Have a 2010 MacBook Pro. I was backing up some files to an external hard drive yesterday, I ejected the hard drive from my desk top then pulled out the USB cable, my MacBook started to make a crackling noise and everything froze and I had the spinning wheel of death, I left it for a few minutes but after no change I shut down using the off button. When I rebooted there was a flashing question mark and the MacBook wouldn't open. I tried starting up in safe mode but this didn't work, I then started up through OS X recovery mode so that I could repair my Macintosh hd but it was not listed, the only thing in the list was OS X base system. I can't reinstall OS X as again my HD is not Listed. I don't have a time machine or a back up of my HD. Is there anything I can do to fix this, I am not very technical or knowledgable on the workings of macs! Thanks in advance for any help offered.
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MacBook Pro hard drive problem
- Thread starter sjp72
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Sound like the drive is dead (HDD's often die by the time they are 6years old) but it could be the SATA cable (notoriously flaky on that model) I would order an SSD (this will make your Mac faster than new) to replace the drive and a SATA cable at the same time (for an extra $20 it's worth it having to wait because you didn't have a good cable is annoying and replacing it could save some compatability issues).
Some recommendations for drive and cable
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX200-250GB-Internal-Solid/dp/B00RQA6DTE
http://www.amazon.com/Eathtek-Senso...632871&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro+sata+cable
And a guide to perform the replacement
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Cable+Replacement/4304
It should be better than new in a few days for under $100....
Some recommendations for drive and cable
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX200-250GB-Internal-Solid/dp/B00RQA6DTE
http://www.amazon.com/Eathtek-Senso...632871&sr=1-1&keywords=macbook+pro+sata+cable
And a guide to perform the replacement
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Cable+Replacement/4304
It should be better than new in a few days for under $100....
Good advise up there. One addition: You can also go for the cheaper BX200 SSD, won't make any speed difference on your Macbook:
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-BX200...F8&qid=1455634468&sr=1-1&keywords=250gb+bx200
http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-BX200...F8&qid=1455634468&sr=1-1&keywords=250gb+bx200
Hi Sjp72:
If you suspect that the problem could be your SATA cable, you could try to install the hard drive in an external case and see if you can then boot from it. http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Se...Ns=P_Price|0&Ne=5000&N=6430&Ntt=On-The-Go+Kit
Kim
If the Mac will boot in Recovery Mode, the problem is not likely the cable.
When you say that only the recovery partition shows, do you mean in Disk Utility when you try to run repair disk, or just when you try to do a re-install of the OS?
Do you have a second Mac handy that you can use for diagnostics?
When you say that only the recovery partition shows, do you mean in Disk Utility when you try to run repair disk, or just when you try to do a re-install of the OS?
Do you have a second Mac handy that you can use for diagnostics?
Thanks for the great advice and all the links, you've been really helpful. Can I ask one thing, my MacBook is a 15", will the drives and cables above still be OK to order.
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The recovery partition shows in disc utility when I boot up in recovery mode.
I don't have a second Mac - sorry.
If your computer is a Mid 2010 15" Macbook pro, this is the cable you need. https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Parts/MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Unibody-Mid-2010-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF161-061-1
Kim