Question Mark on Start Up Disk Icon

What is the meaning of a question mark on start up disk icon in system preferences?
I have clicked on icon, selected my start up disc and restarted but, question mark still appears on start up dick icon.
Thanx in advance for any help.
stewartpaul

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

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Flashing Question Mark At Start Up/ Disk Utility Not Working

I am having the old flashing question mark in a file show up when I try to start my computer. I went through a lot of the forums and I have attempted the Disk Utility. When I put the 10.3 install disk in and restart it takes me to the opening screen. If go to disk utility and start it and I have three options: 734.6 MB Pioneer DVD, Session 1, and Mac OSX Install Disk all with a CD icon by them. Not sure which one to pick. Even when I select any though, it does not give me the option to push the repair disk button. It is never available. Anyone know what to do here?

Exactly this happened to me two weeks ago. Unfortunately in my case it was a result of hard disk failure - my heads had burnt out and I had total data loss (I was fortunately backed up recently).
I would suggest taking your mac to a reputable computer firm, preferably Apple who can diagnose hard disk failure immediately. If that is the case you will need a replacement HD, which might be a good opportunity to expand HD size on your system (prices are always coming down; I took the opportunity to go from 60 to 120GB, for £140).
If you are not backed up and ABSOLUTELY NEED YOUR DATA then do NOT give your machine to Apple there and then however; despite assurances, you may never see your HD again, and at any rate once it has been removed it should be handled extremely carefully to prevent platter damage and compromising future data retrieval. It may not be treated with proper respect whilst a replacement is being fitted. Therefore take it to a data retrieval specialist first, who may also replace the HD for you anyway, at similar or lower cost. The cost of data retrieval is very variable but is generally about £500 if an 'invasive procedure' (HD repair) is necessary.
I hope this isn't your situation, but as I say these were exactly the symptoms of my HD failure 2 weeks ago.
Fulvio

Why is there a question mark on Start up disk?

Hello everyone,
So I turned on my computer and a flashing folder with a question mark appeared. I followed some intructions that I found here such as pressing the pressing the On button when I heard the start up tone but it took me to a I wanna say "back up" disk.. The original start up disk has a question mark in it and I cannot access to any of my original files etc. It's very frustrating. I have thought about taking it to the apple store but I want to know if there's a way where I can fix it myself. As you all know the apple store can be a bit pricey..
Thanks for your time.

Not good in most instances.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
This can happen when your Mac can't find a System Folder to boot from either because the startup disk is failing or failed.
Try starting up while holding down the Option key. Theoretically, that should prompt the Startup Manager window. Select the startup disk then click Restart.

Folder with question mark at start up

Why a, I ratting a blinking folder with a question mark at start up. My MacBook will not open beyond that. Is it a ram issue?

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'llsee 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.

Question mark on start up

how to solve or repair or load the start up program once you see the file question mark on start up

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.

Fleshing question mark on start up

Fleshing question mark at start up

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.

If I reset my Mac's PRAM and NVRAM because the question mark in starting up . Will that earase anything ?

If I reset my Mac's PRAM and NVRAM because the question mark in starting up . Will that earase anything ?

Hold the option key down and boot your computer, a row of icons appears, select your OS X and click the arrow
Once in, head to System Preferences > Startup Disk and select yours, this will tell the firmware again what your supposed to boot from.
If that doesn't work, then run through this list of fixes
Step by Step to fix your Mac

Why is there a question mark on my startup disk.

When I go to apple system preferences, there is a question mark on my startup disk. Why? and what should I do to resolve it.
I don't have any problem starting my ocmputer and using it.

in the system pref.
the top line ... "Show all, Display, Sound, Network,
Startup disk
my 'startup disk' has a question mark!
Right. That's fine. It's just telling you that you can click that icon to choose a different Startup Disk. That question mark is part of the icon for that preference pane.
I click on it and I get a"select the system.."
It shows my Mac OS 10.3.9 and Network Startup which
has a question mark
I do have OS selected.
and question mark on Network.
Is that correct?
Correct.
Now, where do I go to see my startup items?
Click on "Show All" in the System Preferences. Then Accounts down in the System section. Choose your account in the list at the left hand side, then choose the "Startup Items" tab on the right.
To remove an app from that list, select it and use the "-" button below. Unchecking it just means that if the application has a window, it'll be hidden at startup.
Thanks for all your help.
You're welcome.
cheers,
charlie

Folder with question mark + wont boot from disk

Hi
I am trying to reinstall a powermac g5 from the disk, using a old hard drive that works.. (formatted in NTFS) (hoping that when selected to boot from disk, mac will then erase and reformat it)this image is presented when i hold down the option key and the disk ejects this other image is presented when i hold down C (folder with question mark blinking) and the disk ejects... also presented if i boot normally.... Could some help be offered please??????
Powermac G5
Thank you in advance

Yes, you must Format it HFS+ first...
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu at top of the screen. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
*Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.*
How to format your disks...
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
(To Install OSX on an IntelMac the Drive it needs the GUID Partitioning scheme mentioned at the bottom.)
Thanks to Pondini, Formatting, Partitioning, Verifying, and Repairing Disks...
http://web.me.com/pondini/AppleTips/DU.html

