Screen with folder and "?" on startup. No install disks.

Saturday I dropped my Macbook Pro 8,1 and afterwards it was working completed fine. A day later I was working on PowerPoint and it froze (which isn't very unusual) so I re-started it. After re-starting I got a blank screen with a folder and a "?" From my understanding I need my install disk which unfortunately is a 3 hour drive from me at the moment.
The one thing that I do have is my external hard-drive that I've used Time Machine on before to back-up my Macbook. Unfortunately I hadn't backed up my latop very recently and I have important files on my Macbook that aren't on my external hard drive, so I don't want to restore my Macbook back to whatever was on the hardrive. So my questions are:
Is the any way the hardrive can be used in place of the install disk? If not, can I buy and download install disk online and but on flash drive?
Will fixing my problem result in all the files on my Macbook being lost?
Note: when I turn on my macbook using the hardrive I can get into disk utilities. However, when going into "First Aid", I am unable to select "Repair Disk"

Melanie443 wrote:
Saturday I dropped my Macbook Pro 8,1
If it had 10.6 from the factory, it's a Early 20011 13", and yes you need the 10.6.7 gray/black machine specific install disks (call Apple if they are defective), the 10.6.3 white ones from Apple online retail store won't work.
If it had 10.7 from the factory, it's a Late 2011 13", there is no disks, Internet Recovery and Recovery HD (on a bootable partition)
After re-starting I got a blank screen with a folder and a "?"
Firmware doesn't know where the boot volume is, may be a easy fix.
Folder with question mark issue
From my understanding I need my install disk which unfortunately is a 3 hour drive from me at the moment.
If disks came in the box, then it's a Early 2011 with Snow Leopard, unless you upgraded to 10.7 or later, which you use Recovery HD or Internet Recovery instead, unless your going to restore the machine back to Snow Leopard. (many do)
The one thing that I do have is my external hard-drive that I've used Time Machine on before to back-up my Macbook. Unfortunately I hadn't backed up my latop very recently...
If you haven't backed up TM since dropping the machine, that's a good thing because it sounds like the boot hard drive is corrupted and may not restore properly or at all if the TM drive copied that junk over.
I have important files on my Macbook that aren't on my external hard drive, so I don't want to restore my Macbook back to whatever was on the hardrive.
First try the easy mehod by holding the option/alt key down at boot time and seeing if you can boot OS X, then head to System Preferences > Startup Disk and set it again, this will tell the firmware.
Once your in, backup all your users files to a external drive, (not TimeMachine) and disconnect. You might have to do it in small bunches because there could be damage to the platters were the heads struck when you dropped it.
If you can't boot OS X, then use this method
Create a data recovery/undelete external boot drive
If you can't even do that as the machine is broken
My computer is not working, is my personal data lost?
Melanie443 wrote:
Will fixing my problem result in all the files on my Macbook being lost?
Yes if you don't do data recovery first or the drive is actually mechanically dead.
Fixing your problem may be easy, doing a zero bit erase on the entire Macintosh HD partition or drive (for 10.6) may map off the bad/damaged sectors and thus you can keep using the machine.
You can install 10.6/10.7 and then restore from TimeMachine (if not defective) and return the copies of your recovered files from the external drive.
Note: when I turn on my macbook using the hardrive I can get into disk utilities. However, when going into "First Aid", I am unable to select "Repair Disk"
To repair disk you need to do so while c or option/alt key booted from the 10.6 disk or the 10.7/10.8 Recovery HD partition or via Internet Recovery, that's why it's grayed out.
Don't do this until you have recovered your files first, as you don't want Disk Utility knowing the drive has problems and then lock you out on the next reboot.
Don't do Safe Mode either yet as this forces a fsck drive check and also lock you out from a easy recovery of your files.
Once you've got your files off the machine to a external storage drive (don't trust TimeMachine) then you can do whatever.
Most commonly used backup methods
Step by Step to fix your Mac
How to erase and install Snow Leopard 10.6
Erase, formatting, OS X installs on Mac's

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Dreaded Gray screen with Folder and Question Mark (EFI Boot poofs away)

Hey--
I've had trouble with my Imac that I purchasd in 2005 for a year and a half or so. I had a gray screen about a year and a half ago, went on vacation for a week, came back and it booted just fine. Another time it went down, I did a safe boot and it came back. I've tried Command-Option P+R before with some success. I had a boot camp partitioned windows xp drive on there also (I don't know if this matters, but wanted to mention that). I've also tried putting the installation disk in there with no luck (thinking it would find the software on it)
I put it away because I moved and dragged it out of storage to see if a miracle might have occured since the last time I tried 5 months ago. Well, same thing--gray screen with a flashing folder with question mark. I read in the discussions to hold the option key down to select a book device. I tried this and got an EFI Boot icon with a mouse pointer, but when I go to select it it "poofs" away (literally, the icon POOFS away) before I can select it with the mouse pointer icon.
Has anyone seen anything like this or have any suggestions? I guess I'm at my wits end and am ready to haul it down to the Apple store to get the prognosis (I'm sure it will not be good--probably shot hard drive or something). I'm hoping this can be salvaged without much cost.
Thanks so much for any advice or input you might have.
Chris

