The Question Mark ?

Yes, I have it. The Flashing, blinking Question mark on top of a folder that switches to the Mac OS Face. I have gone through all the steps in,
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
Except for the last one, number four, "4. If none of these steps resolved the issue, start up from the Mac OS X Installation CD and reinstall Mac OS X. If your hard disk is not available (mounted) when started up from CD, contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Technical Support."
Few questions. Does reinstalling the OS delete the full HD?
I was directed to boot up the ibook from the "restore CD,"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=31204
I have three CDs (that I could find.) "iBook G4, Mac OS X Install Disc 1" "Mac OS X Install Disk 2" "Additional Software & Apple Hardware Test."
These aren't the restore CDs are they?
I do have a PowerPC G4 (what I am using now) and a bunch of external Hard Drives if I had to copy my ibook's HD. (my friend told me holding down "T" or something at start up, starts the computer in "disk mode" or something, this way I could view it as a disk/mount on another computer and just copy the ibook's files off before I reinstall OS X.
ANy help would be greatly appreciated.

Does reinstalling the OS delete the full HD?
Not necessarily but always take a chance at losing everything.
These aren't the restore CDs are they?
No they seem like the installer disks.
Well see if it will boot into "target" mode. You do this by pressing "t" while booting up. If it works you'll get a blue screen wit the FireWire symbol bouncing around on it.
Then attach it to your G4 with a FireWire cable. Check if the drive in the iBook mounts on your desktop or in Finder.
If you don't see the drive open Disk Utility and see if that sees it. Do NOT select any "initialize" or "erase" options".
If you can't see or if it's not mounted try DiskWarrior and see if it will see it/ repair the directory or what ever.
Lastly try Data Rescue II if you can see it there you can retrieve 5 MB in demo mode or pay $99 for the full up version and retrieve everything.
If none of these work the only way to retrieve data would be very expensive.
Richard

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I keep getting the little blue box with the question mark

Hi
I have 10.6.7 system software and my safari is 5.0.4
I have called apple twice with this problem already but nothing has helped except for short times.
I have reset safari about one dozen times and when I do I reset the top 7 items and I've emptied the cache in addition just in case. I've also taken my safari preference plist out of my library and trashed it.
And I've run disk utilities many times and restarted my computer. Each thing I do will solve the problem for a short time, even up to a day or more (or less) but then it comes back. For instance on Facebook maybe 1/8th of the thumbnail images have the little blue boxes with the question marks but most don't. I can't figure it out. Sometimes even the iPAD safari gets them too but my firefox doesn't show them and neither does Safari on my eMac.
Yesterday the question marks even showed up in ONE mailing on all 3 computers with the question marks in the blue boxes (meaning my iMac, my eMac and my iPad) but then it just all resolved after a few hours. This does sound like possibly a server problem except today it's happening (in Safari again) only on this iMac in Safari (not firefox) and not on the other two devices.
One more thing, since they changed my radio on the roof for my wireless internet, the 5.8 phone cuts out the internet when I use it. The problem has gotten worse since they changed the radio to the same frequency as the phone, it's a much faster service than the 2.4 radio. I don't know if this is related or not.
Thank you,
Martha

<Contact your ISP.
Is it possible, Carolyn, that this would mainly and almost always be only affecting the iMac and Safari in the iMac if it were a server issue? Right now Safari has more blue boxes with question marks than ever and the eMac and iPad have none. Firefox on the iMac has none also.
I should try a direct connection and by pass the router and see if that makes a difference.
I will contact them tomorrow but I want to get clear in my head first all the facts and possibilities.
Thanks!
Martha

Late 2008 macbook 13" prompts mac OS can not be installed on this computer after booting from disc as l get the folder with the question mark screen. New HDD or ?

From the little research l have done, l have been convinced l may be having a dead hard drive though after having tried all the other troubleshooting tips found here, when trying to boot l get the grey screen and folder with the question mark suggesting it can not find the files neccessary to boot hence l tried booting with the disc and the message l get is that mac OS X can not be installed on this computer, though after doing the hardware check etc they all say okay. I've even tried erasing the drive and trying to instal the OS afresh with no luck. Any ideas or l must just get a new hard drive?

Pretty sure BGreg hit the nail on the head. If your hard drive was failing, you would still be able to at least attempt an install, provided your ard drive was mounting. You usually get that message when the disk is incompatible with the computer. If it is the proper disk, you might try erasing the disk (provided your info is backed up) using Disk Utility (under Utilities in the menubar) and choose the Mac OSX Extended (Journaled) format.

