When you turn on the imac folder with a question mark. Macbook Notes: Do-It-Yourself Troubleshooting Your Mac. OS X installation disc and Disk Utility
Fair, not too high or too low. There should be prices on the Service website. Necessarily! without "asterisks", clear and detailed, where it is technically possible - the most accurate, final.
If spare parts are available, up to 85% percent of complex repairs can be completed in 1-2 days. Modular repairs take much less time. The site indicates the approximate duration of any repair.
Warranty and Liability
A warranty should be given for any repair. Everything is described on the site and in the documents. A guarantee is self-confidence and respect for you. A 3-6 month warranty is good and enough. It is needed to check the quality and hidden defects that cannot be detected immediately. You see honest and realistic terms (not 3 years), you can be sure that you will be helped.
half success in Apple repair- this is the quality and reliability of spare parts, so a good service works directly with suppliers, there are always several reliable channels and a warehouse with proven spare parts for current models so that you do not have to waste extra time.
Free diagnostics
This is very important and has already become a rule of good form for the service center. Diagnosis is the most difficult and important part of the repair, but you should not pay a dime for it, even if you do not repair the device after it.
Service repair and delivery
Good service appreciates your time, therefore offers free shipping. And for the same reason, repairs are carried out only in the workshop of the service center: it can be done correctly and according to technology only at a prepared place.
Convenient schedule
If the Service works for you, and not for itself, then it is always open! absolutely. The schedule should be convenient in order to be in time before and after work. Good service works on weekends and holidays. We are waiting for you and working on your devices every day: 9:00 - 21:00
The reputation of professionals consists of several points
Age and experience of the company
Reliable and experienced service is known for a long time.
If a company has been on the market for many years, and it has managed to establish itself as an expert, they turn to it, write about it, recommend it. We know what we are talking about, since 98% of incoming devices in the SC are restored.
We are trusted and passed on complex cases to other service centers.
How many masters in the directions
If you are always waiting for several engineers for each type of equipment, you can be sure:
1. there will be no queue (or it will be minimal) - your device will be taken care of immediately.
2. You give Macbook repair to an expert specifically in the field of Mac repairs. He knows all the secrets of these devices
technical literacy
If you ask a question, the specialist must answer it as accurately as possible.
To give you an idea of what you need.
Will try to solve the problem. In most cases, from the description, you can understand what happened and how to fix the problem.
The folder with the question that appeared when loading the MacBook indicates that the device could not find system files necessary for work. In some cases, the question mark folder appears for only a few seconds, and then the laptop continues to boot normally. To avoid this on subsequent power-ups, you must re-select the boot drive in MacBook settings. To do this, in the Apple menu, select " System settings” and click on the item “Boot Volume”. After that, it remains to select the one that is usually used when booting the device from the list of available volumes. By default, this volume may be named Macintosh HD.
If after these steps, when you boot your MacBook, the folder with the question appears as before, then you need to take other steps aimed at detecting system software by the MacBook. To do this, turn off your MacBook using the "Power" button and turn it on again while holding the "Option" button. After that, the boot manager window should appear on the display, in which you need to select the boot volume.
It happens that there is no boot volume in the boot manager, or it is there, but it is indicated by a prohibition icon. In this case, you need to select the Recovery HD volume intended for system recovery and try to boot from it. You can also try to solve the problem using Disk Utility from the Utilities menu. In the program menu, select the Macintosh HD volume and go to the "First Aid" item. This menu has a "Repair Disk" button, by clicking on which you will start checking the disk for errors and debugging it. After a message appears that the scan and repair is complete, the MacBook must be restarted.
If, when trying to boot the computer with the key pressed"Option" / the system does not display any logical drive, the problem is most likely related to failure of the HDD / SSD drive and its replacement is required. Also, a malfunction can be caused by a failed cable. hard drive. In such cases, you should not experiment with attempts to repair "on your own", but it is better to immediately contact a qualified service center. Diagnosis of such a malfunction, in the presence of all software and hardware, is fast, which will save you time and money.
