HT2433: Common System Error Messages: What they Mean and What Might Help Resolve the Problem

Learn about Common System Error Messages: What they Mean and What Might Help Resolve the Problem
Jdiakiw
Level 1 (4 points)
Apple TV

Q: My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it .  How to to open my laptop!  I have tried fir e clising several times and restArting  nope nada!

My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it .  How do  I open my laptop!  I have tried force closing several times and restArting  nope !  nada!  Suggestions?

Apple TV, iOS 7.0.1

Posted on Jan 19, 2014 6:15 AM

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Jdiakiw

Q: My laptop opened with a grey flashing file folder with a question mark inside it .  How to to open my laptop!  I have tr ... more

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  • by Jdiakiw,

    Jdiakiw Jdiakiw Jan 19, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Jdiakiw
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 19, 2014 6:37 AM in response to Jdiakiw

    Tried safe mode by ho,ding down shift key

    Tried nram reset. Holdunf command option, p and r

    Nope nothing.

  • by Jdiakiw,

    Jdiakiw Jdiakiw Jan 27, 2014 4:32 AM in response to Jdiakiw
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apple TV
    Jan 27, 2014 4:32 AM in response to Jdiakiw

    No one can help?

  • by Mike Sombrio,

    Mike Sombrio Mike Sombrio Jan 27, 2014 4:53 AM in response to Jdiakiw
    Level 6 (17,283 points)
    Apple Watch
    Jan 27, 2014 4:53 AM in response to Jdiakiw

    It's possible that your hard drive has failed. Which version of OS X are you running? Do you have your install disc?

  • by frederic1943,

    frederic1943 frederic1943 Jan 27, 2014 6:27 AM in response to Jdiakiw
    Level 6 (9,985 points)
    Jan 27, 2014 6:27 AM in response to Jdiakiw

    That folder with the question mark icon means that the MacBook can't find the boot directory. That can either mean it can't find the hard drive or the Operating System data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted.


    With 10.4, 10.5 or 10.6 put your install DVD into the optical drive (CD/DVD drive) and reboot. Be sure to either use the disc that came with your Mac, or, if you installed a later Mac OS X version from disc, use the newer disc. As soon as you hear the boot chime, hold down the "c" key on your keyboard (or the Option Key until the Install Disk shows up) until the apple shows up. That will force your MacBook to boot from the install DVD in the optical drive.


    Or if you are running 10.7 Lion, 10.8 Mountain Lion or 10.9 Mavericks, boot from the recovery partition (Command +R on boot) and use Disk Utility to repair your OS 10.7, 10.8 or 10.9 partition.


    When it does start up, you'll see a panel asking you to choose your language. Choose your language and press the Return key on your keyboard once. It will then present you with an Installation window. Completely ignore this window and click on Utilities in the top menu and scroll down to Disk     Utility and click it. When it comes up is your Hard Drive in the list on the left?


    If it is, then click on the Mac OS partition of your hard drive in the left hand list. Then select the First Aid Tab and run Repair Disk. The Repair Disk button won't be available until you've clicked on the Mac OS partition on your hard drive. If that repairs any problems run it again until the green OK appears and then run Repair Permissions. After repairing use Startup Disk from the same menu to choose your hard drive for restarting from your hard drive.


    If your hard drive isn’t recognized in Disk Utility then your hard drive is probably dead.