Recently securely erased imac, boots up to question mark folder.

So i securely wiped my partitions lastnight, and when it was done it created a new partition called "untitled" so i thought that was ok and i could change it later. guess not. because i stupidly shut off my computer and turned it back on, it went to the question mark folder flashing. so i turned it off again and tried CMD SHIFT R. didnt work. i dont know what to do and i dont have a recovery DVD for Mavericks

First of all, hold the Option (Alt) key while your computer is starting, and if you see Recovery HD, choose it. Then, reinstall OS X Mavericks.
If it doesn't work, hold Command, Option (Alt) and R keys while your Mac is starting up and reinstall OS X. If you installed Lion or Mountain Lion in the past, the oldest OS X version will be installed instead of Mavericks, so you may have to upgrade Mac OS X

Similar Messages

  • TS1989 My iMac G5 has flashing question mark folder, no hard drive, no DVD-drive, no target drive - help?

    A friend has 'kindly' decided to upgrade my father in law's iMac G5 and apparently found that it ceased to work following an aborted process. I have no idea what he's done but there was a Leopard DVD in the optical drive. The iMac boots to the smiley face folder but scrolls through 2 black screens and one grey screen first. A question mark appears at first then it changes to the smiley face folder with the question mark appearing occasionally.
    I cannot get the iMac to see either a hard drive or the DVD drive. No start up disc at all. I have tried starting up in target mode and the target mode sign doesn't appear on the screen nor does the hard drive show on the other mac.
    Starting up holding down either 'C', 'X' or 'R' doesn't produce any results. Starting up with 'alt' pressed down produces a screen with a padlock image followed by a white slot to write a password in and a greyish button with an arrow. None of the passwords associated with the machine have got us past this screen.
    I can also get a command line on screen by holding down the startup button, hearing a loud beeeeep (firmware update signal?) keep holding down and a white screen with very small text invites me either to write 'mac-boot' or 'shut-down'. Both commands require a password to be effective and so do not work.
    Following startup troubleshooting advice has allowed me to identify that there is both a start up button inside and an SMU  reset button. Three of the four led's come on fine and there are no problems with the starter button on the back panel.
    I'm loath to change the hard drive at this point as I'm not sure if the HD is duff or something is wrong with the hardware and that another HD would be damaged.
    Stumped.

    I'll copy what BD wrote:
    Is it a USB KB or flakey Wifi?
    < be sure to use a usb keyboard >
    Your suggestion of removing the PRAM Battery and all power & peripherals was great.
    < I didn't think of disconnecting the peripherals. Do it. >
    I think also, removing all RAM, Iif possible), then trying to start it a few times, might do it to.
    Firmware password protection in Mac OS X ...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1352
    It would block usage of all the startup keys, like C, N, T, D, CMD+s, CMD+Option+p+r, CMD +v, Option boot will show a lock, and Shift, as well as booting from anything but the Hard Drive.
    Force Removing Password Protection
    1) Add or remove DIMMs to change the total amount of RAM in the computer.
    2) Then, the PRAM must be reset 3 times. (Command + Option + P + R).
    http://www.securemac.com/openfirmwarepasswordprotection.php
    Thanks BD.
    Robert

  • 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/

  • Booting problem - first question mark folder and now grey screen

    Hi all,
    I'm having problems with my Macbook booting.
    Yesterday it worked fine until I tried to open an old Excel file, then all became extremely slow, but anyway I was able to shut it down properly, or at least this was what I thought.
    The next time I tried to turn it on, a flashing question mark forder appeared instead of the apple. Then I tried various solutions I've found in forums, like turning on while holding down shift button like in http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1455 (nothing happens), the option botton (the cursor appears, but bootcamp does not start), and command+V for verbose mode (nothing).
    Anyway now if I turn it on nothing appears, neither the question mark folder, just the grey screen.
    I know that everything suggests that my HD is dead, but I don't really see the reason why it should have done so...
    Thank you for your help.
    Giulia

    Hello,
    "*a flashing question mark forder appeared instead of the apple."*
    A flashing question mark can mean several things. One, the hard disk disk is failing. Two, it means that when you boot your MacBook, it can't find a System Folder to boot from.
    Try booting while holding down the Option key. That should prompt the Startup Manager window so you can select your startup disc.
    If that doesn't work... grab your install disk and check the hard drive for errors.
    Insert the installer disk and Restart, holding down the "C" key until grey Apple appears.
    Go to Installer menu (Panther and earlier) or Utilities menu (Tiger and later) and launch Disk Utility.
    Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in the left panel.
    Select First Aid in the Main panel.
    (Check S.M.A.R.T Status of HDD at the bottom of right panel. It should say: Verified)
    Click Repair Disk on the bottom right.
    If DU reports disk does not need repairs quit DU and restart.
    If DU reports errors Repair again and again until DU reports disk is repaired.
    When you are finished with DU, from the Menu Bar, select Utilities/Startup Manager.
    Select your start up disk and click Restart
    The fact that you can't boot in Safe Mode (shift key) is not a good sign...
    *"but I don't really see the reason why it should have done so..."*
    How long have you had your MacBook? Do you have AppleCare?
    Carolyn

