MacBook Pro Flashing Question Mark

[Vincent10z]

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.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

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.

 

[ryguy92000]

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.