Pud92

Q: MacBook Air can't find start up disk, folder with question mark

Hi,

It randomly started happening, starting with white screen and folder with question mark but then could crash shut down and it would restart fine. Now it doesn't. All I get is screen with question mark folder. I am in command + R. Have checked for startup disk but nothing is found. I want to back my data. I can get as far as disk utilities, select Mac OS X Base System and verify disk in first aid which comes up all clear in seconds. It won't allow me to select repair. I have also tried restore tab to back up data but it says it can't do it.  (I did the new lion update just before it started breaking)

Is Mac OS X Base System my start up disk and contain my photos and documents? Can only get as far as stated above. Wanted to try recover data and restore to setting and try installing new OS which is said to fix the problem just need to know how to back up data if that's the right thing before restoring to factory settings

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

MacBook Air

Posted on May 20, 2016 7:12 AM

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Q: MacBook Air can't find start up disk, folder with question mark

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  • by Niel,

    Niel Niel May 20, 2016 7:20 AM in response to Pud92
    Level 10 (313,422 points)
    Mac OS X
    May 20, 2016 7:20 AM in response to Pud92

    What you’re seeing is the Internet Recovery system. The internal drive appears to be dead; if so, any data on it can only be recovered by a service such as DriveSavers.

     

    (142422)

  • by Pud92,

    Pud92 Pud92 May 20, 2016 7:32 AM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 20, 2016 7:32 AM in response to Niel

    Okay, great, will look into that now. Thank you!

  • by Pud92,

    Pud92 Pud92 May 20, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Pud92
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Notebooks
    May 20, 2016 8:45 AM in response to Pud92

    **UPDATE**

    Decided to give up on trying to save photos. Any ideas on how to erase and put back to factory settings?

    I tried reinstalling OS X on Internet recovery option but can't due to not being able to select a disk. Also, went ti erase Mac OS X Base System but doesn't allow me to click on any of the options. Read it can be done using by holding option button on start up to use normal recovery mode but all my laptop does is give me the option to go back into Internet recovery

    Thanks

  • by necronym,

    necronym necronym May 20, 2016 10:40 AM in response to Pud92
    Level 4 (1,410 points)
    Apple Watch
    May 20, 2016 10:40 AM in response to Pud92

    What MacBook Air (MBA) is it you have (some specs could be helpful), is it a HDD based model or SSD based and a model year?

     

    If your MBA is a pre June 2013 model, try restart and use Apple Hardware Test (AHT). Instructions here:  Using Apple Hardware Test - Apple Support

     

    If your MBA is a post June 2013 model, you will use Apple Diagnostics. Instructions here:  Using Apple Diagnostics - Apple Support

     

    If your MBA HDD or SSD has died and is beyond recovery, replace the drive and install from scratch, or restore from Time Machine.

     

    You could try download a fresh copy of OS X and create a USB based installation disc - Instructions here:  Create a bootable installer for OS X - Apple Support

     

    You could download the OS X installer (create your bootable installer before running the OS X installer in this next option) and install OS X to a USB drive (8GB or higher needed) creating a bootable USB drive - Instructions here: Starting from an external USB storage device (Intel-based Macs) - Apple Support

     

    Personally, I would create a USB installer first, once done, I would then create a USB bootable drive. (two different USB drives required). I would then restart the MBA with the USB Bootable Drive  attached (press and hold down Option key to enter Startup Manager) and select the USB drive you installed OS X onto. The MBA will then start up from your USB drive. Once loaded, see if your original HDD is accessible. If so, it may be recoverable at least to the extent of saving your data from it to a third USB drive. It would also suggest the Boot Sector of the original drive is corrupt since the drive is functioning under a different drive, so a reformat and reinstall may solve the problem.

     

    If not accessible, the drive is likely dead and beyond repair or recovery, in which case a replacement drive would be required. If your MBA is in warranty, or you want to get an out of warranty repair, book a Genius Bar Appointment at your local Apple Store (or Apple Authorised Service Centre). If out of warranty and you're happy repairing your MBA yourself, third party SSD (do check compatibility for your specific model) are available new, or second hand SSD (again check compatibility) from other MBA are being sold on eBay second hand. There are instruction videos online, OWC have several on their YouTube channel.

     

    Hope this helps