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I am so frustrated. No matter what instructions I follow I get the same error when attempting to reinstall the OS. When I just power up I get a file folder with a ? on it. I don't know what that is. I desperately need help! the computer is only 6 years old
If your Mac starts up to a folder with a question mark, it means that your startup disk is not available, or that it does not contain a working macOS version.
Follow these steps to see if you can fix this issue
Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
Every Mac has a power button. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, press the power button to turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these two keys until you see an Apple logo or other image: Command (⌘) and R.
When in macOS Recovery, your Mac shows a list of utilities, including Disk Utility:
Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk
Select Disk Utility from the list in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the steps to repair your startup disk with Disk Utility. These steps also describe what to do if Disk Utility can't repair your startup disk, or Disk Utility doesn't see your startup disk.
When done, restart your Mac: choose Apple menu > Restart.
Reinstall macOS, if necessary
If the question mark returns after restarting your Mac, repeat steps 1 and 2 to turn off your Mac and start up again from macOS Recovery. Then follow the steps to reinstall macOS.
If your Mac starts up to a folder with a question mark, it means that your startup disk is not available, or that it does not contain a working macOS version.
Follow these steps to see if you can fix this issue
Press and hold the power button on your Mac for up to 10 seconds, until your Mac turns off.
Every Mac has a power button. On laptop computers that have Touch ID, press and hold Touch ID.
Start up from macOS Recovery
To start up from macOS Recovery, press the power button to turn on your Mac, then immediately press and hold these two keys until you see an Apple logo or other image: Command (⌘) and R.
When in macOS Recovery, your Mac shows a list of utilities, including Disk Utility:
Use Disk Utility to repair your startup disk
Select Disk Utility from the list in macOS Recovery, then click Continue and follow the steps to repair your startup disk with Disk Utility. These steps also describe what to do if Disk Utility can't repair your startup disk, or Disk Utility doesn't see your startup disk.
When done, restart your Mac: choose Apple menu > Restart.
Reinstall macOS, if necessary
If the question mark returns after restarting your Mac, repeat steps 1 and 2 to turn off your Mac and start up again from macOS Recovery. Then follow the steps to reinstall macOS.
none of this works. I go round ad round and continue to get The installer information on recovery server is damaged. I am using a borrowed windows laptop looking for help. How can I download this OS back to the Mac. It is showing macOS Sierra. I have verified it is connected to my wifi.
Macbook air OS reinstall
