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Mac HD Slowed and now poss last breath.

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mrk123

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Original poster
Dec 29, 2013
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2011 max pro. 13 inch. Upgraded to 16gb ram. On its 3rd HD NOW. Not sure what OS. Possibly Sierra.

This mac is a beast. And I fully accept this now 4/5 year old HD is on its way out. Thankfully I have all my main files backed up to a solid state external.
The mac has been getting so slow that I’m kind of relieved it’s popped.

I want to get 1tb SD in this beast.

Right now I had to hold in power and shut down and I powered up and it’s just remained on that grey screen with grey apple logo and load bar below. Los bar is fully loaded but it won’t go past that.
I guess would be nice to go in now and just make sure I have all new files. Maybe take note of some apps I have etc? Can I do anything?

Also as for nee SD. What do I need? Are they around £100/$115 for 1tb? I deffo don’t need more than that.

Thanks.
 
M

mrk123

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Dec 29, 2013
288
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Audit13 said:
Are you sure the SATA drive cable isn't defective?
Click to expand...
It’s a good shout. Is that common? Guess I can try open it up and have a look. What am I looking for? Loose connection? It’s basically the plug that plugs into the HD from main board yes?
 
Audit13

Audit13

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Apr 19, 2017
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mrk123 said:
It’s a good shout. Is that common? Guess I can try open it up and have a look. What am I looking for? Loose connection? It’s basically the plug that plugs into the HD from main board yes?
Click to expand...
The cable itself is known to slowly degrade over time. I've replaced the drive cable in the 2010 to 2012 13" Pros over the years.
 
M

mrk123

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Original poster
Dec 29, 2013
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Audit13 said:
The cable itself is known to slowly degrade over time. I've replaced the drive cable in the 2010 to 2012 13" Pros over the years.
Click to expand...
I can have a look I guess. Not sure I’d know of it was broken. Can you show me a link to one I can purchase. If it’s a few pound maybe I can try that.
But I need max fixing asap as I work from it.
 
Audit13

Audit13

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Apr 19, 2017
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mrk123 said:
This does feel like a HD issue. Tho I Couod be wrong. Fan blowing hard at times. Jittery cursor. Delayed actions after click?

Is it easy to replace this cable? What is the technical name for it ?
Click to expand...
I don't recall the fan blowing at all times it but's possible.

www.amazon.ca

Hard Disk Drive Cable 821-1480-A Replacement for 2012 MacBook Pro 13" A1278

Package Contains: 1x hard drive cable Compatible Model MacBook Pro 13” Unibody A1278 2012 series - MacBookPro9,2 Mid 2012: MD101LL/A (2.5 GHz Core i5) - MacBookPro9,2 Mid 2012: MD102LL/A (2.9 GHz Core i7) Note: Battery must be disconnected and the system fully discharged prior to installation, as...
www.amazon.ca

www.ifixit.com

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

Use this guide to replace a broken hard drive cable. The hard drive cable also contains the sleep LED and the IR sensor.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
 
M

mrk123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2013
288
70
Audit13 said:
I don't recall the fan blowing at all times it but's possible.

www.amazon.ca

Hard Disk Drive Cable 821-1480-A Replacement for 2012 MacBook Pro 13" A1278

Package Contains: 1x hard drive cable Compatible Model MacBook Pro 13” Unibody A1278 2012 series - MacBookPro9,2 Mid 2012: MD101LL/A (2.5 GHz Core i5) - MacBookPro9,2 Mid 2012: MD102LL/A (2.9 GHz Core i7) Note: Battery must be disconnected and the system fully discharged prior to installation, as...
www.amazon.ca

www.ifixit.com

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Late 2011 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

Use this guide to replace a broken hard drive cable. The hard drive cable also contains the sleep LED and the IR sensor.
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com
Click to expand...
Does that cable work on 2011 too? I’m in the Uk but sure I can find same one.
I reset nvram and tried to turn on but now won’t get past grey load screen with logo and loads bar. It will
But might take 45 mins or more?
 
