Why my imac start with question mark sign on gray screen

need help with imac start up

Click here and follow the instructions. If the computer was running Mac OS X 10.6.8 or earlier and you reach the third set of steps, insert a Mac OS X install disk.
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Why am I seeing a question mark sign when I click on safari to use the internet?

why do I see a question mark sign after I click on safari to try to use the internet?

If you mean in Dock then you have moved the Safari application or the application is missing as in deleted.

I installed the window 7 os in to my mac book pro. after that the partition is not supported and then the folder with question mark flashing on my screen. plaese helf me what to do next to resume the mac os x?

i installed the window 7 ultimate OS in to my mac book pro. after that the partition is not supported and then the folder with question mark flashing on my screen. plaese helf me what to do next to resume mac mac os x?

Assuming that you tried to install Win 7 in bootcamp.
Power on the machine and press and hold the "option" key when you hear the bong sound.
Select the Macintosh HD icon and press "return" or just click on the icon.
Once booted into OS X go to System Preferences and select the Startup Disk icon and configure startup to use the Macintosh HD.

Has anyone come up with a solution on why the red circle with question mark inside appears.

Has a solution been brought

Could the problem be that you're trying to make a template that includes assignments and placeholder frames? Because that won't work ... sorry, would be nice if it could.
You will get a missing assignment icon if you move the InDesign file, duplicate it, or rename it via a Save As. That's because assignments are actually attributes of the original file -- they are NOT linked -- and they don't stick with it when the original file is modified (other than normal "Save's"). The time to create assignments is when the live "final" file (even if it's filled with empty frames) has been created for that specific publication/issue, and it will not be moved or renamed during the production cycle.
So if you're doing what I'm guessing ... if you start w/an InDesign file, create assignments and assign empty text frames, and save that as a template ... then you will always end up with "missing" assignments. That's because a template file, when double-clicked, creates an Untitled copy of itself.
"I am getting the missing link for the assignments after they are finished." If an assignment -- an ICMA file, not the linked stories, the ICML files -- shows the red "missing" icons in the assignments panel, the only solution is to recreate them. They are not linked to the layout so there is nothing to relink.
The fix is to select each missign Assignment in the Assignments panel and choose Change Location. It's a bizarre name for the actual function which is to "recreate the Assignment." Be careful of the linked ICML files that go along with that layout (and those assignments).
You will also run into problems if you try to re-use the same linked ICML files for multiple issues. Best to start with a "normal" INDD file, then export Assignments/linked stories for that one issue. When you're done, unlink all the stories and delete the Assignments, turning it back into a normal INDD file. That normal file is safe to duplicate and use as a starting point for the next issue.
AM

Macbook displays a question mark sign(?) on screen

I have a 13" Macbook. I had a 250 gb and a 500 gb internal hd's already crashed. I just bought a brand new 250 gb thought that this will work. I was wrong. I inserted this hd and turned on the on-switch. The same screen I saw earlier showed again-a blue acreen with a file with a (?) sign on it. What's wrong?
Need help so bad. Thank you in advance for your help.
God bless you and yours.
sal

The question mark means no bootable drive can be found (and using the option key won't find any either unless it can find a Lion recovery partition).
If you installed a brand new drive then it needs to be formatted. Until Lion I would have told you to use your installer dvd to format the new drive and install on to it. With Lion I don't know what to recommend to you since you would normally boot from the Lion recovery partition and run Disk Utility from there. But you have a new drive with no recovery partition so I don't know what you could do.
The only thing I can think of is if you have one of those bootable Lion flash drives you could boot from that and then format and install on to your new drive from that. Otherwise, I don't know.

Flashing Folder with Question Mark, Disk Utility Grayed Out

I was working on my macbook pro when it appeared to freeze, so I manually shut it down by pressing the power button. When I pressed it again to restart the computer, the restart "chime" sounded, and a flashing folder with a question mark appeared shortly after. The folder flashes for a few minutes, and the macbook turns off again. After consulting the internet, I restarted while holding command+r, and the computer told me to reconnect to the internet, select a language, and so on. When I reached the menu giving me choices for how to recover my information, I discovered that there were apparently no time machine backups recognized and when I tried to use the "first aid" option in Disk Utility, all of the action buttons are grayed out when I select the drives (I'm running OS X Mavericks) at the left, including the "Verify" option at the top. Is there anything I can do? I really would rather not restore a new version of OS X to preserve my information.

Thanks for the response. When I clicked on the option to reinstall, the window asking me to select the disk where I would like to install Mac OS X presents no options. There's just a blank white box with no other messages or prompts.

Large file folder with question mark is flashing on screen.

Just turned on computer for the first time and a large file folder with a question mark is flashing on the screen. I am unable to do anything and have restarted and it does the same thing. Please help!

It does this when it can't see the operating system. You didn't give much information but I'm assuming it's a brand new mini and you aren't using any external drives for the operating system. If that's the case then yes, reinstall OS X. Put your install DVD into the optical drive and reboot. As soon as you hear the chime, hold down the "C" key on your keyboard (or the Option key until the Install Disk shows up). That will force your Mac to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.
If reinstallation isn't possible, or if the problem continues after reinstallation, then you need to exchange it for another, because something is keeping the operating system on the drive from being read.

Smiley face/question mark on a gray screen

I've "inherited" a red and white mac g3 that does not start up. No disks or manuals came with it.
When powered on, a gray screen with a small folder in the center pops up with a smiley face alternating with a question mark blinking on it. There is a start up sound accompanying the blinking. Any suggestions for someone not technical? Thank you so much!
G3

Bokoto, welcome to Apple Discussions!
Look at "A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac"
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=58042
I hope this helps. However I think you are going to need a Disc with the OS on it. Please take a look at Don's answer to 'Where can I get an OS9 CD' (also in this forum) as there is some important info. for you there.
More answers to your problem are available here:
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?search=Go&q=flashingquestionmark
... this is the search I ran with your problem - top right corner of your screen "Search Discussions".
Anthony

When booting up get flashing apple folder with question mark and no sign, why?

