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.

Similar Messages

  • What does it means when you turn on the macbook and a file with a "?" mark flashes?

    What does it means when you turn on the macbook and a file with a "?" mark flashes?

    It usually means some system files are missing or corrupted. Reinstalling OS X is the fix:
    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/.

  • What does it mean when you receive a text on your iphone 6 form your own number and the message is duplicated on each side (sent/recieved) and has "verizon message" with a long number at the end of the text, duplicated as well?

    what does it mean when you receive a text on your iphone 6 from your own number and the message is duplicated on each side (sent/received) and has "verizon message" with a long number at the end of the text, duplicated as well?

        Great question stacybrownie! Let's get to the bottom of this so that it's not a cause for concern. When a message is sent to/from your own number, it will display as one sent, one received. This makes it display two messages as you are seeing. Let's clarify the second part of your question. Where do you see "Verizon Message" exactly? What is the long number at the end of the text? When did this start and is it with all text messages or only this instance?
    AdaS_VZW
    Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport 

  • What does it mean when you have a window saying there is another user and your computer has been renamed

    When i opened my computer this morning, a window was there saying that there was a second user using my computer and had changed the name ... what does the mean?

    ok, thanks Grant Bennet-Alder ..  so this could have been my phone or my ipad I assume.
    even though i have not seen this before, and had had all three for a couple of years now . but, maybe if I understand this right, my iphone could have been using wifi instead of cellular? 
    Is this what you mean?
    again, thank you so much.
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  • What does it mean when it says it can't read your audio file on Flash CS4, because I'm using a working audio file and it is a supported file type?

    question topic is my question

    To set the Date & Time go to System Preferences->Date & Time. Uncheck the Set date and time automatically box if it is checked and set the date to before the date in the message.
    As for safety I have had to do this when installing old versions of Aperture Apples photo program and have not had any problems I would recommend you close all  non-essential apps while doing this to minimize any weirdness. Also if you are running TM (or another backup program) I'd recommend turning those off while you do this.
    Once you are done installing the software recheck the box if it was checked and the date and time should reset to today.. if not you can set them manually.
    regards

  • What does it mean when you can't burn a CD because you keep getting the error message with -3?

    I have gone through a dozen CDs, trying to burn a playlist, and keep getting the error message that the burn is cancelled due to -3......
    Is this due to a problem with the CD burner or with a bad batch of CDs?

    It may be a DNS issue. Where you would normally type "flylady.net"... just enter 208.87.85.216 instead. This is the actual address for the site. When you enter a website by name, it gets the actual address from a DNS server. There are tons of DNS servers out there and others who are getting to the site may use a different one. Just enter the numbers as shown (no "HTTP:", etc... just the numbers) and see if it works.

  • What does it mean when I turn on my iPod Touch and a white screen shows up?  Nothing else comes up.

    Everytime I try to turn it on, a white screen comes up and nothing else.  I just used by iPod Touch last week and everything was normal.

    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 does it mean when you get a notice saying that ITunes can't verify the identity of the server

    file:///Users/Ales/Desktop/IMG_4389.jpg
    This poped up when downloading the new itunes version. Should I be worried? If so what do you recommend I do?

    Yes, if you don't bother to change your password. You may also want to seriously consider turning on two step authentication.

  • What does it mean when I get a string of boxes with 4 characters, combos of letters and or numbers in place of one digit.

    https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/968254
    I read that the 4 characters in a box, replacing one space, is a Java script object notation file. The file type is a JSON and the File Type is EXTENSION. I still don't have a clue as to how this affects me.
    Also, Profile Definition is: 4bg58xpx.default

    Windows XP doesn't have by default installed support for East Asian an complex script languages.
    Check that you have installed East Asian language support.
    * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Multilingual_support_%28East_Asian%29 Wiki: Help:Multilingual support (East Asian)
    * http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/int_pr_install_languages.mspx?mfr=true
    Check that you have installed support for complex script languages.
    * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Multilingual_support_%28Indic%29 Wiki: Help:Multilingual support (Indic)
    * http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/int_pr_install_complex_languages.mspx

  • HT203434 what  does it  mean when i  connect to  recharge and a microphone appears with lightening   sign just  above  it?

    what does it mean  when i  turn on my mini wi fi i pad and it shws  a microphone and  lightening  coming out  from it  and  nothing  else is able to be brought up??

