Flashing folder with question mark, Fix Macbook not booting up. (1 of 2)
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 22 авг 2024
- Fix a MacBook that is not booting up, test to see if the Hard Drive is at fault or if it is the connector.
In this case the problem turned out to be the hard drive ribbon conector. It is easy to replace and not too expensive.
Usually there is a number printed on the actual cable and it tells you the model number.
starts with a number like "821" followed by a dash and another number and it ends with a dash and an "A".
Here is a link to Amazon where you can look for your particular model within the results OR you can simply input your model number on the search box: amzn.to/1KMbP7V
Here is another link to the search for an enclosure at amazon, some people have been asking about the enclosures on the comments so here it is: amzn.to/21svcqi
You may also find items I use and recommend at the following store front in amazon, any sales made there provide a few cents for funding of future videos. www.amazon.com...
This video is great! In 2016, my 2011 laptop had this problem. When I took it to the Apple store they told me it would cost hundreds of dollars because it most likely was the hard drive and that the parts are considered ancient (five year old laptop) and it could be the connector but most likely was not and would still cost quite a bit of money to even take a look. They also told me it could cost upwards of $800 to get my information off of this computer. Instead I put the money into a new MacBook. Coming across this video I decided to give this a try and it was the exact thing that my laptop was doing. My ancient laptop started right up and it only cost me $6 dollars for a screwdriver and $15 for a new connector. Thank you so much, I know have access to thousands and thousands of files that I thought were lost forever.
Typical Apple response buy another one !!!
Absolute legend! Had the flashing question mark folder and followed this video to get my laptop to start up again. Thanks!
I have a problem after putting the password of the wifi does not connect and the password is correct
*i doubt at first but later realized hackinglord0 at IG is honest and fast to unl0cked ¡t*
This is much appreciated! My macbook broke down a day before a computer workshop i had to attend and I was panicking...you really helped me tons, you're the best!
matubaM i
Thanks so very much! I opened it, disconnected and reconnected the cables and the computer came back to life! I would never have dared to open it without such careful instructions. Thanks!
Ricardo D'Aguiar thank you.
Hi, I know this comment is 4 years old but I'm writing to ask you a really desperate question, maybe I get lucky and you reply. I have the same problem with my macbook, but being in quarantine, I can't get new parts or get it fixed somewhere professionally. Since I use my laptop as my main studying device I'm really desperate to get a quick fix but really afraid to open it up. Could you please tell me after you reconnected the cables did the problem reappear? If yes how long after you opened it? I really don't want to risk ruining it more than it is if the chances of getting a good result are low. Thank you in advance!
@@odriveseli687 Hey! Just saw that, so sorry! I hope you solved your problem. Let me know if you haven't.
@@ricdaguiar The fact that you're still active even 5 years later is amazing
It’s COMMAND-OPTION-R for internet recovery mode. You hold those 3 keys down while you power the laptop on and you continue pressing those 3 keys until the spinning globe appears with the option to select your internet network. You could have to hold those 3 keys down for a few minutes before that globe screen appears. It’s not instantaneously and sometimes for me it would appear pretty fast and other times it would take a few minutes.
I would like to thank you for doing a tutorial like this! Saved me from having to get a new computer! Now I just have to find the new parts.
Trenton Schmale thank you, and it makes me happy to know that these videos are helping.
Same problem happen just now, exactly like this. I just had the cable replaced a few years ago on the hard drive. All I did was unplug the cable, and hard drive, then tried re-plug it in. Turned it on the apple logo came back and everything was fine. Before replacing the cable (which is pretty tricky to re-install). Just try unplugging it and the plugging it back.
Omg! Thank you for this video. My computer has been sitting around forever, didn't want to spend and arm and a leg. Was quoted over 200,yikes! Didn't do the drive cover but i order the part for $8 on EBay and bam, fixed! Thanks again.
Hi Crystal
Please share me the link where you got the part for 8$.
