![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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On my Macbook,I get a lot of that question mark upon reboots.
I took it to genius bar - no help.
I cannot create the issue consistently.
that said, It seems to do this (force quits) a heck of a lot more on my laptop than my desktop, why? and why can't it find the system to often? thanks
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Sep 2009
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7 |
Read If a flashing question mark appears and follow the links for more suggestions. Probably, the "genius" did these things but it doesn't hurt to do them yourself.
Jon
macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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yes, J, I know how to fix it, boot up with option. But man, it's not once every year. I get this a month. why? never get it ever ever with desktops.
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
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"Boot up with option" is a workaround, not a fix.
To fix it, use System Preferences->Startup Disk to select the desired startup disk. If the setting doesn't stick, check the PRAM battery. ("PRAM battery" is the traditional name. The actual name varies with computer model, as does the procedure for checking it.)
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15 |
You might also try resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM. Startup disk (among other things) is stored in PRAM, so zapping it and resetting your startup disk as per ganbustein may help. (PS: Your Macbook does not have a PRAM battery.)
The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.
In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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thanks guys, I've give it a go.
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 16 |
There is no PRAM/Backup battery in the MacBook, it uses the system battery instead. It is entirely conceivable the system battery is shot and that is the source of the problem. Other World Computing offers a higher capacity replacement than the original battery for $99.
If we knew what it was we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?
— Albert Einstein
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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Joe, thanks, I just had a brand new battery put in at the Apple store a few weeks ago. the issue is happening before and after the new battery. are you saying resetting the Pram is not necessary on this laptop? don't bother with that?
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15 |
> are you saying resetting the Pram is not necessary on this laptop? don't bother with that?
joemike merely repeated my statement that your MacBook does not have a PRAM battery (Reference ganbustein.); he did not advise you to not zap PRAM.
That suggestion, together with resetting your Startup disk in SysPrefs, still holds.
The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.
In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
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you almost certainly have a failing hard drive. it's failing to properly spin up and post sometimes and gives you the ?. Or it conks out while booted up and pinwheels you, forcing you to reboot. (and probably getting you a ? more often than not) "genius" bar is not staffed by "geniuses" a lot of the time ![wink wink](/forums/images/graemlins/default/wink1.gif) get your hdd replaced before it forces the issue.
I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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Thanks V, did disc utility, says HD ok. Resetted Pram. Let's see what happens.
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7 |
Disk Utility's Verify Disk and Repair Disk functions do not test for a failing hard drive. DU can do a SMART verification but that isn't always accurate, except if it gets a failing score (you can trust that diagnosis).
Jon
macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 1 |
Thanks V, did disc utility, says HD ok. Let's see what happens. Just to be on the safe side (and because DU isn't exactly the final word), you might want to make sure you've got the critical data on that drive backed up. If you just wait to see what happens you might just see it go poof...
alternaut ◉ moderator
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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I'm with you guys. I generally have a backup disc ready... where is that Smart utility to check hard drives? I cannot find it. also, I would have to do that from the CD/ DVD that came with the laptop correct?
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 7 |
Jon
macOS 11.7.10, iMac Retina 5K 27-inch, late 2014, 3.5 GHz Intel Core i5, 1 TB fusion drive, 16 GB RAM, Epson SureColor P600, Photoshop CC, Lightroom CC, MS Office 365
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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got it, thanks. non of my externals support smart, but the laptop is the mad hd, so I'll check that out.
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
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got it, thanks. non of my externals support smart, but the laptop is the mad hd, so I'll check that out. SMART is a bus polling protocol, so it only is supported on hard drives directly attached, such as (e)SATA, IDE, or SCSI. I assume fiber channel also supports SMART. The usual not-included are networked, firewire, and usb. Interesting, I just tested an esata drive of mine, attached via expresscard on my mbp, and it too supports SMART, because the card attaches it onto the SATA bus.
I work for the Department of Redundancy Department
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15
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Joined: Aug 2009
Likes: 15 |
> Resetted Pram.
But did you also reset your choice of startup disk in /Apps/Sys Prefs/Startup Disk (as per ganbustein)?
The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.
In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
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![](/forums/images/icons/default/book.gif) Re: Laptop, always getting the question mark on reboot
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OP
Joined: Dec 2009
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yeah, that good ARt, thanks!
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