If your mac is booting but the operating system isnt. If your mac is from 2012 or earlier, there was an installation disc in the original box. While apple manufactures its macos operating system to work handinglove with the mac lineup of computers and is still the only method for using apple s operating. On a macbook i have a white screen with a folder flashing in. From time to time i like to make certain folders on my macos desktop stand out. All i get is a flashing folder with a question mark on it. To clean install mac os from usb, there are three things you should do. Flashing folder, blinking question mark, white screen, freeze randomly. To locate the folder where mac os x mail version 1. How to easily change the color of individual folders in macos video. If you came here because the flash drive wouldnt boot, you probably have the iso file.
This tells you that your mac is perusing files from the os x system folder. The procedure below will reset the permissions of a home folder in os x 10. Oct 17, 2018 when you use finders list view to work with files on your mac, a glance at the size column tells you the size of each file, but when it comes to folders in the list, finder just shows a couple of. Extract the contents of mac os x theme two folders and two. Apr 10, 2018 find answers to clear recents folder in finder on macbook from the expert community at experts exchange. The flashing question mark folder is a sign that your mac is having. Mar 24, 2020 a folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesnt contain a working mac operating system. For complete specs on a particular system, click the name of the mac. The following procedures explain how to create a shared folder on a computer running mac os x, and how to confirm the computers information.
Install app not found in application folder although it is definitely there. Spruce up your desktop with custom folder icons in macos. If you started from an install dvd or the recovery hd, use the same basic steps, but the disk utility application wont be located in the applications folder. If youre using a mac, you have the option to deactivate your recent items list. This library automatically becomes your system photo library. Installing elementary os on my late 2006 macbook 2,1 cloud. How to recover from a white screen when booting a mac. Restart your system while holding down the c key while will start the system from the inserted installation disc. When you first use photos, you create a new library or select the library that you want to use. Three ways to access the library folder on your mac. Mac mini, mid2011, acer monitor, os sierra that i upgraded from yosemite. My macbook wont boot, but i get a flashing folder with a. Turn off your mac by pressing and holding the power button for a few seconds.
Flashing folder, blinking question mark, white screen. Mac book pro flashing question mark start up repair james bongs. This is the method we use, and we recommend it for anyone who wants permanent access and isnt worried about accidentally modifying or deleting a file from the library folder. Jan 12, 2020 if youre using os x mavericks or later, you have the easiest way of all to permanently access the hidden library folder. The new white macbook uses the older polycarbonate. Weve heard this scenario time and again, from students, nurses, and lawyers alike. Click upgrade now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade.
You can use images from the web, your own photos, or a picture that you create. There are few things that strike as much fear into the hearts of mac users as the dreaded flashing folder with question mark in the middle of the. Mar 08, 20 the folder with the blinking question mark means that your computer doesnt know where is the mac os x operating system. Windows, mobile, apple enterprise, office and productivity suites, collaboration, web browsers and. Press and hold the power button on your mac for up to 10 seconds, until your mac turns off. My macbook for what ever reason has decided to just give me a flashing folder with a question mark on it. Quickly find which os x versions are compatible with your mac model and year. Find your folders and messages in subfolders of the v folder. Typically, if your mac get stuck on the white screen upon startup after chime. Press the power button once to turn your mac back on. If you add, change, or delete a file or folder on the onedrive website, the file or folder is added, changed, or deleted in your.
By default, the photos and videos you import into photos are stored in the photos library in the pictures folder on your mac. Clear recents folder in finder on macbook experts exchange. This procedure should not be used in os x versions older than 10. Sync files with onedrive on mac os x office support. So simply deleting the contents of the folder either by deleting the contents or moving them out of the folder will not cause the folder to be deletedremoved, as it is in ios. Here i explain how to customize folder on mac os high sierra, macos ei capitan, os x yosemite running on macmini, imac, macbook pro, macbook retina. I fix my white screen by unplugging the video cable for a second, then plugging it back in.