SIR! TUSEN TAKK! You are the Best thank you so much! 2020 - April I'm trying to fix an old Macbook and you turned out to be the solution! thanks a so little step like your tutorial was never to be found on google around... again Tusen takk!
I just came back to this video to say THANKS! You have no idea the amount of stress and money you saved me making this so thanks thanks thanks :)
I suspect the problem relates to static electricity building up in the metal casing. Dismantling the ribbon cable discharges the static charge. Good idea to remove the drive.
These computers had the issue with the cable, some would break the inner wires from the ribbon cable. Since they are bent under the HDD and the computer heats up and cools down, it puts stress on the ribbon cable. For other people the cable just comes loose, so after re seating it, sometimes it just works. Thanks for watching.
Thank You! Thank You! This saved me a lot of money! Great video and very helpful. For me the hardest part was getting the tiny screws in place -- eyesight isn't what it used to be! Again, thank you!!!!
Well brother this is the only vid i found with the riddle folder hope this works bud
I was just able to complete after watching you one time. Good job.
Thank you Carpio! It took a couple of reboots but I am now back up and working, after a few frustrating weeks not getting help from service centres - this help has been invaluable. Thanks again :)
+Sarah Garbett : Thank you for watching.
Hi. Thx for posting this. Followed all steps. Got to the part where you choose the drive. However, it just shows the apple logo but will not budge. Guess this is a hard drive prob? Am I right?
I wound up purchasing a new cable and that took care of the problem. Many thanks for creating this video!
Thank you for watching and I am glad that you were able to fix the issue. Thanks.
Bought the enclosure and mounted it as an external. Works like a charm. HOWEVER, if you purchased MS office, then you will not be able to use it. I can't open up 6 years worth of word files and I don't know what to do.
Now that you know that the problem was the actual ribbon cable, you should buy it and install it. Hopefully that will fix your issues. Here is the link to the second video (Installation of the cable.) ruclips.net/video/S2GCUGF7MRU/видео.html
Oh great! thank u!
This is the best help video to try and isolate the problem with a MacPro. Thank you.
Never ever unscrew things on top of electronic hardware. There is always the risk of short circuiting something, or maybe losing the screw itself inside it. Also, if it were me, I would keep the screws in a tiny cup or something, so as not to misplace them. Otherwise, nice and very helpful video.
+Yogesh Mirpuri thank you.
"Never ever unscrew things on top of electronic hardware." What do you mean?
Hi man, so after the internet recovery I have the apple logo with a loading bar but it get stuck by 50 per cent of the bar any thought thx
Very good, Carpio, is one of the best and clearer explanations I have seen. As I did it myself, with my ten thumbs, your video helped me a lot --my sister says: there are two many damn tiny pieces, go back to embroidery, you crazy coot. You even gave the connector number and everything. Man you should do the Mac Airs too, cause my dad has one whose image is too bad and the guy in the shop here in Germany asked him up 200 euros just to look at it. Im gonna subscribe just in case you have other topics. Thanks a lot.
Thank you, and thanks for subscribing. Nice comment too, made me giggle a little.
I have macbook pro early 2011 and also has the same problem, it seems that these hard drive's longevity are about 3 years
for future projects, disconnect the battery if you dont want to fry the sata cable. your lucky, the newer late 2011, 2012 unibodies have more durable hard drive cables. i made that mistake on a mid 2010. headache to work out what it was and another 30 euro for the part
cable was the problem here anyway. im an idiot :/
Ev Mannion you are not an idiot. You are a genius I followed your directions and was able to get back into my computer. I bought from a local store a nester tx hard drive enclosure for 19.99. Followed this video and was back in and able to backup everything. I went on ebay and ordered a cable it arrived today. I followed your second video and was back up and running. Thank you so much for taking the time to create this video. You are a life saver!
My Macbook Pro is early 2011 and I had the same problem of this video.
