TS1440 Mac on start-up becomes a white screen with a blinking file folder with question mark. Can't log in or get on computer.

Please help, other forum from 2011 didn't help. Can't get info because I can't log in.

See this Apple note, which applies to OS X 10.7 Lion as well. This Apple note applies to OS X 10.6 and earlier but provides a little more information. When they talk about booting from CD, that's a boot with command and r keys held down in OS X 10.7 Lion.

Similar Messages

  • White Screen with Question Mark Flashing

    Hi
    All the sudden I have the white screen with the flashing question mark.  I have a macbook pro 2010.  I unscrewed the bottom of my Mac and wiggled a couple of wires around and it actually booted up and ran for a while.  Then it started to freeze on me.  I put in the Mac disk, and I went to the disk Utitlity and it says disk 2 Mac OS X Base System.  So it looks like it is reading the Hard Drive, but I don't know because I do not know that much about computers.  The thing is it will not let me erase or repair that drive.  Does anybody have any idea on what this is?  I used my computer around 1:30 in the afternoon and then came home to do homework around 5 and in a matter of 4 hours my computer does not work.  I am guessing that it is probably something serious and I will not be buying mac again.
    Any Help??
    Thanks,
    Matt   

    Hi
    All the sudden I have the white screen with the flashing question mark.  I have a macbook pro 2010.  I unscrewed the bottom of my Mac and wiggled a couple of wires around and it actually booted up and ran for a while.  Then it started to freeze on me.  I put in the Mac disk, and I went to the disk Utitlity and it says disk 2 Mac OS X Base System.  So it looks like it is reading the Hard Drive, but I don't know because I do not know that much about computers.  The thing is it will not let me erase or repair that drive.  Does anybody have any idea on what this is?  I used my computer around 1:30 in the afternoon and then came home to do homework around 5 and in a matter of 4 hours my computer does not work.  I am guessing that it is probably something serious and I will not be buying mac again.
    Any Help??
    Thanks,
    Matt   

  • White screen with question mark

    I tried to update my mac book air, to the new operating system, in the middle of the operation, I got the white screen, with blinking question mark in a middle of a file

    Go step by step and test.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1440
    Startup Manager to select Startup disk.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1310
    Repair Disk
    Steps 2 through 8
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5836
    Reset PRAM.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH4405
    Reinstall OS X
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH10763?viewlocale=en_US

  • White screen with question mark on iMac

    I have a white screen with a file folder icon and a question mark.  Anyone know what's wrong?  The iMac will not load.

    Besides checking out the possible solutions over in the "More Like This" thread over here----------------------->
    Check out KB Article: 
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH11046 OS X Mountain Lion: If a flashing question mark appears

  • My macbook fell and since then a white screen with question mark appears

    hey guys!
    i really need to know what to do, my macbook fell while it was on. it froze so i restarted it, but the white screen comes in with the apple begining sound and everything but the screen stays blank for about two minutes and then a folde with a question mark appears. i tried putting in the cd that came with it, samething happened but after a while the appe sign appears and the computer started off my installation disc, so i try re installing everything, but when i get to the screen that asks to select a destination, there is nothing available.
    i realize that the best thing to do is to go to an apple store and then sort everything out, but i am in haiti where the nearest apple store is in miami, i really need your help and i'm desparate cuz i cannot do anything without my laptop... please send me your help as soon as possible.
    thanks in advance

    Your hard disk has been damaged. At this point, it will need to be replaced with a new one. You'll need to call AppleCare and they'll have you mail it in for repairs. I'm not sure what the usual turnaround time for that is internationally, but in the United States it's about a week. I'd tack on a few extra days to get the laptop to and from Haiti.
    Either way, your computer will need to be repaired and the data that was on your hard disk will be lost. (Unless you take the machine to a 3rd party repair shop that specializes in recovering data from damaged hard disks.)

