2012 Mac Book Pro Missing Startup Disk

Question

Level 1

5 points

2012 Mac Book Pro Missing Startup Disk

I have a problem I haven't quite found an answer for.

I have a 2012 Mac Book Pro running Yosemite that recently completely froze during use and wouldn't respond after several minutes. I held down the startup button to restart, and the startup screen went to a folder with a question mark.

I was able to restart in safe mode, and for good measure backed up my important items to external hardrive (thank you Jebus).

Restarted to the Startup disk successfully, but this lasted 15 minutes tops before freezing again, and showing the question mark folder.

I held down option to check the disk, however in disk utility it only shows OSX base system, no drive can be found at all.

I cannot start it in safe mode. Won't open FSCK. Zapping NVRAM did nothing. Can't open target disk or singer user mode. Can't reinstall OSX mountain lion (no disk can be found).

I'm at a loss here, and am definitely outside of apple care warranty. Any advice? Taking it to a genious bar is out of the question (too far away), so any potential DIY fixes are preferred.

Thanks,

H

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), iOS 8.1.3, null

Posted on Feb 19, 2015 3:00 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Feb 19, 2015 3:04 PM in response to HDeal

It did not come with disks,. You can boot to internet Recovery and resinstall the OS. See:

OS X: About OS X Recovery - Apple Support

It may be that the HD has failed.

When in Recovery use disk utility and repair the HD and note any errors.

BTW, this is Mac Pro desktop forum

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Answer 2

Feb 19, 2015 3:06 PM in response to HDeal

My guess from the small amount of information you provided is the disk drive is full or broken.

Try doing a Safe Boot as explained at OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? - Apple Support

I requested that the Hosts move your thread to the correct forum.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,519 points

Feb 19, 2015 3:09 PM in response to Allan Eckert

The poster already said "I cannot start it in safe mode."

Allan Eckert wrote:

My guess from the small amount of information you provided is the disk drive is full or broken.

Try doing a Safe Boot as explained at OS X: What is Safe Boot, Safe Mode? - Apple Support

I requested that the Hosts move your thread to the correct forum.

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Answer 4

HDeal Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2015 3:11 PM in response to lllaass

Sorry I posted this to MacPro, it gave me the wrong option and won't let me move it now. Thanks for asking them to move it.

It can't find the HD to reinstall to, so reinstall is out of the question (as I said I already tried all the basic trouble shooting options).

Can't safe boot, because it simply won't (I can hold the option key all day and it will just go back to question mark folder).

HD may be dead, but may be disconnected from other things I have read.

Need options other than safe boot, FSCK, reinstall, etc.

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Answer 5

Feb 19, 2015 3:16 PM in response to lllaass

Missed that.

I have to slow down when I read the posts.

In his original post he does seem to contradict himself more then once.

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Answer 6

HDeal Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2015 3:22 PM in response to Allan Eckert

I was able to startup in safe boot after it intially crashed, but since it crashed after that, I have been unable to use it.

Problem now is that it does not show that I even have a HD to boot from. Therefore I cannot repair the hard drive through disk utility. it just doesn't show up.

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Answer 7

Feb 19, 2015 3:35 PM in response to HDeal

Now it sounds like broken is the only possibility

Time to start looking for a replacement

I hope you have a current backup

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Answer 8

HDeal Author

Level 1

5 points

Feb 19, 2015 3:40 PM in response to Allan Eckert

Welp, I'm about to gut this POS to see if I can do anything there. One way or another it's still a $1500 paperweight at this point. fingers crossed it's just the stupid cable. Thanks.

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