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blinking folder with questions mark

A teacher just brought me a MacBook, and upon start-up there is a blinking folder with a questions mark. What does that mean, and how can I fix it?


I appreciate anyone's knowledge and help.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 5, 2012 9:07 AM

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Question marked as Best reply

Posted on Oct 5, 2012 9:14 AM

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 the hard drive's location.


(70455)

1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Oct 5, 2012 9:14 AM in response to TeachComputers2012

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 the hard drive's location.


(70455)

blinking folder with questions mark

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