how hard is it to install the cable? is there a way i can prove its the sata? I guess i can bring it to this 3rd party mac guy. I would rather him install a cable than do it myself. I just don't get why for 2 years the hgst sata 3 hard drive worked in my computer. Cause all i read everywhere is that it doesn't work unless its downgraded with firmware. I just am trying to avoid spending lots of money and i don't really wanna take both drives out and switch them so i don't know what to do really.
I told you how to prove the drive is good but you could also pull the HDD and put it in a USB caddy or dock and see if it runs fine that way. You can't prove cable or controller (ie the logic board), without swapping the cable (or the logic board but that would be silly).
SATA cable swap takes 10mins for the HDD bay cable. My HGST 1TB works fine and has done for 2.5yrs, just had the cable go at nearly 4 yrs old, 10min fix with a spare cable. Gave very similar symptoms to yours. If it worked fine before then don't mess with the firmware. I'm still running v2 firmware in mine but I'm not upgrading as that may well cause an issue and I don't have any issues at the moment...
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question does this mean that the logic board supported sata 3 in the optibay? if so this rules out the hd and firmware option and limits it to a failed drive or sata cable?
Yes. and Yes. All indications are the cable.
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how hard is it to install the cable?
Power off
Remove bottom cover.
Remove drive bracket & screws (2)
Remove HDD
Remove Lid sensor/drive bracket screws (2)
Remove SATA cable mid-point screws (2)
Un-click SATA connector from logic board
Un-peel Lid Sensor cable from underside of case
Remove cable
To fit new cable:
Locate and fix Lid sensor/drive bracket with screws (2)
Re-fit SATA cable mid-point screws (2)
Press Lid Sensor cable to underside of case
Click SATA connector into logic board connector
Re-fit HDD
Re-fit drive bracket with screws (2)
Re-fit bottom cover
Power up.
Plenty of videos on Youtube