Can anyone tell how to fix a folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system?
Restart your Mac in recovery mode (press and hold Command-R at startup) then run Disk Utility > First Aid on the internal drive volumes and the drive itself.
You’ll need to restart you Mac in Recovery mode and run Disk Utility to see if the problem can be corrected. Restarting to recovery mode can sometimes be a little tricky as for timing the keystrokes. And it's best to do this with a wired USB keyboard. Borrow one if you have to.
I've found what works best and most consistently is to press the power button on the Mac, and then when you hear the startup chime press and hold Command-R (⌘R) until you see the Apple logo and progress bar. At that point you can release the keys and let the Mac finish starting up.
If you have attempted ⌘R recovery startup more than a few times without success, then you may have a situation where the internal drive of your Mac is compromised, failing or failed. Try restarting into Internet Recovery mode using Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R. You will need a solid wi-fi connection, or better yet, an ethernet cable connection to your router for this.
Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support
About macOS Recovery on Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support
• Once in recovery mode and presented with the macOS Utilities window, select and launch Disk Utility. In DU, click View > Show All Devices.
• Now, from the list on the left, select the lowest volume that is still an indented item of the topmost internal device. It'll likely be named Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data. Then click the First Aid button and let DU check and repair the volume if necessary. Do this to the other volumes and containers on the device, working your way up. Finally, run First Aid on the device itself. When DU indicates the tasks complete, quit the app and restart the computer.
With any luck this will allow your computer to restart properly.
Also, please see:
Restart your Mac in recovery mode (press and hold Command-R at startup) then run Disk Utility > First Aid on the internal drive volumes and the drive itself.
You’ll need to restart you Mac in Recovery mode and run Disk Utility to see if the problem can be corrected. Restarting to recovery mode can sometimes be a little tricky as for timing the keystrokes. And it's best to do this with a wired USB keyboard. Borrow one if you have to.
I've found what works best and most consistently is to press the power button on the Mac, and then when you hear the startup chime press and hold Command-R (⌘R) until you see the Apple logo and progress bar. At that point you can release the keys and let the Mac finish starting up.
If you have attempted ⌘R recovery startup more than a few times without success, then you may have a situation where the internal drive of your Mac is compromised, failing or failed. Try restarting into Internet Recovery mode using Option-Command-R or Shift-Option-Command-R. You will need a solid wi-fi connection, or better yet, an ethernet cable connection to your router for this.
Mac startup key combinations - Apple Support
About macOS Recovery on Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support
• Once in recovery mode and presented with the macOS Utilities window, select and launch Disk Utility. In DU, click View > Show All Devices.
• Now, from the list on the left, select the lowest volume that is still an indented item of the topmost internal device. It'll likely be named Macintosh HD or Macintosh HD - Data. Then click the First Aid button and let DU check and repair the volume if necessary. Do this to the other volumes and containers on the device, working your way up. Finally, run First Aid on the device itself. When DU indicates the tasks complete, quit the app and restart the computer.
With any luck this will allow your computer to restart properly.
Also, please see:
Follow each of the steps at > https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204323
Then if that does not fix it, you will need to contact Apple Support > https://getsupport.apple.com or call your local AASP and make a Service appointment.
The question is *why* did that happen? If *you* borked something up, then the suggestions given should work fine. If your Hard Disk is dead, than you might have to explore other options.
Can anyone tell how to fix a folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesn't contain a working Mac operating system?