I'm getting a question mark over my systems preferences icon

hello all,
I'm getting a question mark over my systems preferences icon and now I can't open it or my time capsule icon. I uninstalled a program and after that I started to experience this problem. Any idea what is going on and how I can solve the problem.
Thanks in advance
ACinLA

Check inside your Applications folder and see if you can find your System Preferences Application. If you can see there try and open it. If it works then drag it to the dock creating a new alias and remove the question mark. If you do not see System Preferences in the Applications folder then it may have been moved or even deleted. Try searching for it. If you find it move it back to the Applications folder.
George

Folder sybol with a question mark on start up

When I start up my G5 desktop I get a folder with a question mark on start up. I have seen this before when the computer cant find a start up but this sybol dissapears after a few seconds and the computer completes its start up. Can I get rid of this?
Many thanks
Alf

Yes, this happens if another startup volume was selected and not changed back after being disconnected from the system. Apple menu -> System Preferences -> Startup Disk is where startup volumes get selected. Go back there and change it to the volume you want to startup.

Why do I have a question mark on top of Ichat Icon

why do I have a question mark on top of Ichat Icon ?

Hi,
If this is in the DOCK it because that icon (and the links it has) have lost contact with the original app.
Open th Applications folder.
Drag iChat to the DOCK (Creates the icon and links)
If his displays properly drag the old one Off the DOCK and let go (Puff of smoke animation)
IF it is in the Applications folder that you see this then iChat is most probably broken in some way and you will have to reinstall it (I will needs to know which version for a more complete answer on that)
9:52 PM Wednesday; September 7, 2011
Please, if posting Logs, do not post any Log info after the line "Binary Images for iChat"
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb( 10.6.8)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
"Limit the Logs to the Bits above Binary Images."  No, Seriously

Initial startup with question marked folder with a disk already inside

Initial startup with question marked folder with a disk already inside

Reinstalling Lion/Mountain Lion Without Erasing the 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.
Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions: Upon startup select Disk Utility from the main menu. Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions as follows.
When the recovery menu appears select Disk Utility. 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 main menu.
Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Safari broken image link question mark in a blue box icon

The url I get the safari broken image link question mark in a blue box icon most often is "apple.com/startpage/". There may be 10 or 12 of them. However, most apple.com pages have at least 1. In fact I am looking at 1 right now. I have emptied the cache. I do not wish to reset Safari because I do not want to reenter all of the passwords to various sites. Is there a simple answer?
1.8 Ghz Power PC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.3) Safari 2.0.2

Hi Rex,
Who is your ISP and what addresses do you have set in the DNS section of your System Preferences -> Network preferences?
Have you tried logging into a different user account on your machine to see if that has the same problem? This will help us to know whether your problem is local to your account or system wide. If you don't have another account you can use System Preferences -> Accounts -> [+] to create a test one (and [-] to remove it if needed)
Also, do you use any third party internet software (Norton, Intego, etc.)?

Hard disc dead??? flickering folder with question mark on start up

I get a flickering folder with question mark on start up, and i cant get into mac osx.
I tried the hardware test and it detected no problems. Ive tried to do an install with the disc but no harddisc was detected to install it on.
I cant believe my harddisc is broken all my work is gone (backing doesnt help with configurations etc)

I know many of you don't understand english. Basicly what the articel tells us is that there is a problem with the harddrive due to a contruction caused error.
I would say please do something about it. Start a program to solve this problem
Thank you very much (my seagate still works, lets see for how long!!!
Der Festplatten- und Datenrettungsspezialist Retrodata aus der englischen Grafschaft Hampshire gibt eine beunruhigende Warnung an MacBook-Besitzer heraus. Apple-Notebooks, in denen ab Werk Seagate-Festplatten arbeiten, sind nach seinen Untersuchungen mit einem Fabrikationsfehler konfrontiert, der zum Totalausfall der Festplatte mit einhergehendem Datenverlust führen kann.
Nach eigenen Angaben erhält der Spezialist eine Vielzahl dieser ausgefallenen Platten zur Wiederherstellung von Daten. Die Untersuchungen von Retrodata zeigen, dass der Schreib-Lesekopf der Festplatte mechanisch ausfällt. Dies führt dem Spezialisten nach zu tiefen Kratzern auf der Oberfläche der magnetischen Scheiben mit entsprechenden Datenverlusten.
Anwender können schnell selbst feststellen, ob ihr MacBook gefährdet ist. Die betroffenen Segate-Platten sind ausgestattet mit der Firmware in Version 7.01. Zeigt der System-Profiler, zugänglich über den Befehl “Über diesen Mac… / Weitere Informationen” im Apfel-Menü, in der Kategorie Serial-ATA ein Laufwerk mit der Hersteller-Kennung ST und der Versionsnummer 7.01, dann besteht nach diesem Bericht ein hohes Ausfall-Risiko. Die Firma rät allen betroffenen Anwendern ein Backup der Daten anzulegen und umgehend ihren Händler zu kontaktieren.

Question Mark on Start Up Disk Icon

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