Recurring Hard Drive Errors/Crashes After Replacing Repeatedly

Question

I've got a 2007 2GHz Macbook. I've been having repeated hard drive errors for the past few months. First the original hard drive went 100% dead. I replaced it with a Hitachi 350 Gig. After repeated serious hard drive crashes and reformats, I replaced it again with a brand new Western Digital 350 Gig hard drive. However, I am having continued problems with this one now, Invalid Extent entries every couple days, and major errors if I don't run disk utility every other day.
This is leading me to believe that the issue isn't related to the hard drive since I've had similar problems three times in a row. Has anybody else encountered this? Could the problem be elsewhere?

Answer 1

+I'm assuming that's a bad ram module, am I correct?+
Perhaps, but I'm sorry to report there is much uncertainty about this. See the search of these boards I've added at the bottom, and refer to each listing and its resolution (if reported).
There is usually a "Details" section of the Apple Hardware Test report about the memory - did you see that section of the results?
If not seen, or if it was not reported, open the utility "System Profiler" and look at the "Diagnostics" section to see general results of that last AHT which you ran, and also you should see there the latest results of the "Power On Self-Test" that runs each time a Mac starts up. The normal "Result" for both lines reads: "Passed"
Also check the "Memory" section of System Profiler to see the size, type, speed and "Status" of each individual memory module - your MacBook should have two modules in it, and the "Status" report for each should be "OK"
If your Mac is not covered by AppleCare, it's probably best to use a process of elimination to find the source of the problem.
Are you using your MacBook without an external keyboard and mouse? Those might possibly be the cause of a problem, if connected.
As long as you have the original grey-label Install Disc in the optical drive, your MacBook will startup without a hard drive inside, as the Install Disc contains all the operating instructions that are necessary for the MacBook to operate the Install Disc and everything on it.
It is easy to remove the internal hard drive to eliminate a potential problem source. If corruption of the hard drive is a repeated issue, it would be best to eliminate this hard drive from the mix for testing purposes.
Just as important, as long as you have the original grey-label Install Disc that contains the AHT, the MacBook will startup to the Apple Hardware Test by pressing and holding the d key, again without a hard drive installed.
It is very easy to remove RAM modules from a MacBook for visual inspection to see what markings are on the labels as to size, type and speed. Verify that System Profiler is reporting the same info as is marked on the labels.
Assuming everything is as it should be, replace one module, close up the Mac, and after starting up to the Install Disc, check what the utility "System Profiler" is showing in the "Memory" section of its limited System Profiler. If the Mac starts up cleanly and System Profiler reads "OK" move that module to the other memory slot and same procedure.
If the Mac again starts up cleanly to the Install Disc and System Profiler again reads "OK" next startup from and run the Apple Hardware Test with only that one module to see if it gets a clean bill of health.
If it's ok, then remove that module and set it aside as being a tentatively "known good" module.
Repeat all on the second module by it's self. At this point, you should probably have learned which module is bad - however, if not, go through it all again with both modules installed.
Hopefully by the end, you will have determined a resolution that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to correct, such as replacing the logic board. Good luck with it:)
Message was edited by: myhighway
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