Flashing question mark

Question

Flashing question mark

This Macbook Pro (purchased new for March 2013 birthday) suddenly began slowing down, then froze while listening to music and had Netflix in background. It was difficult to shut down and when restarted, had a flashing question mark. We tried a few online recommended restarts and menus while holding keys down to no avail. Also tried the Apple support recommended Apple Hardware Test, extended version, AHT (due to age of machine) which yielded "no problem". What is the best next step? Will replacing the hard drive even though the AHT indicated no hardware problem, likely fix the unit? We have no Apple care coverage but wonder if the Toshiba hard drive has a separate warranty.? Incidentally, we actually opened the laptop to disconnect and reconnect the existing hard drive prior to the AHT and noticed a battery clip had been over tightened and had cracked. Your help is really appreciated. Thanks.

MacBook Pro, Mountain Lion something

Posted on Mar 18, 2015 9:29 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Mar 19, 2015 2:48 AM in response to mattfromroaring spring

It would be helpful if you indicated the EXACT model/year MBP that you have and the OSX.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Mar 19, 2015 7:06 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Sure, I believe it was the most current model available then. Directly from the box: MBP 13.3/2.5/2X2GB/500/SD-USA. Model No.:A1278. Part No. MD101LL/A. Is this helpful? Thanks

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Mar 19, 2015 7:18 AM in response to mattfromroaring spring

Based on the information that you provided, you have a 13" mid 2012 non retina MBP.

The factory installed HDD is included with the MBP. It is not a separate warranty.

The symptom indicates that the HDD or the SATA connecting cable is faulty.

Try booting into the recover partition.

From the 4 option menu, select Disk Utility.

run Disk Utility>First Aid, Verify and Repair.

If the disk cannot be repaired, it will have to be replaced.

If nothing wrong is found with the HDD, then the cable is suspect.

Install the HDD in an enclosure and connect it to the MBP via USB.

Boot the MBP using startup manager. If successful, the SATA cable should be replaced. It is not an expensive repair.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT1310

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Mar 19, 2015 7:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Booting into the recovery partition after holding the option key at start and not selecting an Internet connection yet I got another flashing question mark.

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Answer 5

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Mar 19, 2015 7:52 AM in response to mattfromroaring spring

When you started the MBP with the OPTION key, did you see two HDD icons? If so, did you select the one on the right (it should say 'Recovery HD')?

Ciao.

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Answer 6

Mar 19, 2015 8:02 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

2 Yes. I did see 2 choices and I chose the one labled recovery partition 10. something.

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Answer 7

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Mar 19, 2015 8:54 AM in response to mattfromroaring spring

Not encouraging. Try this:

Start up the MBP with the OPTION + COMMAND + R keys.

The resulting display will show an image of a revolving globe.

Following the instructions will connect you to the Apple servers.

You should get a 4 option menu. From that menu, select Disk Utility.

Follow the same directions that I posted earlier.

Make certain that you have a solid Internet connection.

Ciao.

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Answer 8

Mar 22, 2015 7:46 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Many thanks. After following what I thought were similar steps, your instruction yielded different successful results. The scan showed hard drive was ok. A few days later, we took the MBP to a relative with an " enclosure" to test for a bad cable. We turned on the MBP and it worked, prior to pulling the hard drive. For now, it's still working. Thank you for your patience and your step by step assistance. A++++

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