Failure to Recognize HDD

[Doug S.]

I've seen a few posts that circle around an issue I'm having with my late 2007 White Macbook. Recently, during a backup, the HDD appeared to have failed and when I brought it to my local Apple Retail Store the technician confirmed that the HDD had failed and handed it to me suggesting I get some quotes from data recovery specialists... but I digress.

After realizing that the incomplete backup contained most of the data that I truly cared about I purchased a new 320gb Seagate internal HDD and installed it. However, when I power the computer up with the Snow Leopard disc installed the disk utility does not recognize an installed HDD.

So, I'm wondering what else could be wrong that would cause the HDD not to be recognized. I tried reinstalling it, ensuring that it was mounted in the case properly, but once again the OS install utility fails to find it.

Is there a size limit for what the Macbook can handle? It originally shipped with a 120gb HDD.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[StockDC2]

Nope, the size of the HD itself should not matter. Have you tried resetting the PRAM? This can be done by holding Option+CMD+P+R after turning the machine on. I usually hold it until I hear the third chime. The screen will flicker on and off at this time.

As for the data on your old hard drive, have you tried plugging it into another computer? Heck, you can even buy an external shell and try using the HD as an external. The data should still be on there, even though the OS is corrupt. If the HD itself is damaged, some (all) files will not be recoverable.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

If the OS was the only thing corrupt, why would the OP buy a new HDD to fix the issue? We're talking about a hardware failure here. You could try putting the HDD in the freezer for a while and then connecting it externally and trying to get the data off it. Weird, I know, but it works more often than you'd think.

As for your new drive, try reseating it. If that still doesn't work, try connecting it externally to a different computer, see if it's recognized. That'll at least give you an idea of what the problem is.

 

[StockDC2]

Did I say that the only problem was a corrupt OS? I don't think so.
I said that even though the OS is corrupt (i.e he can't boot into it), the data should be accessible using the hard drive as an external.

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

Right. What I'm saying is that from the OP's post, the OS clearly isn't the issue (whether or not it's corrupt is beside the point) and that the hardware failure of the HDD is the issue.