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MacBook Pro mid2009 Hard Drive Dead

pawelthegreat

pawelthegreat

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 23, 2010
92
0
Guelph, ON, Canada
Hi
I got a MacBook Pro 15" bought in the summer 2009 online at the Online Apple Store (Canada).
It's been good to me the whole time until 1 week ago.
I was installing a program when it froze for 5 minutes. It went back up working until it froze permanently. It now wont boot up. It's a white screen with the apple logo and a no sign (not a question mark) interchanging. When I boot with the install disk, it won't find the hard drive to install Mac OS X. Same with Disk Utility. Apple Hardware Test does not complete. It freezes but I will try it again later.

I am not exactly sure what to do right now.

I want to go to the Apple Store at the Eaton Center in Toronto and see what they can do. Any suggestions what their options are.

How much does it cost to replace?
 
To me it sounds like a Hard drive that is on it's last legs. Do you have a backup?
 
stridemat said:
To me it sounds like a Hard drive that is on it's last legs. Do you have a backup?
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying.
I think it is already dead.

I backed up most of it, but not everything.

Do you think it could be just a faulty connection or the hard drive wont start (like the spinner is stuck or something.)

Let's say the HDD is dead. What should I do?

Thanks again
 
Pull the drive out and either (1) put another drive in the mac to test the logic board and drive cable, or (2) put the drive in an external enclosure (or another mac) to test to see if the drive is bad.
 
thanks for the replies. Ill try those out and give my results here later.

But let's say the HDD is a lame duck and I go to the Apple Store. I say, "Hi Im a UofT student, I need my Mac for school. I want it replaced in 20 minutes no charge. I'll even buy a Time Capsule right here and now."

What kind of response should I be expecting?

Thanks again
 
Apple's hard drive choices suck as reflected by reviews and reliability reports. Apple may call the hard drive a wear item and probably will not replace it if you are out of warranty.
 
pawelthegreat said:
thanks for the replies. Ill try those out and give my results here later.

But let's say the HDD is a lame duck and I go to the Apple Store. I say, "Hi Im a UofT student, I need my Mac for school. I want it replaced in 20 minutes no charge. I'll even buy a Time Capsule right here and now."

What kind of response should I be expecting?

Thanks again
Click to expand...

I'd tell you to get ****ed and not to be so rude to be honest.

Just because you're a student, and you *need* this and that does not give you the right to demand for it to be replaced in 20 minutes with no charge.

Just giving you my opinion after working in retail for most of my Career. I can tell you that a more subtle, honest and polite tone works a lot better.
 
pawelthegreat said:
OK, I am going to the Eaton Centre Apple Store this Saturday.
Will update what happened later.

Hoping I get my Mac back enough all fixed up.

:apple: FTW
Click to expand...

Good luck! Like I said, a more polite subtle approach will yield better results than the 'rarr rarr i want my **** sorted' approach.

:)
 
NickZac said:
Apple's hard drive choices suck as reflected by reviews and reliability reports. Apple may call the hard drive a wear item and probably will not replace it if you are out of warranty.
Click to expand...

What reliability reports??? You still posting your misinformation?
 
Hey
Excellent news!

HD was OK. It was the the HD/IR/Sleep Indicator Cable that was at issue.

Whewww.

It will cost me only $28 Canadian.

This is most excellent news and I can't wait til I back up.

Genius (Garth) was super-duper.
 
NickZac said:
Look at the date genius. And Apple's hard drives have still not changed since Jan 4th so yup, still crap.
Click to expand...

Just saying, the Genius actually recommended me to get my HD elsewhere because Apple is very pricey on this. He told me $140 (just for the HD, I'm assuming) when I could get it for 40 elsewhere.
 
OK its official
I am on my MacBook right now and it's all good
Hopefully this thread will give hope to others that it may not be as serious as a HD failure when you get the question mark.

This thread is closed.
 
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