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, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) 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. Now restart normally.
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. Do not proceed with an Archive and Install if DU reports errors it cannot fix. In that case use Disk Warrior and/or TechTool Pro to repair the hard drive. If neither can repair the drive, then you will have to erase the drive and reinstall from scratch.
3. Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When you reach the screen to select a destination drive click once on the destination drive then click on the Option button. Select the Archive and Install option. You have an option to preserve users and network preferences. Only select this option if you are sure you have no corrupted files in your user accounts. Otherwise leave this option unchecked. Click on the OK button and continue with the OS X Installation.
4. Upon completion of the Archive and Install you will have a Previous System Folder in the root directory. You should retain the PSF until you are sure you do not need to manually transfer any items from the PSF to your newly installed system.
5. After moving any items you want to keep from the PSF you should delete it. You can back it up if you prefer, but you must delete it from the hard drive.
6. You can now download a Combo Updater directly from Apple's download site to update your new system to the desired version as well as install any security or other updates. You can also do this using Software Update.
If yours is an Intel model, then I recommend getting Snow Leopard to upgrade OS X, but I would recommend first erasing the drive before installing Snow Leopard.
Upgrade Paths to Snow Leopard, Lion, and/or Mountain Lion
You can upgrade to Mountain Lion from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. Mountain Lion can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for $19.99. To access the App Store you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.6 or later installed.
Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.
Upgrading to Lion
If your computer does not meet the requirements to install Mountain Lion, it may still meet the requirements to install Lion.
You can purchase Lion by contacting Customer Service: Contacting Apple for support and service - this includes international calling numbers. The cost is $19.99 (as it was before) plus tax. It's a download. You will get an email containing a redemption code that you then use at the Mac App Store to download Lion. Save a copy of that installer to your Downloads folder because the installer deletes itself at the end of the installation.
     Lion System Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7,
           or Xeon processor
       2. 2GB of memory
       3. OS X v10.6.6 or later (v10.6.8 recommended)
       4. 7GB of available space
       5. Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
Upgrading to Mountain Lion
To upgrade to Mountain Lion you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Purchase and download Mountain Lion from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mountain Lion is $19.99 plus tax. The file is quite large, over 4 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
     OS X Mountain Lion - System Requirements
       Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mountain Lion
         1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
         2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
         3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
         5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
     Are my applications compatible?
         See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
     For a complete How-To introduction from Apple see Upgrade to OS X Mountain Lion.

I have a grey screen with folder and question mark-why?

When I turn my computer on I see a grey screen with a folder and question mark over it. The folder and question mark are blinking then a couple minutes later the screen turns black. Help please!

Kfrost5792,
if your MacBook Pro didn’t originally come with grey installation discs in the box, then you can substitute “booting from Recovery mode” for “booting from your grey Mac OS X Install disc”, and from the OS X Utilities menu that appears on the desktop in Recovery mode, you can select Disk Utility there to erase your internal disk, which will allow you to perform an OS X Internet Recovery the next time that your MacBook Pro is powered up.

HELP! iMac not starting up ... blue screen with folder and blinking ?

my imac is not starting up. when i turn on the computer, i get a blue screen with a blinking folder icon of the finder and a black question mark. i can't move anything or type anything.
i have tried powering down and powering back up with holding down the option key, but all i get is a screen with two buttons with a curved arrow and a straight arrow. however, i can't click any of them!
i don't know what to do and i need major help! can anyone help me? i don't want to spend the $49 again for a simple fix.

For starters, follow the steps in this Apple KB Article Post back if you have any questions or things still don't work out.
Clint

Macbook stuck on white screen with folder and question mark

My macbook is stuck at the screen with the folder with a question mark on it. I have tried a few things like the ones I found on google and so far no go. I tried pressing the command + p +r keys and it didn't work. I also tried to eject a cd and nothing. finally i tried pressing the command + option + p + r and nothing. Guys please help me. I really need this laptop.
I even tried just the command + r. I would like to reinstall OS. What are the steps please?

What version of OS X are you running? When you hold down the Command and R keys whilst booting, do you get to the Recovery partition?
Clinton

Issues with BootCamp and mounted windows 8 install disk

I've been trying to install Windows 8 from a mounted Windows 8 System Builder install disk. When I mount the ISO and try to use bootcamp to install windows 8 the bootcamp application will not recognize the install disk I have mounted. Any issues? I've also attempted to install the disk on USB with no luck. The reason I need the mounted ISO is because my DVD drive is busted. I created ISO on a friends macbook pro by using disk utility. I have the dmg file, cdr file, and iso file but have had no luck with any of them. Can anyone help? I'd really like not to have to have to buy an external DVD drive.

Google is your friend. Easy? Probably not but it appears doable. Proceed at your own risk.
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2012/11/no-support-no-problem-inst alling-windows-8-on-a-mac-with-boot-camp/

HT1199 my MAC has white screen with folder and question mark anyone have the same issue?

