Question mark folder on startup, Question mark folder on startup?

Have startup problem with question mark folder flashing on startup. How do I fix it?

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.
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 the Combo Updater for the version you prefer from support.apple.com/downloads/.

Similar Messages

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.

Blinking Folder Icon with Question Mark at startup - Is my HD dead?

I was uploading a .Mov file to my idisk when I got an error message - not sure what it said. But the screen dimmed, and then froze. I held down the power to power down - which it did.
When I fired it back up, I heard the startup sound - then the screen went white. A gray folder icon appears with a question mark over it - and it blinks.
I tried powering down again and unplugging, and also powering on with all peripherals unplugged. Again I get the white screen, folder icon and question mark.
That .Mov was being uploaded as a freelance project for Google due tomorrow morning. Great timing! Am I screwed?
Thanks!
Gordon

I booted from the Mac OS X Install disk and opened the Disk Utility.
The options for disks to repair are
1. The Mac OS X Install Disk 1
2. A drive that's simply labeled "Media."
Is this "Media" disk my HD? I'm not getting any options to repair the disk.
Disk Description: Media
Connection Bus: Serial ATA 2
Connection Type: Internal
Total Capacity: 0 Bytes - that doesn't sound good.
Write Status: Read/Write
Again, thanks for your help.
G

Help please! My macbook air (2015) startup showed a folder with question mark so i tried "Command R" for internet recovery but after few minutes it stopped and showed error.. Please hepl me!

Help please! My macbook air (2015) startup showed a folder with question mark so i tried "Command R" for internet recovery but after few minutes it stopped and showed error.. Please hepl me!

Startup – Question Mark
Startup Issues - Resolve
Startup Issues - Resolve (2)
Startup Issues - Resolve (3)

My screen has gone blank on startup and occasionally a grey folder with a question mark appears. I have tried rebooting either by pressing the start up with power or pram.. Neither attempts have worked ! My iMac is 2008. Please help :)

My screen has gone blank on startup and occasionally a grey folder with a question mark appears. I have tried rebooting either by pressing the start up with power or pram.. Neither attempts have worked ! My iMac is 2008. Please help :)

Hey Carolinearnold!
I have an article for you that seems to address this issue and can provide some troubleshooting steps for you:
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts2570
Thanks for using the Apple Support Communities. Have a good one!
-Braden

At startup see a folder with a question mark

At startup I see a folder with a question mark and the system will not boot. Loaded install disk but it can not find the hard drive?

Mac Said:
Additional steps
If your Mac still starts to a flashing question mark, follow the steps below. If any step resolves the issue, you don't need to continue to the next one.
Select your Mac OS X startup disk with Startup Manager by restarting and holding the Option key. After your Mac starts up, restart again to verify that the flashing question mark does not appear.
If the issue persists, insert your Mac OS X installation disc. 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.
MacBook Air note: On a MacBook Air, there are two options for starting up from Mac OS X media: Either connect a MacBook Air SuperDrive to the MacBook Air via the USB port and restart the computer, holding down the C key during startup, or use Remote Install Mac OS X to startup from a system software DVD that's located on a partner computer. Once started up from Mac OS X media, skip to step 3.
Restart the computer, then hold the C key during startup.
From the Utilities menu, choose Disk Utility. Don't click Continue.
Select your Mac OS X disk (named "Macintosh HD" by default) in the left side of the Disk Utility window.
Click the First Aid tab.
Click Repair Disk to verify and repair any issues with your Mac OS X startup disk.
After repairing the disk, try to start up normally.
Important: If Disk Utility finds issues it cannot repair, you may need to back up as much of your data as possible (or use Time Machine to back up to a different disk), then erase the disk and reinstall Mac OS X. You should back up important files and data before erasing a drive. Erasing deletes everything on the hard disk (including things on your desktop). Also, you can install Mac OS X onto an external disk, start from the external disk, and use Migration Assistant to transfer items from your usual internal Mac OS X startup disk to the external disk, then erase the internal disk and reinstall Mac OS X.
If the issue persists, and Disk Utility didn't find any irreparable issues, quit Disk Utility, quit the Installer, select your disk when prompted, and restart.
If the issue continues, reset PRAM. Note: After resetting PRAM, if the computer starts up normally, reselect the startup disk in the Startup Disk preferences.
If none of these steps resolve the issue, start up from the Mac OS X Installation disc and reinstall Mac OS X.
if none of this works but you have to format the entire disk, which is not very fun forsomeone, and if you have important data on your disk that you need, how do you do?
yes I have a solution, but I do not recommend it unless you know what you're doing,
ask a technician who is this he will help you safely, otherwise send a pm to me.
first a little info about me, I'm IT technician then a couple of years and have never beena fan of the mac, and will probably not be there, because I think that off "giant optimized"systems have no security, personally, I want the mac to be release an update so it forcing / or remind the user to backup with time machine, so no I will not get me one of your machines, enough about that, I had a client who had this problem, (ps / something allhave to remember is that all customers are idiots and do not know what a computer realy are, that is why it remains "the rule 101"!
His desk was this apoblemet, and I am recommending not to open up his mac becausethis would guarantee his disappearance, he had also no backups at something so long story short, he was fu ***,,
However, he had all his business accounts on the computer and much much more, so hemade the choice to give me permission to open up the machine, I went through all theguides that were on the Internet and Disk Utility was not helpful at all, nor disk Wari disc to start up, even when I plug in the drive as an external drive on another mac wanted itabsolutely does not come up.
However, so when I connected the disk in a PC with Windows 7, install a program thatmade it possible to see the disk in my computer but could not go into it because then it said that there was something wrong, but then I thought for a bit spruce, windows can see all unknown hard disk format "RAW" guidelines for adding, then it's just to make a RAW backup (google it) and Woll! now i have a copy of all his data, would also like to point out that this may take time, so be patient.
[would also like to point out that if you choose to open the your mac, there is great risk that your warranty disappear, do so at your own risk!],
so if you really have to have a backup of data you need the following;
a PC whit windows
a Controller that convert SATA to USB
a program that makes creating a driver for HFS + disks
a back-up software for RAW drives
and last but certainly not least, patience.
/J

