Replaced Hard Drive. Problem Now...

[Pures]

Hi guys, well I'm new to the forums. Today I just replaced my old Fujitsu 160GB HD for a WD 320BEVT. I have a white 2.4GHz MB got it around Aug 08. I have gone through the steps of how to install the new HD into the MB and I did everything correctly. But when I try to power on the MacBook, the MB does not recognize the HD. I have taken out the HD and putting it in more securely about 5 times, but there is no luck... I also went into Disk Utility and I only see the Mac OSX CD and no HD. I even tried going in to the Disk Profile and lucky it has the HD and some of it's specs. I also tried holding down Alt when it boots, but I see a "Flashing Earth" symbol. Is there something I'm doing wrong? Or is the HD faulty even though I see it in Disk Profile. Help would be appreciated and thanked.

-Pures

 

[chscag]

The Western Digital WD 320 BEVT is a SATA II hard drive and probably will not work in your MacBook. Your machine needs a drive with a SATA interface. I'm not even sure the pin line up is the same.

Regards.

 

[Pures]

I bought this one NCIX.com - Buy Western Digital Scorpio 320GB 2.5IN SATA 5400RPM 8MB Notebook Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty - WD3200BEVT In Canada.. I have read reviews saying it works fine without problems.

Something I'm doing wrong that causing it not to be seen in my MacBook boot screen/Disk Utility?

 

[chscag]

I bought this one NCIX.com - Buy Western Digital Scorpio 320GB 2.5IN SATA 5400RPM 8MB Notebook Hard Drive OEM 3YR MFR Warranty - WD3200BEVT In Canada.. I have read reviews saying it works fine without problems.

That's a different drive from the one you said you bought. Check your first post. This one is a SATA drive and should work OK. The WD 320 BEVT is a SATA II drive. Notice the model number has one less zero.

OK. Make sure the pins are lining up correctly when you're inserting the drive and that it slides in easily. I believe you did that right. If the disk appears in Profiler, it should show up in Disk Utility.

Boot your machine with your install DVD again. Select Utilities, Disk Utilities from the top menu. Disk Utility should show the drive. It has to be formatted and partitioned before using.

Post back and let us know.

Regards.

 

[jamespickett]

sounds like problems we used to have with jumper settings way back when. Good luck.

 

[Pures]

Sorry for the confusion about which Hard drive I bought. The link I provided is the actual one I bought. As for redoing it, I'll give it a try and report back.

sounds like problems we used to have with jumper settings way back when. Good luck.

What exactly are you talking about, Am I missing something?

 

[dtravis7]

I was wondering the same thing about SATA 300 in a system with a SATA 150 controller, but I have read several posts of people with Macbooks that installed a SATA 300 drive and it worked great.

MacBook: SATA150 vs. SATA300

One example. Found several.

 

[chscag]

I was wondering the same thing about SATA 300 in a system with a SATA 150 controller, but I have read several posts of people with Macbooks that installed a SATA 300 drive and it worked great.

MacBook: SATA150 vs. SATA300

One example. Found several.

Must be backward compatible. My concern was the pin line up but it looks like it's probably the same.

Regards.

 

[Pures]

Okay, I just tried putting the HD back into the MB, but it still does not recognized in Disk Utility. Only thing I see in Disk Utility is the DVD driver and the Mac OS X 10 DVD.

Chscag, what do you mean by formatting it and partion? Is there something I'm supposed to do before just putting the HD(out of the bag) in my MB?

 

[vansmith]

No, you format the drive after it is in the computer. Do you happen to have an external casing you can test the HD in? If you have put it in 5 different times and it was not recognized either time, it could very well be a faulty drive.

 

[dtravis7]

Just for kicks, try putting the old drive back in. Does that still show up?

 

[chscag]

Okay, I just tried putting the HD back into the MB, but it still does not recognized in Disk Utility. Only thing I see in Disk Utility is the DVD driver and the Mac OS X 10 DVD.

Chscag, what do you mean by formatting it and partion? Is there something I'm supposed to do before just putting the HD(out of the bag) in my MB?

No, the drive has to be formatted and partitioned after it's in the machine and Disk Utility "sees" it. The drive may in fact be defective. But I find it puzzling that "System Profiler" can see it and Disk Utility can not?

Do you still have your original Fujitsu drive? If so, try putting it back into your MacBook and see if it still works and boots. Let's find out if the drive connector and cable in your machine is OK.

You can test the new WD drive by using an external case (if you have one on hand) and hooking it to the Mac or even a PC. You would need a case designed for SATA interface.

Regards.

 

[Pures]

I have an external encloure ordered and will receive it tomorrow or the day after, if it is faulty, shouldn't the drive not be recognized in System Profile?

Yes, I have tried my old hard drive and it works still. I have contacted the store about a RMA if possible, but will receive an answer in 1-2 days.

I will surely rep the helpers, but problem is unknown right now.

 

[chscag]

I have an external encloure ordered and will receive it tomorrow or the day after, if it is faulty, shouldn't the drive not be recognized in System Profile?

Yes, I have tried my old hard drive and it works still. I have contacted the store about a RMA if possible, but will receive an answer in 1-2 days.

I will surely rep the helpers, but problem is unknown right now.

That has me puzzled. I would think if "System Profiler" can see the drive and identify it, then, Disk Utility should do likewise. If the drive is DOA, it won't work from an external case either.

Your old drive still works so that tells us the controller, cable, and connector are alright.

Keep us posted.

Regards.

 

[Pures]

Another thing I found is the Western Digital WD3200BEVT has one extra connector beside the side shortest. It has 4 pins and the Fujutsu does not have the extra connector. I check the inside of the MacBook where the hard drive goes and there is no connector for the Western Digital(the extra connector on the short side). The area in the MacBook seems to only have the middle connectors that all 2.5" Laptop HD have. Is that why it is not recognized in the Disk Utility? But many people say it works flawlessly on their MacBooks... :S

EDIT: I have googled around about the WD3200BEVT and a lot of people are having success with the Hard drive. It could very be that I received a DOA one... But I'm not 100% sure. T_T

Will try once more when I get my enclosure.

 

[dtravis7]

The extra 4-Pin connector could be a Power jack. Some at least Desktop SATAS have a separate connector and some do not. Just a guess. If you have found people with that same drive and Macbook and it works for them, that sure is strange yours is not working.

 

[Pures]

The extra 4-Pin connector could be a Power jack. Some at least Desktop SATAS have a separate connector and some do not. Just a guess. If you have found people with that same drive and Macbook and it works for them, that sure is strange yours is not working.

I will see what happens when I get my enclosure and I might do a resetting of PRAM & SMC, as someone has told me to do. But first I will try it out with an enclosure and report back if something is wrong.

 

[CupCate18]

I just had the flashing Earth. I have had the current HD for about 6 months. This is my third HD replaced in under 2 years. Is this one on its way out too? I haven't taken it out, so I know the connections are correct and all that good stuff. Any other clues?

 

[CupCate18]

Computer wasn't showing first post, sorry about double.

 

[brianwmay]

Pures

Have a look at this step through upgrading.

It describes what you're talking about (I think), that the hard drive is not seen.

Upgrade Your MacBook Pro's Hard Drive - Finishing Up - How To by ExtremeTech

Good luck, let us know