ArchRazielle

Q: MacBook starting with flashing folder with question mark.

I have searched on ways how to solve this problem. I found answers but it is of no help. I have read that holding CMD+R or Option key upon starting the MacBook will make the Utilities Recovery or Startup Manager window, but in my case, it only removes the flashing folder with question mark but all I have is a white screen and the mouse pointer. Please help.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Jun 7, 2015 6:59 AM

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Q: MacBook starting with flashing folder with question mark.

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  • by Johnb-one,Helpful

    Johnb-one Johnb-one Jun 7, 2015 7:14 AM in response to ArchRazielle
    Level 4 (1,896 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 7, 2015 7:14 AM in response to ArchRazielle

    okay, sounds to me like you have hard drive/startup problems. If you have one of the newer OS' (Mavericks, Yosemite, maybe Lion, I dunno)

    then holding down command+R on reboot should get to the Recovery Partition. Holding down option will force your Mac to redraw the screen and find any potentially bootable drives,. Your MacBook Pro cannot find any bootable drives.  I don't know what OS you have, only that you have a MacBook Pro  and yo have problems. Not much to go on there.  If you can, and you have a usb stick, see if you can make a bootable installer from the Yosemite thing, or maybe Lion. Go here for that

    http://www.macworld.com/article/2367748/how-to-make-a-bootable-os-x-10-10-yosemi te-install-drive.html

     

    try rebooting and holding down Command+Option+R right away. This may get you into Internet Recovery, which could work.  If you see a spinning globe icon you know it worked.  Of course if your hard drive is really toast (hopefully it's not)then anything I suggest to you here is a moot point.  if you can boot from a dvd, try that (hold down c key after you insert the dvd into the drive). If you can't, then try zapping pram first-hold down apple, option, p and R keys while rebooting (eg shut down, then press power keys and then immediately press apple, option p and r keys) hold down for 3 chimes then let go and let it start up normally. If that doesn't it, try rebooting and holding down S to startup in single user mode.  If absolutely nothing I've written here helps you, makes any sense or does any good, then you're going to have to take it in and get it fixed

     

    John B

  • by leroydouglas,

    leroydouglas leroydouglas Jun 7, 2015 7:16 AM in response to ArchRazielle
    Level 7 (23,789 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 7, 2015 7:16 AM in response to ArchRazielle
  • by ArchRazielle,

    ArchRazielle ArchRazielle Jun 7, 2015 7:25 AM in response to Johnb-one
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 7, 2015 7:25 AM in response to Johnb-one

    Thank you. I now have an idea on how to solve this problem. So I will be needing a bootable drive or DVD then I will have to follow your instructions. I usually repair Windows and this is the first time someone asked me to try repairing a Mac. I really thank you and this will help me expand my knowledge.