I'm so glad that I came across your tutorial. It helped me resuscitate my daughter's laptop that's been sitting around for a year and my son's which failed yesterday. Ther must be a design defect in the cable since the two failed after 873 days and 835 days respectively. A coincidence? I think not.
+Pete Serge They must have an auto destruct mechanism, to make people upgrade. Long enough to make people not mind too much and keep the brand reputation but not too much as there would be less incentive to upgrade. LOL, just kidding. but yea it might be a design flaw or something.
Thank you very much! I had the exact same problem and happened to have an external disk enclosure lying around to test. It is the cable indeed.
You are awesome! Was totally able to get all my files out of my computer and save myself 250 bucks that a place down the street tried to charge me for it.
Howe sure are you absolut its hard drive cable is the problem? I had this problem but i didnt do nothing with the drive, i started the terminal and did some commands and After That my MacBook Pro Work great 👍😊
Thank you for this video plugged and unplugged the cable but couldn’t have done that without you help. Appreciated
I have taken off the cover on the bottom of myour Mac book, but I don't really want to continue without knowing that the cable is definitely the issue. How can I be certain? The cable looks great, doesn't look broken.
This video was great thank you, you saved my college work from being a waste of time.....
Great video. Exactly solved my problem for temporarily. All I need is the ribbon cable. Definitely a lifesaver.
thank you so much man you saved me and probably many other people a lot of money. really appreciated
Hi very nice video
Just 2 days back I encountered such a situation
Where my mac didn't start up and I panicked because it had never happened before in the past 3 years I have a 2014 MacBook Pro 13"
I did get that flashing folder with question mark and upon constantly pressing the command+R /P
It showed me the disk utility folder and on the left hand side it showed "disk0" and underneath that it showed "OS X Base System"
And like you showed there was nothing in the box in the "First Aid"
So I took it to the "AppleCare"
That guy diagnosed it and said
"Observed unreadable hard drive in MRI diagnostics - I reseated the drive and did a SMC RESET and a PRAM reset and the issue persisted - I then sleded the drive and connected it to 3 separate machines and the drive wouldn't appear on any of the machines"
Hard drive replacement is covered under my AppleCare warranty so $0.00 for that
BUT .....
I was advised that the data couldn't be salvaged and that I would have to contact a 3 party data recovery specialists
I spoke with "DataSavers" (CA) and "Segate" they say that there wouldn't be any charges for evaluation however if they are able to retrieve it then it would cost range of $700 to $8000 based on the data and urgency
PLEASE HELP ME AS TO WHAT I SHOULD DO ? Please
Well presented tutorial. Thank you for your time in making this video. Have a great day. By the way saw another video which uses electrical tape around it to stop it happening again. May help.
Wait what happens when the tab the the file thing has the verify disk button I pushed it and it says it was okay but I don’t know if I still have to go through the process of un screwing the back what are your thoughts on the matter
Quwyn Iscoool *Keep the good work up cyber_network0 I have access to my MacBook, (check 1G)*
Thanks, you saved my bacon! Ordered a new ribbon off of Amazon and that did the trick!
Thanks for watching and glad you fixed it.
Hey carpio!
Your method worked. I'm currently using my macbook now perfectly! I am yet to replace the ribbon wire. I will after I reconnect with my macbook hahaha
Got a question to ask. May sound stupid. How would I shut down the laptop now? Do I shut it off as normal? Or do I need to follow a specific procedure without damaging/corrupting the hard drive? I am afraid I may damage it if I accidentally remove it, etc.
I'm glad that it is working for you, and as far as shutting it down. Do it as you would do it normally. Just always be careful NOT to DISCONECT the cable when the computer is ON. You can disconnect it but only when the computer is off, and just make sure that when you want to turn the computer on again that you also connect the drive and boot pressing the "option" key.
Would it be better to buy an new one ?
thanks for your video .. I had already ordered a new cable ... but at least now I know that the hard drive will still work with it ... I can now run some updates while I wait for the cable to show up ... I do a fair bit of work on computers .. but not very much on apple computers.. I checked the cable and I can't see any damage .. but it could be internal . I guess I'll find out when the new cable gets here if it works or the issue is the motherboard... but at least the laptop now works ...even if the customer has to use a external drive
Thank you. Im typing this comment while having my HDD in the enclosure. Works perfect.