    I think that you are seeing the lightning bolt and the lightning connector on the screen. That means that you have to plug the iPad into a wall socket using the power adapter becuse the battery is too low to charge using your computer.
    Look at the photos on this website and not the one under the Connect to Power heading.
    Charge the battery in your iPad - Apple Support

  • What does it mean when the screen shows only the time and the play button

    what does it mean when i turn on my i-pod and it has a white screen and all it displays is the time and the play button cant get to the main screen to play music

    Is the hold switch in the on position?  Try resetting the iPod. To do this, press and hold both the Select/Center and menu buttons together long enough for the Apple logo to appear.  The iPod may have simply locked up.
    B-rock

  • What does it mean when i have a flashing folder with a question mark in it when i try to boot up?

    what does it mean when I have a flashing folder with a question mark in the middle of it when I try to boot the interface?

    It means the system cannot find a bootable OS. 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, 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.

  • What does it mean when your whole i phone screen turns green

    What does it mean when your whole iphone 5 screen turns green

    It means that you jailbroke your iPhone with redsn0w. There are several known methods to fixing this issue:
    1. Plug it into your computer and restore
    2. Plug it into your computer, then hold the power button for about 6 seconds
    3. Hold the power button and the home button to restart it. As soon as it turns on, plug it into your computer and wait
    4. Time. Sometimes it fixes itself over time.
    I would suggest refraining from jailbreaking your device next time. I know it tempting to do so, but if you want to root your phone or play with emulators, I would suggest an android device. Btw, iOS 7 looks promising for the Apple community. Keep your ears peeled this week during WWDC.

  • What does it mean when you computer crashes and when you turn it back on it shows you a blank blue screen with a little folder and a question mark in the middle?

    What does it mean when you computer crashes and when you turn it back on it shows you a blank blue screen with a little folder and a question mark in the middle? It's a old imac from 1997.

    I don't have original discs that it came with.
    Then you still can use the second option with the keyboard combo I posted, called "resetting the PRAM."
    Also when you way hold the c key down do you mean turn computer off and turn back on holding the c key?
    Yes, or you can simply restart. As you don't have the CDs, this isn't on the plate any more.
    The internal backup battery is not expensive and, in most iMacs is user-replacable. If yours has a tray-loading optical drive like this one:
    it takes a major teardown to replace the internal battery. If this is the case, you'd be better off to leave the computer plugged in all the time; that eliminates the main reason for having a working battery.
    If it has a slot-loading optical drive like this one:
    things are much easier. The battery is visible through the RAM access door on the bottom of the computer case. The manual:
    http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/iMacG3_2000UserManual.PDF
    has sketches of how to access the RAM and therefore the backup battery. Unfortunately, the pdf on the manual goes up sideways on-screen and the RAM instructions are pretty deep into the manual. It's probably easier to scroll (for a while) to the section on adding RAM and print the applicable pages.
    When you work on the battery, some sort of non-conductive pliers or large tweezer or forceps help unless you have tiny fingers. Make sure to note the polarity of the old battery and install the new one in the same orientation.
    The battery itself is readily available. If price is no oblect, you can get it for a small rasom from Radio Shack Store ("Tandy" outside the US) as part number 23-026.
    Online, they are dirt-cheap even after adding shipping. I buy backup batteries form this outfit:
    3.6v Newer Technology Lithium 1/2 AA PRAM Computer Clock Battery

  • What does it mean when I keep getting the following message:  Cannot open Page:  Safari could not open the page because the server stopped responding"  I have it connected to my wifi, have 3 strong bars,but the circle just keeps going around.

    What does it mean when I keep getting the following message on my IPad2:

    Usually it's because you are not making internet connection via wifi.
    Look at iOS Troubleshooting Wi-Fi networks and connections  http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1398
    iPad: Issues connecting to Wi-Fi networks  http://support.apple.com/kb/ts3304
    Additional things to try.
    Try this first. Turn Off your iPad. Then turn Off (disconnect power cord) the wireless router & then back On. Now boot your iPad. Hopefully it will see the WiFi.
    Change the channel on your wireless router. Instructions at http://macintoshhowto.com/advanced/how-to-get-a-good-range-on-your-wireless-netw ork.html
    How to Quickly Fix iPad 3 Wi-Fi Reception Problems
    http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/21/fix-new-ipad-3-wi-fi-reception-problems/
    If none of the above suggestions work, look at this link.
    iPad Wi-Fi Problems: Comprehensive List of Fixes
    http://appletoolbox.com/2010/04/ipad-wi-fi-problems-comprehensive-list-of-fixes/
    Fix iPad Wifi Connection and Signal Issues  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwWtIG5jUxE
     Cheers, Tom

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