Question Mark Problem Startup

my problem is my audio wasnt working and i had stuck cd the i decided to turn the machine off and reset the pram so i did and it was loading with the apple logo and spinning wheel for about 10 min so i decide i would to a force shut down and turn it back on and when i did there was no logo or spinning wheel so i tried the option button button it is just a cursor i got the cd out now but i still have the grey screen for about ten min and the question mark folder logo

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 (CD/DVD 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. 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.

Similar Messages

My MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2009) question mark on startup

My MacBook Pro (15-inch Mid 2009) has a question mark on startup.
I brought it to my local apple service centre and they told me that after a few tests it was the hardrive, so they changed it under-warranty. Back home I started re-installing my system and got again a question mark on startup.
I decided to put the hardrive in a FW800 external enclosure and boot my system this way and the computer started without any problem. I reinstalled the hardrive in the MacBook Pro and again got a question mark on startup.
I decided to buy another drive, Seagate momentus XT 500Go, transfered all my files in this new drive and I installed it inside the MacBook Pro, still the same question mark on startup. I installed it again in my FW800 external enclosure and everything worked fine.
I decided to installed it again in the MacBook Pro, load the computer via the original Mac OSX install DVD, load the system and try to install a new fresh one on the hardrive... no hardrive were found....
So I decided again to bring it back to the same local service centre, and they told me again it was the hardrive the problem... but they don't want to listen to me when I told them that all my hardrives can startup the computer via an external enclosure....
So I would like your help, I think the problem come from the cable that linked the HD to the motherboard or the SATA chip inside the motherboard, but they don't want to test it !!!!
Thanks in advance for you help, I have been without my computer since 2 weeks now and I can't afford working without it any more !!!
Sincerely
bosa30

You need to take this computer to a real Apple Store. Or call AppleCare. Obviously this "local serve centre" doesn't have the skills to deal with your issue.
I'd also check your RAM, as an easy first step. But I think the HD controller in your Mac is bad, since you can boot from an external drive.

Folder with question mark on startup after using boot camp!!!

im getting a folder with a question mark on startup after using boot camp. it shows up for a second, then the apple logo pops up and OSX boots normally. i wouldnt be concerned except this folder with the question mark usually shows up when the computer cant find the startup disk or OS. so in fact what is happening is that my macbook cant find the startup disk for a second and then seems to find it. is anybody else having this problem. i dont like it and want to get rid of it. help!!

This is correct.
I wonder how it can be that in the System Preferences - Startup Disk - OS X volume can become "deselected" like it was... I had to re-highlight the OS X volume and all is well.
b
MBP & Mac Mini Mac OS X (10.4.6) http://www.therottenapple.net/phpbb

Blue screen with flashing folder and question mark on startup

Hello.
I need help with my Macbook Pro. I get a blue screen with a flashing folder and a question mark at start up. To date I have tried the following:
Apple Hardware (Extensive) Test (Results: "No Trouble Found")
Safe Boot
Reset NVRAM
Reinstall OS X via the internet (I received no discs when I purchased it). I select the StartUp Disk to reinstall. When reinstalling via the internet I get to a point of reinstalling Mountain Lion but it asks me to choose a drive - yet there are no drive options to choose from. Then a window comes up asking me to "Select the system you want to use to start up your computer" but no options appear. When I choose "Restart" a note pops up saying "You can't change the startup disk to the selected disk. Startup Disk could not gather enough information on the selected disk."
The only option is "Restart" from the Apple menu. When I choose that it goes back to the original "Blue screen with flashing folder and question mark on startup."
I have no Time Machine
I can't access the disc utility.
Are there any ideas as to what might be the problem?

Your hard drive has likely failed and needs replaced. That would explain why the system does not display it when you attempt to reinstall the OS via Internet Recovery.

Flashing Folder/Question Mark on Startup

I have been having an issue with my machine for the past couple days, and cannot find the Install Disks to remedy this situation (my OSX 10.4.4 disks will not recognize), so ANY help would be appreciated.
I have been able to troubleshoot using FireWire target disk mode. I've run DiskUtility and DiskWarrior on this machine from another machine and everything checks out with the hard drive, but I keep getting the Flashing Folder/Question Mark on Startup. Safe boot (Shift key at startup AND Shift-Command-V) do not work. Resetting the NVRAM / PRAM does not work.
Suggestions?
I don't need the info on the machine, as I am trying to set this up fresh for my wife.

