Seagate Momentus XT Disaster

I had posted earlier the one that worked for me. It appears that the supplier may have sold the stock, but I'm sure you can get the numbers off of the old posting.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270993571227?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m143 9.l2649

Hey guys

I have an Early 2011 Macbook pro that previously had OS X lion installed on the 500 gb momentus xt hybrid hard drive. I've had the Macbook for over a year now (with the HDD upgrade) and everything worked peachy. The first week into January this year, my MBP tells me I need to restart my computer, and after that it wouldn't boot up (saying that HDD was corrupted.) Got my files off by running the OS on an external and accessing the files to the internal, then wiped and formatted the drive.

Couldn't reinstall lion on the machine?
Took to apple, no issues apparently. RMA'd the drive I had an got another 500 gb momentus XT. Same issue, won't let me install OS X on it although utilities recognizes the disk and says there are no issues with it

It says the same thing as merlep00 and tells me that it can't download certain things on the install

Now I know that merlep00 fixed it by upgrading to a new cable, and I am willing to do that (whatever it takes to finally fix this) but I am not sure what cable I should get for that model. And it seems to me that because mine was a 2011 and had the drive installed in it and already working perfectly, that maybe the cable isn't the issue? I just don't understand.
Then I also read about downgrading the EFI to 1.6 but then that seems only for older computers.

Any ideas? I super appreciate it guys

Try changing the cable, it's cheap, quick and could well be the cause of your problems.

Csound

I think thecrasyhorse did change the cable - which should be a SATA2 . Unless it is a bad cable or bad connection?

Update: I did the reinstall again following all instructions above. I still got the flashing no/folder?/apple for a bit, but then it found the files and loads to my desktop. At first I was getting beachballs for everything and eventually a crash. After a reboot, it now it seems like things are getting better. The Sata connection is saying negotiated 3Gbs. The system process monitor said I was using all of my processing power to Index things, but it's now done with that. Here's hoping I'm in the clear. I'll post if all's clear.

Fingers crossed for ya! Big learning experience!!

Give Spotlight several hours to reindex the disc.

Before you do the cable, do some research into whether or not anybody else had the cable replacement work on the 2011 MBP. It was seeming like there was a trend for the cable replacemnt to help fix the problem for the mid-2009 models. I'm not sure if there have been issues with the 2011 models. Just something to look into.

Also, try and see if the drive can be recognized using an external enclosure. If it can, then a replacement cable may be exactly what you need. If it can't then you may have a bad drive on your hands, or may need to reformat the drive.

Hope that helps.

Yeah that is a good idea.
It's just so odd, as I have snow lion installed on an external drive and whenever I load up the OS on to my macbook, my internal XT is recognized.
I've been trying to install some firmware updates, but everytime I try and load up an application (safari, installer, anything) after a short amount of time, the applications crash.
Even if loaded from another disc.

That doesn't sound like a its the external HDD either.
Grr, apple is making me mad

I also went to a retail store and they said the momentus xt is not meant for their machines,
which I don't understand how I ran one for a year before it crapped out on me.

Ryo94ZXZ wrote:

Yeah that is a good idea.
It's just so odd, as I have snow lion installed on an external drive and whenever I load up the OS on to my macbook, my internal XT is recognized.
I've been trying to install some firmware updates, but everytime I try and load up an application (safari, installer, anything) after a short amount of time, the applications crash.
Even if loaded from another disc.

That doesn't sound like a its the external HDD either.
Grr, apple is making me mad

I also went to a retail store and they said the momentus xt is not meant for their machines,
which I don't understand how I ran one for a year before it crapped out on me.

That of course is BS. I have fitted XT's (320's 500's and 750's) into MBP's ranging from 2006 models all the way to 2011 models (3 of them are my own) I have fitted them to Mac Mini's as well, there are no problems provided setup is done correctly and all cables work (mainly 2009 machines with this issue)

Ask in more informed retailers, the one you chose is uninformed.

Update: it's been a few days of regular use and I'm getting loads of beachballs, and the computer is running much hotter, (the fan has pretty much been on the whole time). If I shut it down for a reboot, I get the same flashing folder and no sign for a while, then if I'm lucky the desktop will load. If the desk top loads I'm set unless I open too many new programs then everything seizes up for a bit with some beachball action. This is the strangest problem I have ever encountered. At this point I just really wish I would have bought a SSD and put it in my CD drive.

Then you got either the SAME cable as was originally installed, there is an Updated cable you have to get (Links to the part number are in this thread), or you simple got a BAD/faulty New Cable.

thecrazyhorse wrote:

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?

I agree with Shootist007

I know it's a pain but can you put the original drive back in the computer and if so How does the origional drive run when installed in the computer? It should still be running fine..

Old one is in now and runs much better, no beachballs. Back to Ebay for yet another cable I guess. I'm looking at this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-OEM-MacBook-Pro-A1286-HDD-Hard-Drvie-Cable-821-0812- A-821-0989-A-821-1198-A-/230760487642

Email them to ensure it is a Sata 2.. K