  • Boots to flashing question mark folder and disc utility cannot locate internal hard drive

    Bottling my MacBook Pro I end up with a flashing question mark folder. I reboot holding the option key to select discs and there were no options at all. I plug in an Ethernet cable and it shows a internet recovery option. I click and it downloaded a temporary recovery mode. From there I open disc utility but it doesn't find any internal hard drives. I reset the pram and I still get the flashing question mark folder. Thinking it was my internal hard drive that failed I bought and replaced the internal hd with a new one and repeated all the processes and still no internal hard drive was found. I'm stuck with the flashing question mark folder. Therefore I've concluded that it was my MacBook pros internal hard drive CABLE that had failed. Does anyone know of any other possible problems that is causing this for my MacBook Pro or know of any solutions? Or is replacing my internal hd cable the only solution? Please help!

    It was the internal HD cable. I replaced it and now my MacBook Pro works

  • My iMac has a blinking question mark folder on it and won't let me boot.

    I have a late 2009 27 inch iMac whos hardrive failed a while back. A couple days ago i decided to pop in a new hard drive in it, the same brand, just different capacity. I wanted to put windows on it, and tried to boot it with pressing c on the keyboard at startup but encountered a few problems.
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    Drive Partition and Format
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    3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Security button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    When formatting has completed quit Disk Utility and install OS X.

  • Imac g3 os; blinking question mark, folder on boot

    Thanks for your help Nick. I did as you said.
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    When it restarted, the blinking question mark
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    Am I having a possible hard ware problem of
    some kind ? Have tried shocking pram already.
    Is it bad pram battery, or maybe a
    hard drive problem ?
    Maybe one bad memory stick ?
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    Please stick to the other topic. This is in a round about way a duplicate. You will confuse yourself if others answer here.

  • I need to reinstall lion OS on my MAC mini. I have the 'question mark folder'.

    It is a mid 2011 mac mini. It boots to the 'question mark folder'. I installed lion server over my lion OS. After trying to remove the server app unsuccessfully, I id a command-r boot and erased the Macintosh HD where my OS was wiht the intention to reinstall. THe on-screen instruction I thought said I had to reboot after to use the recovery HD so I di. Now when it boots, it jsut goes to the 'question mark folder' and does not load. I only have the bluetooth keyboard so will the mini recognize the command-r on boot? It doesnt appear to.
    Thansk for any input,
    Ken

    Had the same problem w/ a Mac mini server. The only thing that helped was not the timing, but a disconnection of all cables from the machines: power, keyboard, etc., and a wait of one minute which according to Apple support - resets some config on the machine. After I did that, Command R worked just fine.
    BTW, According to Apple, you have to hold Commmand R just after you hear the chime, and keep holding it until you see the recovery utility. Another alternative can be holding Command Option R for network recovery.

  • IMac G5 iSight, flashing question mark, won't boot from CD

    iMac G5 iSight, flashing question mark, won't boot from CD

    Your hard drive has probably died.  The ? means that the machine can't find any drive to boot to.

  • IMac won't boot - flashing question mark folder

    Hi, I was having performance issues with my iMac, so after searching for a resolution, I followed some suggestions to reset the PRAM and SMC....after resetting the PRAM it will not boot up at all! The startup sound chimes, then a blank grey screen briefly before a flashing question mark folder appears. Nothing happens..... I have the install cd, but there is a CD in the drive and I can't get it out. Help!!
    Thanks in advance....
    Andrea

    HI Andrea,
    To get the disk to eject, start the iMac while holding down the mouse button.
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
    Try booting while holding down the Option key.
    Carolyn

  • My Mackbook won't boot - Question Mark Folder

    Hi Everyone,
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    Now, when I got it from him I powered the machine on and it acted as though there was a leopard installer cd in the drive (and the cd wasn't in the drive) and would load up just past the language select and fail. It would say it can't be installed on this computer. So I used command+T and tried to repair the disk but it would fail and say that I couldn't. So I erased the disk and installed 10.4 clean install. Powered off the machine, reboot and now I get the question mark folder.
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    I've tried zapping the pram a few times, taking out the battery and holding the powerbutton for three secs, holding command+s or v (single user and verbose modes dont start up at all), holding shift, holding x, while starting up and nothing works.
    Can anyone help me!? I'm a freelance designer and I can't function without this thing.
    Thanks in advance!!

