What does it mean when I start my computer and there is a file folder with a question mark?

What does it mean if I start my computer and there is a file folder with a question mark blinking?

That Disk 1/ Mac OS is the install DVD not the hard drive. Your hard drive is not recognized which would mean it's probably dead.
For a new hard drive try Newegg.com http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=380&name=Laptop-Hard-Dr ives&Order=PRICE
Or OWC  http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/
Here are instructions on replacing the hard drive in a MacBook with a removable battery. http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=45088
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the Aluminum Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbookpro_13_unibody_hd/
Here are video instructions on replacing the hard drive on the White Unibody http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/macbook_13_09_unibody_hd/
If you don’t have the tools to open up the MacBook OWC has a set for $5
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/

Similar Messages

  • Tried to install maverick killed my hard drive. tried to replace hard drive and reinstall earlier version. but when i reboot the computer i just get a file folder with a question mark.  what can i do to get ky mac up and running?

    not sure of my opions. any ideas

    Restart holding down cmd-opt-r. It will boot to Internet Recovery. From there you can reinstall the original shipping OS or restore from Time Machine.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

  • I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

    I had to restart my iMac and when it came back on the screen shows a file folder with a question mark. What should I do?

    Did you move any system files? It's looking for the system folder. You can startup from the system CD by inserting the CD and restarting the computer and at the same time hold down the C key. The computer will boot from the CD. At that point run the disk utility and check your hard-drive. It the problem persists then do a fresh clean install of the system folder and that should help you get back on track.
    Good Luck.

  • My probably 10 year old MaycBook died. It won't start. When I press the power button, it gets power, but it only lights up and a scratching noise starts like something is spinning. A file folder with a question mark periodically flashes... Help!!!

    My probably 10 year old MaycBook died. It won't start. When I press the power button, it gets power, but it only lights up and a scratching noise starts like something is spinning. A file folder with a question mark periodically flashes... Help!!!

    You don't have a Macbook if you are running OS 9 and it's 10 years old. The first Macbook is an Intel Mac that came out in 2006 running 10.4.x. You most likely have a Powerbook. Try posting in the Powerbook forum.
    A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

  • When I start my Mac air I get a flashing folder with a question mark

    I am trying to start my Mac air and I get a flashing folder with a question mark. When I turn the power of it shuts down but wen starting it comes back

    Just being clear about your situation.  When you hold down Option during boot it does not show a system volume or a recovery volume from which to boot.  At that point if you select a network boot and you do not see a spinning globe that persists there a good while as it loads the recovery partition over the network.  True?
    A couple of more thinks to try:
    Disconnect all of your external devices.
    Reset PRAM
    Boot with the option key again.
    Standard things to try (which is sounds like you already have attempted) A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

  • What does it mean when I turn on my mac there is a file on the screen and it won't turn on?

    What does it mean when I turn on my mac and a picture of a file comes up and it won't turn on? I hold the button and turn it off and try again and sometimes it goes on and other times the file comes back on.... do I have a virus? What should I do?

    No, you don't have a virus, but if that folder has a flashing '?', it means your Mac can't find its' system:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440
    or, other possible causes:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2570
    Take a look at those and see if any of those suggestions help.

  • What do I do when he only thing on my screen is a flashing folder with a question mark.

    I had a few browsers open on my computer. I accessed my calendar and it froze. The mouse would still move, but I could not click on anything. Then the screen went grey with a flashing folder with a question mark. I turned the power off and turned it back only but only see the grey screen with the flashing folder. I tried resetting the PRAM but it still will not work.  Can this be fixed? Please help!!

    You may have a disk error - could be an unrepairable physical problem with the drive, or a repairable file structure problem.
    Hold down cmd-R (both keys together) as you start up the Mac, and keep them held down until you see the Apple menu. When it boots to the recovery partition, click Disk Utility, and run Repair Disk on the Macintosh HD. Let us know if you see errors there and whether or not DU can fix them.
    Good luck!
    Matt

  • What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

    What does a file folder with a question mark in it mean when the computer won't start?

    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.
    (68976)

  • What does it mean when there is a flashing file folder with a question mark when trying to start computer?

    When I try to start my computer a flashing file folder with a question mark is on the screen. I can't open anything up. What does this mean?

    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.
    (104258)

  • What does it mean when I log into Facebook and a pop-up comes out saying "[JavaScript Application] Error: jQuery("#fb_menu_account a", document).attr("href") is undefined"?

    What does it mean when I log into Facebook and a pop-up comes out saying "[JavaScript Application] Error: jQuery("#fb_menu_account a", document).attr("href") is undefined"? I would like to know what I can do to fix this. The site ends-up running slow. I have tried clearing the cookies and cache, but that doesn't work.
    == URL of affected sites ==
    http://www.facebook.com

    Does is still happen in Firefox Safe Mode. See [[Safe Mode]].
    If so, it's probably being caused by an add-on.

  • What does it mean when the ipod is diabled and says connect to iTunes

    what does it mean when the ipod is diabled and says connect to iTunes

    It means...
    Connect to iTunes on the computer you usually Sync with and “ Restore “...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1414
    If necessary Place the Device into Recovery mode...
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1808

  • What does it mean when my screen just flashes a file folder with a question mark?

    I just did software update and now my screen flashes a file folder with a question mark in the middle???

    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 hard drive data is somehow corrupted.
    Put your install DVD into the 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.
    Once it has finished booting and you are at the Install screen launch Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. Is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?
    If it is then select the First Aid Tab run Repair Disk and 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.

  • My iMac has a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle.  What does that mean?

    My iMac is completely unresponsive.  Whenever I restart it, it's just a white screen with a flashing file folder with a question mark in the middle.  What does this mean?

    this means the mac cannot find the startup disc. which more times than not means you need a hdd replacement.
    try starting holding the option key, then using utilities try to repair the disc.

  • HT3964 What does a file folder with a question mark that appears upon startup?

    What does a file folder with a question mark which appears on startup mean??

    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.
    With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. 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) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
    Or if you are running 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7 or 10.8 partition.
    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.

  • When I went to turn the desktop on, the start up sound came on.  Then the screen was white with an icon flashing. The icon is a file folder with a question mark on it.  I cannot get it to fully turn on.  HELP

    When I went to turn the desktop on, the start up sound came on.  Then the screen was white with an icon flashing. The icon is a file folder with a question mark on it.  I cannot get it to fully turn on.  HELP

    Run a disk repair tool on the hard disk or install a new OS.
    (59898)

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