I imagine that it was a great relief knowing that all your data and files are safe, now you only need to get the cable and do a permanent fix. Glad it helped, and I would recommend moving the computer as little as possible when it is being used with the enclosure, so it does not get accidentally disconnected when you are accessing any of the files. Thanks for watching.
A great relief indeed! I'm making the VFX for a war film being released this October but have only half the data and projects saved in an external HDD. My director would get a heart attack if I had lost my whole work.
I know the feeling, and yes back up is super important. When I used to do work with Autodesk Maya I had a loot of files, different versions and different milestones. I sometimes lost track of which files where the most resent ones and where they were located. So having a good naming scheme and back ups on different drives is paramount. Thanks for watching and keep up the good work.
Thank you so much I had the same exact problem and guess what, now it’s working! Thank you for this amazing help. Now, in order to complete the fix, what’s the name of the cable to get it on amazon?
Julio Servio *Keep the good work up cyber_network0 I have access to my MacBook, (check 1G)*
Thank you! Fixed my laptop because of this!
Thanks !!! I found this rather helpful because I found myself in the same situation where it was unable to locate my hard drive.
Could you possibly provide for me a link to that external hard drive reader that you used to connect the original externally? And also, a link to buy a new ribbon cable?
Do you have a video or know a video on youtube that shows how to re-install that ribbon cable as well?
SOrry for so many questions! But you seem to be the only person on the internet who was bothered to show a solution when the HDD was unable to be found. Everyone else would be like "Your HDD is dead. Get a new one" Which was very unhelpful.
THANK YOU SO MUCHHHH!
You first have to be sure that this is in fact the problem you are having, If you can borrow someone else's external enclosure so you can check. If you want to buy one like the one I used here is the address: www.frys.com/product/7157322?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG they have one similar to it at amazon but it is only usb 2.0 instead of 3.0 like this one. It might be a good idea to have it as a spare but it will cost about $25 with shipping and taxes. For the ribbon cable if in fact it turns out to be the fault, search for the number written in white letters on the actual ribbon, in my case it is 821-1480-a but it might be slightly different for you. And that should cost between $20 to $24. I haven't checked if someone has the video showing the actual replacement, but I might do one once I receive the replacement. Thank you.
Now I have uploaded a video showing the replacement process, hope it helps. ruclips.net/video/S2GCUGF7MRU/видео.html
Hey thanks for the video it saved me a lot of time and money.
Thanks. Excellent video. I appreciate your business like and low key style.
This happened to me, i was bricking it as i had photos on drive and didn't have a back up (me being lazy) i unplugged the wire connector, got a rocket blower to get any dust out, plugged it back in, booted it up and it worked.
Command R is a OS re-install, no? Kinda drastic as a first solution for this.
thingies4U disk utility, so you can check if the hdd is detected, if not then most likely phisically the logic board can't access the hdd/ssd. If the hdd/ssd is detected then it might be software and you may be able to attempt a software fix.
Do I have to remove the communication cable in order to use the hd adapter or can I pull the hd, place it in the adapter and test the hard drive? Thank you for a great video!
god bless you my man just fixed my mac for £13 after i got quoted 200£
+Èmad Sheikh : NICE!!!! a little DIY goes a long way.
my mac book air like that happened. what I should do? it same with that I do to replace only cable hard drive? please help me sir
Hello. I have the same issue on my Macbook air 2012 which is equipped with a SSD drive. I didnt use it for years. Now i wanted to give it a try but the broken screen just pisses me off because i cant see anything. It just shows auestion mark on my external monitor. I cant acces to recovery menu it just wont show on my external monitor.
I dont have any idea for the solution.
I just remember that the obly problem it had was the screen. Everything else was working properly when i went to an apple store to copy my data.
