MBP bootable usb problem (flashing questionmark folder)

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11 points

MBP bootable usb problem (flashing questionmark folder)

Hi everyone,

I am a Mac user since half a year now and I was very happy to be until 3 days ago when my MBP apparently crashed. I already searched for similar cases online quite much but it didn't help me so far as my problem is pretty specific I guess.

It first showed a few minor issues during startup, had to try it twice before it actually started up (it showed: 'Your computer restarted because of a problem'). When it did I ran First Aid from Disk Utility on both drives but it did not show any errors. Then used the MBP to watch a movie, shut it down, battery was near empty so I connected it to the charger, went to sleep, next morning the MBP did not start up anymore. It only showed the flashing questionmark folder.

Since then I tried recovery start up. Regardless of which key combination I use, it only goes to Internet Recovery (basically meaning that the recovery partition is damaged?). Internet Recovery times out on the 2100F or 2106U error after a while. Probably due to the very slow internet connection that I am using.

The only option I thought remained possible was to try and boot it with a bootable USB drive. So I downloaded a zip file containing MacOS 10.12.5 on the Windows computer I have (download took over 2 days). And made a bootable USB drive based on this guide (with InstallESD.dmg derived from the zip file): http://www.intowindows.com/create-macos-sierra-bootable-usb-drive-from-windows/

I followed the exact steps shown in the guide and tried to start up using holding C after the startup chime. It only proceeds to the flashing questionmark folder. I tried it using the other USB ports as well, same result. Then I tried starting up holding the option key but it only want to start internet recovery that way, I have no possibility of choosing a start up drive. I think it doesn't recognize the supposed to be bootable USB.

I've searched a lot on why the bootable doesn't work but I can't find anything useful. I also searched for other ways to create a bootable but other ways only seem to be made for installing MacOS on a Windows PC, like Hackintosh stuff.

Can anyone of you please advise me on what to do? Preferrably on how to make the (or any other) bootable work.

Some additional information:

- MBP type: 17", Early 2011

- I have been using MacOS 10.12.5 (Sierra)

- Previous owner replaced the original HDD to an SSD (Samsung EVO 250GB if I remember coorectly)

- After purchase I swopped the Superdrive for a 1TB HDD SATAII

- All worked well for months

- I am currently on a vessel with only a very slow satellite internet connection and only a Windows computer to work with

- I have a recent TimeMachine back up but it's at home so I can't access that for a few weeks

- I don't see Internet Recovery as option due to the low speed connection (it times out) and obviously I can't run to a genius bar for the next few weeks.

Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Eric

PS: I hope I posted this in the right community, I couldn't found a better suited one.

MacBook Pro, macOS Sierra (10.12.5)

Posted on Nov 4, 2017 5:09 AM

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Answer 1

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Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 5, 2017 1:07 AM in response to Ericwithamac

Hi everyone,

Some good news. I kept trying the internet recovery and one time it finally didn't fail (no idea why, maybe resetting NVRAM has got anything to do with it..?). So I was able to enter Disk Utility. Unfortunately al buttons for my boot drive were greyed out (verify disk, verify disk permissions).

So I erased the disk and afterwards installed Mac OSX Lion. Now it's up and running again, however with Lion. I still have an issue now to get it back to Sierra (or High Sierra, would be fine as well) due to the 2 factor authorisation. But I'll post a new thread on that.

Thanks again to everyone!

Eric

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Answer 2

Barney-15E

Level 10

112,638 points

Nov 4, 2017 5:39 AM in response to Ericwithamac

A flashing question mark folder indicates it cannot find the blessed startup folder. So, the method you used to create the bootable USB stick didn't actually work.

While I'm not sure it will work, sometimes you can recover from the flashing question mark folder on the startup volume by resetting NVRAM.

Restart your Mac and hold down cmd-opt-p-r (the p,r comes from Parameter RAM which is what it used to be called).

Keep holding down the keys until you hear the startup tone for the third time.

If it doesn't boot from the internal volume, try the USB stick

How to reset NVRAM on your Mac - Apple Support

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Answer 3

tygb

Level 9

64,588 points

Nov 4, 2017 8:52 AM in response to Ericwithamac

See some articles macOS Sierra: If a flashing question mark appears

If a flashing question mark appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support

How to create a bootable installer for macOS - Apple Support

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Answer 4

Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 4, 2017 8:32 AM in response to Barney-15E

Barney-15E, thanks for the reply. I've tried it but it doesn't make the MBP able to start up.

When I used the p+r+cmd+opt key combination I saw it rebooting directly again. After hearing the chime the next time I also found the chime to be louder and the screen brighter (indicating the NVRAM was indeed reset). But it still goes to the questionmark with or without the bootable stick.

Barney-15E wrote:

A flashing question mark folder indicates it cannot find the blessed startup folder. So, the method you used to create the bootable USB stick didn't actually work.

Do I understand correctly from this that the MBP needs the startup folder on the SDD to boot via USB as well? Or do you mean it can't find the startup folder on the USB stick?

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Answer 5

Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 4, 2017 8:34 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

@QuickTimeKirk, thanks for the reply as well. I would like to download MacOS via the app store but in my current situation I don't see any way to access it as I have only a Windows computer available.

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Answer 6

Nov 4, 2017 8:37 AM in response to Ericwithamac

The only place you can get a proper copy is the App Store. All others are fake.

The installer is tied to the Apple ID used at the time of the download. Since you didn't use your ID the image you have will never boot a Mac.

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Answer 7

Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 4, 2017 9:02 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

QuickTimeKirk,

I didn't know that an image not from the App Store would be useless. However My Mac is useless at the moment, my windows computer can't access the App Store obviously and I do not have an other Mac to use to visit the App Store. So I don't see any way to get a proper copy, or am I missing something?

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Answer 8

Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 4, 2017 9:06 AM in response to tygb

Tygb, thanks for the articles. But the first two mentioned point me to use Cmd+R during startup. If I do so, the MBP immediately goes to internet recovery. The internet recovery fails eventually, probably due to low connection speed.

The third one requires acces to the App Store which I can only get to with another Mac.

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Answer 9

tygb

Level 9

64,588 points

Nov 4, 2017 9:14 AM in response to Ericwithamac

Slow network speed is a drawback , same here - the machine will stuck in internet recovery mode and a spinning globe icon will appear for hours , either visit apple authorised service centre , submit your machine they are having high network speed and will install OS and relax .

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Answer 10

Ericwithamac Author

Level 1

11 points

Nov 4, 2017 9:21 AM in response to tygb

So there is absolutely nothing I can do about this here and now?

I dont's have access to the App Store, can't go to a service centre because I am on a vessel on sea, and I can't use internet recovery due to too slow connection.

Thanks for all tips anyway, I appreciate it.

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Answer 11

John Galt

Level 10

141,150 points

Nov 4, 2017 3:53 PM in response to Ericwithamac

You're not missing anything. The only authorized source for macOS is the Mac App Store or Apple's macOS recovery servers contacted through macOS Recovery directly from the subject Mac.

Whatever you dowloaded from the Internet is junk. Throw it out.

I know that's not what you were hoping to hear, and it is unfortunate that you wasted so much time and effort downloading something that can't be used. However, those are the facts and that's what you need to know.

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