Trying to install new hard drive in MacBook

Hello,
I am at a dead end and would appreciate your help.
Due to a no-boot situation that I chased for several days. My hard drive was damaged (many corrupt/damaged/orphaned files) I confirmed that by using Apple Hardware test and then running a fsca check that said the disc was unfixable, I had to replace a failed system internal hard drive that HAD tiger 10.4.6 OS on it
I just physically installed a new 160 GB WD (Sata) hard drive in a Macbook. No problem!
However, when I try Power + C key to boot from the install disk #1 so I can get to disk utility to partition format etc. the new drive
--------------------------------- I can't get there from here???
After the start up chime, and after a short delay I see a ---black folder icon--- on the screen with a question mark symbol on it that is blinking.
It seems that the Mac is telling me that it can not find the "System" Boot or some other needed folder.
That actually makes since since I know that the new Hard drive internal/system drive is blank and NOT partitioned, initalized or formatted.
The ONLY way I know to (prepare) the new disc for reinstallation of the OS is to boot from the install CD (power + C key)and navigate to the Utility area and prepare the new drive.
Right?
But I can not get any further than the point where I see the blinking black folder icon and question mark so NO UTILITY options are available to me.
NOTE:
I do have several windows based PCs that I could use to format/partition IF I can find a utility or program that will allow me to set a Mac partition from a PC based utility (and no, I do not want to end up with a Fat32 partition on the Mac)!
If there is a utility available I can install the new disk as a external USB connected unpartitioned hard drive and go from there.
Does anyone have any ideas about what I can do to get on with this matter?
Help of any kind will be appreciated.
(short of trashing the Macbook---Yes I considered doing that too)
Thanks,
Joe

Hi Joe,
Try just the C key alone, or the Option key, which should show boot choices, then...
"Disk Utility
1. Insert the Mac OS X Install disc that came with your computer, then restart the computer while holding the C key.
2. When your computer finishes starting up from the disc, choose Disk Utility from the Installer menu. (In Mac OS X 10.4 or later, you must select your language first.)
Important: Do not click Continue in the first screen of the Installer. If you do, you must restart from the disc again to access Disk Utility.
3. Click the Erase tab.
4. Click the disclosure triangle to the left of the hard drive icon to display the names of your hard disk volumes and partitions.
5. Select your Mac OS X volume, then choose MacOS Extended Journalled.
6. Click Erase & look for Security Options. choose Zero 1 pass."
Formatting & Partitioning a Hard Drive in OS X - Tiger and Leopard...
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/partitioningtiger.html
Be sure to see the GUID Partition info at the bottom.

Similar Messages

How to install new hard drive on Macbook Pro

My hard drive failed and I am no longer able to boot up the Macbook. If I go and buy a new hard drive and replace it with the broken one, what will happen when I turn it on. It will be a brand new drive with nothing on it. Will it automatically start installing OS X on it or do I need anything else?
Thanks!

It'll display a blinking question mark and/or automatically start from Apple's servers. What needs to be done depends on the computer's model.
If it originally shipped with 10.6.8 or earlier, insert a compatible install DVD and press the C key.
If it originally shipped with 10.7 or newer or was upgraded to use Apple's Internet Recovery system, press the Option, Command, and R keys if needed.
Install the OS.
(125849)

Install new hard drive into MacBook Pro?

I have a MacBook Pro from early 2008 and I've just run out of space on the 200GB hard drive which came with the computer.
I've read in a few forums that a 1TB hard drive WILL fit in this computer, and in some other forums I've heard that it won't, because it's too big. A terabyte would be ideal as I'm a media student and use this computer for literally everything.
However, if the Terabyte won't work, I'd be happy to live with the 750GB version of it. I'm looking at the Western Digital Scorpio Blue ones at the moment.
Now, my question is this; Will my computer be able to handle the new hard drive? Or should I just buy a 1TB external, run everything off that, and just upgrade the RAM?
I'd also look at getting a cooler mat for my computer if that would help.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Refer your guy to this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western%20Digital/WD10TPVT/
"Description: 1.0TB WD Scorpio Blue 5200RPM SATA 12.5mm HD with Advanced Format Technology - Fits all Apple MacBook/MacBook Pro 'Unibody' Models (13/15/17"), *MacBook Pro 'pre-unibody' 17",* and PC Laptops which support 12.5mm SATA Drives. New with 3yr WD Warranty. (WDGWD10TPVT)"
OWC is one of the most reliable online vendors of Mac-related stuff. You can believe that description.
The confusion arises from the fact that Apple says the height limit for drives in all MBPs is 9.5mm. Obviously Apple doesn't support the use of thicker drives in them, but in fact they do fit and work in some models, as the quote above describes.