Thank you SO much for this video :) it really helped me out!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS INFORMATION!
What kind of screwdriver did you use I can't find the right one
Hello! What if I can't choose any wireless connection? there is no option.
Hi. I have MacBook pro 2012 same problem.I am following you direction and changed new cable,But nothing fixed and again flashing blinking.What can i do ?Please tell me?
couldn't find that for MacBook Air mid 2011 on amazon. know the link ?
will it work with a windows keyboard ? if yes, wich key replace "command" ?
Mr Woolruch the Window’s key (Windows logo).
Hi, Carpio. Thanks for the video.
I want to know if with those instructions, my files (documents) will be saved on my computer or not.
Thanks again for the help.
+Izenete Nobre Yes with this method you are not messing at all with the files the only thing is that we replacing a cable. Your situation might be different but if it is the same as in this case there is no reason that you would loose any files. If you want to understand a little more the situation, please read the reply I just left for Cristina Murphy's comment just before this one.
Thanks a lot, great help and you spare me a visit to see a genius. Great tutorial, thanks again
Hi i have a 2007 imac and has no screws in it. How can i open it and do what you're doing?
Hi friend, I am Lucas and I liked your video because I have the same problem and I did your procedure with external hd via USB until I changed my HD and flex cable but it did not work back on the white screen and the folder with interrogation. Can you tell me what can be please? Thank you!!
Amigo, tengo un macbook air que tiene el mismo problema, pero al abrirlo me di cuenta que no tiene el cable que se debe reemplazar ( o simplemente es diferente o no lo encuentro)
Que puedo hacer?
Hi, I have this exact problem except I can still use WiFi and internet is this normal? Thanks
Does this works with macbook air ?
How much cost will we pay this problem at apple store ?
how to know if it is the cable? i booted from bootable USB anf forst aid is working and the hard drive is recognizable.
Hola amigo se que el video es de ya un par de años, pero ojala puedas ayudarme, tengo una macbook white, hice una usb booteada con yosemite funcional, pero al momento de ponerla en la mac la ensiendo con alt reconoce la usb pero al seleccionarla sale un circulo con una linea de no permitido, el disco duro de la mac esta bacio sin formato, porque no me dejara bootearla sabes?? La mac es una white de principios del 2008 core dos duo 3 gb de ram, incluso e probado con mountain lion el capitan y sierra todos boteados probados y ninguno e podido hacer que la mac los arranque solo los toma pero al selecionarlos sale el circulo con la linea de no permitido, muchas gracias.
So, flashing folder with question mark, may be fixed with an external usb case or changing the conector cable hdd? or may not? what happends with this 2 skills no fix it? the logic board has broke?
Ivan Navarro Either some files got corrupted or the HDD is failing and some sectors are corrupted. I checked by trying to fix the HDD firs and then I proceeded to the next steps in trouble shooting.
I HELD down for abaout 5 minutess and the folder still flashes. i just installed a new hdd
i'm holding down command R and it's not working still. Just boots right back up to the folder
thanks so much for this tutorial you just helped me a lot!
Nice job
Hi, I am having a little different problem. I actually format my disk after it was stuck on loading bar, now my hdd is blank, could you please tell me what to do?
Hello are Modell 821-2049-A and 821-2049-01 the same ?
awesome job saved my life.
It´s happening the exactly same thing with my macbook, however it doesn´t have an HD but a SSD (2014 model) so how could I proceed in this case? Do you have any suggestion? Thaks!
Hi! Thanx for the help! One question, how long does it take to boot? Because mine is still booting after 1 hour?
So did it finally boot? sorry for now replying earlier. Did you follow all the steps?
I think I am going to embark on this. In order to test the internal drive in an external USB caddy, is it strictly necessary to remove the ribbon cable from within the mac, or can it be left attached inside?
you can leave it in there just disconnect it from the motherboard (logic board).