With the dock on the bottom and the finder bar on top, it makes a good combo for quick access while the white design with colored buttons make it easy on the eye. So if youre looking to give your mac a fresh start with just a classic mac os x and nothing else, to clean install mac os from usb is the best option for you. How to fix flashing folder with question apple community. A folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesnt contain a working mac operating system. While a mac may get stuck on a white screen at random, users will usually discover the problem after updating system software, where the mac starts up but quickly halts on an all white display. Computerworld covers a range of technology topics, with a focus on these core areas of it. My macbook pro fell down and now its displaying white screen sometimes with blinking folder and i have try online recovery but i cant reinstall my mac ox cos its not showing any storage or harddrive to reinstall the mac os on. How to fix flashing folder with question mark on mac computer i forgot to mention in the video that your hard drive sata cable could be bad too. Jan 14, 2019 all of your folder icons look like folders by default, but you can change that.
The flashing question mark is your mac s way of telling you that its having trouble finding a bootable operating system. Flashing folder with question mark apple ios os help fix. There are few things that strike as much fear into the hearts of mac users as the dreaded flashing folder with question mark in the middle of. Rach, the folder with the question mark means the computer cannot find the startup system. Turn off the recent items list on mac heres how to disable the recent items apple menu recent items feature of mac os x.
Lets solve apples folder with a question mark mystery. Mac book pro flashing question mark start up repair youtube. Sep 06, 2019 there are several reasons you might need to install a new copy of macos or os x on the hard drive in your mac or macbook. Instead, youll find it as a menu item in the apple menu bar if you started from the install dvd or in the window of mac os x utilities that opens if you started from the recovery hd. That folder with the question mark icon means that the macbook cant find the boot directory. I hd a mlr u, everytime i turnd n m m i had a flashing question mrk nd a fldr, couldnt d nthng.
Dec 10, 2016 rarely, a mac may fail to boot and get stuck on a white screen, otherwise failing to turn on as expected. Macbook pro 2009 blinking question mark mifix youtube. Creating a shared folder on a computer running mac os x. If your mac starts up to a question mark apple support. Jan 16, 2017 a turned off macbook whiteblack that isnt the 2015 one before starting, make sure your macbook is off. You can release the keys when the intimidating black screen with messages in white text appears. How to fix mac flashing folder with a question mark. Rarely, a mac may fail to boot and get stuck on a white screen, otherwise failing to turn on as expected. This is a great way to spot the folders you want at a glance, plus its more fun.
How do i perform terminal commands on any items on my mac that have spaces in their pathnames. How to install macos or os x on a new hard drive for your mac. Installing mac os x on blank hard drive using internet recovery duration. How to use the shared folder in os x the mac observer. If you are unable to shutdown your mac the normal way, then hold down your systems power button for a few seconds until it shuts down. This fix will work on any macbook, imac, mac mini or mac pro. That can either mean it cant find the hard drive or the operating system data on the hard drive is somehow corrupted. Macbook stuck on white screen during startup macblogweb. Normally, your mac will start the boot process fast enough that youll never notice the flashing question mark on the display. You can now move folders into and out of or create new. The problem started when i tried to wake my computer up. Open and explore these folders to discover and open or copy the emails. Nov 29, 2019 most of the mac os x users trying to change folder color, set picture icon in folder, label format, folder layout on screen. Honestly im at a loss now and need some help reinstalling os x.
The apple logo, recent items, clear menu doesnt clear the items in recents when i open finder. On a macbook i have a white screen with a folder flashing in the middle, a question mark in the center of the folder. I then put in the apple disk it came with and went to disk utility. Macs by capability max supported version of mac os x os x, macos. This typically occurs when files that were created on one computer are restored to a mac computer using the restore setting for original permissions. If you are using an image from the web, it can be as simple as rightclicking it and selecting copy image from the context menu. Hello, i keep getting a grey folder with a question mark and white back ground when i try and boot up my macbook. Still many users are worried about how to do that its hence that complexity about customize folder on mac.
Macs by maximum supported version of mac os x os x. Immediately press and hold the command and r keys on your keyboard to start your mac from macos recovery. Along the way i upgraded it to 2gb ram and gave it a fantastic boost by replacing the hdd by an intel 320 series ssd. Mac book crashed can only get folder with question mark. In january 2007 i bought my first os x device, a white. How to fix macbook pro flashing folder, blinking question mark, white screen, freeze. I have also tried holding the alt key on bootup but it just gives me an arrow curser and nothing else. Customize folder on mac os catalina, high sierra, ei. To get started with custom folder icons in macos, first select the folder youd like to customize. Fortunately, there are also several ways to do it, ranging from internet recovery to installation discs. If youre 2012 macbook pro a1278 is having flashing blinking folder with question mark, turning off randomly, computer freeze randomly, or white screen of death, this tutorial fix is for you. This folder might contain very important data, delete with caution. Macbook wont start up flashing question mark macrumors. Jul 01, 2007 macbook question mark folder at startup osx.
