Hardware test won't proceed - should I upgrade/change hard drive?
Searched the discussion and my problem is a combination of various links...
My powerbook had no problems for close to 5 years. Things started running slowly and of course, things were getting full. Will get an external hard drive in 2 days so burned everything on CDs.
Ran the Hardware Test but it asked me to type "mac-boot" to continue booting;
Screen showed: Invalid memory access at %SRRO:ad3c0108 %SRRI: 3c01086f;
Then some other lingo appeared and didn't offer me an extended test as indicated on the discussion boards. After awhile, I forced shut down.
Took to local apple store and sales sold me 2 512 Ram. I was suspicious and asked another sales b/c I'd thought I could only have 1 chip installed and max was 640 total.
When my order arrived 1 day later, I was told that only 1 slot was available so finally installed 1G. At the counter, when I started up the computer, this flashing globe in a box and then the file with question mark appeared. I was told it was a software problem and they did something to tell the disk where to go at start up.
When I went to pick it up, technician said there was a hardware problem and my disk is failing fast. He wanted to do a diagnostic test and potentially replace the disk.
I took it home to back up the rest of the stuff, did some research, did the MacJanitor. Is it just me or after MacJ, the computer seemed quieter, almost calmer?!
Start up still takes 3 minutes and some slight ping/ clanging sound but still working.
Tempted to do the Hardware Test again since I ran the Disk Utility and things were verified and repaired. Is the Hardware Test the same as the Repair Disk? I can't find any "repair disk" and I keep everything out of the box.
Should I just replace/upgrade my drive instead of spending money doing a diagnostic test?
If it's replaced, (and with the extra ram), can I prolong my computer's life by 5 more years?
Thanks,
I'm a novice who needs advice in lay person language.
Joyce:
Your math is correct. You can buy and probably install an internal HDD for the price of one of those utilities. However, I have both Disk Warrior and TechTool Pro and they are tools I use regularly for OS X maintenance, so they pay for themselves over and over. In any case, I think you have a point and a plan.
I suggest that you use SuperDuper to clone everything over. It is a lot faster and more efficient. You can then test and repair it on the external.
I think you will love what a new 120 GB HDD does for your computer. The newer drives are faster (5400 rpms as opposed to 4200 rpms) than the original drives, and you will notice the difference in performance. In addition your storage capacity triples and the free space helps the performance of your HDD, and lessens the risk of directory corruption. If you are at all handy and would like to attempt the installation yourself, you will find step-by-step directions at ifixit. If you think you would like to attempt it, please post back for some tips.
Once you have the new HDD installed you will need to format it before installation. You can reformat and erase the old HDD, and after you have swapped it out you can install it in a Firewire enclosure and use it as an external firewire HDD. Here are step by step directions for formatting:
Formatting, Partitioning Zeroing a Hard Disk Drive
Warning! This procedure will destroy all data on your Hard Disk Drive. Be sure you have an up-to-date, tested backup of at least your Users folder and any third party applications you do not want to re-install before attempting this procedure.
Boot from the install CD holding down the "C" key.
Select language
Go to the Utilities menu (Tiger) Installer menu (Panther & earlier) and launch Disk Utility.
Select your HDD (manufacturer ID) in left side bar.
Select Partition tab in main panel. (You are about to create a single partition volume.)
Select number of partition in pull-down menu above Volume diagram.
(Note: 1 partition is normally better for an internal HDD. External HDDs usually have more than one. See Dr. Smoke’s FAQ Backup and Recovery for tips on partitioning external HDD.)
Type in name in Name field (usually Macintosh HD)
Select Volume Format as Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
Click Partition button at bottom of panel.
Select Erase tab
Optional: (Select the sub-volume under Manufacturer ID (usually Macintosh HD).
Check to be sure your Volume Name and Volume Format are correct.
Select on Security Options button (Tiger) Options button (Panther & earlier).
Select Zero all data. (This process will map out bad blocks on your HDD. However, it could take several hours. If you want a quicker method, don't go to Security Options and just click the Erase button.)
Click OK.
Click Erase button
Quit Disk Utility.
Please do post back with further questions or comments.
Cheers
cornelius
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Hello
I recently tried to upgrade the hard-drive in my macbook pro 2010 13". I backed up the old drive using SuperDuper to my external drive. I replaced the original internal hard-drive with my newly purchased Western Digital Scorpio blue 1Tb 5400rpm. I booted the macbook from my external hard-drive and opened up disk utility.
The macbook fails to recognize the disk at all, probably because it's not formatted correctly. I can't see the drive when I boot from the install disk either. I tried starting it up with a Windows 7 install cd but still couldn't see the internal drive (WD scorpio blue).
What should I do? I've tried every possible solution I can come up with so now I'm resorting to forum hoping that someone's sitting on the solution.
/ ViktorWhat you need to do is put the new drive in the computer. Then restart the computer with the original Install Disc that came with the machine by holding down the Option key along with the power button. Choose the Install Disc, then allow it to boot and choose your language. Then click the Utilities menu, choose Disk Utility, highlight the new HD on the left side pane and click the Erase tab, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and then click Erase. When the format has finished exit Disk Utility and the Install Process. Then connect the external HD with your Cloned copy of the OS and restart the computer holding down the Option key again. This time choose the external HD and let the computer boot. Then start SuperDuper and clone from the EHD to the new internal HD and you should be done.
Roger
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