Audit13

Audit13

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M

mrk123

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Dec 29, 2013
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Thing is I’ve been wanting to move to solid state. Does the solid state use the same cable?
 
M

mrk123

macrumors 6502
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Dec 29, 2013
288
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Ca. You tell me if there’s a special solid state drive I need for my above max?
 
Alpha Centauri

Alpha Centauri

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Oct 13, 2020
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mrk123 said:
Ca. You tell me if there’s a special solid state drive I need for my above max?
Click to expand...
Any SATA SSD really. I do prefer the Samsung Evo series. My MBP has had its share of SSDs, currently a 1TB E850Evo. Having said that, I installed a 2TB 870Evo recently and had quite a few problems. Now, this could have been as my MBP is even older than yours or the OS patch. There is actually also a thread running still in the MP forum of some having issues with those drives over 1TB.
 
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Alpha Centauri

Alpha Centauri

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Oct 13, 2020
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mrk123 said:
Thing is I’ve been wanting to move to solid state. Does the solid state use the same cable?
Click to expand...
Yup, plugs straight into the existing cable. There's also caddys available in case you want to remove the SuperDrive and fit an additional SSD in the DVD bay.
 
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M

mrk123

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Dec 29, 2013
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Alpha Centauri said:
Yup, plugs straight into the existing cable. There's also caddys available in case you want to remove the SuperDrive and fit an additional SSD in the DVD bay.
Click to expand...
well after 11 years may be worth getting a new sata cable for sake of £15. As welll as a new SSD. I will stick with the 1tb as don’t want to invite any of the above mentioned problems.
Do you get a holding caddy with SSD or do I need to buy one. And you said I can slot in another 8gb of ram on same caddy? How would that plug into the existing ram? Can all this ram do any damage?
 
Last edited:
Audit13

Audit13

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Apr 19, 2017
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mrk123 said:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40385709...cvj868grc6&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

This drive looks irregularly shaped???? Don't they need to be shaped like current HD??? Confused..
Click to expand...
You need to get a 2.5" SATA SSD. It is shaped exactly like the current hard drive in the MacBook.

www.amazon.ca

SAMSUNG 870 EVO SATA III SSD 1TB 2.5” Internal Solid State Drive, Upgrade PC or Laptop Memory and Storage for IT Pros, Creators, Everyday Users, MZ-77E1T0B/AM [Canada Version]

Samsung 870 EVO solid state drive is the solid state drive to trust. Based on 3D VNAND flash, Samsung offers enhanced read/write performance, endurance and power management efficiency. With multiple form factors, the 870 EVO is ideal for mainstream PCs and laptops
www.amazon.ca
 
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mrk123

macrumors 6502
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Dec 29, 2013
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MacProFCP said:
Hard drive isn’t everything. Circuit boards, ram and other components don’t last forever…mostly because of dust and overheating.

12 years is a lot for any computer but especially a laptop which always suffers from heat issues.

You can spend a lot of money fixing this or get an M1 for $899 that will make you forget your pains and will do far better with heat due to the M1 using less power.
Click to expand...
Thanks. I’d love a new Mac but it’s £100 vs £800/900/1200+. I use most Adobe suite from time to time and do real estate and architectural photography so if I was going new or used new I’d want to be getting something pretty powerful. For now I might just try a new ssd.
 
M

mrk123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2013
288
70
So these SSD drives Shouod have a very long shelf life then? With no moving parts.
 
M

mrk123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 29, 2013
288
70
Hi is there any kind of command I can try to log on now? To retrieve a few files. And make a note of apps I have so I can get started when new SSD arrives.

Like safe mode.

Currently grey screen with dark grey apple logo and load bar comes on. It gets to the very end after 15 mins and at that point I get bored. I waited after 30 mins and it come on but trying to access folders was taking infinity.

Is there a safe mode or anything similar?
 
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