hi guys, i have a huge problem.

On startup my macbook gives me a flashing question mark. i checked apples site and they dont me to repair the disk via disk utility from startup CD, i did that but when i go to repair it. Disk utility shows only

5.1GB HL-DT-ST DVDR
and
Mac OSX Install disk.

im pressuming that the 5.1 GB thing isnt my HDD and thats not showing up at all.

I have NO idea what to do at all now, plz help i have loads of pics i havent backed up.

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clik here if you liek mudkips n caek.

also it hasnt been knocked or bashed

the only recent update was to fire fox and nothing has been downloaded.

o was working about 9 hours ago perfectly

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clik here if you liek mudkips n caek.

Flashing question mark indicates no boot volume, which can mean a few things:

1) Installation is corrupt
2) Hard drive is dead
3) Hard drive cable has come loose

Now, if Disk Utility is only showing the contents of your DVD drive (which it is), there is clearly a problem with your hard drive - either being totally dead, or a loose cable.

Is your MacBook in warranty? You may want to take it to Apple if you can't get any further. However, there is one thing you can try:

NB: This is for PLASTIC MacBooks
1) Take out your battery
2) In the battery compartment along the left and top sides there is a metal strip held in by two screws. Remove these screws, and then the metal strip. This will give you access to your RAM and Hard Drive (RAM is on the top, Hard Drive on the left). This doesn't invalidate your warranty by the way.
3) Simply slide the hard drive out, and then put it back. This will basically check to see if you had a loose connection. Make sure it goes all the way back in, firmly. Don't force it however!
4) Put the metal strip back on, and the screws.

This is for Unibody METAL MacBooks:
1) Remove the battery cover
2) Remove the battery
3) To the left of your battery is your Hard Drive. Simply remove the one screw above it to take it out. Again, just try reseating it.


This may fix the problem. If not, it is probable you need a new hard drive. If you have another SATA laptop drive around, you could try putting that in and seeing if Disk Utility will recognise it.

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| you may be invited, girl, but you're not coming in ⌘

Mine did that when the drive died, if that's the case you'd better hope it isn't a mechanical failure. Try what `cei- suggested, and if it doesn't work out take it in to an Apple store or email Apple with the problem.

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_{Aapis.ca | viStyle.net | ¢creative Contributor}

ok i removed ad reseated the RAM and hard drive but no joy,
I dropped it off to a guy who will replace the hdd and try and retrieve the lost photos

thanks for the help, i will back up religiously from now on

what do you recommend using to back up? it will be mainly for RAWs and jpgs

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clik here if you liek mudkips n caek.

I use Time Machine built into OS X - just get any external hard drive and set it up within System Preferences. TM will then do it all for you, automatically.

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| you may be invited, girl, but you're not coming in ⌘

how exactly does your HDD die? Probably a question i should already know since i do computer programming.

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This guy likes Julie

ME TOOO! omg! ;-;

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Join my YAOI roleplaying forum [link] : Kagokoro academy; its original, fun, and you'll meet tons of fun people!

The parts on mine just wore out I guess, it tore itself apart.

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_{Aapis.ca | viStyle.net | ¢creative Contributor}

that makes sense

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This guy likes Julie