Hi thanks for your video; my laptop would not log in to my wireless network, I don’t know why , help anyone ?
Myshelle Pélagie same! Pls did you find a solution?
I remembered my keyboard was on QWERTY mode (im European) so I just typed my « AZERTY » password but on the qwerty keys, hope it makes sense, good luck!
Myshelle Pélagie yes I did that too, the password is correct but it just wont connect
EXTRONIC ' high speed wifi ? Maybe you should try plugging an ethernet câble in ?
What do I do if I get a lock where I have to put in a code, instead of the globe and WiFi
Hi, i don’t know u still reply but I am facing this issue now and how do we find out that problem is with cable or hard disc , do I have to check the way u did? I hold the buttons u mentioned and I went through to the utility and left hand side it shows Disc 0 which mean is hard disk not working? Please help me.
Thank you .
I tried everything and only did it when I used “Option+Command+R” to install Mojave instead of the Sierra. After getting the installation and boot normally I upgraded to the newer system. 🙏🏻
Could i just boot it from any external HD with Mac software once i have removed the cable, as i dont have a Housing?
hey man, just did what you said, and it works again! for a second I thought i'd had to reinstall the software and watch all my saved assignments and work get whiped out. You just saved me! but one question, where can i get a new ribbon? i have the 13 inch 2011 and am looking on amazon & theres tons of different types, how do we know the exact type of cable? thanks again man, great stuff!
P14Media when you open the computer and take the ribbon out there should be some numbers written into it. If I remember correctly they are white or gray, they are the model number for the part, in this case it is the ribbon. Then using those number or letters go to eBay and look for it, at least that is what I did. I no longer have the computer to check so please do that and hopefully it works.
carpio01 ok thanks just ordered through ifixit
for me the ?folder was not the connector, mine simply had no OS on the Drive, so i Luckily had a UBS with OS Mavericks , so i plugged it in and booted the os from usb to hard drive and it worked, i later Reinstalled Yosemite, i Accidentally Erased the entire OS and thats when i got the ?mark Folder, so for people that may need help, thats how i did it, but think when you shut down mac, and restart press down Option key, to show all Drives you have connected, dont really member was long ago, but for those stuck try it as i did.Good Luck
any of this way could not help me, i did all ways of solution, i replaced cable hard drive as well, but nothing. this is question mark folder error pissed me off. im so angry about that. how is possible. any videos on youtube could not explain to me why still exist this error.
After mine does the Internet recovery it just shows a blank screen with the Apple logo and doesn’t do anything for hourss, I have to end up just turning it off every time
Thank you!
This was very helpful...
Cheers
Marvin Lemurs you are welcome and thanks for watching.
Can you help me?I have a big problem,I can't run my MacBook because of the flashing folder with question mark and recovery mode asks for password
***** i tried this,but it's not working
Also i fixed it with app "Found iPhone" ( or something like this(i'm russian and on russian it is "Найти iPhone") )
I changed my PIN code and it works
So I bought the cable but its still isn't working. Whats wrong?
My networks aren’t showing up at the first step. Just an x and two dots.
when i try and connect my network, it takes forever and doesn’t connect. what do i do?
Thank you so much for this video. You just saved me a lot of money :)
+Jason Michael Beland Glad it helped, that is one of the reasons I upload these videos. Thanks for watching.
Thanks so much, this fixed my computer!!
Fuck me.. It's working. My mac is working again. I love you for ever and then a little more. No homo. Thanks a ton man, you're a living beast!!!
get yourr hd lose , then compu ON 1second - then out... then hd backon . and startup .
Keep all mac and Safari protected from unsane chrome & firefos.
Hi, Carpio. I waited until I came back to Calif. to work with my MacBook Pro and your video. I bought the hard drive external enclosure as you recommended and place the old hard drive in there with the data cable disconnected and nothing happened. No image on the screen. Therefore I assume that the hard drive was defective and bought me a new one. I installed it and still it doesn't work. Should I, therefore, assume that the data cable is also defective?