your help

It means there is no bootable system on the drive. If you still have access to the old drive, then I suggest you boot from it then clone it to the new internal drive. Use OPTION boot to boot from the Recovery HD on the old drive:
Boot to the Recovery HD:
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.
     1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu then press the Continue
         button.
     2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
     3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
     4. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it
         to the Destination entry field.
     5. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to
         the Source entry field.
     6. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Source means the external old drive. Destination means the new internal drive.

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
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3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
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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.

Can't boot Macbook, Question Mark Folder

Hi everyone.
So yesterday I was using my macbook, and it apparently froze, so I turned it off manually and rebooted. It gave me the apple symbol, but then it turned into a circle with a slash through it.
I tried to boot it into safe mode, but that caused a kernel panic when the little loading circle underneath the apple appeared.
Now I just get a question mark folder.
please help.

Hey. You could try using FireWire Target Disk Mode (see http://www.tekserve.com/service/mac-faq/plugging-things-in/firewire-target-mode. php) for instructions, but this requires another Mac and it could cause more damage to the system. If you take it to an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, they may be able to recover the data more reliably for a fee. Sorry to hear about your problem, good luck getting your data off!
Jeremy A.
Tekserve Intern
As an intern at Tekserve, I may receive financial compensation for my recommendations and links.

Blinking question mark folder icon on startup (but not always!)

I recently obtained a new hard drive (Western Digital 80gb) and installed the Mac OS on a 500 mhz Cube; the DVD drive was not recognized but I removed the jumper on the drive pins rendering the disc a master and finally, the DVD drive was found so that I could perform the OS install. The problem is that if I start up the Cube after a long period of time having been OFF (e.g., 5 hours) there is the blinking question mark folder (Mac OS logo alternates with question mark). After 3-4 minutes, the startup disc is finally located. Now, if I do a cold restart a few minutes later, there is NO problem on startup. My startup issue always occurs after a longer period of time with the Cube having been OFF. There is a new battery installed, permissions are fixed, the drive checks out without problems with disc utility. What could be the problem?

Probably your PRAM battery is gone. This stores information such as your preferred startup disk. I know you said you put in a new battery but have you actually tested it? The computer being off for several hours really, really sounds like a bad battery. Also check the terminals both on the battery and in the machine aren't corroded and it is seated correctly.
[Texas Mac Man's PRAM, battery, PMU tutorial|http://www.geocities.com/texas_macman/pram.html]
[Apple's PRAM reset directions|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238]
If you have a digital multimeter you can check the condition of your present battery. It should read at least 3.2V if it is the 3.6V half-AA battery type. Ideally this should be measured while the battery is under load; added recommendation from Hans777:
I have recently found out that an exhausted battery will still indicate >3.6 V with a high internal resistance VM.
Checking incircuit: powercord disconnected press PMU reset button for >about 5 sec before measuring.
Checking outside: load the battery with a 1500 Ohm resistor when measuring.
[Resetting Cuda/PMU on Power Mac G5, Power Mac G4, Power Macintosh G3|http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86760]
Message was edited by: Limnos

Question mark folder on restart but boots fine on cold startup.

I'm having an issue with restarting my macbook. Every time I *restart* from the OS, I get a question mark folder flashing. When I start from a cold boot, however, I boot into my drive just fine.
I have a MacBook Pro 13" late 2012 and I've replaced the HDD with an SSD. The SSD is a Kingston 240 gb. I can provide more information if necessary.
Please help! It's an avoidable issue but it bothers me and I'd like to have it fixed.

jchung1029 wrote:
After much research, I've found the solution.
My SSD is a Kingston V300 240gb SSD. For some reason, it has trouble with restarts but a firmware update fixed the issue. Do NOT reset the NVRAM/PRAM as it will keep your Mac from successfully booting into your drive. I had to wipe the drive and start over as the Disc Repair utility did not work either.
Thank you all that responded!
urgh that sounds a little icky. Are PRAM resets still broken?
Do you know if this is an issue with specific Mac models or generally with this disk model & Macs. I'd be contacting the vendors to see if it can be exchanged or refunded, I'd be concerned it could alter how other startup actions behave too, like target disk mode (hold T), the boot picker (hold alt), single user mode (cmd + s)… Without these troubleshooting becomes much harder.

Question mark folder, but can use it as startup disk for other machines

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