Because finder allows spaces in file and directory names, im often creating such with spaces but then if i try to cd to one in the terminal the space kills the command. This could happens because files that are needed to boot the computer are damaged, or the drives directory is damaged. Flashing folder with question mark on mac how to solved. Fix your mac showing generic icons for files macissues. How to fix a flashing question mark folder on mac youtube. Relocated items in macos catalina explained macrumors. Fix a macbook that is not booting up, test to see if the hard drive is at fault or if it is the connector. The macbooks and macbook pro were running mac os x 10. Maybe you want to use a family photo icon for your vacations picture folder. My screenshots in this article show folders on the desktop, but this process also works for folders youre looking at in finder. On my white screen, i get a mouse cursor that i can move around, but thats all.
After your mac finds the system folder on your startup disk, an advance bar or turning wheel appears on the screen. A flashing question mark in a folder macbook air mid. If you dont have broadband access, you can upgrade your mac at any apple store. Rach, the folder with the question mark means the computer cannot.
How to fix a mac with a flashing question mark macworld uk. The folder i created above is back, but with one of the two apps in it. This advises your mac where to find the system folder on your startup disk. Visit the apple site to learn, buy, and get support. If your mac starts up to a question mark a folder with a flashing question mark means that your startup disk is no longer available or doesnt contain a working mac operating system. Install any os on a macbook whiteblack, without refit. Customize folder on mac os catalina, high sierra, ei capitan. I once had an external drive called storage on my mac, that was mounted in volumesstorage. It comes with a safe official offline installer for mac os x 10. How to easily change the color of individual folders in. Apple s desktop operating system includes software to create new tints for desktop folders, but you can also jazz them up with apps and new icons. This means that os x cant start because of problems with the systems hardware. How to fix macbook pro flashing folder, blinking question.
Click ok, and youll find a new white toplevel vacations folder in your list of mailboxes, with a normal blue 2006 folder within it. I have tried restarting holding the apple key and r nothing. Check out macbook pro, imac pro, macbook air, imac, and more. It can be related to different issues, these are the most comun problems. How to fix a mac that stalls on the gray screen at startup. This is critically important because if you reinstall the os without first.
When i turned on my macbook pro, a flashing folder with a question. Just find or create your folder and click once to select it. These discs are available for os x snow leopard, os x lion, and os x mountain lion. Flashing folder with question mark, fix macbook not. Most of the mac os x users trying to change folder color, set picture icon in folder, label format, folder layout on screen. I wanted to burn some pictures onto a cd and suddenly the cd started spinning so fast it made a sound like a car going at 120mph. First, you should clean up your mac from the old baggage system files that have piled up over time. Where are the photos i imported into photos on my mac. This can also happen when your computer has a dead drive. Turn on your mac and immediately press and hold command. The maximum version of mac os x, os x, or macos supported by each g3 and later mac follows.
The new apple music app is the ultimate music streaming experience on mac. However, there are some instances where the icons for your files will just appear as generic white documents, leaving you unable to distinguish them and less likely to identify them. How to clean install os x on your macmacbook proair. Red circle on restored mac files restricted permissions.
I woke up, powered on my macbook or whatever, left to grab a cup of coffee, and came back to this. Your imac, macbook and macbook pro suddenly freeze with a white screen, and the system became unresponsive, the device got stuck on the white startup screen with the apple logo in the center. If restored folders or files display a red circle and cannot be opened, it means that you dont have the permissions needed to access the files. Oct 14, 2019 after upgrading to macos catalina, you may be surprised to discover a shortcut on your macs desktop to a relocated items folder that wasnt. I will try a complete restore saturday when i get home from college. Replacing hdd with ssd flashing folder with question mark. How to fix macbook pro white screen of death issue apple lives. When you install the onedrive sync app for mac, a copy of your onedrive is downloaded to your mac and put in the onedrive folder.