But I was going on the assumption, as it was an internal drive (not an external data only drive), he had an OS installed, since his problem seemed to be that out of the blue he was getting the flashing folder question mark on startup. He had written +"I have been having an issue with my machine for the past couple days...."+ implying that it had booted normally before that.
Anyway, you're probably right; I'm just puzzled: how would his once bootable OS disappear just like that? Obviously something I'm not understanding here.

Get a folder and a question mark on startup

I get a gray screen with a folder icon and a blinking question mark on startup. Is this bad?

It's certainly not good! A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac. Usually, the only workable solutions is reinstalling OS X. What version of OS X do you have installed?

A flashing question mark on startup

My Mini is displaying a flashing question mark after startup. How do I fix it?

The flashing question mark indicates that your Mini cannot find a valid startup disk. Restart with the Install disk in place and hold down the C key and the Mini will start up from the CD. Repair the Mini's hard disk using Disk Utility on the Install CD (Look under the Apple menu). If this does not work, you may need to obtain a startup CD with a third-party recovery utility such as Disk Warrior to attempt to rebuild the Mini hard disk directory.
Here's a link to an Apple document to help you:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
Bob N.
Mac Mini 1.5 GHz; iBook 900 mHz; iPod 20 GB Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Mac Shows Folder With Question Mark On Startup?

Hey Guys!
I currently own a Macbook Air First Genereation (2008) running on Lion 10.7.5 (upgraded from Snow Leopard)
Recently, when I was just using the Macbook Air, the Hard disk started spinning and was creating a lot of noise well I just ignored it and gave it a hard reboot
So the next day wehn I booted my mac it was showing a folder with question mark on startup. I tried going to recovery (holding option on startup) but neither Macintosh HD or Recovery HD was being shown. I tried a internet recovery but it was not even entering Internet Recovery. I tried Single User mode, that didn't work.
I really don't know what to do now, I am panicking cause I don't have a backup and all my schoolwork is inside there.
Please reply soon and thanks in advance if you can help me
A youtube tutorial or online step by step tutorial would be great!

My tutorial is simple: pack up the MBA and charger and head for the nearest Apple store or Apple reseller. The error you see can mean three things: (1) your drive's system files are damaged, (2) your drive's directory or partition are damaged, or (3) your drive is dead. The fact that you can't boot into the recovery mode pretty much eliminates #1. It is possible that your drive's partition table was damaged but were that the case I'd expect that Internet recovery would work. So I strongly suspect #3.

Blinking question mark on startup - tried lots of things - advice?

Hi,
A friend called me yesterday about a two year old iMac. Got the blinking question mark on startup. So I went over, tried disc utility, but disc utility (off the iMac's install disc) could not even see the hard drive. So I tried TechTool Pro. Same result. TechTool from AppleCare disc, same result, DriveGenius, same result, start up in single user mode, same result, targeted disc mode connected to my MBP, same result, Data Recovery II, same result, connected a Mac via FireWire and started up from that and ran those same diagnostics, same result. None of those could even find - much less repair - the hard drive. It still shows a blinking question mark. It seems like all the hardware is working fine (motherboard, display, etc), except the hard drive. Any advice?
Thanks!
Russ Conte

The machine must be a G5, or it would be older than 2 years. And no AppleCare or it would be in the shop before this. The most likely cause is hard drive failure, as already stated. A fact of life is that all hard drives will fail or have failed.
You can deal with this, providing you can handle a screwdriver. Go to the support area of the Apple Website and click "Manuals" instead of discussions where you are reading this. In the block "search manuals" type "Imac Hard Drive". The next step is to select the instructions for correct machine, and download.
Cost of replacement drives depends upon capacity. One source is macsales.com.
A new drive will have to be formatted. Easy to do prior to installation by connecting to any Mac with a Universal Drive Adapter via a USB connection. That adapter is also available at macsales and other places.
Final step after installation is to install the OS hopefully from the original disks.
Good luck to you.

