MBP wont recognize drives after replacing SATA cable

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MBP wont recognize drives after replacing SATA cable

Background: I decided to replace my existing drive with a SSD. While in the process of replacing the drive, like a morron, I picked up the drive too fast and ripped the SATA cable. Stupid, I know. So I ordered a replacement. Hooked up the replacement without any trouble, fired it up, the computer wont recognize any drives, formatted or not, SSD or HDD. So I thought "great, terrible luck, I must have gotten a bad cable." So I contacted the seller and they were kind enough to overnight me a new one. Hooked up the new one, same **** problem.

What on earth is going on here? The computer worked great before I ripped that cable, and now it's like it's just given up on reading drives all together. Is there anything I can try?

Please help! :/

(MBP is a mid 2010 if relevant)

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Dec 7, 2012 11:37 AM

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Answer 1

xtraorange Author

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Dec 7, 2012 11:40 AM in response to xtraorange

To clarify: when Is ay it's not recognizing the drive, I mean that even if I boot it up from that swanky internet recovery deal and bring up disk uitility, the drive is not displayed anywhere to be formatted. Even with the drives that I can boot from an external usb enclosure.

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Answer 2

Shootist007

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Dec 7, 2012 11:45 AM in response to xtraorange

Then the cable you got is bad or you did Not install it properly or you damaged the logic board when you damaged the original cable.

It is certainly one of those 3 things. Good Luck.

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Answer 3

xtraorange Author

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Dec 7, 2012 12:00 PM in response to Shootist007

Well, I've tried two cables as I mentioned. And while it's possible I damaged the logic board, the cable ripped from the side with screws on it... in other words the screws would have prevented the torque from reaching the board.

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Answer 4

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 12:05 PM in response to xtraorange

Ok then you either have bad cables or you are not installing it correctly. Like not seating it properly on the logic board.

There is also a piece of foam on the top of the part that connects to the logic board. If you did not move that foam from the original to the replacements it could be shorting to the bootom case.

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Answer 5

xtraorange Author

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Dec 7, 2012 12:27 PM in response to Shootist007

It seems insanely unlucky that I would have two bad cables in a row. As for the install, it's pretty straight forward, and I've double checked it again adn again. There was no foam on the original, I double checked.

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Answer 6

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 1:32 PM in response to xtraorange

Hey just trying to point out the possible problems. Right 2 bad cables, Unlikely. Improperly installed, you say no. So that leaves a bad logic board or when the cable ripped it shorted something on the logic board.

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Answer 7

jrusso01

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Dec 7, 2012 1:37 PM in response to xtraorange

Is the cable Apple certified? I mean, we know Apple.

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Answer 8

xtraorange Author

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Dec 7, 2012 1:47 PM in response to jrusso01

Yea, it's actually the exact same cable as was there before. I'm afraid you're right and it is the logic board. I have AppleCare, is that going to cover it?

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Answer 9

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 7, 2012 1:54 PM in response to xtraorange

Not since the damage was caused by you. No Apple warranty covers accidental damage. It only covers manufacturing defects.

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Answer 10

jrusso01

Level 1

37 points

Dec 7, 2012 6:35 PM in response to Shootist007

That's Apple for ya.

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