  • Mac OS X Leopard not working (grey screen with question mark appearing)

    Hello. I have a Desktop Mac Running on Leopard (not Snow Leopard) and it gives me the grey screen with a question mark. It has been doing this for a month now, and i had to restart it holding the C key every time, and now it has stopped working. I am using a Logitech mouse and keyboard, and had a disk inserted so i cant insert the installation disk. What should i do?

    You will have to reinstall OS X. Connect the original keyboard and mouse. Restart the computer and hold down the mouse button immediately after the chime. This should force the optical drive to eject the disc. Otherwise see the following:
    Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive
    Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:
    1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the left mouse button until the disc ejects.
    2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.
    3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.
    4. Press COMMAND-E.
    5. If none of the above work try this:
    Open the Terminal application in your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:
    /usr/bin/drutil eject.
    If this fails then try this:
    Boot the computer into single-user mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.
    Once the disc has been removed you can try to do the following:
    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.
    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.

  • My mac starts up in a white screen with a loading bar and a loading circle please help

    My mac starts up in a white screen with a loading bar and a loading circle please help

    I do hope you have recent backup, because it look like your hard disk is failing. You can start up in Recovery Mode, and run Disk Utility to see if the disk can be fixed:  OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

  • HT1349 i upgraded to yosemite last week, now my computer wont start. it stops at white screen with apple logo. what do i do?

    i upgraded to yosemite last week, now my computer wont start. it stops at white screen with apple logo. what do i do?

