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Released October 2008 / 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8 or 2.93 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor

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Question Mark flashing folder on boot up with new harddrive. HELP!?

I know I have a really old MacBook but it's been a trooper. So my original harddrive has finally given out and I bought a replacement? I start up the mac and get the flashing folder with the question mark. I dont have the install disk as I bought it second hand and don't know of any other methods to get the OS on my new harddrive so I can use the computer. Can someone please help me?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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You can also use a second Mac system to prep yours using Target Disk Mode. Here you connect your system to the other using either a FireWire or Thunderbolt cable so the other system see's your system as if it was an external drive. Here's more: Share files between two computers with target disk mode. Then run the OS installer from the other Mac that you downloaded from the Apps store.

Here's how to setup a USB thumb drive to create an OS installer: How to create a bootable macOS Sierra installer drive

But before you install the OS run Disk Utility to test your drive first. Your drive may have gone on you or the HD cable.

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To use the install cd, insert it while the laptop is shut down, and press the C key immediately after the laptop starts up and keep it held down until it boots. If that doesn't work, then you can create a bootable USB installer for Mac OS X (there are lots of good articles on google) by downloading an installer onto another computer. Then, you can boot from the installer USB by pressing the option button while the laptop is starting up to select it. Good luck!

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1 Comment:

I don't have the start up disk but thank you so much! I'll try this method.

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Orahntate will be eternally grateful.
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