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Can't boot into MacOSX (question mark folder)

A

antdgar

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 5, 2007
79
0
I was using my macbook. Downloading a torrent to a networked drive.

Suddenly, there was a sound coming from the hard drive, a beeping and squeaking type sound. I was scared so I closed the lid. The sound continued.
The macbook went to sleep. The sound stopped.
The macbook didn't wake up. I turned off the computer by holding the power button. (vmware was also running on bootcamp partition)

Now when I boot up I get a folder with a question mark on it.

Any suggestions as to what to do? (I don't have the leopard install disk at the moment =/)
 
if i remember, reset your pram

i think that is what i did when it happened to me, but may want to hold off until someone backs me up on that (although it wont mess up anything if you do do this)
 
I tried Resetting PRAM it didn't fix anything.

My HDD died? My macbook is only 7 months old. And I hardly used it much. Yeah, everything was backed up.

Well, hopefully apple will fix this under warranty since I don't think I broke it.

Is there any way to test if the HDD is truly broken. I have a windows XP install disc, could I do anything to test with that?
 
antdgar said:
Suddenly, there was a sound coming from the hard drive, a beeping and squeaking type sound. I was scared so I closed the lid. The sound continued.
Click to expand...

LOL. At least you didn't stick your fingers into your ears. :D Anyway, yes, the drive is dead. You can pick up a new one from Newegg or go to the Apple store and try to get a new one from them, being under warranty.
 
Strange, as I've never dropped or handled the macbook in any aggressive manner.:confused:
 
antdgar said:
Strange, as I've never dropped or handled the macbook in any aggressive manner.:confused:
Click to expand...

It's not necessarily you. Drives can fail at any time, depending on a number of factors. Back in the day, Apple used to use defective Seagate drives which irrevocably failed on many a Macbook user. The only solution is to backup early and often, which you did, which means you're in good shape. In the future, you can use a program like Carbon Copy Cloner to make a bootable clone of the drive, which would enable you to directly boot from the external and continue using the Macbook, while rooting around the internal drive (if recognized by the OS) to retrieve extra files, run diagnostics, etc.
 
If you have a Leopard disk you can test out the HD.
1. First, reseat your hard drive. Take off the battery and the L bracket covering the memory and hard drive.
2. Take out the HD and put it back in securely. After that try to boot it up.
If still not luck then insert your Leopard disk and reboot.
3. It should automatically start an install process. If not, hold option when you hear the Apple tone and press enter under the picture of the Leopard install DVD.
4. After the installer starts then continure through the questions until you get to where it asks you where you want to install Leopard.
5. Click on utilities at the top and then click disk utility.
6. Once disk utility is open, click and highlight your hard drive to the left and click first aid on the right.
7. Click on the test hard drive or check hard drive or something like that, I can't remember exactly. Let it test and see what it says.

Keep us posted.
 
7 months? Maybe you have one of the Seagate drives with the bad firmware. The one that likes to drive the heads right into the platters. Ouch! I think it affected 80 Gig drives. If the machine was bought new, then take it to the Apple store as an in warranty failure. They'll fix you right up.
 
MacDaddy08 said:
Keep us posted.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone. I will update this thread as my situation changes.

Actually, the macbook is only 5 months old. I bought it on October 1st 2007. I have the 100GB drive.
I'm going to take it back to the apple store tomorrow.

I don't think I have the receipt though, do you think they'll accept the credit card which I used as proof of purchase? (in many places your credit card details are enough for proof).
I really hope they will replace or fix the drive.
 
If you used your credit card to purchase the Macbook, it will be in their records. So yes that should be enough proof.

I bought a laptop from Best Buy when I lived in Ohio. I moved out here to So. California and needed to take it in for repair so I went to Best Buy and gave them my BB credit card that I used for the purchase and they printed up my receipt within a minute.

Good thing you had a backup!
 
Ouch man. Hope everything works out for you.

