AZSD
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: flashing" ? "folder at whirring noise & freezes after sleep

I have a 13inch macbook pro -late 2011, OS X 10.8.4 (12E55). I get a flashing Question mark folder at start up I have to force shut & power on the laptop 5-6 times then it starts up fine. I also get a small whirring noise at start-up & when it wakes up after sleep it freezes & I have to force shut down again( the force quit- keyboard option don't -work).

I have tried various Trouble shooting steps - like Pram reset, reinstalling the OS- X, SMC reset, safe boot, disk repair from disk utility but so far no go. I  am worried if I dont get this fixed it will lead to a bigger problem.  My laptop warranty got over just last month.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 5, 2013 5:05 AM

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AZSD

Q: flashing" ? "folder at whirring noise & freezes after sleep

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  • by mooblie,

    mooblie mooblie Aug 5, 2013 5:12 AM in response to AZSD
    Level 4 (1,935 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 5:12 AM in response to AZSD

    Wrong forum.  This is Mac Pro, not MacBOOK Pro.

     

    Anywyay - when you CAN get it to startup: - take a full backup immediately!

    Your hard disc is probably failing, and might need replacement.

  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Aug 5, 2013 7:10 AM in response to AZSD
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 7:10 AM in response to AZSD

    maybe it is as simple as swapping out the hard drive, maybe go with an SSD even.

     

    When a hard drive has errors then you need to do at least a full zero all before you format it and install, and don't restore anything you don't trust. Having backup(s) from before trouble began.

     

    A forced hard restart/shutdown will only corrupt the directory and filesystem further.

     

    These folks have upgrades for MBP - RAM, hard drive, SSD, and some kits that provide a spare empty external drive case for your old drive. They even can do the upgrades if needed (some iMac modifications have to be done that way).

     

    MacBook Series Forums

    https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks?view=discussions

     

    Mac OS X Forum

    https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_os?view=discussions

     

  • by The hatter,

    The hatter The hatter Aug 5, 2013 12:41 PM in response to AZSD
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 12:41 PM in response to AZSD

    Normally you go to System Preferences Control Panel for Startup Disk, set the volume to boot from and that resolves it.

     

    If you zap PRAM or SMC then that means you have to reset Startup Disk again.

     

    And if it doesn't work, then use your Recovery partition and use Disk Utility.

     

    Click on the top name for the disk drive "ABCxxxx" and Repair Drive

     

    Click on the system partition name "My Macintosh" and again click on Repair Drive.

     

    Go to Startup Disk when you leave Disk Utility and set the disk.

     

    REBOOT and do a Safe Boot with Shift key down. That does not load 3rd party drivers.extensions, rebuilds some files such as Extensions.cache

     

    Restart again.

     

    And to get into Recovery, you need 10.7 or later and use Command + r or even Option key.

     

    Recovery Mode

     

    About Flashing Q : http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1440

     

    General purpose Mac troubleshooting guide:

    Isolating issues in Mac OS X

    Creating a temporary user to isolate user-specific problems:

    Isolating an issue by using another user account

    Identifying resource hogs and other tips:

    Using Activity Monitor to read System Memory and determine how much RAM is being used

    Starting the computer in "safe mode":

    Mac OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode?

    To identify potential hardware problems:

    Apple Hardware Test

    General Mac maintenance:

  • by AZSD,

    AZSD AZSD Aug 5, 2013 9:15 PM in response to The hatter
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 9:15 PM in response to The hatter

    thanks for your reply. I have tried all the steps mentioned above.

     

    what i dont understand is ... once I get it to starup, it works fine & if I restart inbetween my work ( just to test it) or if I finish my work & shut down & then power on in 3-4 mins immediatly then it restarts properly.

     

    .if I switch it on after a long time or as mentioned earlier after I wake it up after a long sleep mode  that's when it gives me a problem.

     

    do you still think its the hard disk?  I am so not in a position to spend money on repairs right now...& I am feeling cheated.. I got this laptop just a year & its warranty got over just a month ago & its started acting up.

  • by AZSD,

    AZSD AZSD Aug 5, 2013 9:21 PM in response to mooblie
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 5, 2013 9:21 PM in response to mooblie

    oopsie!! 

    but thanks for your reply & help..

     

    ..  you sure the hard disk has failed?

     

    because when i manage to get it up & running it works fine ( some times the  sound & other controls are greyed out- in that case I restart & it works properly )