I didn't buy my macbook from the apple store can I go in for help? Flashing folder with question mark.

You had better back up your data before you go to the Apple Store, if you haven't already done so, or you may never see it again.

Yes, they will help you at the Apple retail stores. Be sure to make a reservation for the genius bar or you may have to wait a long time to talk to a Mac genius.

The warranty if good even if you didn't buy it directly from Apple. If you are out of warranty, you may have to pay if a repair is needed, but most software issues can be resolved without the need for fees.

Best of luck.

Your problem might be a easy fix.

If the firmware "forgets" what partition it's supposed to boot from, it won't load OS X, so if OS X doesn't load then it can't tell the fans to slow down, the default is "turbo mode".

So all you might have to do is hold the option/alt key down while booting the computer with a charged up battery on power, you will then see a row of icons and you pick OS X to boot from.

Once in you head to System Preferences and set the Startup Disk, that will tell the firmware what to boot from again.

Try it and see if it works.

You can do more if your problem is not fixed.

Step by Step to fix your Mac

Faica wrote:

I wanted to know if I am able to go to the apple store and will they help me even though I didn't buy it from them.

Yes, if it was purchased new you have a 1 year warranty, despite who you bought it from (unless it's stolen goods)

However you should purchase AppleCare while your in the store for another 2 more years of coverage also a backup drive for TimeMachine to protect your data.

Did you purchase the MBP new? If so it should be covered under warranty for hardware repairs.

If not under warranty (or the AppleCare protection plan) it would depend on what needs repairing. Since we don't know what that is yet, we can't really say. Most repairs are fairly inexpensive. I think logic board replacements, for example, go for about $310 + tax. Most other repairs would be less. That assumes that the issue is not caused by abuse such as liquid damage, dropping, etc.

Before going in you might want to read the posts to the right under the column More Like This where other folks have had and solved that issue. Just might save you a trip.