Macbook pro (spring -11 ed) cannot find the newly installed harddrive

A month ago my mac broke down. When I restarted it, it showed a folder with a questionmark on it. I restarted it again and tried to reinstall the whole operative system. Though, I found out that it couldn't even find the harddrive at all. Thus, I went to the genius bar and asked them what was wrong and they told me that I had to change the harddrive. It turns out that they were wrong since, now I have, and it still can't find the new harddrive.
My question is now: what's the next step? Do I have to change the  logic board? If so, what's the cost to buy a new one for a macbook pro bought in spring 2011?

Well, the computer stopped starting up at all. It could never find the operating system. I tried safe mode and virtually every other non-standard start-up option. I then did target disk mode with another MBP and got the message: "The disk you inserted was not readable by this computer." I then tried using disk utility and it couldn't retrieve retrieve the data using restore (writing to an external drive). I suspect that this means the hard drive would need to be replaced. In your expert opinions, is this necessarily true? Could this still be just a software problem, or perhaps some other piece of hardware?
Part of the reason I ask is that this laptop is now nearly five years old. It's needed a new battery for two years. If it's a virtual certainty that the hard drive is toast, I don't want to pay $150 for someone to take it out and try to recover any remaining data from it, only to reveal that the data is indeed irretrievable (since the computer itself is probably only worth $300-400 at this point). The nearest Genius Bar is also more than 2 hours away. Am I going about this the right way by using disk utility, given that the hard drive won't mount to the desktop of the other computer? If the hard drive can't be reat in target disk mode, does that confirm that it is the hard drive?
Thanks
Oh also, it does still make the startup noise, even though I can't run the AHT since I can't get it to start up in safemode. I thought this mean that it passing various hardware tests. Does this not apply to the hard drive?
Message was edited by: Euain_ *add-on*

Similar Messages

  • I am using a MacBook Pro.  I simply cannot find a way to attach images adjusted in Lightroom as attachments and/or without massive degradation in quality.  I follow the LR attach email process as specified by LR, the photos appear in the email seemingly e

    I am using a MacBook Pro.  I simply cannot find a way to attach images adjusted in Lightroom as attachments and/or without massive degradation in quality.  I follow the LR attach email process as specified by LR, the photos appear in the email seemingly embedded and the recipients of the email cannot save the attachment.

    You are welcome.  Just finished a chat session with an Apple support rep and confirmed the matte option no longer available.  Seems lots has changed since I bought my 17” 19 months back:).  They did say that there were after market screen films available from places like amazon
    Have never used anything like that though.  My wife has a 2008 MBP 15” with gloss and I can say it is a nice screen finish, you just have to be careful of lighting from behind you.  All my iMacs were glossy and I did learn to compensate for the added brilliance the screen brought to the photos.  The new soft proofing feature of LR5 seems to better estimate the level of brightness of the printed work, compared to past versions of the s/ware.
    In any case, in my opinion you really can’t go wrong with the apple product.  I bought my first iMac in mid 1999 and have never looked back.  I donated that machine to a pre-school in 2008, it was running OSX version 2 or 3 I think.  I did run Photoshop 7.0 on an IBM laptop for a time (windows XP).  I think I had one of the very first versions of Adobe Camera Raw on that machine.  I digress, sorry.
    The chat representative did confirm that the 17” is out of production and I’m guessing Apple found the market for the big laptop just wasn’t there.  They did mention that 17” MBP’s show up as “certified refurbished” units from time to time.  Suggest you might explore that option with a local Apple store in the UK, assuming  Apple has store front operations off this continent of course.
    Please feel free to contact me with further questions if you wish.
    Take care, Gordy

  • I am confused about something.  How do I read a book on my MacBook Pro?  I can't find the iBook app anywhere, which is what I use on my iPad.  The book I want to read is in my iTunes but I can't click on it.  My iBook library does not show up in iTunes.

    I am confused about something.  How do I read a book on my MacBook Pro?  I can't find the iBook app anywhere, which is what I use on my iPad.  The book I want to read is in my iTunes but I can't click on it.  Some of my iBooks show up in my iTunes but they are "grayed" out.  The only books that respond in iTunes are audiobooks and that's not what I'm looking for.  Is this a stupid question?

    Nevermind - I answered my own question, which is I CAN"T READ ANY BOOKS I purchased in iBooks on my MacBook Pro.  If I want to read on my mac I have to use Kindle or Nook.  Which means any book I've already purchased through iBooks has to be read on my iPad.  Kind of a drag because there are times when it's more convenient for me to read while I'm sitting with my Mac.

