Will an OSX Reinstall for Flashing Question Mark Lose My Data?

I restarted my pbook after a major hang and got the evil question mark folder.
I did as the Apple documents said and got my install CD and tried to do a verify/repair on my harddrive yet that failed really quickly.
I am going to visit my friend tomorrow to first try FW Target mode to see if I can access the hard drive and back up some data and then use DiskWarrior to try and repair the disk.
What I am wondering is if I choose to reinstall without formating will I lose my data? Also is there any other steps that I can take to fix it or save my data?
Sigh... Looking for any hope.
PBook 1.67 Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Hi, nibaq. Welcome to the Discussions.
If Verify/Repair from the Tiger Install Disc failed on your hard drive, as you state, then you have problems with the drive that need to be corrected before you attempt an Archive and Install.
See the "Disk Utility cannot repair the disk" section of my "Resolving Disk, Permission, and Cache Corruption" FAQ.
When the hard drive directory issues are sorted, then see my "General advice on performing an Archive and Install" FAQ. Perform the steps therein in the specified order.
Good luck!
Dr. Smoke
Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X
Note: The information provided in the link(s) above is freely available. However, because I own The X Lab™, a commercial Web site to which some of these links point, the Apple Discussions Terms of Use require I include the following disclosure statement with this post:
I may receive some form of compensation, financial or otherwise, from my recommendation or link.

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Flashing Question Mark in a Folder

Hello All:
I have an iMac 24" (Model A1225; Mid 2007) running 10.7.3. The CPU will rarely boot up and will boot up with the Flashing Question Mark in a folder most of the time. I can start up from a OS DVD (Snow Leopard) or Lion on a Flashdrive, but the HDD will not appear when I attempt a reinstall. I was able to boot up once from my Lion Flashdrive and reinstall 10.7.3 with a normal restart. The HDD checkout fine using disk utility and I repaired my disk permissions. The CPU seemed fine and this morning the Flashing Question Mark is back.
I can start up the Target disk mode and I will see the FireWire icon, but the HDD will not appear on the desktop of the host CPU. I have a new iMac on order, but do you think it is wise to pull my data from the HDD via the Target disk mode or my Time Capsule? I guess I am not sure if it is the logic board or a bad HD.
Thanks in advance,
Irv

It sounds more like a failing drive or a drive in need of repair. Have you tried repairing it?
Repair the Hard Drive - Lion
Boot from your Lion Recovery HD. 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 quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Restart from the Apple menu.
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.
If the drive is repairable then you will need to reinstall Lion:
Reinstalling 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. Alterhatively, 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 Lion: Select Reinstall Lion and click on the Continue button.
Note: You can also re-download the Lion installer by opening the App Store application. Hold down the OPTION key and click on the Purchases icon in the toolbar. You should now see an active Install button to the right of your Lion purchase entry. There are situations in which this will not work. For example, if you are already booted into the Lion you originally purchased with your Apple ID or if an instance of the Lion installer is located anywhere on your computer.
If none of this works then I would definitely backup your data, but not with Time Machine. I would make a backup to a separate drive, not the Time Capsule, using Carbon Copy Cloner.

Macbook air flashing question mark

any solutions for flashing question mark on start up?

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.
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Flashing Question Mark Folder--after repair of "Office Database damage"

I received a dialogue box message reporting "Office Database Damage--would you like to repair?"
I said "yes" --BIG MISTAKE.
The machine froze and now on boot-up will only give the dreaded Flashing Question Mark Folder".
Booting from the Installation CD is possible, however, when running the Disk Utility, no Mac HD appears in the window of drives you may check. Also, if I proceed to try to do a Clean Installation, there is nothing in the window offering any possible Destinations for Installation ...NOTHING.
When holding the "D" key down and booting from the Install Disk, I am able to run the Hardware Test which shows NO PROBLEM.
Also, if I try to access the computer as a FireWire harddrive from another MacPB connected via firewire, the only thing that shows up is the Install Disk. No HD shows up.
So, it seems I have a software problem, but no way to access the HD to do clean install or run any repair of disk permissions, etc.
ANY IDEAS?????
MacBook Pro 17, 2GB RAM

A friend of mine is having the same problem. This is why I am searching the boards now.
Anyone have an answer?

MacBook Pro 13 2010 running Mountain Lion: will not boot and shows a folder with a flashing question mark. Will not start in 'safe mode' i.e holding shift on start up - nor can I call up any utilities with the OSX shortcuts. Any thoughts?

