MacBook Pro Flashing Question Mark

Vincent10z

macrumors newbie
So my MBP (late 2009) has started to show the flashing folder with a question mark in it. I've tried CMD + R , Option, Option + D, and Shift all on startup and all of these keys or key combinations dont do anything. When I press option to boot from a USB with El Captain on it to re install OS X it just pops up with a gray screen and my black cursor and nothing else?

I thought it was a HDD issue so I bought a brand new HDD and the issue persists.. I've also tried resetting the PRAM and that hasn't done anything as well.. if anyone could help hat would be greatly appreciated.
 
Those machines have a very flaky sata cable connecting the HDD to the motherboard, a replacement is $20 on amazon. Also if you want better than new replace with an ssd it will transform the computer for you.
 
Those machines have a very flaky sata cable connecting the HDD to the motherboard, a replacement is $20 on amazon. Also if you want better than new replace with an ssd it will transform the computer for you.
props and dittos here. It is most certainly a drive cable. Replace the drive too while your in there.
 
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