Water damaged hard drive

[tomaustin44]

Hi. Last night a drink got spilled on my MacBook Pro (2011). I thought it had just been splashed a bit so mopped it up and continued to use it (stupidly!). It then turned off abruptly and even more stupidly I tried to turn it straight back on.

when it is switched on the screen comes on, it makes the startup noise and then goes to a folder with a question mark flashing. I took it apart and it seemed as though the liquid was confined to just the battery and hard drive so I gave it a good dry out with a hair dryer and tried again.

I'm able to run the Web Recovery tool but get no options when asked where Id like to install OS X so I assume the hard disk is fried?? Would I be able to get to this stage if there were any other problems, like with the motherboard for example? USB, MagSafe, fan, screen is all working.

 

[JTToft]

The folder with a question mark means it can't load from the hard drive, so it does sound like it's been damaged. Probably more drowned than fried, though.

If your data is important to you, try starting the MBP in Target Disk Mode connected to another Mac and see if you're able to access the drive from there.
Otherwise, just install a new hard drive as that appears to be the only damaged part based on what you've described.

 

[tomaustin44]

Thanks for the help. I think it'll have to be a new hard drive. Most of my stuff was backed up anyway. Thanks.

 

[T5BRICK]

There is a good chance that more than just the HDD is damaged. I'd take it to Apple and have them give you a repair estimate. I'm guessing it won't be cheap.

 

[tomaustin44]

Update...

I bought a new HDD and enclosure today. Firstly when installed internally the new HDD doesnt work either. It's not recognised at all. However...

Both the old and new HDDs do work when plugged in externally through the enclosure. I'm able to boot OSX through that which is ok and it's all working fine but not an ideal fix.

As suggested I'll take it somewhere and get an expert opinion. The data cable looks like it's seen better days, it's a bit twisted so maybe that's it?? (Clutching at straws!)

 

[JTToft]

The data cable looks like it's seen better days, it's a bit twisted so maybe that's it?? (Clutching at straws!)

- Quite possibly. You can get a replacement here:

13": https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...y-2011-Late-2011-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF163-026-1

15": https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Ma...y-2011-Late-2011-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF161-086-1

17" (only Early 2011): https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/MacBook-Pro-17-Inch-Unibody-Early-2011-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF162-022-1

It could also be your logic board - then it gets expensive.

Another option is to forgo your optical drive and install your hard drive in its place using something like this.