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Mid 2012 model, A1278 / 2.5 GHz i5 or 2.9 GHz i7 processor.

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MacBook Pro hard drive and Ethernet issues

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro i7 with an upgraded SSD and additional RAM. Shortly after upgrading to an SSD, the SSD stopped responding and the SATA cable was determined to be the issue. That was replaced with a new cable from this site a few months ago. Today, after opening the lid, pulling it out of sleep, the computer locked up. I forced a restart using the power button and was greeted with the lovely folder with a question mark. After several reboots, some successful followed by Finder locking up after login, I went into Internet Recovery and it was unable to see the hard drive. Several attempts at reloading the recovery tools yielded the same result. Is it possible for the the SATA cable to have failed again? It's brand new and the laptop is less than a year old (was purchased new from the Apple site last May).

Also, from day one, the Ethernet jack on the side has been acting weird. Sometimes it will recognize being plugged in, sometimes not. Doing a PRAM and SMC clear will usually fix it, but today, attempting Internet recovery, clearing those two did not allow an Ethernet connection. The Airport works fine and a wifi connection can/was established.

Are these two issues related? If so, is it likely the logic board? Again, this is a new MacBook Pro Early 2012 model.

Thanks for the assistance!

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Is this an i7?

In my experience I've found that a bad HD/IR cable will destroy a hard drive about 50% of the time. It's according to how long the problem has been allowed to run. The cable gets damaged by the bottom of the case as it comes over the last step. I place pads on either side of the cable when replacing to protect it. I've seen new ones fail after replacement, never get a used one. The drive may still be under warranty. I don't believe the two issues are related. I do believe there are serious logic board problems with th 13" 2011-12 i7 logic boards that did not get addressed on the class action law suit on the 15" machines (I've just seen far to many issues with these machines). I would also replace the ethernet to router cable if it's over a year old and supplied by your ISP.

https://www.apple.com/support/macboo…

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This is indeed an i7 model. The original cable was determined to be bad when I upgraded to an SSD, however the original HD was still readable and functioned fine. After replacing the cable, it worked great until a day ago when it stopped reading the drive again.

I had a 2011 13" i5 model that lasted four and a half years before it needed a new logic board. Figured I'd upgrade to an i7 when purchasing a new machine. Obviously, that was a mistake.

The cable was secured in the case, so I'm not sure how it destroys the drive.

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On the last step as the cable comes over the last edge, it gets damaged by the bottom case hitting it. A lot of times you can even visually see the marks on the cable. What else are you going to do? Replace it.

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Perhaps I should get some foam inserts and double up the foam on the top and bottom around that location to help secure the drive and prevent the cable from becoming damaged.

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I use Kapton tape to secure it.

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