Macbook A1278 refusing to boot

[slippyjim]

Hi,

My mum has an old Macbook A1278 that she still loves but it suddenly started showing the folder with a ? in on boot.
I started from internet recovery and went into disk utility


The first time I tried this verify disk was greyed out for all the different drives in the left column, then on the second boot into recovery I could verify and repair one of them ( cant remember which exactly now) but it still didnt boot

Went back into internet recovery and went to install OSX, I click through and eventually see this screen


It doesnt find the SSD.

I have taken the SSD out and connected it to my M1 Air and I can see all her files ok

I have ran Apple diagnostics and that says everything ok

What do I try from here?

I am goign to create a USB drive with Mountain Lion on and see if that can see the SSD.
If I reinstall Mountain Lion will it wipe all her files and programs or does it do a "repair" installation?

Thanks

 

[MacBiter]

I am goign to create a USB drive with Mountain Lion on and see if that can see the SSD.
If I reinstall Mountain Lion will it wipe all her files and programs or does it do a "repair" installation?

Thanks

That method should do a "repair" installation if it can finally 'see' the SSD. HOWEVER.. to be on the safe side, as you can currently see all your mum's data on the SSD, back it up to another drive before you even think of reinserting the SSD into your mum's Mac.

 

[slippyjim]

I backed up her files
Tried to do a fresh install from Catalina USB but always got the no entry sign
Booted from internet recovery with Command Option R and that downloaded and installed Catalina
All was good, it installed an update and restarted
On the next restart it froze at the logon screen
Had to force power off
Hasnt booted since, it's gone back to the original issue

So going to get her a new Mac

 

[IWT]

So going to get her a new Mac

Sensible decision given what has happened.

Ian

 

[pm-r]

Hasnt booted since, it's gone back to the original issue

So going to get her a new Mac

Probably the best decision considering the situations and good old mom probably deserves a nice new Mac model.

But be prepared for all the changes when upgrading from a Mountain Lion Mac to a more modern Mac OS version, and some peripherals like scanner or printer she might use may not work or be compatible. But at least you were able to save any valuable personal data.



- Patrick
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[Rod]

The"peripheral" most likely not to work with a new Mac may be her iPhone if it's of similar age.