After reinstalling mountain lion i got the question mark on the screen

hi everyone,
after reinstalling mac os x 10.8 from internet recovery, mac restarts itself which is normal.
but when it starts there is a question mark on a folder symbol on the gray screen.
what should i do?

The question mark appears when your computer can't find any bootable volume to start. This can be because of two reasons:
1. Your computer has forgotten the startup device.
2. The hard drive is damaged.
First of all, turn off your computer and turn it on again holding the Option (Alt) key, so you will see all the bootable volumes on the display. Choose the OS X volume and set up OS X as normal. Finally, open System Preferences > Startup Disk, and choose your OS X volume

TS1440 I followed all of the directions after seeing that my laptop flashed the folder with the question mark. But when I went to disk utility to repair/ verify issues w/ start up disk it would not allow me to.button to repair/verify is there but cant be

I followed all of the directions after seeing that my laptop flashed the folder with the question mark. But when I went to disk utility to repair/ verify issues w/ start up disk it would not allow me to. The buttons to repair and modify we're there but they were grey and couldn't be pressed.

Were you trying to repair the disk you were booted from? You can't do that - you need to boot from your install disk, and choose 'Disk Utility' from the 'install' menu.

My MacBook Pro Hard Drive recently gave me the gray folder with the question mark of death. Even as

My MacBook Pro Hard Drive recently gave me the gray folder with the question mark of death. Even as a Mac Newbie/Novice, I successfully installed a new hard drive and the OS (10.6.8) software from my installation discs. I have, however, lost the ability to play video using the spacebar and I have no idea on the steps necessary to correct this seemingly simple technical blip. .Here's my system overview:Model Name: MacBook Pro Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2 Processor Name: Intel Core i5 Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz Number Of Processors: 1 Total Number Of Cores: 2 L2 Cache (per core): 256 KB L3 Cache: 3 MB Memory: 4 GB Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s.
I am using the Premiere Pro CS5 NLE (with the 5.0.4 updates), and I have tried to reinstall the software (which is actually the Production Premium package) several times, but I still cannot use the spacebar (or any method) to play any of my imported videos.
PLEASE HELP in any way you can!
Prior to having to replace my hard drive, my software was working just fine. No problems at all. But now, it seems that I can't get it to play whatever type of file I import.
Again, I am a newbie to the Mac, so any and all correctional/repair assistance needs to be expalined as if I were a child : )
I would hate to try to revert to considering the sophmoric Final Cut Pro X editing software package, but I've got to do something to be able to get back to my editing activities.
zionhall
[email protected]

Jorge242 wrote:
@FatMac the internet recovery doesnt work. It goes into recovery mode and then when i try to reinstall it cant find a disk to install it to. So what would be a good choice to take now?
Recovery Mode presents you with, among other things, Disk Utility. When you open that, if the internal shows up at all, first try to "Repair DIsk." If that doesn't work but if the "Media" line is present, try to format and partition it with a GUID partition table (understand that you will be erasing the contents of your internal). Then try to reinstall the OS. If that doesn't work, and since your Retina MBP didn't come with a DVD drive or DVDs, you'll need to try a hardware test using these instructions from Apple (short version: shut down, press the power button and hold down the "D" key). If none of those things work, let's hope you either have AppleCare or your warranty has some life left because the SSD in your rMBP is proprietary and expensive. You'll need to bring it to an Apple Genius for evaluation.

On a macbook I purchased secondhand hard drive got corrupted and I started to get the flashing folder with the question mark, I purchased a new hard drive and snow lion install DVD I installed the hard drive and tried disc but kept getting blinking folder

On a macbook I purchased secondhand hard drive got corrupted and I started to get the flashing folder with the question mark, I purchased a new hard drive and snow lion install DVD I installed the hard drive and tried disc but kept getting blinking folder

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. We're users here and do not speak for "Apple Inc."
Power on the computer and insert the DVD immediately.
Hold down the 'C' key to boot from the Snow Leopard DVD.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1533
After selecting the appropriate language, if necessary, select Utilities, and Disk Utility.
You'll likely need to partition and format the new drive before it's recognized.
http://manuals.info.apple.com/MANUALS/0/MA161/en_US/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY .pdf
(Yes, these instructions ARE 7 years old, but the procedure is the same for installing from DVD media.)

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,
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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.

How do I get rid of the question marks in front of my images in LR5 so that I can edit those images?

My images were automatically transferred from Photoshop Elements 10 to my new Lightroom 5, but many images had a
question mark in front of them in LR5. I cannot open those images to edit them. How do I remove the question marks.
Thanks.

