MacBook Pro; after install clean SSD won't boot-up

Question

Level 1

8 points

MacBook Pro; after install clean SSD won't boot-up

Hi,

My MacBook Pro (13", mid 2012 model) had a crashed hdd, so I replaced it with a Crucial MX100 512Mb SSD. Installation went perfect; internet reboot, formatted the new SSD without a problem, used the options as in this video: and went ahead with the installation of OS-X. Download took about 1.30 hour, I got the 'Succesful Installation' message, then the computer rebooted automatically and I got a white screen with a flashing folder icon with a questionmark.

Does anybody have an idea? Is it possible that this is a faulty SATA cable or did I do something wrong with the installation? Any suggestions on how I can get the system running again?

Looking forward to anything that might help,

greetings,

Erik.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1), Crucial SSD MX100 512

Posted on Dec 15, 2014 3:18 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Cunnla

Level 6

8,263 points

Dec 15, 2014 3:38 AM in response to FastOwl

Hi,

Try starting up in Safe mode.

OS X Yosemite: Start up in safe mode

Another thing to try: Hold down the Option key while booting and select the new SSD as startup disk.

Check out this page as well: A flashing question mark or globe appears when you start your Mac - Apple Support

Reply

Answer 2

FastOwl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2014 3:57 AM in response to Cunnla

Hi,

thanks for your answer!

Unfortunately; both options didn't work:

- starting up in Safemode; holding down Shift key during the start-up sound only gives the flasing folder icon with questionmark;

- starting with holding down Option key; identical.

Any other suggestions?

Erik.

Reply

Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,317 points

Dec 15, 2014 3:58 AM in response to FastOwl

To test for a faulty cable, take out the SSD and install it in an enclosure. Connect it to the MBP via USB and see if it will boot the MBP. If so, that is an indication of an internal connection fault.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 4

FastOwl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2014 7:07 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Hi,

thanks for your answer. However; I installed the SSD, downloaded the internet recovery and formatted and installed OS-X on the SSD without a problem. Wouldn't it be very unlikely that the cable is faulty?

Regards,
Erik.

Reply

Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,317 points

Dec 15, 2014 7:56 AM in response to FastOwl

If you run the test as I suggested and it boots the MBP, then there is an internal connection problem. If it does not boot the MBP then there is a problem with the SSD or the installation. The decision to try this is entirely yours.

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 6

Cunnla

Level 6

8,263 points

Dec 15, 2014 7:29 PM in response to FastOwl

Hi again,

It might be worth starting over again but in a slightly different way. If you have an external enclosure or USB-SATA adapter, you could mount the SSD there, connect it to computer with the old drive back in place and format it again and with the GUID partition table. Then, using cloning software such as SuperDuper, clone the old drive to the SSD and try a reboot from there. If all goes well, put the SSD back in the computer in the main drive bay. That worked for me when I installed an SSD earlier this year.

Reply

Answer 7

FastOwl Author

Level 1

8 points

Dec 15, 2014 7:05 AM in response to FastOwl

Furthermore, I followed advice from the apple pages and run the Apple Hardware Test (boot with D pressed down), the test ran OK with as result 'no trouble found'.

Anyone with advice?

greetings, Erik.

Reply