Flashing Question Mark

[Theo Moore]

Problem: When I boot up my Macbook, I get the flashing question mark.

Failed Solutions:

1. I booted using the Install disk and went to Disk Utility. The hard drive was not mounted.
2. I reset the PRAM. I noticed that the Mac startup sound goes on now, but the same problem (question mark) persists.
3. I went to Disk Utility again. HD still not mounted.
4. I held the option key when booting to go to the Startup Manager. The mouse pointer appears on a grey screen, now, but nothing else

What do I do?

 

[Giaguara]

Do you have another Mac? Does target disk mode work?

 

[Doctor X]

So on Disk Utility, it will not recognize the HD?

Do you have access to Disk Warrior or Tech Tools?

--J.D.

 

[Theo Moore]

Do you have another Mac? Does target disk mode work?

I can probably get access to one. But it will be troublesome. Even if I do get access to another Mac, how likely is it that the HD will mount in Target Disk Mode?

So on Disk Utility, it will not recognize the HD?

Yes. Only the DVD Drive appears.

Do you have access to Disk Warrior or Tech Tools?

--J.D.

No. How likely would it be that these will fix the problem? What IS the problem?

 

[Doctor X]

No. How likely would it be that these will fix the problem? What IS the problem?

I do not know. I am familiar with a bunch of possibilities based on personal experience:

Hard Drive is Dead: most obvious. There are all sorts of things people do to try to save data. I have had DiskWarrior recognize a dying drive to save data. DW will take a "picture" of the contents you can then send Some Place Else--like another computer/drive.

System is FUBAR: usually you can mount the HD with Disk Utility and try to repair it--which you cannot do. I have had one not recognized by DU which DW recognized. DW was able to repair the problem.

Mechanical Problem: you have a problem with the connection between the HD and computer--not likely, but there you go.

--J.D.

 

[fryke]

Harddrive dead: 95%.
Chances DW or another tool can still repair the drive: 1%.
Chances that the harddrive has lost the physical connection to the controller: 0%.
The other 4% are that something or other's wrong on the motherboard.

Of course the percentages are made up, but I'd simply replace the harddrive (quite easy on the MacBook) and use your backup to bring back the data.

 

[Theo Moore]

Harddrive dead: 95%.
Chances DW or another tool can still repair the drive: 1%.
Chances that the harddrive has lost the physical connection to the controller: 0%.
The other 4% are that something or other's wrong on the motherboard.

Of course the percentages are made up, but I'd simply replace the harddrive (quite easy on the MacBook) and use your backup to bring back the data.

Thank you.

Assuming the HD is fubared, how would I go about retrieving the data? Assume all I have is access to Linux and Windows computers.

 

[Doctor X]

If your HD is dead . . . it is dead. I have heard of all sorts of "tricks" such as putting the thing in a freezer to try to get it to work enough to get the data. Bottom line: the likelihood of success is minuscule. There is a drive rescue service which will charge you more than your computer is worth to try to save the data.

Disk Warrior can work with a failing drive. Dead is dead.

So . . . I guess this is the point where we ask the question that will send you screaming into the night: Did you back-up your HD?

--J.D.

 

[Theo Moore]

If your HD is dead . . . it is dead. I have heard of all sorts of "tricks" such as putting the thing in a freezer to try to get it to work enough to get the data. Bottom line: the likelihood of success is minuscule. There is a drive rescue service which will charge you more than your computer is worth to try to save the data.

Disk Warrior can work with a failing drive. Dead is dead.

How do you tell if a drive is dead or if it is merely some write/directory error?.

So . . . I guess this is the point where we ask the question that will send you screaming into the night: Did you back-up your HD?

*sigh*. No. I had an external hooked up with my media files like audio and movies, but I hadn't made a backup for a year. Which means I lost some minor documents and a lot of major photography.

Thank god, most of my most important work is at work. But if it's true that I can't recover the data, I did lose some. Not enough to hurl myself off a building, though.

 

[Doctor X]

How do you tell if a drive is dead or if it is merely some write/directory error?.

Unfortunately, if it is a directory error you can usually "see" the drive on Disk Utility even if it cannot repair it. There is a slight chance that DU does not see it but DiskWarrior will. I do not know your finances, but you could consider replacing the HD and getting DW. When you get the program, you can try putting back the other HD and seeing if DW can pull off some data. Better, get an external HD which will eventually become your "backup" drive. You can pull the data to it . . . if you can.

Is there a chance your internal HD is okay but it is just a directory/volume FUBAR?

Yes, and it is less than my chance of [CENSORED--Ed.]ing Nicole Kidman this weekend.

Thank god, most of my most important work is at work. But if it's true that I can't recover the data, I did lose some. Not enough to hurl myself off a building, though.

--J.D.

 

[Theo Moore]

Unfortunately, if it is a directory error you can usually "see" the drive on Disk Utility even if it cannot repair it. There is a slight chance that DU does not see it but DiskWarrior will. I do not know your finances, but you could consider replacing the HD and getting DW. When you get the program, you can try putting back the other HD and seeing if DW can pull off some data. Better, get an external HD which will eventually become your "backup" drive. You can pull the data to it . . . if you can.

I think you're right. The best thing for me to do now is to buy a new internal HD, install OSX and, if I like, get a copy of DiskWarrior and see if I can recover the data. At best, I'll have my data, but have lost the amount of a new HD. At worst, I've lost the data AND my money.

 

[ora]

It seems all 2.5" SATA drives should work, though others here may know more.

I like http://www.yoyotech.co.uk myself, partly as I have been in their shop and talked to them. Scan.co.uk is popular and often a little cheaper but a lot of people have had terrible customer service and delivery issues so I avoid them now. Overclockers.co.uk is also good, I've used them to buy components quite a bit and had no problems.

I was looking at reasonably high quality/quite large drives as i figure why not upgrade . There are cheaper ones, I think I saw a fujitsu for 25 quid, but I would prob get this myself - and this suggests it works in a macbook even if its a PRish review.