In some cases, all of the above methods to start downloading the MacBook may be powerless and it is likely that you will have to resort to reinstalling operating system. The apparent simplicity of this process should not be misleading and become a reason for experiments, because from correct installation The OS depends on the stable operation of your device. If you are not a confident user and have never performed such a task, then it is best to entrust the reinstallation to a service center specialist who will surely cope with this task quickly and without problems.
If a similar folder appears on the screen of your MacBook when you turn it on, it means that the device encountered a boot problem (the system cannot retrieve the information that was saved on the hard drive).
The main reasons for this error can be the following factors:
- mechanical damage to the device - especially those related to the hard drive itself (in case of a fall or strong impact, the internal mechanisms can be easily damaged);
- hard drive wear - any mechanism has its own service life (even if you rarely use your laptop, there comes a moment when the hard drive stops working);
- faulty loop - between hard drive and motherboard a special cable is installed, which ensures their interconnection (this part is very easy to damage, since it is quite thin);
- incorrect installation of the Optibay adapter during the device update process.
macbook can't see hard drive
If your device has stopped seeing the hard drive, then it can be as simple as system failure, and a more serious problem that cannot be solved on its own. To understand whether the hard drive needs to be replaced or can be repaired, you need to conduct professional diagnostics.
To solve the problem, the following steps are taken:
- The specialist checks the performance of the hard drive, as well as other internal mechanisms.
- The entire system is being tested.
- Disassembling a MacBook with special tools (so as not to damage fragile parts).
- Check disk operation on another computer.
- If the hard drive cannot be restored, then it is replaced.
- Accurate assembly of the laptop.
What should I do if the SATA cable of my MacBook hard drive is damaged?
Typical symptoms of this malfunction - the laptop stops booting or does not do it every time, and a folder with a question mark appears on the screen. To get rid of the problem, you need to run diagnostics, replace the SATA cable, and test the system. The loop most often fails:
- if the Optibay system is connected incorrectly;
- at the end of the service life;
- when crumbs or other particles get inside.
Each Mac Book user must understand that accurate diagnosis can only be carried out by a specialist. It is not recommended to independently find out the causes of the problem, as well as fix them.
Equipment from the world famous manufacturer Apple is distinguished by the widest range of its functionality and high level reliability. But sometimes incidents happen with these devices. For example, users of older MacBook models often have a question: what does the device want to say when a picture is displayed on the screen, in the form of a folder with a question mark?
We’ll clarify right away that in new modifications of these branded devices, that is, in models of a new sample (these include Macbook Pro Retina), manufacturers have changed the design of laptops. That is, older MacBooks are equipped with a hard drive (hard drive), which is connected via a SATA cable, and new models are already equipped with proprietary SSD drives. And therefore, problems with loading in modern device modifications, if they happen, are displayed a little differently.
So, you have a folder with a question mark on your MacBook. This means a problem loading the device. To be more precise, this icon will indicate that the system cannot access the information stored on the hard drive (data drive). That is, to put it simply, the MacBook does not see its hard drive.
The cause of this error may be whole line factors.
You can put in the first place mechanical damage device, in particular directly, the hard drive itself. Recall that a hard disk is a whole mechanism that consists of a reader (laser head) and several rotating plates. At sudden movement or hard impact (dropping) of the device, it is very easy to damage the internal mechanisms. And often the result of such treatment with the MacBook becomes private access to the information stored on the hard drive.
The second causative factor may be hard drive wear. After all, the life of any mechanism always has its limitations. And no matter what loads are placed on the hard drive, sometime there comes a moment of its complete wear and, accordingly, refusal to work. So that such a moment does not take you by surprise, and all important information would not be irretrievably lost, it is necessary to make backup copies.
Another causative factor in the appearance of the image of the folder and the question mark on the MacBook monitor is a faulty hard drive cable. The role of this cable is to ensure the interconnection of the hard drive with the MacBook motherboard. This part is very thin, and it is quite easy to damage it. Any small debris - crumbs, dust layers - penetrating inside with air, through the cooling system of the device, and in most cases, cause breaks in the thin signal lines of the loop.
As a rule, such damage cannot be determined with the naked eye. But in order to avoid this, it is very important to timely and regularly carry out preventive cleaning of all internal parts that make up Apple's MacBook.
