Has my internal hard drive failed?

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Level 1

6 points

Has my internal hard drive failed?

Hi all

This morning I put a firmware password onto my MBP to make sure my kids couldn't access single user mode and recovery mode. This seemed to work fine and I tested it by holding down option, and indeed it asked me for the firmware password. So far so good. I then booted up normally and went into my administrator account. After I had logged in I got asked for the password for some of my 'keychains'. My administrator password didn't work for some reason, so I just pressed cancel. I then got the spinning rainbow wheel and OSX locked up.

I hard reset, but now my hard drive appears to have failed. On start up I get the folder with the question mark. When going into recovery mode the hard disk is invisible or gone. I can only see super disk and the 'base recovery HD'.

I read some other threads and it seems like my internal HD has died, or the cable has died or something along those lines. But it seems very strange that this occurred right when I did the firmware password, and then went into my admin account.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do next? I have my hard drive backed up but don't want to buy a new HD unless I really have to (not much money to spend on a new HD). I have a feeling it just got corrupted somehow.

Thanks for your help!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), mid-2010

Posted on Dec 16, 2013 4:17 AM

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Answer 1

Best reply

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 16, 2013 4:22 AM in response to Seb NZ

Have you tried using the original installation disk to access the internal HDD and repair it?

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Seb NZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2013 4:27 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

No unfortunately - I don't have the original installation disk. That's a good point though... maybe I can't see the damaged hard drive because I'm using recovery mode ON the damaged hard drive. Need to use an external boot to fix it.

Unfortunately I don't have one. Hmm...

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 16, 2013 4:35 AM in response to Seb NZ

Replacements can be obtained from Apple Customer Service. Have the serial number of the MBP ready when you call and there is a charge.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Seb NZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2013 5:00 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Sorry do you mean replacement SATA cables?

I've just realised I can boot from my external HD with time machine back up! After doing this I still couldn't see the boot disk. Only 'base recovery HD'. I'm going to try formatting that and see if doing that allows me to reinstall Mavericks onto it.

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 16, 2013 5:27 AM in response to Seb NZ

Seb NZ wrote:

Sorry do you mean replacement SATA cables?

No. I was referring to original installation disks,

Ciao.

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Answer 6

Seb NZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2013 5:31 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Oh ok. Well luckily I managed to find my old Snow Leopard installation DVD. I installed that and booted from that but I can't see the hard drive at all. In fact I can't even see the 'Base Recovery HD'.

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 16, 2013 7:02 AM in response to Seb NZ

The HDD may be dead or the connection may be faulty. If you can remove the internal HDD, place it in an enclosure and see if it will boot the MBP, that would indicate that the connection is the problem. If it does not boot the MBP, then the HDD is indeed dead.

You can also run an Apple Hardware Test which will test if the connection is faulty. If it develops an error, the the connection has to be restored. If no errors are developed, then it only suggests that the HDD is the problem. The inherent problem with the AHT is that a no error result is not always reliable.

You may have to make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a free and definitive diagnosis.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

Seb NZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2013 7:16 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks Ogelthorpe. I agree the hard drive may be dead.

Can you clarify what you mean by placing the internal HDD in an enclosure? I'd like to test that before I order a new HD.

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Answer 9

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Dec 16, 2013 7:24 AM in response to Seb NZ

You would install the HDD in an enclosure such as this:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/ES2.5BPU2S/

Then connect it to the MBP via USB cable.

Start the MBP with the OPTION key held down and the display should display the HDD in the enclosure. Select the HDD and if it boots the MBP, then the HDD is functional.

Ciao.

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Answer 10

Seb NZ Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 16, 2013 11:26 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks mate. I did the AHT and no errors came up, even after I did the extensive test. Like you say, not definitive, but I think I'll try ordering a new HDD anyway.

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