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When i load the page on line the link appear as well as the question marks in boxes on the background

When i load my Iweb photo page on line the writen links appear as well as the question marks in boxes, on the background? what can I do for that not to appear?
Blank
Dance classes
Albums photo
Party night
Wedding
Fashion
Links
Contact
Dance
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SS100462_2d0b1760
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ParisRockDanceAction_23f80fe0
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ParisRockDance Action_239c6820
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DanceActionJuly_25ff0d70
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Where are you hosting your site and how are you uploading the files to it?
Publish your site to a folder on your hard drive and open it locally with your browser to see if these pages display properly or not. If the look OK then the problem lies with the uploading of the files to the server.
If the local site looks the same as the online site then the problem is more serious.
OT

I replaced the battery on my RAID card, when I booted my mac pro up, I get the folder with the question mark. I used a boot USB drive to boot and when I looked in the RAID utility, my RAID 5 volumes were no longer showing, advise.

I replaced the battery on my RAID card, when I booted my mac pro up, I get the folder with the question mark. I used a boot USB drive to boot and when I looked in the RAID utility, my RAID 5 volumes were no longer showing, advise.
Ernest

Not sure if I'm following you. I have 4 hard drives installed on my Mac Pro. I had a RAID 5 configured and functional for about 5 months. My battery died on the RAID card. I replaced the battery, seated the RAID card back in the slot I removed it from. When I booted to the USB drive to look in the RAID utility, I could see the battery is charged but my volumes are not showing.
The drives don't show in disk Utility. I built the RAID with the RAID Utility and they did show there. I have a early 2008 Mac Pro, Mavricks OS running Mac Server

What is with the little blue box with the question mark.

what is with the little blue box with the question mark?

See '''''cor-el's''''' answer to that question here (only the portion down to the line break): http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/questions/781372?s=resend+&as=s
 
 
'''Other issues needing your attention'''
The information submitted with your question indicates that you have out of date plugins with known security and stability issues that should be updated. To see the plugins submitted with your question, click "More system details..." to the right of your original question post. You can also see your plugins from the Firefox menu, Tools > Add-ons > Plugins. 
 
*Next Generation Java Plug-in 1.6.0_17 for Mozilla browsers
**7 updates behind
**'''''Security update version 1.6.0_24 released 2011-02-10'''''
#'''Check your plugin versions''': http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
#*'''Note: plugin check page does not have information on all plugin versions'''
#'''Update the [[Java]] plugin''' to the latest version.
#*Download site: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html (Java Platform: Download JRE)
#**'''''Be sure to un-check the Yahoo Toolbar option during the install if you do not want it installed.
#*Also see "Manual Update" in this article to update from the Java Control Panel in Windows Control Panel: http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Using+the+Java+plugin+with+Firefox#Updates
#* Removing old versions (if needed): http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/remove_olderversions.xml
#* Remove multiple Java Console extensions (if needed): http://kb.mozillazine.org
#*Java Test: http://www.java.com/en/download/help/testvm.xml

How do I change my keyboard so that I can type the question mark key please?

I bought a new MacBook Air, in Spain, and I would like to use the keyboard properly in English, but for example the question mark key types a -, the = key a )...!!! Please can someone tell me how to change the settings?

annabella zoldo wrote:
Only British is selected
Uncheck the box for British and check the box for Spanish ISO.

What does the question mark in upper left hand corner mean

what does the question mark in upper left hand corner mean

Do you mean on a thumbnail in the organizer?That means that organizer has lost track of the original file. Usually that happens when you've done something with the photo outside of organizer, like moved it or deleted the original. If you want organizer to be able to keep track of your photos, you need to do all moving and deleting from within the organizer, not in Windows Explorer or the Mac Finder.

I updated to Yosemite and now I can't open my YNAB finance app. There is a question mark in the Dock where the App should be and when I hover over the question mark it does say YNAB but I can't open it.

I updated to Yosemite and now I can't open my YNAB finance app. There is a question mark in the Dock where the App should be and when I hover over the question mark it does say YNAB but I can't open it. When I double click on the question mark nothing happens. Has the link to YNAB been broken with the update? Has this happened to anyone else?

Check the Application folder.
If it is not there, contact YNAB Finance for a OS X Yosemite compatible version of the application.
Best.

How do I remove the question mark on my dock? When I move my cursor over it it reads "photos".

How do I remove the question mark on my dock?
When I move my cursor over it it reads "photos".

Everything in the Dock is an alias.... that is a tiny file that points to the original app, folder or file.
If the original app, folder or file is missing or not accessible in some other way (deleted?), it displays a question mark.
You remove it the same way you remove any icon from the Dock.
Simply drag the icon up away from the doc a couple of inches and let go of it.
It should just disappear with a poof and some clouds.

The Question Mark ?

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