Yikes... I really need to get Leopard and Time Capsule soon. :confused:
 
The flashing Question Mark...

usually means your MB can't find your system software on the hard disk or any disks attached to the MB. Try shutting it down by holding the power button for about 8-10 seconds. Disconnect all the external peripherals and try restarting by pressing the power button while holding down the right arrow. After the MB starts up, open the System Preferences and click Startup Disk. Select a local Mac OS X System Folder. If this doesn't work try using the Disk Utility to repair the disk. Then insert the Mac OS X Install Disc 1 into your MB. Restart MB holding down the C key as it starts up. Choose Installer>Open Disk Utility. When Disk Utility opens follow the prompts in the First Aid pane to see if Disk Utility can repair the disk. And if this doesn't work, you need to reinstall the MB's Software that came with the MB. :eek:
 
SFStateStudent said:
Disconnect all the external peripherals and try restarting by pressing the power button while holding down the right arrow.
Click to expand...

It seems to have no effect, I just get the same folder-question mark icon.

BTW, I put my macbook in my bag for a few days. It's possible that the hdd could have come lose or something [?]. Also, the windows XP install disc says I have no hdd's attached. So definiely the problem lies with the hdd. Either it's 'disconnected' or broken....

If I unscrew it and take out the hdd and seat it again, will that void my warranty? I've noticed there's a white ribbon thing where the hdd is, if i pull that out is my warranty void?

Thanks.
 
Where are the Mac OS Install...

disks? That would remedy much of the problem of locating the system software. Rather that taking it apart I would suggest heading out to the Apple Store, since it's starting to sound like a bad hard drive. :confused:
 
OK. I put in the tiger install discs and it didn't find any hdd. I'm sure the hdd is officially f***ed.

So I'm going to take it back tomorrow. Hope they accept my debit card as proof of purchase, lost the receipt lol.

If they don't fix the drive, any recommendations for a hdd?
What's the maximum capacity that'll fit in my macbook
 
They shouldn't fix the HD...

antdgar said:
OK. I put in the tiger install discs and it didn't find any hdd. I'm sure the hdd is officially f***ed.

So I'm going to take it back tomorrow. Hope they accept my debit card as proof of purchase, lost the receipt lol.

If they don't fix the drive, any recommendations for a hdd?
What's the maximum capacity that'll fit in my macbook
Click to expand...

They should give you a BRAND NEW MB, swap it out for a BRAND NEW one, on the spot; don't settle for "let's see what we have here!"

Go for it, Keep Us Posted. :cool:
 
SFStateStudent said:
They should give you a BRAND NEW MB, swap it out for a BRAND NEW one, on the spot; don't settle for "let's see what we have here!"
Click to expand...

I don't think so - hard disks do die - don't expect a new Macbook because a HD dies after 5 months !!

Don't build up their hopes !!!
 
I'm not "building up their hopes"

logana said:
I don't think so - hard disks do die - don't expect a new Macbook because a HD dies after 5 months !!

Don't build up their hopes !!!
Click to expand...

I'm a passionate advocate for their right to receive what they paid for and Apple's motto on customer service seems to be "we'll do everything to make it right!" I speak from experience, after having a scratched screen within three weeks of owning a new MB, and after six months of complaints, I was able to swap out for a BRAND NEW BlackBook 2.4 Penryn 250GB for my six month-old White MB 2.16 120GB, b/c I felt that the scratches weren't "cosmetic" as several Apple Techs had been describing. The store manager called me at my house and invited me to a "personal shopping spree" with her two hours later! I'm here to help, not "discourage!" Spread the WEALTH, I always say!!! :eek::cool:
 
antdgar said:
If I unscrew it and take out the hdd and seat it again, will that void my warranty? I've noticed there's a white ribbon thing where the hdd is, if i pull that out is my warranty void?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

You won't void your warranty if you take out the hard disk but there is very little clearance between the L shaped metal bracket and the end of the hard disk so it is unlikely to be dislodged. There is nothing to stop you from giving it a push back in though.

Is there some reason why you cannot boot the MacBook from an OSX install disk to run disc utility - although I think the HD is dead.
 
I brought it back yesterday. They offered a really great service, which is really hard to find in UK :D

They replaced the drive the SAME day >.< Wow.

I now have a new working hdd. Thanks people.

and i dont even have apple care
 
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