Flashing question mark - broken HD

Question

Flashing question mark - broken HD

I have tried every step mentioned here ( https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204323 ) and I never could find my startup disk that was called Macintosh HD by default. Does it means that my HD is broken? Do I have to change it?

Ive tried the Statup Manager (and it doesnt show up)

Ive tried to find it in Disk Utility entering from OS X Recovery (and it dosnt appear)

Ive tried to reinstall the OS X (but theres no disk to install it)

MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013)

Posted on Apr 28, 2015 2:48 PM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 28, 2015 3:16 PM in response to fuenzalidanacho

It could be the SSD or the connection to the SSD. Make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a definitive diagnosis. The evaluation will be free.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Apr 28, 2015 7:03 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

OGELTHORPE thanks for your answer but the problem is that I live in Chile and here there are not Apple Stores so I cant ask them to give me a diagnosis.

So you said that the problem with my mac could be

1- the SSD

or

2- the connection to the SSD

By that you are refering to the Macintosh HD dont you?

Knowing that, my 2 possible solutions would be:

1- change my SSD for a new one??

2- try to disconnect and reconnect my SSD trying to fix it or bying a new one??

Thank you very much!

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Apr 29, 2015 10:22 AM in response to fuenzalidanacho

fuenzalidanacho wrote:

By that you are refering to the Macintosh HD dont you?

Yes.

In order to test for the problem you should 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, then the internal connection is faulty. If not, then the SSD is faulty. (The SSD can also be tested on another Mac that can run the installed OSX)

This is not so simple for a retina MBP since you need an enclosure that fits the SSD. OWC has the appropriate enclosure and replacement SSD's for your MBP.

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/Air-Retina/Apple-MacBook-Pro-Retina-2012- Drive-Internal-Flash

I am not familiar with the internals of a retina MBP so I advise you to look at the iFixit.com website for pictorial instructions how the SSD is connected. As you can see from the link, the SSD is expensive so you will have some difficult financial decisions to make.

Ciao.

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