HT204347: How to find the serial number of your MacBook Pro

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Pam and Bill
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: my laptop has a gray screen with a ? n the middle of it.  what  can i do to start it.

I just turned my laptop on and Ihave a gray screen screen with a ? in the midle of a folder and that is all I get.  I've only had it for a while and not sure what to do.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  thank you

MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 12, 2013 10:44 PM

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Pam and Bill

Q: my laptop has a gray screen with a ? n the middle of it.  what  can i do to start it.

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel Dec 12, 2013 10:49 PM in response to Pam and Bill
    Level 10 (313,375 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 12, 2013 10:49 PM in response to Pam and Bill

    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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