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

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Flashing folder with question mark on boot up with new SSD & cable

Hi guys,

I have been unsuccessfully trying to upgrade my mid-2012 MBP with the help of ifixit's install guides.

To replace the old 4gb memory and 500gb HDD, I purchased a 8gb Crucial memory kit which I've installed and a Samsung SSD 850 EVO500gb. The latter of which I have been having trouble with.

I installed OSX onto the new drive which hooked up using an external SATA adapter. This was booting fine during installs and subsequent restart. When I went and proceeded to install the drive into the MBP however, it came up with a flashing folder icon and wouldn't recognise the drive in the startup options menu whilst holding the option button.

I was told to replace the SATA cable, which I did so at a hefty cost of NZD75 (roughly ~USD50) here in New Zealand. Unfortunately this has yielded the same result.

I put the old HDD back in, and when holding option with the SSD connected externally, it doesn't not recognise it. When booting into the old HDD's OSX, the SSD shows in Finder and I can view all the files, so it appears something could be wrong with the SSD install.

Block Image

Any help would be much appreciated. I'm so stuck it's beyond ridiculous.

Thanks!

Answer this question I have this problem too

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Apple is now replacing the HD/IR cable for free on this model as it is known to be defective with an upgraded cable. If Apple charged you for the replacement early on I would not only get the cable but a refund.

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Thanks Mayer. Unfortunately I purchased the replacement cable through a retailer here in NZ, not Apple and wont be able to get a refund on it, although given it's not working maybe I should be trying! Given I've replaced the cable it would seem unlikely; the cable is also working with the old drive fine, although this could be because it's the exact same cable as the original.

How can I go about getting the cable from Apple?

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A of this late month they are replacing them without question and without testing. I'd just take it in to an ASP, tell them you heard about the program, are having problems and ask for a replacement. The ASPs get paid by Apple so they have an incentive to do it.

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Thanks again Mayer. Will follow up with an ASP and let you know how I go!

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Go back into Disk Utility and click on the Samsung drive its self Vs the volume as you have done. Now look at Partition Map heading is the partition GUID? If not you'll need to erase the drive and reformat it.

Also you may need a new drive cable depending on the age of your system. The first units still had the older cable design which had issues.

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Thanks Dan, and yes was partitioned on every attempt at GUID.

I've replaced the cable with this; part#: SEVOEM5731.

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SEVOEM5...

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Then you have a cable problem! Put the original cable back in and as Mayer stated visit an Apple Store or ASP to have it replaced.

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So what's wrong with the brand new one I just purchased and linked above? Will do that regardless, I'll put the old one in and take it into the store.

Hopefully I can get my money back for the other! At c. US$50 it wasn't cheap for a redundant cable!

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Is there no chance the brand new drive is knackered?

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The only thing I could see here is if you are using a dual drive carrier as being the issue as this series does have a known optical drive SATA port problem with SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) drives. But you expressed you where replacing your HD not augmenting your storage in a dual drive config.

Otherwise... As you can format and prep the SSD externally you've proven the SSD is good so that leaves the HD SATA cable which also has a known issue. You may have gotten a bad part and/or the old rev in either case not good.

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[deleted] will be eternally grateful.
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