I’m having an issue with a hard drive and i can’t seem to pinpoint the problem. The mac in question is a 2008 17 inch MBP, the hard drive is recognized under windows and GParted but will not get recognized whatsoever on macOS, at least internally.
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HDD Problem
- Thread starter daveyanthony
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Yes, to specify, I erased the hard drive as both NTFS and then mac HFS+ via GParted then put it in the laptop with an el capitan usb key, disk utility doesn't see it at all in GUI or terminal. Also, I had the HDD connected to my pc on the internal SATA ports, if that helps at all.
So, you put this HDD into your MBP?
I am sure you have your reasons for using a HDD, but just a little unsolicited advice, I would suggest a SSD for your MBP. They are getting really cheap now, and the performance would increase dramatically with a SSD.
Now, back to the issue, I wonder if it is a firmware issue, I would check this.
Do you have the OEM drive for the MBP? Or any Apple OEM 2.5" drive handy?
I am sure you have your reasons for using a HDD, but just a little unsolicited advice, I would suggest a SSD for your MBP. They are getting really cheap now, and the performance would increase dramatically with a SSD.
Now, back to the issue, I wonder if it is a firmware issue, I would check this.
Do you have the OEM drive for the MBP? Or any Apple OEM 2.5" drive handy?
I have tried about 3 SSD's in this mac, ranging from 25 dollars to 300 dollars, they all corrupt themselves after about a week, I only have good luck with HDD's for some reason. I do have the original drive that came with the laptop.
That is strange. I have used SSDs in much older Macs without issue.
Maybe both issues could be tied to the firmware.
I would check the firmware version and post it here.
What OS do you have install on the original drive?
Another potential cause for both your current HDD issue and the SSD issue you describe could be a failed/failing SATA cable.
I have thought of the HDD cable, but i thought it was only a problem on the first gen unibody macs, and i didn’t want to waste money on a cable until i ruled everything else out. The original drive has el capitan on it i believe.
Edit: it’s been a minute, what specific firmware am i looking for and how do i check it?
Edit: it’s been a minute, what specific firmware am i looking for and how do i check it?
When you say that the installed SSDs have corrupted after installation in the past. How have you installed the OSes on the SSDs? Did you clone the drives or do a fresh install on each? If you cloned the OS you could have just moved a corrupted installation from one drive to the next.
If you did fresh OS installs on each of the SSDs and the SSDs seem to flake out after a week, it would seem to point out to the HDD cable. It looks like you should be able to snag a used one with a 30 day warranty for less than $30.
If you did fresh OS installs on each of the SSDs and the SSDs seem to flake out after a week, it would seem to point out to the HDD cable. It looks like you should be able to snag a used one with a 30 day warranty for less than $30.
All installations were fresh, i even thought the USB and/download was bad so i made it with like 5 different USBs on like 3 different macs.
It’s definitley something to do with the firmware or the logic board. I just tried testing the hard drive with an external enclosure and it worked fine on every computer except this specific macbook. i’m really stumped as to what’s causing this.
Go to the Apple in the upper left, go down to "About this Mac", click on "System Report", and on the HW overview, post the Boot ROM version and SMC Version on here.
Model for reference: MacBookPro4,1
BootROM: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC: 1.28f3
I have some updates. The hard drive i ordered died, being replaced under warranty right now. I thought this explained the issues, however, SSD’s are still corrupting after a few hours of installation. I tried with the OEM HDD and a spare known good seagate that i had, both work fine. I don’t understand why the mac doesn’t want to work with the SSD as it would be optimal, obviously. I’ll update when the new drive comes in if it works.
BootROM: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC: 1.28f3
I have some updates. The hard drive i ordered died, being replaced under warranty right now. I thought this explained the issues, however, SSD’s are still corrupting after a few hours of installation. I tried with the OEM HDD and a spare known good seagate that i had, both work fine. I don’t understand why the mac doesn’t want to work with the SSD as it would be optimal, obviously. I’ll update when the new drive comes in if it works.
I believe i’ve figured it out. After some more testing I believe it’s a failing/defective logic board. Recently I had it sent off to have the notorious 8600m replaced, and I believe they damaged it in some way. I did the install on an SSD, connected to an external enclosure, off of my mac mini, then put it in the macbook. It has been working fine ever since with no issues. Talking to them about getting it replaced now since it came with a warranty!