Installing new hard drive on MacBook Pro...

I had a friend install a new hard drive on my Mac since mine was clicking and going to break. But now I insert the start up disc and hold c upon start up, and then the screen stays gray. I know the hard drive was installed correctly but the disc won't work?
Thanks for any help,
Linda

Is it a retail purchased disc or was it a drop-in with the MBP? If the former it should work if it has a version later than the one installed on the computer originally. If the latter, then you cannot use it. You can use the original disc that came with your MBP or you can use a bootable backup of the MBP. The latter would be great because you could simply erase the MBP's drive and restore the clone.

Install new hard drive in MacBook Pro

Hello,
I recently installed a Seagate Momentus XT 500 GB internal hard drive into my MacBook Pro and I can't get past the startup screen. It shows a picture that seems to be wanting me to slide a tab on the upper right hand corner into the "up" position. I would post a picture of it but I'm not sure how. I thought it might be a read/write tab on the drive itself but when I took it out to look, no such tab. Anyone run into this problem? Thanks!

Mathias Kohring wrote:
Yup, seems like it's hit or miss with that drive. I'm looking into returning it. Is there any way to post a picture of the screen I'm getting? I'd love to know what it means...thanks
Yes.
Place the photo on your desktop. In the replay window (your post) click on the "camera" icon and follow the directions.

I install new hard drive 500gb and i still have 400gb available but my macbook run very slow getting rainbow all the time on screen

i have install new hard drive 500gb and i still have 400gb available but my macbook run very slow getting rainbow all the time on screen.
need help

First boot into recovery and select Disk Utility>First Aid and repair the disk.
If there is no improvement, perform a Safe Boot:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1
If there is an improvement, then third party applications are probably the cause of the problem.
Ciao.

Just installed new hard drive in mac book pro 15", when trying to boot OSX from original disk I still get a folder with a question mark in it. How can I reinstall the OS?

Can't seem to get my mac book to boot from the CD after installing new hard drive.
I keep holding down "c" while restarting the machine with the disk in but it just keeps ejecting the disk and giving me a folder with a question mark.

If your on 10.5 with a Intel Mac, I think Apple has jinxed the firmware so you can't boot from the 10.5 disk anymore.
So far several people, myself included, can't boot from a 10.5 OS X disk on a Intel Mac.
Your going to have to buy a 10.6.3 Snow Leopard retail disk, it's wayyy better than 10.5 anyway, faster and most stable even better than Lion. Have to buy iLife though as it doesn't come on the 10.6.3 retail disks, only free with grey disks.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
https://discussions.apple.com/message/16276201#16276201

Installed new hard drive and windows 7 at the same time. Left old hard drives in computer but unable to get bookmarks from old drives to new.

Installed new hard drive and windows 7 at the same time. Left old hard drives in computer, installed firefox however I have no idea in which file the old bookmarks are located. I still have the old files for firefox in the old drives.

Your "Firefox personal data", like bookmarks, are stored in your Profile folder in Firefox. See this support article about how to recover that data from that old hard drive and transfer it your your new Profile.
http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile

Bookmarks in version older than 8 - installed new hard drive - where is the bookmarks file?

installed new hard drive two months ago - just now reinstalling Firefox -- installed new version 8 -- need to know where my old bookmarks would be stored (what file and where)

Profile is a folder which store all your personal data in a safe place
* https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Profiles
* here explain how to backup profile https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Backing%20up%20your%20information
* here explain how to restore it
https://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Recovering%20important%20data%20from%20an%20old%20profile

Hard drive on my mac died, installed new hard drive. When I try to sync my phone for the first time, will the computer wipe all the songs, photos, ibooks from my phone?

hard drive on my mac died, installed new hard drive. When I try to sync my phone for the first time, will the computer wipe all the songs, photos, ibooks from my phone?