When booting up get flashing apple folder with question mark and no sign, why? Computer will not open up. I have tried resetting the Pram. I can access the hard drive from another computer holding down the t key when starting up the Macbook Pro. What to do next?

The cable connecting the HDD to the logic board may be faulty. If the internal HDD can boot the MBP when in an external enclosure, that will confirm this issue. If not, the HDD may need to be replaced.
Ciao.

When I start my iMac 2008, appear something like folder with question mark inside

When I start my iMac 2008, appear something like folder with question mark inside

Reinstall OS X without erasing the drive
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 Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
If you are running Lion or later:
Reinstall Lion, Mountain Lion, or Mavericks without erasing 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
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 then click on the Repair Permissions button. When the process is completed, then quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Mountain Lion or Mavericks
OS X Mavericks- Reinstall OS X
OS X Mountain Lion- Reinstall OS X
OS X Lion- Reinstall Mac OS X
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet
if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Why does my imac have a question mark in the doc sayin start osx

my imac has a question mark in my doc. on top of that question mark it say "start osx" how can i fix this

Your images are "disconnected"
that means they are not in the same place on your hard disk as they were when you imported them into Elements. There are a couple ways this can happen, mostly folks who use Windows to move images to a new location instead of Elements will run into this issue.
To fix it, you either need to move them back using Windows, or Reconnect them using Elements.
You didn't mention waht version you have, but it's done the same in all versions.
Here is a link to the Help doc on how to Reconnect.
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/PhotoshopElements/6.0/help.html?content=WSae2ea3b149d0c3591ae9 39f103860b3d59-7f68.html

On start up my mac is showing a folder and flashing question mark sign?

On start up my mac shows a folder sign & flashing question mark?? Help and Why??

Question (?) Mark, Blinking Folder, or Gray Screen at Startup
These are related but not identical issues. Their causes are outlined in Intel-based Mac- Startup sequence and error codes, symbols. Solutions may be found in:
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac
Mac OS X- Gray screen appears during startup
In most cases the problems may be caused by:
Problem with the computer's PRAM - See Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM.
Boot drive's directory has been corrupted - Repair with Disk Utility.
Critical system files are damaged or deleted - Reinstall OS X.
The disk drive is physically non-functional - Replace the hard drive.
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.
The main difference if you are using Lion or Mountain Lion is that you must first boot from the Recovery HD:
Boot From 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.
Reinstall Snow Leopard Without Erasing The drive
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 Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1.
Reinstalling Lion/Mountain 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/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.

Switched on my imac 24inch intel based and all I get on screen is a folder with question mark flashing,I had backup on external hard drive but when I try to reinstall it can not find my mac hard drive

Hi when I started my intel based imac this morning all I am getting is a folder with question mark in the middle flashing,I have external hard drive with backup,but when run disc utilities it does not show my mac hard drive.hope someone can help.(it's running mountain lion, well it was)

Try starting up your Mac while holding down the Option key. That should prompt the Startup Manager window where you can select the startup disk then click Restart.
The question mark folder indicates your Mac cannot find a system folder to boot from.
A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark, My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark, My MacBook won't boot past the grey screen showing a folder sign with question mark

Hi, I need some serious help immediately. I have been using an external hard disc to watch movies and stuff on my MacBook. However last night I removed the external hard disc accidentally without closing the programs that were still using the data from the hard disk and hence the complete MacBook got hanged and nothing responded. I tried using command Q to shut down the program buy it didn't help either. So finally I gave up and shut down the MacBook manually by pressing the power on/off button.
However when I tried restarting my MacBook I faced a serious problem. The start up won't boot beyond the grey screen showing a folder sign with a question mark sign in it .. I just don't know what to do. Somebody please help me and guide me through this problem
Awaiting quick response
Gratitude in advance
Regards
AJ

If you try booting your Mac holding down the Option key, you should see the icon for Macintosh HD. Try selecting that to boot. If you can get in that way, go to System Preferences > Startup Disk and select your Mac HD, then click Restart.
If you can't see the Mac HD, the volume may indeed need repair as Niel said.

Have started seeing diamonds with question marks on FireFox (and Chrome); changed encoding, made no difference.

Both FireFox and Google Chrome (but not Internet Explorer) have been showing black diamonds with question marks in them for some time. It's not an encoding issue, as changing character encoding doesn't work. I don't know what caused it, as it all of a sudden started out of the blue. My network.http. in about:config are all default. I've tried scanning for malware, including in safe mode with the internet disconnected. Nothing has made a difference. Please help me, as this problem is incredibly hard to Google and I have no idea what to do.

''I saw it again through Firefox - from the same website, but not the same page as before.''
he Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago supports the idea.
�I think it will open up doors,� said Janaan Hashim, a spokeswoman for the group representing more than 400,000 Muslim Americans in the Chicago area. �Language is a man-made limitation. I think what God cares about is how we fulfill our purpose in life.�
The nation�s largest Catholic civil rights group says Catholics won't get behind the proposal.
�Bishop Martinus �Tiny� Muskens can pray to �Allah� all he wants, but only addlepated Catholics will follow his lead,� Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, said in a statement. �It is not a good sign when members of the Catholic hierarchy indulge in a fawning exchange with Muslims, or those of any other religion.�
Thiis is the link:
http://z10.invisionfree.com/Ignis_Ardens/index.php?showtopic=12912

Why my imac start with question mark sign on gray screen

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