  • HT1338 When I try to link my Macbook to my TV, I cannot find the "Arrangement" button that would lead me to "Mirror Display". Please help!

    When I try to link my Macbook to my TV, I cannot find the "Arrangement" button that would lead me to "Mirror Display". Please help!

    The Arrangement tab only appears in System Preferences Displays pane if a second display is recognized by the system (the OS).  So it seems like your MacBook is not seeing the TV as being connected.
    Describe the video connection between MacBook and TV...  What type of video out port does your MacBook model have?  How is it converted to the type of port used on the TV?

  • I purchased the Logitech F310 game controller for my 2011 MacBook Pro. How do I get the driver installed for it. The Disk that came with the controller is a mini disk and will not insert into my laptop.

    I purchased the Logitech F310 game controller for my 2011 MacBook Pro. How do I get the driver installed for it. The Disk that came with the controller is a mini disk and will not insert into my laptop.

    May not make a difference anyway. The Logitech support site does not show drivers for Mac OS for the F310:
    http://www.logitech.com/en-us/support/gamepad-f310?crid=411
    I'd contact their support to find out if there is a Mac driver available, and if they can either give you a web link to get it, e-mail you the software, or snail-mail you a standard-size disk with the drivers.

  • TS3408 I have a MacBook Air and suddenly Safari cannot find the Facebook server. I am out of my home country but no problem with my iPhone. Laptop was no problem either until now. Any recommendation?

    I have a Mac Air and suddenly Safari can't find the Facebook server. I am out of my home countryt but no problem with my iPhone's Safari. Any recommendations? I would like to put some pictures on Facebook from iPhoto. Thanks.

    you cannot keep up with all of the interfaces 'cause they do not even allow you to use the older os.
    You should be able to upgrade to Mountain Lion via the App Store applicaiton on your Macbook Air.   You do not have to upgrade, but it should be an option.
    I can't even get an ichat acct 'cause, help?
    iChat can use AOL Instant Messenger accounts (they are free), iChat can use Google Talk (Jabber) accounts (actually any Jabber based chat service).   And if you upgrade to Mountain Lion, you shoul be able to get an Apple iCloud account that can be used with the Messages replacement for iChat (think of Messages as being iChat renamed, with additional features).
    Oh and my battery very close to a year after buying it, which is one of the reasons I was so called to it, the battery life.  Well, having it stripped down to minimal usage, while working on nothing crazy, I could be cordless from nevver reahing 100% anymore, just under that, but gets to 20 percent in about 3 hours. No audio, no video, light low, it bothers me anyway.  Please, this is also a huge problem.
    Every battery today, has a limited number of recharges (not just Apple's).   Depending on how many times it has been recharged, will affect how much power it will eventually hold. <http://www.apple.com/batteries/>
    I know that generally after about 2 years of use (my use, not yours) I find that my batteries have very little life left in them (I frequently have my devices plugged in, so running fully on batteries only is most likely less than yours).
    You can have your battery replaced by Apple (for a fee) or by an authorized Apple repair facility.

  • I uninstalled and reinstalled iwork 09 on my MacBook Pro.  Now I cannot open the documents I had created.

    I uninstalled and reinstalled iwork 09 on my macBook Pro.  Now it won't open the software or any of the documents I have created.  I uninstalled it because I got Microsoft Office - I was tired of not being compatible with the rest of the world.  I realized after I had uninstalled the iworks that I needed it to open the files.  So I reinstalled it using the CD that I had originally purchased.  It installed with no problem, but will not open.  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks!

    Thank you - I love a simple fix! 

  • My macbook pro 10.5.8 cannot download the iTunes required to sync my new iPad mini. What can I do?

    Is there a way that I can download iTunes 10.7 or any iTunes which will be compatible with my iPad mini that I am able to download on my macbook pro 10.5.8? I want to sync my music from my macbook pro, but I am denied because i don't have the latest version of iTunes which is not downloadable on my mac because it requires macbook 10.6.8 or newer.

    You need to upgrade to Mac OS X 10.6 and then run Software Update.
    (73260)

  • Macbook pro only uses 4gb out of the 8gb installed..

    Hello everybody,
    I have an early 2011 15" i7 macbook pro, I upgraded the memory ram to 8gb. when i go to activity monitor it shows the 8gb but it never uses more than half, even when im running multiple software at a time like autocad, illustrator and other 3d modeling software... please helpme  i thinkf its vmware fusion which i have installed but not running, I havent find a way to fix this  and its driving me crazy since i feel i installed the 4gb extra for nothing....  