MacBook won't startup - question mark in folder - is Hard Drive the problem

My 10 month old MacBook 2.0 gHz running 10.4.9 will not start-up. After 9 days of running with just putting it to sleep (once a log-out, log-in); I came down after breakfast to see the screen-saver -- but nothing else. OK I usually do a restart every 1-4 days, so now's the time.
That's when I hear a slight click-tack, click-tack and after 20-30 seconds see the folder with the Question Mark.
I've tried starting with control-command keys held down; tried resetting the PRAM and even resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)-- but nothing works--
I have lost only about 48 hours of information, as I have a backup from late 9 April 2007 (with 17 years of information...)-- and I am using SuperDuper! to transfer that to my G3-733 -- to one of the 2 hard drives I have on that Mac.
BUT WHAT about the data I've lost-- 2 days is not the end of the world, but the apple service store near me says it will take 10-15 days to get my MacBook serviced...
I PLAN TO PURCHASE DISKWARRIOR 4 in a few hours and try that. BUT since Disk Utility cannot see the hard drive (likely it has 'crashed', right? There is essentially nothing to see, right?-- I don't know how my $100 towards DiskWarrior is going to help or??
ANY SUGGESTIONS APPRECIATED.
Thanks and regards,
Steve Schulte on 12 April 2007

Well thank you again and I've clicked on SOLVED here-- You really have made my day (after I thought it had been ruined!) Writing to you from Belgium, it's nearly 6pm and the MacBook goes to the shop tomorrow.
Fortunately with SuperDuper! I have essentially lost nothing other than 2 days of out-going eMails and some other reports-- and now incremental backups will be a DAILY event!
One last idea: Is there any way to possibly activate the hard drive? I mean it stopped working while just sitting there-- it's not like I dropped it or anything-- just sitting on the coolpad! If I could just get it to spin I could (maybe) copy the data-- the computer works fine otherwise-- I've booted from an external HD with 99% of the files saved (as previously mentioned)-- just too bad...
OK "Live and Learn, or at least you live..."
Again-- super help-- thanks!
Steve
12 April 2007

Blinking folder with a question mark at startup.

Dear all.
I am a newby with Macs and I just found an iMac G3 266Mhz. (Why anybody would throw a Mac away is beyond me but anyhow)
When starting up I just get a blinking folder with the question mark.
I can start up with an CD of Mac OS 9.2 but when wanting to install the software I get an error message about my firmware not being up to date etc etc... when going through the things I have to do for an firmware upgrade I get an error message saying disk locked....By browsing through these pages I found that that was most likely due to starting up from the CD.
But now I'm not able to start up from any other folder then the CD.
If I select to start up from the hard disk I just get the folder icon with the question mark again.
Please please please can anyone help me....or I am doomed to using PC´s forever.
Irol