    Take each of these steps that you haven't already tried. Stop when the problem is resolved.
    To restart an unresponsive computer, press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the power shuts off, then release, wait a few more seconds, and press it again briefly.
    Step 1
    The first step in dealing with a startup failure is to secure the data. If you want to preserve the contents of the startup drive, and you don't already have at least one current backup, you must try to back up now, before you do anything else. It may or may not be possible. If you don't care about the data that has changed since the last backup, you can skip this step.
    There are several ways to back up a Mac that is unable to start. You need an external hard drive to hold the backup data.
    a. Start up from the Recovery partition, or from a local Time Machine backup volume (option key at startup.) When the OS X Utilities screen appears, launch Disk Utility and follow the instructions in this support article, under “Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility.” The article refers to starting up from a DVD, but the procedure in Recovery mode is the same. You don't need a DVD if you're running OS X 10.7 or later.
    b. If Step 1a fails because of disk errors, and no other Mac is available, then you may be able to salvage some of your files by copying them in the Finder. If you already have an external drive with OS X installed, start up from it. Otherwise, if you have Internet access, follow the instructions on this page to prepare the external drive and install OS X on it. You'll use the Recovery installer, rather than downloading it from the App Store.
    c. If you have access to a working Mac, and both it and the non-working Mac have FireWire or Thunderbolt ports, start the non-working Mac in target disk mode. Use the working Mac to copy the data to another drive. This technique won't work with USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.
    d. If the internal drive of the non-working Mac is user-replaceable, remove it and mount it in an external enclosure or drive dock. Use another Mac to copy the data.
    Step 2
    If the startup process stops at a blank gray screen with no Apple logo or spinning "daisy wheel," then the startup volume may be full. If you had previously seen warnings of low disk space, this is almost certainly the case. You might be able to start up in safe mode even though you can't start up normally. Otherwise, start up from an external drive, or else use the technique in Step 1b, 1c, or 1d to mount the internal drive and delete some files. According to Apple documentation, you need at least 9 GB of available space on the startup volume (as shown in the Finder Info window) for normal operation.
    Step 3
    Sometimes a startup failure can be resolved by resetting the NVRAM.
    Step 4
    If a desktop Mac hangs at a plain gray screen with a movable cursor, the keyboard may not be recognized. Press and hold the button on the side of an Apple wireless keyboard to make it discoverable. If need be, replace or recharge the batteries. If you're using a USB keyboard connected to a hub, connect it to a built-in port.
    Step 5
    If there's a built-in optical drive, a disc may be stuck in it. Follow these instructions to eject it.
    Step 6
    Press and hold the power button until the power shuts off. Disconnect all wired peripherals except those needed to start up, and remove all aftermarket expansion cards. Use a different keyboard and/or mouse, if those devices are wired. If you can start up now, one of the devices you disconnected, or a combination of them, is causing the problem. Finding out which one is a process of elimination.
    Step 7
    If you've started from an external storage device, make sure that the internal startup volume is selected in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.
    Start up in safe mode. Note: If FileVault is enabled in OS X 10.9 or earlier, or if a firmware password is set, or if the startup volume is a software RAID, you can’t do this. Post for further instructions.
    Safe mode is much slower to start and run than normal, and some things won’t work at all, including wireless networking on certain Macs.
    The login screen appears even if you usually log in automatically. You must know the login password in order to log in. If you’ve forgotten the password, you will need to reset it before you begin.
    When you start up in safe mode, it's normal to see a dark gray progress bar on a light gray background. If the progress bar gets stuck for more than a few minutes, or if the system shuts down automatically while the progress bar is displayed, the startup volume is corrupt and the drive is probably malfunctioning. In that case, go to Step 11. If you ever have another problem with the drive, replace it immediately.
    If you can start and log in in safe mode, empty the Trash, and then open the Finder Info window on the startup volume ("Macintosh HD," unless you gave it a different name.) Check that you have at least 9 GB of available space, as shown in the window. If you don't, copy as many files as necessary to another volume (not another folder on the same volume) and delete the originals. Deletion isn't complete until you empty the Trash again. Do this until the available space is more than 9 GB. Then restart as usual (i.e., not in safe mode.)
    If the startup process hangs again, the problem is likely caused by a third-party system modification that you installed. Post for further instructions.
    Step 8
    Launch Disk Utility in Recovery mode (see Step 1.) Select the startup volume, then run Repair Disk. If any problems are found, repeat until clear. If Disk Utility reports that the volume can't be repaired, the drive has malfunctioned and should be replaced. You might choose to tolerate one such malfunction in the life of the drive. In that case, erase the volume and restore from a backup. If the same thing ever happens again, replace the drive immediately.
    This is one of the rare situations in which you should also run Repair Permissions, ignoring the false warnings it may produce. Look for the line "Permissions repair complete" at the end of the output. Then restart as usual.
    Step 9
    If the startup device is an aftermarket SSD, it may need a firmware update and/or a forced "garbage collection." Instructions for doing this with a Crucial-branded SSD were posted here. Some of those instructions may apply to other brands of SSD, but you should check with the vendor's tech support.  
    Step 10
    Reinstall the OS. If the Mac was upgraded from an older version of OS X, you’ll need the Apple ID and password you used to upgrade.
    Step 11
    Do as in Step 9, but this time erase the startup volume in Disk Utility before installing. The system should automatically restart into the Setup Assistant. Follow the prompts to transfer the data from a Time Machine or other backup.
    Step 12
    This step applies only to models that have a logic-board ("PRAM") battery: all Mac Pro's and some others (not current models.) Both desktop and portable Macs used to have such a battery. The logic-board battery, if there is one, is separate from the main battery of a portable. A dead logic-board battery can cause a startup failure. Typically the failure will be preceded by loss of the settings for the startup disk and system clock. See the user manual for replacement instructions. You may have to take the machine to a service provider to have the battery replaced.
    Step 13
    If you get this far, you're probably dealing with a hardware fault. Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.

  • I bought iphone 5s 2 days ago and suddenly it turn off and start again till the white screen with apple logo and start again

    i bought iphone 5s 2 days ago and suddenly it turn off and start again till the white screen with apple logo and start again
    please answer me as soon as possible

    Hello Ahmedabokamar,
    Thanks for the question! I'd recommend taking a look at the following article for troubleshooting steps that can help get your iPhone working again.
    iOS: Not responding or does not turn on
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3281
    Cheers,
    Allen

  • A friend has just brought me their first generation aluminium macbook that will not start. Start up stops at white screen with curser. Any ideas?

    A friend has just brought me their first generation aluminium macbook that will not start. Start up stops at white screen with curser. Any ideas?

