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

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Question mark folder after successful SSD/RAM upgrade

Mid 2012 MacBook Pro

Upgraded HD to PNY brand SSD 240 g

Upgraded RAM to PNY 16 gig

Installed High Sierra successfully and it was running REALLY fast(compared to how it was).

I opened Safari, Facebook etc and when I went to click out of a window BEACHBALL! Computer was good to go for a few hours.

Force quit the Mac and when I turned back on, nothing but folder with obnoxious question mark staring back at me like a Nietzschean abyss. I tried to reboot holding control R or whatever, but I’m pretty sure I need a Bluetooth mouse now(even more $ to sink into this jalopy of a machine) because when the disk utility boots the mouse is frozen and will not click or even move. How convenient.

I ordered a new sata cable for the HD as I’ve read ad naseum that this is something to replace anyways. I’ve put so much money into this ancient thing that I should have just bought a new one. Should I just take it to the over priced Apple/PC repair guy who told me it would cost me $300 in labor to install the new HD/RAM? Or should I keep the faith and continue to blindly try to figure this out?

Pro tip-I’ve never done anything like this before.

Thank you in advance for any input or solutions.

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Can you tell us if this is a 13" or a 15" model the parts are different!

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It is a 13 inch Mac

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Hi,

Have you tried to enter internet recovery mode?

You can enter it by pressing Cmd+Option+R on startup

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You have a classic case of a bad HD SATA cable! What happens is either the rough aluminum case wears the cable or the folds going across the corners breakdown.

As a matter of practice I always replace the SATA cables when upgrading the drives. Here’s the needed part: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable and here’s the IFIXIT guide MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Cable Replacement. I would apply some electricians tape on the uppercase when the cable rests and don’t over bend the folds as the foil wires inside can be damaged.

This is an easy repair! Take your time and don’t force things.

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable

$34.99

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Shayne Swenson will be eternally grateful.
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