Yes because that information is not located on the hard-drive of your new mac! If it is purchased content from the store, than this issue isn't as bad as it looks!
Here is a link explaining how to get your previously purchased content back:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519
You also want to authorize your Apple ID account on the computer by following these instructions as well:
http://support.apple.com/kb/PH1730
Basically this link explains to go to the top left corner of your screen where you will see file, edit, view etc! Click on Store in that section and click on authorize this computer, also you want to make sure that the computer will not automatically sync by going to iTunes in the top left corner, just to the right of the apple symbol if iTunes is selected, and go to prefrences, and here you will see back up! Right under the back-ups has an option explaining to prevent devices from automatically syncing which is good cause you may be able to transfer your purchases from there which will put your content into the computer, and if that happens than we don't lose anything
Hopefully I was of some help:)

Installed new hard drive in imac and i get folder with question mark, put in OS install disk and it does nothing? All I have is wireless key board and mouse, is this a factor?

Installed new hard drive in imac and i get folder with question mark, put in OS install disk and it does nothing? All I have is wireless key board and mouse, is this an issue?

Other than put disc in you don't give much info about what you've done. With the install disc inserted restart your Mac while holding the C key, that should start it up from the install disc. Should also work fine with a wireless Apple keyboard.

HT4718 Installed new hard drive, click on restore from time machine, get to 'select a destination' but just keeps searching for disks.. any help please?

Installed new hard drive and want to restore from time machine.
Get as far as 'select a destination' then it goes no further - just keeps 'searching for disks'
Help anyone please?

1. Be sure your drive is attached and mounted.
2. If you have already written any data to the drive, back it up before proceeding to the next step.
3. In the Finder, choose Go > Utilities. The /Applications/Utilities folder will open.
4. Launch Disk Utility.
5. Click the icon for your external hard drive in the sidebar on the left.
6. Click the Erase tab along the top of the window.
7. From the Volume Format menu, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
8. Enter a name for the external hard drive in the Name field.
9. Click the Erase button.
Make Sure that you choose the correct drive

Can I get my bookmarks back after installing new hard drive?

Can I get my bookmarks back after installing new hard drive?

http://support.mozilla.com/en-US/kb/Recovering+important+data+from+an+old+profile
Your old Profile is located here in Vista & Win7: <br />
''drive'':\Users\''Windows login user name''\AppData\Roaming\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\''profile_name''

Installed new hard drive in a Toshiba satellite and now cant do windows upadates

installed new hard drive in a Toshiba satellite S500-02J . Used recovery stick purchased from Toshiba. Windows installed and everything up and running, but when I go to do a windows update. I received this message: "Windows update cannot currently check for updates, because the service is not running. You may need to restart your computer."
Toshiba help line said it was a problem because new hard drive was not exactly the same as the old hard drive. It was a minor fix but wanted a $100 to perform the fix remotely.
Any ideas on how to fix this problem?
Thanks.

satellite S500-02J
Maybe this one from the land down under?
Satellite A500/02J (PSAR9A-02J001)
The probloem occurs because the new drive has advanced-format technology. All the new ones do. See this message from three years ago.
The fix is to install a new storage driver.
Intel Rapid Storage Technology
If you've messed around with drivers, you'll probably need to repeat the restore. Introduce the storage driver as early as possible.
-Jerry

Install new hard drive Macbook 2.1, No DVD Drive, Grey screen of death!

I have never backed up my Macbook 2.1 duo before yesterday. While in the process of backing up I was using photoshop, and my computer froze. I waited 30 min and then decided to shut it down. When I tried to turn it on it will not boot-up, I only get the grey screen of death. I had just recently upgraded to Snow Leopard this week. I used an external DVD drive which seemed to cause issues. So I thought I might be able to use that to install a clean version on this busted drive, well nothing worked, tried holding option key, holding down the C key. So this is my new idea I ordered another drive that says its compatible with my drive. Since the my mac doesnt seem to acknowledge my drive, I bought an external housing for my new internal. Confused yet, I am... I want to format and load Snow leopard onto the new hard drive using my girl friends mac. then put in my macbook. I would like to know if this will work? how I need to format my drive in disk utility ( do I partition it out?). Is it possible that it is not my Hard Drive? Any type of advise would be great. If you have done this I would love to hear from you...
Another side note, I just upgraded my RAM from 1GB to 4GB on my Macbook 2.1, I did try and putting my old ram back in just incase that was the issue, but that did not help

Mac OS X: Gray screen appears during startup

Trying to install new hard drive in MacBook

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for