    It means critical system files have been corrupted or damaged. You need to reinstall OS X:
    How to Perform an Archive and Install
    An Archive and Install will NOT erase your hard drive, but you must have sufficient free space for a second OS X installation which could be from 3-9 GBs depending upon the version of OS X and selected installation options. The free space requirement is over and above normal free space requirements which should be at least 6-10 GBs. Read all the linked references carefully before proceeding.
    1. Be sure to use Disk Utility first to repair the disk before performing the Archive and Install.
    Repairing the Hard Drive and Permissions
    Boot from your OS X 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 Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger.) 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, then quit DU and return to the installer.
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  • 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.
    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/.

  • Question mark folder at startup, safe boot not working

    Last night my iMac froze up, Force Quit didn't work, and I used the Power button to shut it off.  When trying to restart, it was getting stuck at the grey Apple.
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    I then ended up going through those steps a few more times as my iMac starting freezing up again.  One of those times I changed all my applications in the dock that were set to launch at login to not do so, wondering if that was somehow causing a problem.  I also took a folder of recent items I'd created, mostly a LOT of PDFs of newspaper articles, burned it to a DVD and deleted the folder to free up more memory if that was part of the problem (I'm running out).  I then restarted from the Apple menu and it shut down through safe boot and then restarted without safe boot and did so just fine.  I ran Disk Utility and very few if any permissions needed repairing.  And it was operating OK for a bit and then froze up again.
    Now I'm getting the question mark folder at startup and safe boot isn't working.  What should I be trying next?  Lion Recovery with Command-R?  I'm relatively new to Lion, but it had been working OK for me for a while now.
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    The question mark folder usually means that the
    firmware could either not find a valid operating
    system to boot, or, it could not find a hard disk
    with an operating system on it.
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    to do a reformat and re-install.
    Since it is a 24" iMac (from your description) it was
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    disks, try booting with it and use Disk Utility from it
    to see if the hard drive is working.
    Try this first before making a road trip.

  • G4 17' won't boot, flashing question mark folder with complications

    I'm editing a final cut pro project, due to air on friday at noon and during conversion in compressor to dvd format, final cut quits then the computer freezes up. On a hard restart I get the flashing question mark folder.... i know what that means
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    Invalid node structure
    Volume check failed.
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    donna
    Has anyone seen this before? What is my next step--short of erasing the drive. i really need to get this project off.
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    g4 powerbook 17"   Mac OS X (10.4.9)  

    i'd try disk warrior except that i cant get it to boot from ANY cd right now EXCEPT apple hardware test. and i have NO idea what to do with that.
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    i've zapped the pram--nothing
    know of any other boot tricks or shortcuts?
    donna

  • Flashing question mark folder, 3 times this week on my imac : (

    My intel based 3.06 GHz imac this week is showing a flashing question mark folder. A friend says is that the hard drive is toast but well twice it was solved quickly. First time on monday I did commandoption+pr to reset NVRAM and it worked. Second time yesterday i pressed option during startup and i selected my mac os x volume. But well today nothing works : (
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    2. when trying to boot from mac os x install disc pressing c during startup the imac ejects the dvd.
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    I was reading that i could use ubuntu live-cd to transfer my data from ubuntu to an external hard drive. I downloaded, burned and then it does shows the ubuntu cd to install ubuntu (the mac os x install disc is ejected but the ubuntu cd works), but i really dont want to install ubuntu X_X I just want my imac back without installing any linux stuff.
    I can do target mode with my other macs but the imac hd doesn't show up in the other macs, any way to force the HD to show via target mode in the other macs?
    Any ideas? I guess my disk is failing and thats why i have been receiving these question mark folders 3 times this week.
    Message was edited by: AppleSensei

    if someone has the same issue, i just want to notice i solved it using ubuntu -linux- and transferring the files to an external hard drive from ubuntu, reinstalling mac os x again. When i did target mode with another mac the hard drive didnt appear in finder, but with ubuntu all worked great, i saw my files and then problem solved, i saved my data ; )
    I did found annoying using ubuntu to solve this issue with my mac, but well i learnt something new, linux can also be useful when you don't want your data to be deleted as customer support told me they were going to do if i sent my mac.
    Message was edited by: AppleSensei

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