StPD

Q: Replaced hard drive in MBP, still won't work

I just installed my replacement HD (SATA 2.5) in my MBP but all I get is a flashing ?. The faulty drive would get further than that but would just never mount.

 

The SATA cable looks to be the next replacement but it seems as though I'm not doing something basic here, so before I buy a new cable, I was hoping to get some input.

 

I didn't have the tool to remove the mounting screws on the old HD, so I just put the new one to see if it would work. Could this be the reason the new HD isn't being recognized?

 

I guess there is also the possibility that the new drive is defective but that seems unlikely.

 

As some background, a large (maybe 2 lb.) book fell on the keyboard as I was attempting to remove it from a shelf. A few days later, the computer started to fail.I didn't think that could cause an HD failure but it seems related.

 

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I don't have the funds to send it to Apple for repair (it's a refurb from them and warranty has expired.

 

Thanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Sep 4, 2015 11:54 AM

Close

Q: Replaced hard drive in MBP, still won't work

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 4, 2015 12:46 PM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2015 12:46 PM in response to StPD

    It would be helpful if you indicated the EXACT model/year of your MBP..

     

    The support screws on the HDD require a #6 Torx driver.  A good hardware store should have this.

     

    Ciao.

  • by StPD,

    StPD StPD Sep 4, 2015 1:26 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 4, 2015 1:26 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Sorry, it's a 2011 13-inch.

     

    Yes, I realized I didn't have the tool but wanted to see if the HD would work. Just wondering if those screws are just to hold it securely or if they provide some type of ground that is necessary for the HD to function properly.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 4, 2015 2:07 PM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2015 2:07 PM in response to StPD

    Is it an early 2011 MBP (came with Snow Leopard OSX disks) or is it a late 2011 MBP (came with Lion OSX installed))?

     

    Ciao.

  • by StPD,

    StPD StPD Sep 4, 2015 2:25 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 4, 2015 2:25 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Can't remember which one it came with. It was an Apple refurb and didn't come with any disks. I've since upgraded to Mavericks and now Yosemite. I have everything backed up on a LaCie drive if I can ever get the new HD going.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 4, 2015 10:10 PM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 4, 2015 10:10 PM in response to StPD

    First get the Torx driver and install the HDD correctly.

     

    Then boot the MBP into the recovery partition (COMMAND + R)

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201314

     

    There will be a 4 option menu.  Select Disk Utility>Erase and format the HDD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

     

    Exit Disk Utility and select Reinstall OSX.

     

    If it will not boot into the recovery partition and recognize the HDD, you will have to take it out, install it in an enclosure and connect it to the MBP via USB.

     

    Then you repeat the above steps with the HDD connected externally.  That also will indicate that the internal SATA cable is faulty and must be replaced.  When you replace the cable, then you should be able to install the HDD in the MBP.

     

    Let me know how it goes.

     

    Ciao.

  • by StPD,

    StPD StPD Sep 5, 2015 12:08 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 5, 2015 12:08 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks! I was able to access Disk Utility, wipe the HDD and am currently reinstalling the OS. It's installing 10.7 but I had 10.10 on it. Will I be able to update back to Yosemite if this is successful?

  • by OGELTHORPE,Solvedanswer

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 5, 2015 1:04 PM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 5, 2015 1:04 PM in response to StPD

    Yes, you will be able to reinstall Yosemite after you have installed Lion..  You should have Yosemite in your App Store account.

     

    Ciao.

  • by StPD,

    StPD StPD Sep 5, 2015 4:37 PM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 5, 2015 4:37 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

    For some reason, after reinstalling from backup it's asking for my password for the MBP. But it's rejecting the one I've always used and suggested that I can reset it using my Apple ID. Any clue how to do that?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 6, 2015 4:21 AM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 6, 2015 4:21 AM in response to StPD

    Look for a solution here:

     

    https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202860

     

    Ciao.

  • by StPD,

    StPD StPD Sep 6, 2015 9:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 6, 2015 9:45 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks. I got it working finally. Really appreciate your help! One final question though.

     

    Everything worked fine after I reinstalled OS 10.10 and even updated my scanner driver. But as I was moving some JPG files from one folder to another on my hard drive last night, Finder quit. It restarted pretty quickly and shortly thereafter, I shut down for the night and went to bed. When I woke up, I saw that my computer was still on, just the desktop background minus all the icons.

     

    So I manually shut down and restarted and when the screen came back there were 2 login options: one as guest and one where my user should have been but with a ? instead of my photo. I typed in a password and it sort of hiccuped and then restarted normally. Just a bump in the road or sign of impending trouble with perhaps the SATA cable?

     

    Also, should I set up a separate Admin user account?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Sep 6, 2015 10:08 AM in response to StPD
    Level 9 (52,700 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 6, 2015 10:08 AM in response to StPD

    StPD wrote:

     

    So I manually shut down and restarted and when the screen came back there were 2 login options: one as guest and one where my user should have been but with a ? instead of my photo. I typed in a password and it sort of hiccuped and then restarted normally. Just a bump in the road or sign of impending trouble with perhaps the SATA cable?

     

    I have never experienced anything of that nature.  I see no reason to believe that there would be a connection to the SATA cable.  I am guessing here, but a Disk Utility>First Aid>Permissions may be in order.

     

    Also, should I set up a separate Admin user account?

    Since it can be deleted later and may be useful, it can do no harm to set it up.

     

    Ciao.