MBP 1,1-10,2 Macbook 2011 Macbook keeps starting up to white screen with Question Mark Folder?

[subaiku]

Hey guys, I have a radeongate Macbook 2011. I swapped out the SSD hard drive to another Macbook to install High Sierra on it then swapped it back into the the Macbook 2011. Then I tried starting it up again in single recovery mode wanting to try dosdude's solution:

Disable MacBook Pro Dedicated GPU

But I keep getting the question mark folder. Have tried resetting SMC, PRAM, NVRAM, safe mode and all gets the question mark (some with a screwed up pixelated screen which I assume is because of radeongate). I have also opened up the Macbook to check that the cable is connected properly to the SSD drive and it looks ok.

Any clue what's going on?

 

[Amethyst1]

But I keep getting the question mark folder.

I have also opened up the Macbook to check that the cable is connected properly to the SSD drive and it looks ok.

Could be a faulty SATA cable nonetheless. Can you boot from another internal HDD/SSD, or that same SSD in an external enclosure?

 

[TheShortTimer]

Could be a faulty SATA cable nonetheless.

I concur. In the majority of instances where these machines display the flashing question mark and folder icon, the culprit is nearly always a failed SATA cable. My 2011 MBP suffered from this issue when I bought it and replacing the SATA cable was the solution.

 

[subaiku]

Could be a faulty SATA cable nonetheless. Can you boot from another internal HDD/SSD, or that same SSD in an external enclosure?

Yes, I could boot the SSD when I put it in another Macbook. So it might like what you and ShortTimer says, could be a faulty SATA cable.

Found one online on Aliexpress, it's the 821-1198-A one yes?:

New SATA HDD Hard Drive Cable 821-0989-A 821-0812-A 821-1198-A 821-1492-A For MacBook Pro 15

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Would you guys know if the Macbook 2011 13" cable is compatible with the 15"?

 

[TheShortTimer]

Yes, I could boot the SSD when I put it in another Macbook. So it might like what you and ShortTimer says, could be a faulty SATA cable.

Found one online on Aliexpress, it's the 821-1198-A one yes?:

New SATA HDD Hard Drive Cable 821-0989-A 821-0812-A 821-1198-A 821-1492-A For MacBook Pro 15

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

Yes, that looks like the correct one.

Would you guys know if the Macbook 2011 13" cable is compatible with the 15"?

I was under the impression that they used the same cable but Google search indicated otherwise. Apparently not.

 

[subaiku]

Yes, that looks like the correct one.



I was under the impression that they used the same cable but Google search indicated otherwise. Apparently not.

Ah, thanks for that, gonna put in an order for it.

Would you also know if I could put this SSD into a working Macbook and run the disable GPU steps and then put it back into the radeongate Macbook? Just thinking to get a head start on this. Or do I have to run the steps on that specific radeongate Macbook for it to work?

 

[Amethyst1]

Or do I have to run the steps on that specific radeongate Macbook for it to work?

You do.

 

[subaiku]

You do.

Ah, alright then, thanks.

 

[TheShortTimer]

Ah, thanks for that, gonna put in an order for it.

You're welcome. Let us know how you get on.

You do.

As always @Amethyst1 has the answers. (It's a fact!)

 

[subaiku]

Gahhh... Ok, so I got a replacement drive cable, installed it and started the Macbook up and I still get the blinking Question Mark folder. And the screen now looks 'distressed'? I assume it's because of the radengongate GPU?

So if it's not the drive cable what else could the problem be?