Replaced HD now MBP is dead! Cannot boot from Extertnal...

[walfy1]

Hi guys,

I recently learnt that its not too hard to replace your HD for a larger one on a MBP 15", so foolishly I did it and now I'm in a mess.

I bought 2 hard drives, a 2.5" internal 500GB to go in, and a 1TB backup storage drive to use as my clone. I used carbon copy cloner to back up onto the external 1TB, then opened the mac up and changed the two internal drives over. On starting the machine up - even holding the cmd Key/option/shift whatever nothing at all happens on screen. I get 3 flashes on the front light every few seconds but no startup beep and none of the usual noises.

Have I fried the motherboard? I've heard this is somehow possible, and can I check this? as I'm guessing they're not cheap...

Any light you could shed would be much appreciated!!
Thanks

 

[Queso]

Does this describe what's happening?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2341

Also, did you remember to put the RAM back in?

 

[MacDawg]

The first things I would do would be...

1. Check all of your connections

2. Boot from your install DVD and check your external drive

 

[walfy1]

Thank you for your quick replies,

I did not realise RAM errors could cause this kind of thing, I will open it up to check again that it is all seated properly. though I do not remember touching this, apart from removing the cover to get at the screws...

will let you know how it goes!!

_______________

Have done this and it boots up fine! thank you for re-instating my faith in computers!

But...and there always is...

The mac is booting from the ex HD, and though system profiler recognises the internal HD I cannot seem to 'select' it within carbon copy to put the information back on the internal. I imagine this is where you say - oh you have to do this before putting the drive in, but I hope not...

thanks again anyway!

 

[gnasher729]

Thank you for your quick replies,

I did not realise RAM errors could cause this kind of thing, I will open it up to check again that it is all seated properly. though I do not remember touching this, apart from removing the cover to get at the screws...

will let you know how it goes!!

_______________

Have done this and it boots up fine! thank you for re-instating my faith in computers!

But...and there always is...

The mac is booting from the ex HD, and though system profiler recognises the internal HD I cannot seem to 'select' it within carbon copy to put the information back on the internal. I imagine this is where you say - oh you have to do this before putting the drive in, but I hope not...

thanks again anyway!

Probably not formatted the right way for a Macintosh. Start "Disk Utility", then have a look how your external drive is formatted, and format the internal drive the same way. (Probably something like "HFS+ Journaled"). And Disk Utility can also copy the external drive onto the internal one.