Following an automatic update, the machine wouldn't boot. Screen came on (shows white) - then either showed a 'No-Entry' Sign and a spinning cog, or a folder with a qusetion mark. I tried to start the machine in different modes ( eg. holding shift after the tone ) but nothing worked. after leaving the machine alone for 1 hour. It worked perfectly again. I did a 'verify disk' check which found no problems. 2 hours later it then froze ( In - Photoshop). Could not force quit, so shut down, and have not been able to boot again since (white lit screen - flashing folder with question mark) . I have also taken the hard drive out and checked the connections which seem fine. Any suggestions? - Is the Hard Drive dead. : other info : It was also running parallels 8, with Windows 7. at the time of the update....

This article may help: A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac.

Tried to reinstall OSX 10.3.4, CD ejects, flashing question mark... Help!

So...
Inserted Software Install and Restore Disk 1, restarted holding C. After starting up, the only option given was to erase everything and reinstall. Did that, seemed to be working, but then stalled at 4%-- overnight. So restarted, but now every time I try to boot from the disk, it ejects the disk after several seconds and the flashing question mark comes up. What should I do?

Welcome To  Discussions katroshka!
With the install disc inserted, when you restarted while pressing the Option key, to access Startup Manager, did you first click on the install disc, to select it, and then click on the ➡ (Arrow) Tab, that appears on the screen?
ali b

IN DESPERATE NEED FOR HELP flashing question mark appears MacBook

Hello everyone, I got this White MacBook Mac OS X 10.4.11 yesturday I was updating limewire and iTunes, I was downloading some songs from Limewire when all of a sudden my macbook frozed. I was not able to do a thing. Not even minimizing nor quiting the app nor even opening another aplication, so I decided to shut it down by holding the power button until it shut down (about 8 secs). So I restart my macbook and I got this grey=blank screen whit a flashing question mark on it. I've tried EVERYTHING on this link http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440?viewlocale=en_US even these one http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1533 and all I was able to accomplish, was to hold the mouse (/trackpad) button to eject a Cd, and while pressing Shift during startup (in order to start in Safe Boot mode) all I get is this lock image and this space to type a password. I've tried typing every password I know and I can't fix my macbook. Can anyone please help me out on this one?

It means certain system files needed for startup are corrupted. You will have to reinstall OS X. If your hard drive is unaffected you can try 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.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior (4.0 for Tiger) and/or TechTool Pro (4.5.2 for Tiger) 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.

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

I have replaced my ibook hard drive but when I start up I get a folder with a flashing question mark. I have tried installing the OSX disk using the "C" key but can't get any further than the flashing "?." What do I do? What is the problem?

Which iBook do you have?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1772?viewlocale=en_US
Which version of the OS is installed, and which version are you trying to install?
You could try starting up with Startup Manager and see if it will allow you to select the OS X install disc as the startup disk. If so, maybe you can proceed from there. I would recommend repairing the hard drive first since you are evidently having a bit of a problem with it.

TS1440 A flashing question mark appeared when I started my MacBook Pro, I've tried all the suggestions and nothing has worked. How can I back up my current files so I can reinstall Mavericks?

I recently did a manual reboot after my MacBook Pro had frozen, and instead of the usual Apple and loading icon, it gave me the flashing question mark on a folder, which I've never encountered before. I looked up some possible reasons on my PC, and after reading that there's a problem with my HD I tried looking up how to back up my files so that I can do a clean reinstall of Yosemite (latest ver.). However, I've never used anything like Time Machine or anything else that could back up all my files, so it didn't sound like I could do anything about that at this point. I've also tried going into Disk Utility and attempting to repair the disk image. There was only 2 available, disk0 and the base system. I verified the base system, and told me there was nothing wrong (it didn't give me the option to repair anything either, on both available options). I don't think this is the right thing though, since my drive was called MacBook Pro HD. So basically this is the point I'm at now. Is there anything I can do that will repair my HD without erasing all my files?

I've tried all the suggestions and nothing has worked.
I verified the base system, and told me there was nothing wrong
Hold the option key on boot to see if you can select your Macintosh HD.
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support
You can boot into Recovery and re-install the OS X on top of what you have. It will preserve your user data.
command R on boot.
Recovery http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718

Hi guys, problem with grey screen and flashing question mark. on top of it while in utility, i'm unable to verify, verify disc permission or repair disc0 which is obviously my main hd. any ideas where to go from here? tried to reistall osx but no luck.

hi guys, problem with grey screen and flashing question mark. should be straight forward affair but on top of it while in disc utility, i'm unable to verify, verify disc permission, repair or even erase disc0 which is obviously my main hd. any ideas where to go from here? tried to reinstall osx but no luck, stucked when asked to chose location to install osx. would really apreciate any kind of help with this cause i'm quite new mac user. ty

If you don't have a backup, read this:
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-1689

On power startup my Imac shows a white screen then subsequently a flashing question mark-- will not open

My iMac shows only a white screen and then a flashing question mark on power start up and will no open display

Help here > A flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac

Hey, My macbook is giving me a flashing question mark on startup. When I hold down the command key to get to system preferences it asks me for a firmware password, that I did not set! Any ideas on how to bipass this?

