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willed · May 18, 2009, 05:54 PM

My MBP - 15", 2.6GHz Core2Duo, early '08 - suddenly refused to start up today. Shows a folder with flashing '?'. Usually I would start up from the OSX disk that came with it, but holding down C and/or D with this in makes no difference. Am at a loss for what to do next. Any ideas? Am having to use iPod to write this!
Thanks

ghporter · May 18, 2009, 06:21 PM

The "?" means that it can't figure out what to boot from. You're saying that, even with the OS X disc in the drive, it doesn't see it when you hold down 'C' or 'D'?

willed · May 18, 2009, 06:27 PM

Hi Glen, I've found the problem - I have a firmware password which meant for some reason that I had to hold down option instead of C and was then able to put the password in. The hard disk is screwed it turns out but I'm backed up. What was really worrying me was not being able to even start from CD. Thanks for your help,
Will