Mid-2012 MB pro won't boot. Comes up with a folder with a question mark (can't find the drive)... Removed the hard drive and put it in an external case with USB connectivity. Boots from the USB drive and works (slower) fine. So its either the SATA cable or the controller.
I have researched and there is a known issue with SATA cables going bad, but its generally on earlier versions. A new cable is certainly the better outcome, but its $30 - $50 wasted if it isn't the case. Taking it in to the "Geniuses" at the Apple store will cost a pretty penny just to get them to say hi.
Fellow hardware nerds, any suggestions on how to further isolate the cause available spare parts?
Can you use a cheap "generic" SATA cable to test, and if it works with that, get the correct cable? I don't know what that particular machine looks like. Most laptops don't have a cable at all for internal drives.
That's an idea worth checking out. It's a paper thin ribbon cable that actually lays under the drive. If the connectors fit, I could try it without closing the case.
If it's the HD, you can pull it and connect it to another computer as an external drive and diagnose the drive using that other machine.
If it's the ribbon cable that goes from the HD connector to the mainboard...if it disconnects at both ends, you could check connectivity on each pin with a meter.
I specialize in Windows based pc's but I'm thinking if you connected it externally and it booted fine you've already narrowed it down. Either bad cable or bad controller on the motherboard.
If it's the HD, you can pull it and connect it to another computer as an external drive and diagnose the drive using that other machine.
If it's the ribbon cable that goes from the HD connector to the mainboard...if it disconnects at both ends, you could check connectivity on each pin with a meter.
Tell me more please. I already have proven it to work as an external drive. How do I test the cable?
Sometimes they are loose connections or slightly corroded contacts- cheapest/free way is to clean the contacts with rubbing alcohol and q-tip and let it dry then reconnect and make sure it's tight.
If it's the HD, you can pull it and connect it to another computer as an external drive and diagnose the drive using that other machine.
If it's the ribbon cable that goes from the HD connector to the mainboard...if it disconnects at both ends, you could check connectivity on each pin with a meter.
Tell me more please. I already have proven it to work as an external drive. How do I test the cable?
If you can access and disconnect both ends of the cable you just use an electrical meter set to check conductivity and check that each connection is good. It would help if you had the pinout diagram of the cable, but since it's Apple and they can be weenies about that kind of stuff. The clean and wiggle approach can work too, but won't tell you if the problem is the cable or elsewhere unless it does work
It is a SATA cable issue, just replace it and you should be fine. You can buy it online and you should be good.
Check iFixIt website, they have what you are looking for. I did order one mine for MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Hard Drive Cable / New and works like charm!
