Hard drive not recognized - cable?

Replace the cable.

Just posting to say I have the same issue. Pulling the drive and reseating the cable makes the drive visible for about 30 minutes, then it crashes again. I'm currently using my MacBook Pro via a USB to SATA adapter and it has been working fine for hours.

Disappointed in Apple. My first and only Apple product!

Now, around 3 months later, the new cable I bought on eBay stopped working too.

I suppose that it isn't the cable alone, but maybe the connector on the board, which causes the problem.

To reply to the critics on my assumption, this failure is intended by Apple to happen little after the guaranty is over, seems to be right. Just look at response from jeremiah lehr a few posts after my initial post. There are many reports about "planned obsolescence" out there and if you read them you would realize, that it isn't some imagination but common practice by many companies. They want to sell to, even after every consumer has a product... If you were open and not condemn my critic immediately, you would understand.

Mid 2012 MBP white screen at boot. Self diagnosed as same cable issue as others after some research and wasted hours. Seems the cable can short out against the metal case. For a free fix, try placing non-conductive electrical tape along the side of the HDD cable that contacts the metal case. This fix adds another layer of protection to the HDD cable. After taping the cable, booted up fine.

Peace be with you

More details:

The HDD cable runs along the underside of the HDD itself and contacts the inner lining of the metal shell. That inner lining is rough - kind of like sand paper. With time, the friction can damage the thin plastic lining of the HDD cable resulting in contact of a HDD cable wire with the metal case causing a short circuit and interfering with the normal function of the cable resulting in apparent HDD malfunction. If the cable is not terribly damaged, electrical tape may remedy the short circuit and return your computer to normal function. The tape is thicker than the thin plastic on the original connector and will provide more protection from the friction inherent in this design flaw. Google search "macbook pro hard drive cable failure - free fix" youtube video for the details of the fix. Google search "how to replace macbook pro hard drive cable" youtube video to access the cable for repair.

Apple, it's a shame!

I think I spent too much money for an unreliable notebook. First thing after fix my Macbook to sell it and I try to forget forever the name: Macbook.

Im having similar problems but my HDD is being recognized and works properly but installing my SSD I can't get past verify and repair falilures. It's this possibly a SATA cable problem? Because the drive works just fine when attached externally, but once I swap It, I just receive a blinking question mark folder

These cables are dropping like flies. I've replaced at least a dozen of them already this year. So to answer your question, yes, it is almost certainly your cable.

I've seen one machine where apparently the bad cable damaged the SATA controller in such a way that known even good drives with known good cables would still not function. I installed a data-doubler in the optical bay, since that drive still worked, with an SSD installed in it. That resolved the problem. So, if the cable doesn't fix it, try a data doubler ($20 on Amazon, more if you want a better-designed product such as one from OWC. But functionally they all seem to work properly.)

Hello Happy or unhappy users of MBPS

Same issue here, hdd not recognised over SATA internal cable, so

troubleshooting:

got new ssd, it is seen in disk util but unable to partition to OSX

step 1. booted from rack via usb installed OSX all good,

2. put ssd back into mac, same issue

3. tested cd-rom and saw that it indeed reads cd-s so problem is not from the connector

4. took cable from another map mid 2012 connected SSD and it works

resolution, buy yourselves a Sata Cable ( around 15 dollar sh, maybe more a new one)

replacement is super easy.

problem solved.

--Issue Faulty SATA cable. Do not try to format and re-format and partition your HDD's or SSD's

just change the cable.

Thank you,

Alex

This is bogus. There is obviously an issue with the HDD cables. I should not have to pay to replace a part that is damaged due to a design flaw, which is apparently the case. Very disappointed!!! 😠

I have my MacBook Pro 2012 Mid by 2014 end, and came the HDD problem after 3 month, and before I used it, I just idle it at home. First time I got "?" while power on, then I google this and found many the same issue on NET. Duo to it's still in warranty, so I send back to repair. And I highlight to the genus, I found there are many ppl discussed HDD cable problem, but he said, not really, he just install again the OS and it came good. Now, after several month, it fail again. I did not use it heavily, and not occupied HDD storage much, just browse WWW most of the time.

I'm very disappointed with Apple Macbook 2012. I shouldn't pay for it for a known common issue design.

I am just repairing a Mid 2012 Macbook Pro for a friend

The question mark folder is appearing, so I purchased a new hard drive thinking it was dead. Replaced, same problem. Put both the new and old hard drives in an external caddy and they both mount fine.

So my next step is to purchase a hard drive cable and replace, and that should detect the hard drive.

One other problem I noticed, when I do the internet recovery the macbook pro will just shut down automatically, I think it either restart or just shuts down.

Is this just a safety thing as there is no hard drive detected? or is this another problem I am going to have fix? I hope its not the logic board

Purchased my MBP mid 2010 6 years ago. Last year I had the first failure and replaced the HD cable. My mac worked fine up until 2 weeks ago. I purchased two separate SATA cables and none of them work. I have a feeling its the connection on the logic board that is not reading the Hard drive.

I'm now on my third hard drive cable for my 2011 Macbook Pro - but I think I have the answer now. I talked with a guy who formerly worked at Apple. The problem is the hard drive cable gets pinched between parts within the laptop. The cables are thin and easily damaged; the solution is a more durable cable and applying padding on the corner of the optical drive so it doesn't cut through the cable. Supposedly, Apple will replace the hard drive cables on the 2012 models for free.

Here is a link on ifixit to a more durable hard drive cable that I am installing.

https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Parts/MacBook-Pro-13-Inch-Unibody-Early-2011-Late-2 011-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF163-026-3

Guys, good news !!!

Apple is finally starting a replacement program for the hard drive cable of the Apple MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012.

It isn't officially announced yet, but I was on the phone with Apple Support Germany and they confirmed it exists since June 2016.

Here is the original source of the information (German, Google Translate):

https://translate.google.de/translate?sl=de&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=de&ie=UTF-8&u= http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ifun.de%2Fmacbook-pro-2012-apple-faehrt-stilles-austausch-progr amm-96050%2F&edit-text=&act=url

"Apple authorizes a free replacement of the hard drive cable until three-years after the original purchase date or until June 10, 2017"

So, I suggest you give your Apple Support a call and ask for a replacement. Keep in mind it is just for the Apple MacBook Pro 13" Mid 2012 and no other device. The technicians might not know about this program, as it isn't officially announced yet, but they have it somewhere in the system and otherwise their supervisor should know more.