Macbook Pro A1278 won't boot with a new hdd

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Level 1

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Macbook Pro A1278 won't boot with a new hdd

Hi,

One day my macbook crashed, when I restarted it I received the flashing folder error and the disk utility could not see my drive anymore. I then purchased a 500gb Seagate hdd model ST500LM012 and installed it, but when I turn on the macbook it won't get past the first white screen and boot sound. All boot shortcuts are unavailable except for the ones that reset smc and pram. If I remove the hard drive the notebook boots ok into both the install DVD that caem with it and internet recovery.

What can I do? Is the hard drive incompatible? Or should I try something else?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Apr 25, 2013 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

Courcoul

Level 6

18,684 points

Apr 25, 2013 9:50 AM in response to Caipa

How exactly did you "install it"?

If it is a stock standard generic drive from the corner PC store, there's a fair chance that it is not formatted correctly.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 25, 2013 9:54 AM in response to Caipa

You have to first partition and format the drive after which you have to install Mountain Lion. You cannot boot from a new, bare drive.

Restart the computer and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION-R keys until a globe appears on the screen. After a period of time (be patient) a Recovery screen will appear. Then do the following:

Install or Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion from Scratch

Prepare the hard drive:

1. Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.

2. After DU loads select your hard drive from the left side list. Click on the

Partition tab in the DU main window. Select one partition from the Partition

Scheme dropdown menu.

3. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Optionally, click on

the Security button and set the ZeroData option to one-pass. Click on

the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.

4. Quit DU and return to the main menu.

Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion: Select Reinstall Lion/Mountain Lion and click on the Install button.

Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible

because it is three times faster than wireless.

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Answer 3

Caipa Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2013 10:02 AM in response to Kappy

Thanks for the reply.

What I mean is that when the drive is connected it doesn't get to the recovery screen, It's stuck on a blank screen after the sound. But when I unplug the drive I can get to the recovery screen but can't do anything else since there's no hard drives to format or install.

It doesn't seem to answer any command with the drive connected. O.o

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Answer 4

Caipa Author

Level 1

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Apr 25, 2013 10:03 AM in response to Courcoul

I know but I can't format it because it won't reach the recovery screen with the disk utility.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 25, 2013 10:10 AM in response to Caipa

Did you install the drive in the computer? Did you hold down the keys immediately after the chime and continue to hold them?

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Answer 6

Caipa Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2013 10:20 AM in response to Kappy

Yes to both, I hold the buttons and nothing happens, just the sound and blank screen.

I just tried agaín with the the cable unplugged from the Logic board and it worked fine.

And obviously I used the screws the were in the old drive to support the new one.

When I try with the old hard drive it also goes into recovery but since it's dead I can't do anything.

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Answer 7

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 25, 2013 1:10 PM in response to Caipa

Exactly what Mac model do you have, and what is the make/model of the drive you bought? Are you sure you have the ribbon cable properly connected?

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Answer 8

Caipa Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 25, 2013 1:25 PM in response to Kappy

My notebook is a Macbook Pro 2010 MC374BZ/A Model A1278 and the hard drive is a Samsung/Seagate 2,5" 500GB model ST500LM012.

The ribbon cable is well connected both to the hard drive and to the logic board. It doesn't appear to be wrongly bent or damaged in any way.

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Answer 9

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 25, 2013 1:35 PM in response to Caipa

Then I can only assume the drive is not working. When you turn on the computer are you able to detect whether the drive motor is spinning?

Do you have a notebook sized USB enclosure in which you can install the drive to see if it works that way? Even another Mac may be helpful if it supports Firewire.

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