MacBook Pro (Mid 2012) bad SATA Cable HDD

[iOrbit]

I'm planning to buy a vintage MBP from mid 2012 and I mean to replace the HDD cable if its bad or goes bad. I wanted to ask though, do the replacement cables last like they normally should in other MacBook models? or is this failure inherent to the design of the port on the logic board itself?

 

[justashooter]

One theory is that the failure is the rubbing of the ribbon cable on the inside of the case. Even though the inside of the case feels smooth it is not and the cable rubbing wears through the thin cable cause a ground to the case. You can't actually see this rubbed area. Another theory is that where the cable is forced to make a right turn where it goes around the DVD drive, that one of the conductors break in that area.

I have replace three of these, each of my 2 2012 MBP 13 inch and on a friends. I used clear packing tape where the cable runs underneath the hard drive / SSD so it does not rub on the aluminum. One has been that way for six years, no problems yet.

As an aside, put an SSD in it, you love the speed increase. But, be aware that the computer may work just fine with the hard drive but when you put an SSD in it you could have problems. I have read that because a lot more data is moving when using an SSD a failing cable can't handle it.

 

[iOrbit]

One theory is that the failure is the rubbing of the ribbon cable on the inside of the case. Even though the inside of the case feels smooth it is not and the cable rubbing wears through the thin cable cause a ground to the case. You can't actually see this rubbed area. Another theory is that where the cable is forced to make a right turn where it goes around the DVD drive, that one of the conductors break in that area.

I have replace three of these, each of my 2 2012 MBP 13 inch and on a friends. I used clear packing tape where the cable runs underneath the hard drive / SSD so it does not rub on the aluminum. One has been that way for six years, no problems yet.

As an aside, put an SSD in it, you love the speed increase. But, be aware that the computer may work just fine with the hard drive but when you put an SSD in it you could have problems. I have read that because a lot more data is moving when using an SSD a failing cable can't handle it.

I have a 13 inch Mid 2012 (non retina) and I think the cable is struggling. I have never had a white boot screen with the question mark folder so far, but it just tends to hang at times and beachball. Its especially prevalent when it wakes from a fresh boot or from a longer nap. But it does come and go through regular use.

I also noticed write speeds have been perilously slow sometimes. This all continued after I installed an SSD inside it, but it was behaving like this with a regular drive, but im no sure if it was worse or not (Im not the original owner) but the original owner described it being very slow. It's very snappy apart from the brief hanging sneezes it has.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Your description in reply 3 above sounds like the "bad cable" issue.
It's very easy to replace.
Get the part number from ifixit.com.
You can either buy the cable from them or get it elsewhere online.

You'll need a Phillips #00 driver to open the back.

 

[2009 mac user]

I had to replace mine a few months ago. I secured it with a few pieces of electrical tape so the new one wouldn't move around. Seems to be working fine so far. With a 512 gb ssd and 16gb of ram, this 10 year old computer does everything I need it to and remains quite snappy. It also has this unique feature where it cooks your legs if you use it on your lap, thats my only complaint.

 

[Richy85]

I have a 13 inch Mid 2012 (non retina) and I think the cable is struggling. I have never had a white boot screen with the question mark folder so far, but it just tends to hang at times and beachball. Its especially prevalent when it wakes from a fresh boot or from a longer nap. But it does come and go through regular use.

I also noticed write speeds have been perilously slow sometimes. This all continued after I installed an SSD inside it, but it was behaving like this with a regular drive, but im no sure if it was worse or not (Im not the original owner) but the original owner described it being very slow. It's very snappy apart from the brief hanging sneezes it has.

exactly the same happens to me.
I have a macbook pro 2012 15" and the ssd has a very slow write speed. connect the ssd instead of the hhd and then replace the reader, I had the same problem. I doubt it is a cable issue, were you able to solve it?

 

[jav6454]

iFixit should have the cable you need.

 

[bingow]

I'm planning to buy a vintage MBP from mid 2012 and I mean to replace the HDD cable if its bad...

Same hardware here, replaced SATA cable, HDD with SSD, and battery (NuPower), overall change was dramatic (lots of help from this forum). Do you have a "health" reading for the existing battery?