    WELCOME!http://i29.tinypic.com/2ef7yfn.gif!
    A few suggestions:
    First, disconnect all devices from your MBP if applicable.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1411 Apple Portables: Resetting the System Management Controller (SMC)
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=2238 Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
    If you make it to your desktop, try running +repair disk+ from your *software install DVD* and afterwards, run +repair permissions+ *from your HD.*

  • I bought Adobe light room last year but I have purchased a new computer and cannot find the original install disk I have my serial number can I download the product and into my serial number that way?

    Can I read download Adobe light room and enter my serial code that way? And if so where can I download the program thank you in advance

    Product updates

  • I have CS5 on my old macbook pro, I need it on my new laptop. I cannot find the installation css, but I have the code. Can I download somewhere? or transfer it from computer to computer?

    i have CS5 on my old macbook pro, I need it on my new laptop. I cannot find the installation css, but I have the code. Can I download somewhere? or transfer it from computer to computer? and I've never used a forum before, help!

    Downloadable installation files available:
    Suites and Programs:  CC 2014 | CC | CS6 | CS5.5 | CS5 | CS4, CS4 Web Standard | CS3
    Acrobat:  XI, X | 9,8 | 9 standard
    Premiere Elements:  13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9, 8, 7
    Photoshop Elements:  13 |12 | 11, 10 | 9,8,7
    Lightroom:  5.7.1| 5 | 4 | 3 | 2.7(win),2.7(mac)
    Captivate:  8 | 7 | 6 | 5
    Contribute:  CS5 | CS4, CS3
    Download and installation help for Adobe links
    Download and installation help for Prodesigntools links are listed on most linked pages.  They are critical; especially steps 1, 2 and 3.  If you click a link that does not have those steps listed, open a second window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.window using the Lightroom 3 link to see those 'Important Instructions'.

  • TS2570 Hi, MacBook Pro & Snow Leopard- startup probs. I have tried repairing with the disk utility, resetting PRAM, booting in safe mode, and finally trying to get to archive&install the o/s, but it cannot find the destination volume. IsAn erase the only

    (10.6.8 Intel core duo 2009)
    Hi,
    I have a grey screen and grey rotating wheel startup probs. I have tried repairing with the disk utility, resetting PRAM, booting in safe mode (which gave a subset of the errors that 'disk repair' did- namely- 'invalid sibling link,invalid record count, invalid node structure, invalid key length)  and finally trying to get to archive&install the o/s, but it cannot find the destination volume. Is an erase the only option? PS I have backed up most files individually, but my daughter did not back up any from her user account. Any help would be appreciated. J

    Gray, Blue or White screen at boot, w/spinner/progress bar
    Why is my computer slow?
    ..Step by Step to fix your Mac
    https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents

  • I cannot find the serial number in my macbook.

    I cannot find the serial number in my macbook. I had check it already . But it had written  System Serial in the Serial number bar . I also put out the battery . I can see the label , but the i can not see clearly. Many of numbers are missing. Please Help. How can i find the serial number?
    My bOx and my recipet are missed already.Please help. I cannot log in the facetime and message .....
    I am using macbook pro 2008 C2D 2.5GHz

    Open About This Mac and click on the OS X version number, it will change to (first) the build number and (second) the machine serial number.

  • I just bought my macbook a few hours ago...and i cannot find the iMessage icon

    i bought my macbook pro a couple hours ago with the new software(mountain lion) and i cannot find the imessage icon...can someone please tell me where i can find it or what i should do??

    Open your hard drive and then go to the /Applications folder (this is also available in the Finder sidebar by default), and then scroll down to locate the program.
    The program is simply called "Messages" and not "iMessages" (no "i"), so if you sort the folder's contents alphabetically it will be next to Mail and other "M" applications.

  • TS4006 I lost my iphone in Guatemala City and just downloaded the Find My iPhone app to my MacBook Pro. How do I launch the app & locate my phone?

    I lost my iphone in Guatemala City and just downloaded the Find My iPhone app to my MacBook Pro. How do I launch the app & locate my phone?

    Welcome to the Apple Community.
    You can only locate your device when it is logged into iCloud and 'Find My Phone' is enabled, additionally the device will need to be switched on and connected to a wifi or cellular network.
    Unfortunately, you cannot activate iCloud or 'Find My Phone' remotely.
    If the device is wiped by you or another, you may not be able to locate the device (although some have reported they can)

Maybe you are looking for