Macbook Pro 2012 not starting up

[290373m]

Hello,

maybe some has had a similar issue and can help. I have got a Macbook Pro 2012. When i try to power it up it loads for a few seconds. Then i hear the hard drive shut down and the whole computer turns off.

I tried to clear NVRAM with Command (⌘), Option, P, and R but that doesn't work for some reason. Resetting the SMC with Shift+Control+Option doesn't work either.

Funny thing though is that when i try either the Macbook does not shut down after a few seconds but keeps loading until i release all the keys which usually takes a few minutes.

Any ideas what to try? Configuration is i5, 8GB Ram, 500GB HDD with Mojave.
[doublepost=1552391175][/doublepost]Ok, just replaced the hard drive. Started internet recovery and after running disk utility computer shuts down. Will keep trying and testing

 

[theapplehead]

Hello,

maybe some has had a similar issue and can help. I have got a Macbook Pro 2012. When i try to power it up it loads for a few seconds. Then i hear the hard drive shut down and the whole computer turns off.

I tried to clear NVRAM with Command (⌘), Option, P, and R but that doesn't work for some reason. Resetting the SMC with Shift+Control+Option doesn't work either.

Funny thing though is that when i try either the Macbook does not shut down after a few seconds but keeps loading until i release all the keys which usually takes a few minutes.

Any ideas what to try? Configuration is i5, 8GB Ram, 500GB HDD with Mojave.
[doublepost=1552391175][/doublepost]Ok, just replaced the hard drive. Started internet recovery and after running disk utility computer shuts down. Will keep trying and testing

Maybe your hard drive or your logic board are failing. Did you install a new hard drive?

 

[Roman78]

Hmmmm... I have a friend whit the same issue. He will send me the Laptop to take a look at it. Maybe it is the same issue.

Does Targetmode work?

 

[DeltaMac]

If you already tried replacing with a new hard drive, and still have the same issue -- cheapest (quickest) tip is to try replacing the SATA drive cable

You said you tried an NVRAM reset, and that it "doesn't work"
Try that again:
Shut down, so your MBPro is off. Press and release the power button, and immediately hold Command-Option-P-R
You should hear the boot chime.
Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release the keys to allow a normal boot.
If you get NO boot chime after waiting a reasonable time (1 minute is OK for something to happen), then try removing the hard drive AND the SATA cable (remove both), and try the reset again. Obviously, it won't boot without a boot drive. but, you are just trying the reset, and listening for the boot chimes.

 

[Fishrrman]

You have the non-retina 2012 MBP, is this correct?

If so, be aware that they have problems with the drive ribbon cable. It "goes flaky", and when it does, "communication" between the drive and the motherboard "go bad" on you.

If you know how to change out the drive, changing the cable is easy.
You can go to ifixit.com to get the part number, and either order it from them or find it online.

TIP as to how to ascertain whether or not it's "a cable problem":
Get a USB3/SATA dongle/adapter like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-...478&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=sabremt+usb3+to+ssd
Take the drive OUT OF the MacBook, hook it to the adapter, and then try to boot that way.
If the MBP "boots right up", that points at the cable as being the source of the problem...

 

[290373m]

If you already tried replacing with a new hard drive, and still have the same issue -- cheapest (quickest) tip is to try replacing the SATA drive cable

You said you tried an NVRAM reset, and that it "doesn't work"
Try that again:
Shut down, so your MBPro is off. Press and release the power button, and immediately hold Command-Option-P-R
You should hear the boot chime.
Keep holding the same 4 keys until you hear the boot chime 2 more times, then release the keys to allow a normal boot.
If you get NO boot chime after waiting a reasonable time (1 minute is OK for something to happen), then try removing the hard drive AND the SATA cable (remove both), and try the reset again. Obviously, it won't boot without a boot drive. but, you are just trying the reset, and listening for the boot chimes.

I managed to reset the NVRAM but that didn't solve anything. Thanks for the idea.

 

[290373m]

You have the non-retina 2012 MBP, is this correct?

If so, be aware that they have problems with the drive ribbon cable. It "goes flaky", and when it does, "communication" between the drive and the motherboard "go bad" on you.

If you know how to change out the drive, changing the cable is easy.
You can go to ifixit.com to get the part number, and either order it from them or find it online.

TIP as to how to ascertain whether or not it's "a cable problem":
Get a USB3/SATA dongle/adapter like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-2-5-...478&sr=1-2-spell&keywords=sabremt+usb3+to+ssd
Take the drive OUT OF the MacBook, hook it to the adapter, and then try to boot that way.
If the MBP "boots right up", that points at the cable as being the source of the problem...

Embarrassing to admit that i have been a technician at Acer for years and didn't think if that. I did connect four drives in total (one after the other) to the USB port hoping to install the OS there but unfortunately same happens. I did remove the internal hard drive and disconnected the Sata cable before doing that.

 

[Mixso]

Found this issue with a friends mac pro 2009. Disconnected battery & it stopped switching off straight away.