[SOLVED] Start up on MacBook problems

[Robin1k]

Hi when I turn my mac book on all I get on desktop is a black file symbol with a ? In the middle, this symbol is flashing , I can't go any further. Suggestions please.

 

[JustSomeJoe]

It means your macbook can't find a bootable device to boot from; if you have the original boot disks, try booting from it.

 

[Robin1k]

What if I don't is there anyway around it?

 

[kenrivers]

Resolving startup issues: http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1417
These links may be helpful:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4855737?start=0&tstart=0
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1345045
"Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND and R keys until the menu screen appears. Alternatively, restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager screen appears. Select the Recovery HD and click on the downward pointing arrow button."
Source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4855737?start=0&tstart=0

 

[Ijack]

Depends how recent the MacBook is. A more exact description would be helpful.

 

[Robin1k]

Depends how recent the MacBook is. A more exact description would be helpful.

I bought this in 2008

 

[Ijack]

In the end, if the suggestions already given don't work, you will need to buy an install DVD. Get the retail version of Snow Leopard, which is about $40 on eBay.

 

[iskra]

It's about 20$ in Apple Store — http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A/mac-os-x-106-snow-leopard

 

[jonathan cha]

It seems like your OS or hard drive is not being detected by the computer, it could be a failing hard drive or you just corrupted the OS somehow. Try reinstalling Mac OS X, if you still have the recovery disk to your mac just insert it into your mac while its on and then reboot. As soon as the chime happens which is that sound when you turn on your mac that bahhh sound, hold the key C for about 10 seconds and then let go wait a couple of minutes while your mac boots into the disk. Afterwards click ok to the front screen and click Utility which is on the top menu bar and open Disk Utility, click your Macintosh HD partition and click the erase tab which is on the right box of where information about your hard drive is located and then click erase after its done erasing exit disk utility and proceed to install your OS. If your hard drive wasnt shown in disk utility then you need a new hard drive because then that means its dead.