Seagate Momentus XT Disaster

It would seem so, As a test I got a WD drive an couldn't get anything installed on it either.

I ran into many of the same issues listed here and on the Seagate website. Stubborness and experimentation finally led the way to success.

It was not about a 'bad' drive, underpowered ribbon cable, etc. Read through the steps I took and hopefully it will help some other soul out there.

Like most, I've had issues with this drive too (mid-2009 MBP). I may have solved the issues, we'll see. Here is what I've been able to figure out:

1. The problem seems to be related to user accounts. I noticed that over time, returning from sleep state produces random results (beach balls), yet bootup seemed to go well. I was able to create another user account and when I logged into that account there weren't any problems.

2. Reinstalls sometimes fixed the issues...only if the user accounts were deleted and recreated.

3. Ribbon replacement (most recent) seems to have fixed some issues. At least, I've not had any repeats of the beach balls...and the machine does feel snappier. It is booting and returning from sleep blazing fast...so this may have fixed it. I'll know more over then next few weeks...

Some good tips - I've noticed some have problems with the drive and for other's it's smooth sailing. But I've bookmarked your tips and the next time we get questions on that particular drive, I'll share your notes.

Thanks,

Clinton

Rag, I did all that and still couldn't get even Snow Leopard Installed properly. The new Ribbon Cable worked like a charm, I've been up an running know for weeks without any problems and My Battery is know showing normal instead of needing service!

I've had one working for at least 12 months until very recently. It failed (well I thought so)

First spiining beach balls and after a restart failure to start up software wise.

I've actually found the error to be with an EFI update on the 2009 mackbooks (or around that time)

you need to manually downgrade from the 1.7 to 1.6 version.

What suprises me is why this has affected me now? this software upgrade was released some time ago.

Seriously, I was about to get some cable off ebay as has been suggested on this thread many times.

Look at these instructions:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=13915069&postcount=708

sorry should add, this is a firmware change not software lol

friday night

It took less then an 1/2 to put in the new cable once I got it, haven't looked back since. 🙂

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3561#

Article: HT3561

About the MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7 and iMac EFI Firmware 1.4 Updates

per http://www.seagate.com/internal-hard-drives/laptop-hard-drives/momentus-xt-hybri d/

I maybe missing something but if your making it work by reverting back to a different firmware - could you be also loosing the speed - instead of upgrading the ribbon cable to SATA 2??

I too have joined the leagues of sufferers, here's what I've tried:

Attempt Result

Clone Swap: Failed

Questionmark folder

Clean Install and file restore from disk: Failed

Flashing folder/stop sign, then boots, then beachball

Jumpered Failed

Questionmark folder

(I just wrapped wire around pins though not a real jumper)

Firmware Downgrade: Works

Data transfer rate negotiated to 1.5 Gb/s though

Just ordered the cable/ribon, I will post an update when I try it.

What a nightmare!

______________

2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 8 GB 1067 MHz DDR3, NVIDA GeForce 9400M 256 MB, Mountain Lion 10.8.2

Update:

Cable/ribon replacement: Failed

flashing questionmark folder and error, then loads forever

I googled the cable name posted by merlep00 and got the first one from Ebay that was listed, perhaps I got the wrong one? Anyone have any success from a specific supplier?

Thecrazyhorse

Did you boot to your install disk and if so does the drive show in disk utility's? are you able to formate it as mac os x extended ??

Thanks for hte response merlep00, I didn't intend on calling you out or any ill will, I just referencing what cable I looked for. I was actually thankfull you posted what you got.

I don't have install disks anymore, so I booted from the old drive in an extrenal enclosure, then used Mountain Lion Installer to install the OS on the 750 momentus XT in the computer. Next I turned the machine off and tried a reboot from the internal disks. The startup screen did the flashing icons thing between the circle with the slash through it, a folder with a questionmark, and an apple, for about 2 minutes. Then it stayed on the apple and proceded to load for about an hour. I stopped trying at that point. I'm not sure what Mac OS X Extended is. I can try again this evening and see if I can find that setting.

I should also add that while it was in the computer, the computer said I had negotiated speeds of 3Gbs which matches the machines capabilities.

Mac OSX Extended (Journaled) is the disk format you should be using for OSX. Why did you bring that up?

Do it this way, reboot from the external drive and use CCC to clone the external to the internal, assuming that you formatted the new drive correctly it should be bootable then.

No worries, Were all just trying to help one another. The drive will have to be formated in Disk Utilities to beable to install the operating system on. The proper format is Mac OS X Extended (Journaled). So if you can boot to the original drive - go to disk utilities ( the utilities foder in applications ) and then select the Momentus drive to format it. I did a quick search for how to and found this which may help you out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzQF0Qo5Kv0 - Give it a better name.

You may still need the original disk - if you call apple they will have them but for a fee.

I was worried about ordering that cable too - but did email the seller first to verify that it was an SATA2 - he responed that it was then I put my order in.

The drive is not mounting properly - that could also be caused by the format.