How do I get rid of file folder with question mark at startup?

Following a force quit, at startup I get, first the startup audio followed by a profile of a file folder with a question mark on it.

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.

Blinking file icon with question mark at startup

my computer sort of froze so i forced restarted it (second time i've done that in its one year lifetime) and when it started back up the screen displayed a file icon with a question mark blinking on and off every two seconds. eventually the fan started humming too. i have since forced restarted it twice with the same results. any ideas on why my darling will not start properly?

My MacBook Pro did the same thing last night, and I don't think this is good news.
So far I have:
-Reset PRAM and PMU
-Startup from install disks and run Disk Utility. DU doesn't even see the drive! Even Target disk mode doesn't reveal the drive.
-Archive and install; the installer doesn't see the drive
None of these worked, and from reading on other disussions, it looks like it is a hareware problem. I will be going to the Applestore this afternoon when I get off of work to see if they can fix it.

Flashing question mark on startup Mac Pro 1,1

hi everybody, I have an issue with my Mac Pro 1,1. I bought this computer last week.
Occasionally, at the start up, the screen show a flashing question mark inside a folder. I know this is a HD problem.
Since it doesn't show the question mark every time, I don't know if I resolved my issue following the instruction provided by Apple (resetting PRAM).
Both times that I saw it is when I have unplugged and plugged the power cable of my Mac pro. Now is all ok, but I'm afraid...it is maybe a power supply problem? Or a logic board problem?
Sorry for my english!

The hatter wrote:
When you reset PRAM you 'cause' the flashing "?"
No, I've seen the flashing "?" only when I have unplugged the power cable. (Two times.)
System Preferences : control panel : Startup Disk - set the boot drive
Ok, I've done it yet.
Now the Mac starts up normally.
I only fear that the problem is the logic board or power supply.
Can I exclude this possibility?
I'm ready for a failure of the drive.
Thank you very much!

Folder with Question Mark at Startup External Hard Drive

This morning on startup I received the white screen with the folder icon with the question mark inside. After unplugging an external harddrive, the computer booted without any issues.
I tried searching, but couldn't find anything on this exact topic. Can a bad external hard drive cause this issue or was the fact that I unplugged the drive and it botted fine just a random coincidence? I had been having some problems that past week or so with the external drive (it's not used in any way to boot the computer, just to store random files). I was hoping it was just something with the external drive that I can easily replace and not a bigger issue.
Has anyone else experienced this before or have any ideas on it?
Thanks for your help.

You can also reference this if you need more help then just a repair:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440

Question mark at startup

question mark at start up

There are four general causes of this issue:
1. The computer's PRAM no longer contains a valid startup disk setting when there aren't any problems with the disk itself. This can be checked for by pressing the Option key and seeing if the drive appears.
2. The internal drive's directory structure has become damaged. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to perform the repair.
3. Critical system files have been deleted. This requires usage of an alternate bootable system to reinstall them.
4. The internal drive has died or become unplugged. This is the most likely case if the computer took a sharp impact or there are unusual sounds coming from its location.
(100570)

Computer crashed - now I get folder with question mark on startup

Last week my computer froze when I was using it.
I waited about 15 minutes and it was still frozen. So I powered it off.
I re-started computer and ran Disk Warrior. It repaired some files. Now when my computer re-starts I get the folder with the question mark for several minutes -- and then it boots up.
What is the file it's looking for? Is there any way I can fix it?
Thanks.

Hi, Sean.
This indicates the system was having problems finding the startup disk.
1. In System Preferences > Startup Disk, be sure the desired disk is selected as the Startup Disk.
2. As a general check, run the procedure specified in my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the order specified.
3. See also "A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac."
4. Did you write down the errors found by Disk Warrior or save the report? The worst-case scenario here is that the OS is corrupted and has to be reinstalled via Archive and Install. See my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ for some important tips on this process if you decide to go that route as no other troubleshooting has corrected the problem.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

Question Mark Problem Startup

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for