MacBook won’t startup: Flashing question mark on MacBook


There is a condition that might occur on few Mac systems where it fails to startup and flashing question mark macbook appears. Machine will give its normal system chime which indicates that the system has done some of its preliminary tests but after that the screen shows folder with question mark on Mac. After the macbook folder icon question mark appears the system does not start ups.


There are many reasons why this macbook file folder question mark is appearing. Some of the reasons are:

  • Mac crashed hard drive
  • Corruption of Mac file system
  • Mac OS is not detecting Mac hard drive because of loose data cable.
  • Corrupted PRAM
  • Third Party software conflict
  • Damaged or missing system software

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In order to solve out the issue of macbook file folder question mark first thing which you need to do is check out your cables fitting. After that remove your hard drive from system. Then try out the following steps for solving macbook folder icon question mark problem:


  • Attach your failed hard drive on other Mac machine. If your hard drive is detected in another machine then it means that it’s a physical failure and you need to contact mac recovery service. If it’s being detected by another machine then it’s a logical failure and for recovering your lost data back you need macbook data recovery software.
  • Then download and install the Macbook data recovery software.
  • After that scan your drive to find your file.

If still you are facing problem of folder with question mark on mac then follow the steps for your Mac OS version below:

  • Connect MacBook SuperDrive to the MacBook using the USB port then restart the system, holding down the C key during startup.
  • Use Remote Install Mac OS X to startup from a system software DVD.


System Requirements


Processor: Intel Power PC (G4 or later)

Operating System: OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.5 Leopard, 10.4 Tiger, and 10.3.9 Panther

Memory: 256 MB

Hard Disk: 40Mb


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