Hi Irol
You're in a sort of catch 22 situation. You have to run the firmware upgrade while running from the HD.
Anyway. Try this
Start up from the CD as you did before then copy the firmware update app onto your hard drive .
While running from the CD open the HD and look for the "System Folder"
What does it look like? Is it a plain folder or is it a folder with the picasso face?
It should have the picasso face.
If it's a plain folder do this.
Open it and locate a file called "System" - it will have the picasso face. Drag the file out of the system folder onto your desktop.
Now close the system folder.
Now with one swift action - drag the picasso file and drop it onto the closed system folder - do it quickly so that the folder doesn't open. Then wait a moment.
The picasso face should appear on the systgem folder. Now try starting the mac normally.
Does it work?
If so, run the firmware updater. There are two versions, one for a tray loader and one for the slot loader. It you get the wrong one it will tell you, It will also tell you if the firmware is up to date.
Anyway, if you can't start the mac other than from the CD it is most likely that there is some corruption on the disk. A good tool to use is Diskwarrior - it's a bit expensive but it's a staple of my toolkit - it's far more efficient than both Norton and Techtool.
Another alternative - but probably more difficult. is to run from an 8.6 or 9.0 CD if you can find one - ebay?
Just to say - the flashing question mark is the system's way of saying "I cannot find a valid start-up folder"
Hopefully one of the above will get you going.
The fact that you can start the mac up from the CD says that the mac itself is OK - I wonder if it was thrown away because the owner couldn't sort it out.

Instead of an apple, I get a file folder with a question mark!

Hi. I turned on my MacBook today, and instead of the apple popping on to the screen after a few seconds, I got something that looks like a file folder with a question mark in the middle of it. Then it starts to flash! Turned it off with the power button, tried again a few times...same result. Anyone know what to do? Thanks

If the computer starts up after a brief delay, you probably just need to reselect your startup volume. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences. Click Startup Disk and select the the desired startup volume.
If your computer does not start up, try repairing your startup disk and reselecting your Mac OS X startup volume. Click the link below for the webpage with detailed instructions.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

HT1310 when i starst my mac i get a flashing folder with a question mark. i tried rebooting and holding the option button then i get 2 boxes, one with a refresh arrow and one with a forward arrow neither of them seem to do anything. now what

when i starst my mac i get a flashing folder with a question mark. i tried rebooting and holding the option button then i get 2 boxes, one with a refresh arrow and one with a forward arrow neither of them seem to do anything. now what

Here is an article that describes what it is supposed to do:
Startup Manager: How to select a startup volume
If no Volumes are shown, it is telling you there are no potentailly bootable Volumes attached. That means your boot drive has died or the bootable image on it is unrecognizable.
What Mac Pro ? by year, GHz, number of processors, screen size?
What Mac OS X ?

MacBook Air will not reboot. A file folder with a question mark in the center of it appears. What is the problem?

MacBook Air will not power on or reboot. A file folder with a question mark in the center of it appears. What is the problem?

Go step by step and test.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440
Startup Manager to select Startup disk.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310
Repair Disk
Steps 2 through 8
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
Reset PRAM.
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
Reinstall OS X
If this does not help, contact Apple.
Best.

I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

Did you move any system files? It's looking for the system folder. You can startup from the system CD by inserting the CD and restarting the computer and at the same time hold down the C key. The computer will boot from the CD. At that point run the disk utility and check your hard-drive. It the problem persists then do a fresh clean install of the system folder and that should help you get back on track.
Good Luck.

I have a problem with lion. My MacBook pro froze and now I get a gray folder with a question mark.

I recently upgraded to lion but my screen just froze. I had to shut it down by holding the power button down. Every time I tried to start it again I got a grey folder with a question mark and couldn't do a thing. I' ve been told to restore snow leopard but I dont want to loose my files or email. What can I do?

Boot from your recovery partition. Check and if necessary repair your startup volume with Disk Utility. You may need to reinstall Lion.
OS X Lion: About Lion Recovery

TS1812 Hi Everyone, I have tried all the solutions mentioned by apple and still have a white screen with a blinking file folder with a question mark in the center, anyone have any ideas or experienced this?

Hi Everyone, I have tried all the solutions mentioned by apple and still have a white screen with a blinking file folder with a question mark in the center, anyone have any ideas or experienced this?

Nooo or you would use OS X Recovery Mode: Disk Utilty and then Startup Disk.
Mac OS X & Mountain Lion Community
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os
https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os/os_x_mountain_lion?view=discussio ns
Recovery Mode
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718
ExpressLane
https://expresslane.apple.com/
Mac OS X Help
http://www.apple.com/support/macbasics/
Isolating Issues in Mac OS
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1388
https://www.apple.com/support/osx/
https://www.apple.com/support/quickassist/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/help/
http://www.apple.com/support/mac101/tour/
Get Help with your Product
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304725

My iMac has a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle. What does that mean?

My iMac is completely unresponsive. Whenever I restart it, it's just a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle. What does this mean?

this means the mac cannot find the startup disc. which more times than not means you need a hdd replacement.
try starting holding the option key, then using utilities try to repair the disc.

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.

Question mark folder on startup, Question mark folder on startup?

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