    Thanks for the help. I didn't know how to do a safe boot. It allowed me to get into disk utility and that sorted it out.

  • I need to reinstall my operating system for 10.5 after seeing a file folder and question mark flashing on my start up screen. Can anyone help me with this?

    I need to reinstall my operating system for 10.5 after seeing a file folder and question mark flashing on my start up screen. Can anyone help me with this?

    Hello,
    That means it can find the Hard Drive, or can't find the things needed for booting.
    See if DU even sees it.
    "Try Disk Utility
    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.*
    3. Click the First Aid tab.
    4. Select your Mac OS X volume.
    5. Click Repair Disk, (not Repair Permissions). Disk Utility checks and repairs the disk."
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106214
    Then try a Safe Boot, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when it completes.
    (Safe boot may stay on the gray radian for a long time, let it go, it's trying to repair the Hard Drive.)

  • What does a white screen with a file folder and question mark indicate?

    what does a white screen with a file folder and question mark indicate upon start up?

    That the computer can't find a useable boot volume.
    Boot from your grey installer DVD disc 1 (hold down the C key on startup or hold down Alt/option on start and choose the installer disc).
    OK the language page (if present). From the installer screen, go to the menu bar and choose Disk Utility; depending on the OS version it may be in the Utilities menu or Tools menu.
    In DU, select your internal drive in the sidebar (the top item with the makers name and serial no.). Run Repair Disk (not Disk permissions). If problems are reported as repaired, run it again until you get a message in green "the volume seems to be OK".
    If it says it can't repair the disc, you may need heavier guns such as DiskWarrior or TechTool to attempt a rescue.
    Hope you have backups; retrieving data from adead drive can be expensive and tricky.

  • I dropped my iphone 3gs and the screen has gone blank now showing a white screen with no icons can anyone advise me how to fix it?

    I dropped my iphone 3gs and the screen has gone blank now showing a white screen with no icons can anyone advise me how to fix it?

    Tim is correct.
    But, first step with 3GS white screen and most iPhone problems is Reset, hold both home and power buttons until iPhone begins to restart itself, usually about 10 seconds of holding both buttons. If still white screen.
    Next step would be Restore the iPhone Firmware with iTunes on your computer. If still white screen.
    Next step would be to follow Tim's advice, if you had not already.

  • Got a iMac upon start up it has white screen with apple logo and loading wheel spinning forever under it, does anybody know how to fix this?

    PLEASE HELP!!!!!! EMERGENCY Upon start up normal start up noise occurs, then after white screen with Grey Apple logo, and a spinning loading wheel under it (thee repetitive lines NOT rainbow one) ?!? then thats as far as it goes it stays on that screen forever will not boot up.  Any info on how to possibly fix? I've tried several of the Start up shortcuts , it wont even start up in Safe Mode . My fiance' is crushed she is a writer and EVERYTHING SHE HAS WORKED ON is somewhere on that hard drive. Any thoughts, i'm open to any and all LOGICAL responses, thank you very much for ya'lls time ........Its just heartbreaking to see my iMac in this vegistated coma,The whole reason i bought a mac was cause I love them I have Apple EVERYTHING, so once again please help.

    Try this: Switch off your iMac wait 10-15 seconds hold down the Option Key (alt) key then press the power botton but keep the option key down. This should show all the available options to boot from. I trust you have a full backup, Good luck.

  • MacPro doesn't start and stays on white screen with apple logo.

    My mac pro does not start. It turns on because I hear the sound, Then the apple logo and progress bar appears. The progress bar does not load fully. I have done all the troubleshooting that is to be done including disk verification, disk repair, single user mode, set SMC and VPRAM. Nothing has helped. I have not backed up my files.

    Hello ashmifromnolensville,
    Welcome to the Apple Support Communities!
    I understand that your Mac is only starting up to a grey screen with the Apple logo. I don’t want to have you complete troubleshooting steps that you have already completed, but for completeness sake, I would advise reading over the attached article and completing any suggested troubleshooting steps that you have not completed. 
    Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup - Apple Support
    Have a great day,
    Joe

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