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User profile for user: Michael Nikonov
Michael Nikonov Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Sata III or SSD problem on MBP 2011

Hello to everyone!

I faced a problem with my MBP Early 2011 (A1278)

1. System hangs and I turned it off by pressing the Power button

2. Once I power it on the white screen with flashing "?" appeared.

3. I tryied to choose the system disk by pressing Power and Option buttons but system gives me only Internet Recovery option and I didn't see HDD in Disk Utility

4. I thought my HDD crashed and I insert new SSD instesd "broken" HDD but problem stays (white screen with flashing "?" whitout possibiluty to chosse any drive)

5. Than I replaced Optical Drive by HDD with Mac OS -> and now it works but I still can not see my SSD.

The question is:

Is this Sata 3 connector (host controller) problem or I should configure my SSD to be able to operate with Mac OS??

Is there any dignostic soft or utility to check it??


Thank you!!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)

Posted on Oct 21, 2013 1:54 AM

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11 replies
User profile for user: clintonfrombirmingham
clintonfrombirmingham
User level: Level 7
30,094 points

Oct 21, 2013 2:12 AM in response to Michael Nikonov

OK, so you can boot from your hard drive when it's in the optical bay? If so, you'll need to format the SSD before you can install an operating system on it. Open Disk Utility (Applications>Utilies folder) and elect to erase the contents of the SSD and format as "Mac O S Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition.


The you should be ready to install OS X on it and select it as your Startup Disk (under System Preferences).


If you can't see either your hard drive or your SSD when one or the other is in the HD bay, then it's likely that you have a bad SATA cable in the HD bay. You can order a new one from eBay, ifixt, and a host of other sellers.


Clinton

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User profile for user: LowLuster
LowLuster
User level: Level 6
12,105 points

Oct 21, 2013 2:37 AM in response to Michael Nikonov

The cable has failed on the main bay. This is an ongoing problem with MBPs. Replace the drive to LB cable and everything should start working again.

Michael Nikonov wrote:


Thank you, Clinton!

Correct, I can boot from hard drive when it is in the optical drive.

And yes, I can see only HDD. I cannot see SSD when it is in HD bay.


This SATA cable has a Part Number or any product ID to specify it correct?

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User profile for user: LowLuster
LowLuster
User level: Level 6
12,105 points

Oct 21, 2013 2:48 AM in response to Michael Nikonov

LB stands for Logic Board. On all standard Macbook Pro's there is a cable running from the standard hard drive bay to the Logic Board (the Logic Board is the Motherboard, main component in any computer). This cables fail on many model MBPs. If you put a drive of any type, SSD or standard drive, in the Main Bay and the OS does not see it then the cable has failed. Or the SATA controller or socket that cable is connect to has failed which is unlikely.

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User profile for user: Michael Nikonov
Michael Nikonov Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Oct 22, 2013 1:15 AM in response to clintonfrombirmingham

Guys,

thanks for support and helpfull links.



I have ordered new SATA cable and external box for optical drive as well ;-)



But I faced another problem...

1. I decided to change my HDD (that on working properly SATA cable) and SDD (that on defective SATA cable) in places and restore Mac OS via external HDD with Time Machine image on faster SSD. So now my new SSD on the optical drive bay with working properly SATA cable and HDD on HD bay with defective SATA cable.

2. I've made configuration of SSD and erased the contents of the SSD and formated it as "Mac O S Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition.

3. I chose the most fresh Image on my HDD that has been prepared in advance and started to wait.

4. The recovery of the system froze on 0,5% and estimated time started to rapidly increase. I've cancelled it when estimated time of full recovery was about 24 hours. System hanged and I turned it off by pressing POWER button.

5. I repeated all the operations again.

6. The recovery froze on 3,8% and estimated time started to grow up again.

7. I've took a look on log file and saw that some host can't be reached or found.



Do you know what is the problem?

Thank you!

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Sata III or SSD problem on MBP 2011

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