Hard Drive Malfunction?

J

jpeso

Registered
I booted up my MacBook Intel Core Duo this morning to a blinking folder with a question mark in the middle of the folder in the middle of my screen, nothing happened.

I tried to reboot using my install DVD's, and I could not use the Disk Utility because there is no Hard Drive, only the Mitsubishi 4.7GB DVD that is running the install disk.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
 
Have you tried going to the startup disk in preferences? It should list any volumes it can find.
 
Not too familiar with Mac laptops but with some windows laptops the hard drive can be ejected easily. Is it possible the hard drive isn't fully inserted?
 
Can you link the laptop to another Mac using a Firewire cable and boot holding doen the 'T' key to go into target Disk mode. This way it will mount on the other Mac if it is still functionning. You can then possibly run Disk Utility from the other Mac or at least get some files copied off. Have you tried some of the following fixes...

PRAM reset (Hold Alt+Apple+P+R on power up – let it chime 3 times then release keys)

Then an OpenFirmware reset (Hold Alt+Apple+O+F on power up till white screen then type ‘reset-nvram’ and hit enter, then type ‘reset-all’ and hit enter.)

Good luck
 
Thanks stillbite.

Only this mac in the house. Typing on my Wii now. :)

Neither of those two worked.
 
Nine times out of ten it is the HD when a question mark appears b ut could be the Motherboard.

Re-Startthe machine in single-user mode my holding down the 's' key
At the # prompt, type:

fsck -y

The fsck utility will go through five 'phases' and then return information about the disk's utilization and fragmentation. If the utility reports any errors or other conditions that it fixes or salvages, you must run it again until no errors are reported. This is because additional disk problem may be uncovered as a result of the first-pass repairs.

It might just do nothing if the HD is dead..
Your only way to salvage the contents is the firewire trick and to get your Mac working is fit a new HD. Do you have important files on it?

Good luck,
 
Looks like the HD, as the computer did nothing when I held 's' down.

I backed all my files up a week ago, so if the HD goes, I am only out the money.

What should I do from here? Send it off to Apple to fix, or try to find someone local to install a new HD? This is my first Mac, so I have never had any problems were I needed any repairs done. I am not under warranty.

Thanks.
 
Satcomer said:
To force an eject reboot and hold down the left mouse button while booting.
Click to expand...

This did not work. My computer is not recognizing any command when I am booting it up, including the PRAM, ejecting the CD, and the options "stilbite" has given me above.
 
Nine times out of ten it is the HD when a question mark appears but could be the Motherboard.

Re-Start the machine in single-user mode my holding down the 's' key
At the # prompt, type:

fsck -y

The fsck utility will go through five 'phases' and then return information about the disk's utilization and fragmentation. If the utility reports any errors or other conditions that it fixes or salvages, you must run it again until no errors are reported. This is because additional disk problem may be uncovered as a result of the first-pass repairs.

It might just do nothing if the HD is dead..
Your only way to salvage the contents is the firewire trick and to get your Mac working is fit a new HD. Do you have important files on it?

Good luck,
 
jpeso said:
One month over a year. Just missed on the warranty period.

I did not go for the AppleCare :(
Click to expand...

Well if you want to fix it then go for MacSevice. They are much cheaper then what AppleCare would cost and they all are Apple specialist certified. I have heard great service reports about this place from some friends.
 
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