I am trying to fix my daughters 2010 13" Macbook. When it's powered on a folder with a question mark flashes. It never gets passed this screen. I don't have any install disks and I assume it has the original OS on it. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks.
Hi alwaystubed,
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities. Based on what you stated, it sounds like the computer wont boot past a flashing question mark. I would recommend that you read these articles, they may be helpful in troubleshooting your issue.
A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support
Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup - Apple Support
Cheers,
Mario
I have tried those. Neither of them get passed the folder with question mark. Occasionally I will just see a pointer, nothing else. Tried many many times. Any other ideas?
Thank you for using the Apple Support Community. Due to the nature of your issue you may find more information by using another one of Apple's support resources - https://expresslane.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action
Try restarting the computer while holding the option key down. If the Recovery partition shows up, select it and continue.
Then use Disk Utility. Select the hard drive / First Aid / Repair Disk.
If that works, quit DU and restart as usual.
If you have or had the original operating system for the macbook that would be 10.6.3 snow leopard. If it has a newer one then you would have a recovery partition. Command R get you there. If not ,you will need to purchase snow leopard from apple and install it. Even to check or repair the drive, without a recovery partition you need an install disk. And to upgrade to a newer operating system. you have to start with snow leopard installed.http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard
Macbook Wont Boot. Folder with Question Mark...