My mac has a white screen and a file folder with a question mark...anyone else have this issue before?

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 the hard drive's location.
(79884)

TS1440 iMac freezes, no choice but to hard shutdown, turn back on, white screen with folder and question mark appears

Hi,
so my iMac (it's not the most recent iMac if it makes any difference, and I'm running mountain lion 10.8.3) often freezes and I do a hard shutdown as I cannot force quit the applications or click on the apple in the top left to shut it down. When I come to turn it back on, I'm greeted with a white screen, in the middle of which is the dreaded folder with the flashing question mark in it. I've noticed that just before a freeze occurs, it starts running slowly and if I try going onto Facebook for example, it says that it cannot connect to facebook.com despite the internet connection being fine as I can browse things on Google. I have also noticed that before a freeze, in Finder, in All My Files, no files show. I went through this http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440 and the problem still persists. Sometimes it does load fine if I shut it down again but when I eventually open up safari, if I had been on youtube for example, it will reload the page from a few videos before and not the one I was on when it actually froze.
Any help would be hugely appreciated,
Thanks
Side note: When it says I must choose a community in order to post this, it only gives me a choice of 3 which are Mac OS X v10.4 Tiger, v10.5 Leopard, v10.6 Snow leopard, so apologies if this is posted in the wrong place - is there any way to get it moved to the correct place?

Yes,easy fix but difficult to buy,think you can get them from the states (off the top of my head about £15).When you go to the apple store,tell yhem what you suspect and they will test if it is the cable or if its the hard drive,dosn't take that long and it's free.If you know what to do you can take the back off and with strong magnifying glass you might be able to see the fray look at the bend of the cable.

Screen with folder and website address

My screen has a folder with an exclaimation mark and the website www.apple.com\support\ipod. I cannot get to my music. What must I do?

Start with this article...
iPod displays a folder icon with an exclamation point
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1405?viewlocale=en_US
Patrick

My hard drive crashed. Replaced my hard drive. Installed Yosemite. Restored from Time Machine most recent backup before hard drive crash. Now laptop won't start up. Grey screen with circle and slash through it.

How to start up laptop from grey screen with circle and slash through it?

After you installed Yosemite and prior to restoring from the backup, were you able to start the Mac?

Installed new hard drive in imac and i get folder with question mark, put in OS install disk and it does nothing? All I have is wireless key board and mouse, is this a factor?

Installed new hard drive in imac and i get folder with question mark, put in OS install disk and it does nothing? All I have is wireless key board and mouse, is this an issue?

Other than put disc in you don't give much info about what you've done. With the install disc inserted restart your Mac while holding the C key, that should start it up from the install disc. Should also work fine with a wireless Apple keyboard.

I have an iMac from 2008. When I start I get gray screen with apple and turning gear. Next blue screen. Then light blue screen with turning gear. Back to blue screen. Now just back and forth blue to light blur

I have an iMac from 2008. When I start I get gray screen with apple and turning gear. Next blue screen. Then light blue screen with turning gear. Back to blue screen. Now just back and forth blue to light blur

Reinstall OS X:
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/.
Reinstalling 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: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.

How do I reboot my iMac in Lion? Right now it opens a black screen with dos and asks me to insert the boot disk.

How do I reboot my iMac in Lion? Right now it opens a black screen with Dos and asks me to insert the boot disk.I recently installed Parallels & Windows 7. Now if I have to turn the system off, it starts up as per above in Dos. know I need to start up and press a couple of keys, but which ones? I forgot....

A simple search around here, identified this thread https://discussions.apple.com/message/15762361#15762361
The More Like This box on the right has more.

I have a blue hanging screen with restart and I went to trade line stores and they refuse to help me saying that I didn't buy my iPad from trade line store ?

I have a blue hanging screen with restart and I went to trade line stores and they refuse to help me saying that I didn't buy my iPad from trade line store ?

Your problem might be a easy fix.
If the firmware "forgets" what partition it's supposed to boot from, it won't load OS X, so if OS X doesn't load then it can't tell the fans to slow down, the default is "turbo mode".
So all you might have to do is hold the option/alt key down while booting the computer with a charged up battery on power, you will then see a row of icons and you pick OS X to boot from.
Once in you head to System Preferences and set the Startup Disk, that will tell the firmware what to boot from again.
Try it and see if it works.
You can do more if your problem is not fixed.
Step by Step to fix your Mac
Faica wrote:
I wanted to know if I am able to go to the apple store and will they help me even though I didn't buy it from them.
Yes, if it was purchased new you have a 1 year warranty, despite who you bought it from (unless it's stolen goods)
However you should purchase AppleCare while your in the store for another 2 more years of coverage also a backup drive for TimeMachine to protect your data.

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

I am having a Startup problem. Someone comes on the screen with Open Firmware to Startup. How can I reset the PRAM myself to solve this problem?

Read these.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1431
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-10330118-263.html

Screen with folder and "?" on startup. No install disks.

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