Strange icon or error screen on startup?
A folder with a question mark, a prohibitory sign, or a kernel panic screen each point to a different specific fault.
What Our Customers Say — Straight From Google
My MacBook Pro abruptly shut down by itself while I was working. Brought it to Machine's service centre at NorthPoint and was quoted an exorbitant price for the motherboard. Even the salesperson attending to me personally recommended me to get a new laptop instead since for value its better worth. I knew I had to get second opinions and I recalled my wife just had her laptop fixed by Dotronix earlier this year. I got Arsh's contact from my wife and he was very accommodating after knowing my situation. He told me not to worry, let him check out the MacBook to understand the severity of the situation before he recommends what to do. After a day of checking my MacBook he quoted me a fair price not to change the motherboard but to fix the root of the problem. However after getting back my MacBook there was still issue with it, and again without qualms Arsh took back the MacBook to further investigate it. Long story short, I'm now dropping this review on my "spanking new" macbook thanks to Dotronix, Arsh and his team of specialists. Highly recommended for those who needs to get their devices fixed with a fair price, along with a great customer service. Businesses like Dotronix should prosper with longevity to ensure the mass public has a good source of alternatives for their faulty devices. One more thing I have to add that I was impressed. When the MacBook was brought to Machine's service centre, the MacBook's skin (bottom) had to be cut open for the technician to review the problem. I was distraught to hear but had to comply for obvious reasons. However after sending the MacBook to Dotronix, my bottom skin was replaced with an exact design as my original skin. I know it's replaced as there was a cutout after leaving Machine's centre. For this, kudos to the team1
Google Review · Kuchai Lama BranchGot water damage on my M1 macbook pro 2020. Had my motherboard fixed within 1 day. Quick repair for reasonable price
Google Review · Kepong BranchDotronix helps to resolve my Lenovo AIO motherboard issue at reasonable cost in 2 days. The staff is able to troubleshoot my AIO and solve the issue in very short time. Highly recommended
Google Review · Kepong BranchWhat's going on
macOS shows a handful of distinct symbols and screens when something goes wrong at startup, and each one narrows down the likely cause significantly. A flashing folder with a question mark points to a missing or failed startup disk. A circle with a line through it usually means a firmware issue. A kernel panic (a screen asking you to restart) points to a software or hardware conflict. We read these signals precisely rather than guessing.
Common signs to look out for
- A flashing folder icon with a question mark
- A circle with a diagonal line through it
- A grey screen asking you to restart your Mac
- A prohibitory sign appearing at startup
- Startup gets stuck on the Apple logo indefinitely
What usually causes it
- A missing, corrupted, or failed startup disk
- A firmware or security policy conflict
- Software or driver incompatibility after an update
- An underlying hardware fault (RAM, storage, or board)
How we diagnose this
Symbol identification
We read the specific startup signal precisely — each one narrows down the likely cause significantly.
Startup disk check
We verify whether the drive is recognised and healthy.
Firmware & security policy check
We rule out non-hardware causes before opening the machine.
Targeted repair
We fix the specific fault identified, rather than defaulting to a blind board swap.
MacBook error code FAQs
Free Assessment By Live Agent (*T&C Applies)
Book ahead at Kepong, visit our Kuchai Lama branch (call/WhatsApp first), or send us a photo — a free Live Agent assessment either way.*