Hey, My mac book is giving me a flashing question mark on start up. When I hold down the command key to get to system preferences in order to help it find the system software it asks me for a firmware password, that I did not set! I also do not have the start up DVD/disk anymore. Any ideas on how to bypass this?

Contact Apple or an authorized Apple service provider.
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Flashing question mark, trying to reinstall Tiger but no volume found to install it too.

I was installing updates to this mid 2004 iBook I bought and upon restart I just got tr flashing question mark folder. I tired booting from the OS disc to install, but it tells me there is no volume to install the software too. WTh? It was just working fine 20 minutes ago. It sounds like the HHD engaged but the computer isnt seeing it. Is the hard drive gone or what?

Hello, it sounds like the hard drive has gone to me, the question mark icon you described would be Mac OS X not finding a volume to boot from. It does suggest a replacement hard drive is required, however I have G4 14" iBook that has a problem with a chip on the logic board. A common problem now with old used iBooks. The chip solder becomes departed from the board and eventually effects the iBook's ability to read the hard drive. I am not suggesting this is your fault here, but it's worth being aware of. I personally would replace the hard drive fist and with all luck it will resolve your problem.
Good Luck

Flashing question mark/will not read disc.

So, I've seen other discussions here and tried to apply them to my own problem, but nothing seems to work so far. If anyone can offer any help, this would be great.
I was updating routine software and it asked if I wanted to restart now. I chose yes and it shut down, restarted to the flashing question mark. I tried restarting by holding down the power and c key many times. I know I need to install Mac OS X Install Disc 1, but my Macbook is not reading the disc. I tried putting in disc 2 as well but it doesn't recognise this one either.
Thanks.

Hi,
Hold the option key on startup. If a boot manager doesn't appear there may be hardware issues.
If a boot manager appears but you can't see a CD icon there may be a problem with your optical drive (or media).
Good Luck!

Macbook Air won't startup, flashing question mark

Hello everyone, here's the problem:
Recently (Sep) I've bought a new macbook air (2012, 128gb SSD). After a few months of using it the following problem happened: while surfing on the web, my macbook hang up (I couldn't press anything or do anything, the system wouldn't respond), so I shut it down forcefully (by holding the power button), after this my computer wouldn't boot at all: a flashing questioning mark appeared on the grey screen. I know what it means (I'm an Intel engineer and know quite a bit on the subject), so I thought the SSD was dead. Brought it to the shop a bought it at (M-video, Russia, Nizhni Novgorod). After 21 day (sic!) they gave it back to me working fine and said that when they opened it - it worked OK, they tested it for 5 days with reboots and it was OK. After 1 month of using it after I got it back (today) it happened again: the OSx hang -> force shutdown -> question mark on startup.
Could you please tell what can it be? It's obvious that it's no a hardware problem (in this case it wouldn't happen from time to time but be a permanent defect after the first time it occurred). I tried all the recipes found on the internet (command + alt + P + R; R to get recovery mode - disk utility sees only 1 partition on disk0 of 1.8 GB (I guess it's partition with the base system) and won't let me do anything - all options are grayed out; SHIFT won't let me into safe mode - no idea why; etc.). I also don't have a CD or anything with the mac OS, however even Internet recovery won't help - no targets to install it when it comes to it.
Have tried almost anything and asked almost anyone among my IT-connected friends, but in vain. Thank you in advance for your help! Will appreciate any piece of advice.

Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch
Be sure you backup your files to an external drive or second internal drive because the following procedure will remove everything from the hard 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.
Erase the hard drive:
1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
2. After DU loads select your startup volume (usually Macintosh HD) from the
      left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on
        the Security button and set the Zero Data option to one-pass. Click on
      the Erase button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible
            because it is three times faster than wireless.
If this fails then see: OS X (Lion/Mountain Lion)- About OS X Recovery.

Will an OSX Reinstall for Flashing Question Mark Lose My Data?

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