Another reason for the appearance of a folder with a question mark on the MacBook screen can be incorrect installation of the Optibay adapter during the device upgrade. Rubbing of the train can happen even with the smallest, at first glance, mismatch in size. And the result of this will be a problematic download, or even its absence.
Here are perhaps the most basic reasons that can cause a picture depicting a folder with a question mark on the device monitor.
Each user of a branded MacBook must remember that an accurate diagnosis of this branded device should be carried out by a specialist. Finding out the causes of problems on your own can lead to more serious breakdowns of internal mechanisms and parts, as well as their subsequent costly repairs.
In our service center iFix in Kyiv, experienced and highly professional craftsmen will quickly and with a quality guarantee be able to determine the exact reason for the inability to boot your MacBook and carry out the appropriate repair work.
We work without breaks and weekends. Our experts are always at your service.
iMac startup shows folder with question or gray screen? In this article, we will tell you what might be wrong with your computer.
Reason #1 - "wrong" peripherals
The first thing that comes to mind is a failure due to incompatibility between the peripheral (external) equipment and the computer. External hard disks, flash drives, printer, hub, and other devices connected to your iMac via the USB input may not be compatible with your computer.
To check for external hardware incompatibility, turn off your iMac while unplugging all external hardware - HDD, printer, Ethernet cables. Do not disconnect only the mouse, keyboard and screen. After that turn on the computer. If the download went, it means that one of the external devices. Connect one of peripherals to iMac. Using the selection method, you will find out what exactly is incompatible with your computer. Once you've identified the problematic device, try updating it software or connect to a computer via another USB cable.
If the startup still shows a gray screen and a folder with a question, then go to the next step.
Reason #2 - Safe Mode
You can try to solve the problem by booting your iMac into safe mode. To do this, you need to turn off your iMac, then turn it back on - and immediately hold down the Shift key on your keyboard. To check boot status in safe mode, hold down Shift+Cmd+V.
Please note that booting in safe mode takes longer than usual.
If you manage to start your computer in safe mode, immediately try turning it on in normal mode. If it does not work, then the reason is different.
Reason #3 - Reset NVRAM or PRAM
Turn your iMac off and on again. Immediately press the Cmd+Alt+P+R buttons and hold them until the computer restarts. When you hear the familiar iMac startup sound, you can release the keys.
Perhaps, after resetting the NVRAM, you will need to make a couple more settings (select the boot volume and time zone). If the problem persists, move on.
Reason #4 - OS X Install Disc and Disk Utility
The problem may be that your iMac is no longer new and requires you to reinstall the OS X disc that came with it. It is important to use your own disk, and not friends! Turn off and turn on your computer. After starting the system, immediately press and hold the C key. In the Utility menu, select " disk utility". Try restoring your iMac OS X volume. If you encounter problems, try restoring again. If everything is in order, restore the access rights. After that, restart your computer.
You can do another way - to install by the type "Archive and install" (do not forget to save the network user settings).
Reason #5 - Removing Third Party Modules
Remove all modules that you installed yourself - RAM, disk drives, SSD drives And so on. Replace factory components. That is, you need to return the iMac to the condition in which you bought it.
Reason number 6 - "clean" reinstallation of OS X
Another attempt to solve the problem programmatically is to reinstall OS X. Insert the installation disc into the drive, turn off the device, turn on and hold the C key. In the menu that appears, select "Erase and Install".
Reason #7 - Hard Drive Failure
This is one of the most common reasons. Might have to buy a new one HDD for iMac. Check the HDD on another device or boot OS X on your computer from boot disk or flash drives.
Perhaps the reason is a breakdown in the cable leading from the hard drive to system board. In this case, you will have to contact specialists who will diagnose the computer and change the cable (or disk in case of a breakdown).
As a last resort, there may be the following scenario. If you have already changed the HDD on your iMac, and you have an SSD drive, it is likely that you have the TRIM Enabler utility enabled, which stabilizes and speeds up the SSD, and after launching it, you updated the system. A new version operating system blocks any unlicensed driver. Do this: perform a PRAM reset (described above) and restore the system (hold Cmd + R at startup). Click Terminal in the utilities menu and enter nvram boot-args=kext-dev-mode=1 into the line.