Help!!!! Hard Disk Problem!!!

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toh1993 Author

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Help!!!! Hard Disk Problem!!!

I have a MacBook Pro 13" (Late 2009 model) and the hard drive stopped working. I got myself a new Hitachi 500Gb 2.5" HDD (+5V, 700mA) and installed it wanting to format it. I have looked through many articles on how to format a new hard drive but, I went into disk utilities after booting up from the Mac OSX installation DVD and I can find no hard drive being detected as there is no hard drive info being displayed on the left side list of the disk utilities window. All I see is just the DVD-Rom and the Mac OSX installation DVD. What seems to be the problem?

I am in need of the computer for studies and now this problem strikes me. Any kind hearted soul to help me ASAP?

Thank You very much in advance!!! 😀

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.6), Hard drive problem

Posted on Jul 6, 2011 8:07 PM

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Answer 1

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Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 6, 2011 8:12 PM in response to toh1993

Either the drive wasn't installed correctly, or it's not working, or something else is wrong with the machine.

Check the ribbon cable. Is it securely seated? Damaged?

Install the old drive in an external enclosure or dock. Does it work? Do the same with the new drive.

Run the Apple Hardware Test.

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Answer 2

toh1993 Author

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Jul 6, 2011 8:16 PM in response to Linc Davis

First of all, thanks Linc Davis.

I checked the cable and it looks fine to me. The old drive is definitely spoilt as it will not even run when power is supplied to it. I did installed the new hard drive into an external enclosure dock and installed OSX through USB and it works but after installing it, I installed it back into my MBP but still, the Hard drive could not be detected.

How can I run the Apple Hardware Test by the way?

Thank You very Much!

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Answer 3

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 6, 2011 8:32 PM in response to toh1993

Intel-based Macs: Using Apple Hardware Test

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Answer 4

toh1993 Author

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Jul 6, 2011 8:35 PM in response to Linc Davis

Thanks again Linc!

you mentioned that there is something else wrong with the system.

Lets assume that there is but which parts do I need to check?

Thank You Very Much!

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Answer 5

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 6, 2011 8:42 PM in response to toh1993

Run the extended version of the AHT.

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Answer 6

toh1993 Author

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Jul 6, 2011 9:36 PM in response to Linc Davis

I will try it. Thanks!

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Answer 7

toh1993 Author

Level 1

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Jul 7, 2011 6:07 AM in response to toh1993

No Matter How many tiimes I try, I could not boot into AHT mode.

Any advice?

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Answer 8

thomas_r.

Level 7

31,989 points

Jul 7, 2011 6:15 AM in response to toh1993

Are you using the correct disk? The AHT system is on disk 2 for recent systems. See the note at the top of the document Linc pointed you to.

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Answer 9

toh1993 Author

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Jul 7, 2011 6:17 AM in response to toh1993

Oops. Missed that out. Yea it worked! Thanks Thomas! You guys really helpped me alot!

😉

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Answer 10

toh1993 Author

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Jul 7, 2011 8:04 AM in response to toh1993

i have tried everything but still, the hard drive is not detected.

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Answer 11

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jul 7, 2011 8:14 AM in response to toh1993

You'll have to take it to be serviced.

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Answer 12

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Jul 7, 2011 12:20 PM in response to toh1993

Hi toh,

MBPs from certain time periods are known for having weak/suspect/faulty HD cables/connectors. I believe this may apply to your situation. Obviously no one can guarantee that's the issue, but given the information you've provided, I think there's a pretty good chance it is. In your situation, I would replace the HD cable/connector (I'm 2 hours from the nearest Apple Store, so comparing under $50 for a new cable/connector to a 4 hour round trip plus waiting time is a no-brainer for me, ymmv).

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Answer 13

toh1993 Author

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Jul 7, 2011 7:10 PM in response to toh1993

Thanks Wisconsin,

Yea. I have read alot of case studies and most of them are having problems because of the Cable. Therefore, I will be going to get one today. Does Apple store sells the cable?

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Answer 14

tjk

Level 9

51,116 points

Jul 7, 2011 7:19 PM in response to toh1993

toh1993 wrote:

Thanks Wisconsin,

Yea. I have read alot of case studies and most of them are having problems because of the Cable. Therefore, I will be going to get one today. Does Apple store sells the cable?

I do not have first hand experience with it, but from what others have posted here, I believe they do not sell the cable. Here are a few sites you can try:

http://www.powerbookmedic.com

http://www.ifixit.com/cart/catalog

http://www.pbparts.com

http://www.macrecycling.com

http://www.welovemacs.com

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