MacBook - Black 13" MacBook Not Detecting HD

AJPOLLICITO · AJPOLLICITO #1 (**permalink**)

08-15-2009, 12:16 PM

Hi,
I have been working with Macs for quite some but came across a strange issue. My friends black macbook wont detect any internal hard drives anymore. At first I thought his HD was dead so i got a different one and swapped it and still wont detect it. I go to run thru the OSX Install and it doesn't detect any hard drives. So I am starting to think that maybe the board is bad? The SATA port/controller might be bad as well. I receive no missing folder Icon or anything just the black screen that states no bootable device/medium etc

Let me know if you have any suggestions.

Thanks!

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

08-15-2009, 12:41 PM

Does the machine detect an external hard drive when it's attached? Also, I'm assuming the machine can be booted from his original install DVD?

Regards.

AJPOLLICITO · AJPOLLICITO #3 (**permalink**)

08-15-2009, 01:30 PM

I haven't tried an external but it boots up just fine from the OSX disc.

chscag · chscag #4 (**permalink**)

08-15-2009, 01:46 PM

If it boots OK from the original install media, then we know that the Logic board is OK and graphics are likewise OK. That leaves us with the possibility of a defective HDD controller (which would be unusual) or a mechanical defect. By mechanical defect I'm referring to the actual HDD connector in the battery compartment.

Look inside of the HDD slot as best you can with a flashlight. Sometimes the rubber insulator rails which guide the drive come loose and block the connector. It's really difficult to see inside completely unless you disassemble the bottom of the machine from the case. Not a fun job.

Let us know.

Regards.

AJPOLLICITO · AJPOLLICITO #5 (**permalink**)

08-16-2009, 11:12 AM

sounds good, i will check it out and make sure there isnt anything blocking the connector. It was just weird since the hard drive in there before was never taken out and started doing this on its own. Ill keep you posted with what i find.

Thanks again

AJPOLLICITO · AJPOLLICITO #6 (**permalink**)

08-16-2009, 09:01 PM

Alright so i took apart the whole bottom of the unit. Noticed the rubber HD gasket/support was loose so i reglued it and waited. Connected the HD and made sure i could see it making contact with the SATA port. Put it all back together. Ran the OSX install disc and same thing. So now we know its making full contact with the SATA and still nothing. Im not sure what else to try to see if its seeing the hard drive.

Thanks for any Input

AJ

AJPOLLICITO · AJPOLLICITO #7 (**permalink**)

08-16-2009, 09:02 PM

Bump.

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MacBook - Black 13" MacBook Not Detecting HD

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AJPOLLICITO #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 5	08-15-2009, 12:16 PM Hi, I have been working with Macs for quite some but came across a strange issue. My friends black macbook wont detect any internal hard drives anymore. At first I thought his HD was dead so i got a different one and swapped it and still wont detect it. I go to run thru the OSX Install and it doesn't detect any hard drives. So I am starting to think that maybe the board is bad? The SATA port/controller might be bad as well. I receive no missing folder Icon or anything just the black screen that states no bootable device/medium etc Let me know if you have any suggestions. Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,965 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	08-15-2009, 12:41 PM Does the machine detect an external hard drive when it's attached? Also, I'm assuming the machine can be booted from his original install DVD? Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

chscag #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 31,965 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	08-15-2009, 01:46 PM If it boots OK from the original install media, then we know that the Logic board is OK and graphics are likewise OK. That leaves us with the possibility of a defective HDD controller (which would be unusual) or a mechanical defect. By mechanical defect I'm referring to the actual HDD connector in the battery compartment. Look inside of the HDD slot as best you can with a flashlight. Sometimes the rubber insulator rails which guide the drive come loose and block the connector. It's really difficult to see inside completely unless you disassemble the bottom of the machine from the case. Not a fun job. Let us know. Regards.
	QUOTE Thanks

AJPOLLICITO #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 5	08-16-2009, 11:12 AM sounds good, i will check it out and make sure there isnt anything blocking the connector. It was just weird since the hard drive in there before was never taken out and started doing this on its own. Ill keep you posted with what i find. Thanks again
	QUOTE Thanks

AJPOLLICITO #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 5	08-16-2009, 09:01 PM Alright so i took apart the whole bottom of the unit. Noticed the rubber HD gasket/support was loose so i reglued it and waited. Connected the HD and made sure i could see it making contact with the SATA port. Put it all back together. Ran the OSX install disc and same thing. So now we know its making full contact with the SATA and still nothing. Im not sure what else to try to see if its seeing the hard drive. Thanks for any Input AJ
	QUOTE Thanks

AJPOLLICITO #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 15, 2009 Posts: 5	08-16-2009, 09:02 PM Bump.
	QUOTE Thanks

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