Forums
New posts
Articles
Product Reviews
Policies
FAQ
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
MacBook Pro 4,1 SSD Failure? Replacement Required?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="dalinian" data-source="post: 1463704" data-attributes="member: 280117"><p>I have an October 2008 vintage MacBook Pro 17-inch*, which had been running fine from its factory-fitted customised-to-order 128GB SSD. But now it fails to boot up: when switched on, it eventually leaves a flashing question mark inside a folder icon in the middle of the screen.</p><p></p><p>* Model ID: MacBookPro 4,1 – Order No: MB766LL/A – Mfg. Part No: A1261 – full spec at EveryMac:</p><p>» <a href="http://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-2.5-17-early-2008-penryn-specs.html" target="_blank">MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 17" (08) Specs (Early 2008, MB166LL/A, MacBookPro4,1, A1261, 2199) @ EveryMac.com</a></p><p></p><p>I can boot up from an OS X 10.6 installation DVD-ROM, but...</p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">when I run Disk Utility, the only drive that appears in the left hand column is the optical Superdrive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-875) and the “Mac OS X Install DVD” it contains – the 128GB Macintosh SSD is significant by its absence;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">similarly, System Profiler shows, under Hardware > ATA, both the optical Superdrive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-875) and the “Mac OS X Install DVD” it contains; but under Hardware > Serial-ATA, it shows only the bus controller chipset (Intel ICH8-M AHCI) – the 128GB SSD does not appear at all;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">if I try to run the OS X installer, the box below “Select the disk where you want to install Mac OS X” is blank – the Macintosh SSD is absent;</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">if I try to “Choose Startup Disk”, only the install DVD and Network Startup appear – the local Macintosh SSD is missing.</li> </ul><p></p><p>This error state appeared overnight, with the computer sitting still and closed on a table, so no physical trauma could be to blame. I haven't got the appropriate Apple Hardware Test software to run, but I gather it would only indicate a drive's presence/absence, and all of the above already illustrates the 128GB Macintosh SSD's absence.</p><p></p><p>Given this evidence, I'd like to ask for some help in answering these three questions:</p><ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Would I be right to assume that the factory-fitted customised-to-order 128GB SSD has just failed completely?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Would it be worth my while to take the MacBook Pro to an Apple Store for diagnosis?</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Or should I just order a replacement SSD (such as an OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD » <a href="http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce/Solid_State_Pro/" target="_blank">OWC Mercury Electra 3G Solid State Drive (SSD) Solutions - High Performance, Reliability, and Endurance</a> ) and get by local computer repair shop to fit it?</li> </ol><p></p><p>Thanks in advance for your attention and assistance.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="dalinian, post: 1463704, member: 280117"] I have an October 2008 vintage MacBook Pro 17-inch*, which had been running fine from its factory-fitted customised-to-order 128GB SSD. But now it fails to boot up: when switched on, it eventually leaves a flashing question mark inside a folder icon in the middle of the screen. * Model ID: MacBookPro 4,1 – Order No: MB766LL/A – Mfg. Part No: A1261 – full spec at EveryMac: » [url=http://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-2-duo-2.5-17-early-2008-penryn-specs.html]MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.5 17" (08) Specs (Early 2008, MB166LL/A, MacBookPro4,1, A1261, 2199) @ EveryMac.com[/url] I can boot up from an OS X 10.6 installation DVD-ROM, but... [LIST] [*]when I run Disk Utility, the only drive that appears in the left hand column is the optical Superdrive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-875) and the “Mac OS X Install DVD” it contains – the 128GB Macintosh SSD is significant by its absence; [*]similarly, System Profiler shows, under Hardware > ATA, both the optical Superdrive (MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-875) and the “Mac OS X Install DVD” it contains; but under Hardware > Serial-ATA, it shows only the bus controller chipset (Intel ICH8-M AHCI) – the 128GB SSD does not appear at all; [*]if I try to run the OS X installer, the box below “Select the disk where you want to install Mac OS X” is blank – the Macintosh SSD is absent; [*]if I try to “Choose Startup Disk”, only the install DVD and Network Startup appear – the local Macintosh SSD is missing. [/LIST] This error state appeared overnight, with the computer sitting still and closed on a table, so no physical trauma could be to blame. I haven't got the appropriate Apple Hardware Test software to run, but I gather it would only indicate a drive's presence/absence, and all of the above already illustrates the 128GB Macintosh SSD's absence. Given this evidence, I'd like to ask for some help in answering these three questions: [LIST=1] [*]Would I be right to assume that the factory-fitted customised-to-order 128GB SSD has just failed completely? [*]Would it be worth my while to take the MacBook Pro to an Apple Store for diagnosis? [*]Or should I just order a replacement SSD (such as an OWC Mercury Electra 3G SSD » [url=http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce/Solid_State_Pro/]OWC Mercury Electra 3G Solid State Drive (SSD) Solutions - High Performance, Reliability, and Endurance[/url] ) and get by local computer repair shop to fit it? [/LIST] Thanks in advance for your attention and assistance. [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Notebook Hardware
MacBook Pro 4,1 SSD Failure? Replacement Required?
Top