Tips to Repair Your Macbook Pro

Error Message "you are unable to log into user account "name of user" at this time"

Means the directory in filevault (your account) is damaged. Therefore, it cannot be found. Sometimes Mac bloggers would say that they are minor issues and you can repair with Disk Utility, other times they become major problem. You have to replace your internal hard drive. That was my case. First, it was "you are unable to log into user account "my name" at this time." I couldn't get it fixed so I did an "archive install" which turning my old account (note: you will not be able to log in your old account anymore) into an archive data. And hope that I will be able to retrieve them later after creating a new account. Now, when this installation happens, your old account becomes "username. sparseimage". (Ex: ryan.sparseimage) "Spareimage" is shrinking your data from 32 gig file to 12 gig so that they fit your hard drive. This didn't work for me because after I had created a new account, my "efi boot" never completed booting every time I tried turning powering it on. The blue loading bar fills up and just stays there, froze. So I took it to Apple Store. One of the Mac Genius did a hardware malfunctioned test, but found nothing because my battery went out before she even completed the test. She did not have the patience to re-test it again while charging the batter with an adapter. She told me it was okay, but in fact it was not. My internal hard drive was damaged already. But she didn't tell me. She wasn't honest or maybe she didn't know what she was doing. So she told me to reformat my computer. I did just that. A week later, right after I had reformatted and reinstalled Mac OS X operating system, security and updated all programs, safari, fire fox etc. my Mac worked again, but 5 days later it froze on me twice while I was on the internet. I turned it off using the external power button. Then the third time, it froze again. I turned it off and on and the computer gave me a "flashing ? mark in a folder" when it tried to boot it. It turned out my internal hard drive had "died" or "fried" whatever you call it. I took it to see a Mac Genius again, and they told me their technician could replace my hard drive for $275. And he said, "it's labor charge". I did not say anything to him, except " I'll think about it". Then, I went to Fry's Electronics and bought a new Seagate HD for $60, plus tax of course. If you don't have the tools they recommend buying some tools so you can open your hard drive. I took it home and repaired and installed everything myself. And that's the end of my frustration.

Error Message "you are unable to log into user account "name of user" at this time"

Means your "directory to you account's file vault is damage" To recover you can try these two things. Find another Macbook, and plug your laptop as an external hard drive. How do you do that? Turn on the other working Mac first. Then, using a firewire, make sure yours is turned off. Connect your Mac to the working Mac, turn on your Mac while you are holding the T key (button). It should pop up as an external hard drive. Now go in "system" then "user or users" and find your account name, usually it says for example my name would be firstlast "ryanmoua.sparseimage" If you can open it, great, save all your data. If you can't open it, which was my case. Take it to the Apple Store. So, the second thing is take your computer to see a Mac Genius.

If you do an "archive install" just follow the same step above in getting your data back.

Error Message "flashing ? mark in folder" when try to boot it up. Means, 3 problems. First: Your system can not find a valid system or disk to boot from. Second: Your wire/core connecting your internal hard drive to your system are loose. Third: Your HD (hard drive) is KO/dead/fried.

Solution for Problem 1: First, turn off and turn on your Mac then hold the "alt/option" key. See if your HD will pop up. If not, Turn off your Mac again. Wait 30 seconds. Hold down "alt/option," "Apple Command" "R" and "P" key together. While you're holding down these combination keys, Turn on you Mac. This is called "zapping the parameter RAM (PRAM)." You Mac will turn on first, then turns on again the second time. Now, right when you hear the "on" sound, release all four keys. If your hard drive "Macbook HD" pops up. Click on it to boot it. If you do not see the HD, you have either problem 2 or 3.

Solutions for Problem 2 and 3: Carefully, open your Mac, reconnecting and adjusting your HD might help (least likely the case though). To open your Mac- Take out the battery. Unscrew the left, right, back and bottom. Disconnect your keyboard. Go inside your HD, should be on the lower left corner of your keyboard. The Hard Drive is easy to take out. Use a flat and pop it up. Unplug your hard drive, and plug it back in. Make sure all wires are firmly connected. Place your HD back in the same slot. Connect your keyboard. Now, turn on your computer and see what happens. If nothing happens. Follow the solution for the first problem above again. If you still can't fix the problem, most likely your HD is gone. Time to upgrade it to a better hard drive. Do it yourself though (DIY). You'll save lots of $$$. Apple will be short a customer. This is a good thing because Apple will make products with quality in the future.

Down are some more detail threads you may find useful:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=258049

http://www.macgurulounge.com/mac-disasters-when-the-flashing-question-mark-strikes/