My MacBook Air takes 4-5 hours to boot.

[MRU]

It really depends on your sourcing of the 1.8" HDD

I can see one on Ebay for $80 for example. You may be able to get cheaper. Best bet = google

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-HS12UHE...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb43d5c98#ht_2106wt_1141


Also check out some of the ifixit sites for full instructions

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/...-A1237-and-A1304-Hard-Drive-Replacement/860/1

 

[GGJstudios]

Terminal is what makes OS X great. It is a full unix system and to get the maximum out of it, terminal is the way to go.
You probably a Unix ignorant with terminal fear... so be it..... but please don't speak about what you do not know nor understand!

You don't read posts very well, do you? I didn't say I don't understand Terminal. I said "If you (meaning the OP) don't positively know what you're doing, I recommend leaving Terminal alone. It's a good way to screw up your system." Terminal is great in the hands of a knowledgeable user; not so much in the hands of a neophyte.

... please don't speak about posts that you don't understand.

 

[nuribruner]

Terminal is what makes OS X great. It is a full unix system and to get the maximum out of it, terminal is the way to go.
You probably a Unix ignorant with terminal fear... so be it..... but please don't speak about what you do not know nor understand!

Haha, I still don't get how to use SSH. Though it looks cool

 

[SidBala]

Terminal is what makes OS X great. It is a full unix system and to get the maximum out of it, terminal is the way to go.
You probably a Unix ignorant with terminal fear... so be it..... but please don't speak about what you do not know nor understand!

You should read his post again.

You probably have post reading fear ...so be it... but please don't speak about posts you neither read nor understand.

 

[Seawolf8080]

Terminal is what makes OS X great. It is a full unix system and to get the maximum out of it, terminal is the way to go.
You probably a Unix ignorant with terminal fear... so be it..... but please don't speak about what you do not know nor understand!

#fail

 

[nuribruner]

You don't read posts very well, do you? I didn't say I don't understand Terminal. I said "If you (meaning the OP) don't positively know what you're doing, I recommend leaving Terminal alone. It's a good way to screw up your system." Terminal is great in the hands of a knowledgeable user; not so much in the hands of a neophyte.

... please don't speak about posts that you don't understand.

You should read his post again.

You probably have post reading fear ...so be it... but please don't speak about posts you neither read nor understand.

#fail

Is this at all getting off subject?

 

[darknite38]

Video or it didn't happen.

 

[topmounter]

Is this at all getting off subject?

Not until someone has this problem who hasn't been screwing around in the terminal

 

[GGJstudios]

Is this at all getting off subject?

Yes, it is, caused by someone who would rather attack someone else's offer to help, rather than offer any help, themselves.

Back on topic, if you're unable to boot at all and Disk Utility can't verify or repair the disk, you obviously can't repair permissions, as I had initially suggested. Since you can't afford a backup drive or any repair, I'd just keep trying to boot. Many times, when a drive dies, it does so gradually and will boot up intermittently. I had a Sony VAIO years back that would boot after a dozen or more attempts. If you can get it to boot one time, use an online backup service or your network to backup your files before the drive is completely dead.

 

[Heinekev]

Looks like other users have hit the nail on the head already -- failing HDD. I've worked on two Macbook Airs with failing disk, both had similar symptoms (though not nearly as pronounced... 15-20 minute boot times).

If you let it get into OS X, you should check the SMART status of the drive. It'll likely say failing.

Apple Menu -> About this Mac -> More Info...

Look for Serial-ATA in the list.

Sorry

 

[nuribruner]

Not until someone has this problem who hasn't been screwing around in the terminal

Yes, it is, caused by someone who would rather attack someone else's offer to help, rather than offer any help, themselves.

Back on topic, if you're unable to boot at all and Disk Utility can't verify or repair the disk, you obviously can't repair permissions, as I had initially suggested. Since you can't afford a backup drive or any repair, I'd just keep trying to boot. Many times, when a drive dies, it does so gradually and will boot up intermittently. I had a Sony VAIO years back that would boot after a dozen or more attempts. If you can get it to boot one time, use an online backup service or your network to backup your files before the drive is completely dead.

Looks like other users have hit the nail on the head already -- failing HDD. I've worked on two Macbook Airs with failing disk, both had similar symptoms (though not nearly as pronounced... 15-20 minute boot times).

If you let it get into OS X, you should check the SMART status of the drive. It'll likely say failing.

Apple Menu -> About this Mac -> More Info...

Look for Serial-ATA in the list.

Sorry

Thanks guys.

So how do I know what version of a MBA I have? A, B or C???

 

[GGJstudios]

Thanks guys.

So how do I know what version of a MBA I have? A, B or C???

You can find specs on all Apple products with Mactracker.
You can also enter your serial number here, to find specs for your model:
http://support.apple.com/specs/

 

[nuribruner]

You can find specs on all Apple products with Mactracker.
You can also enter your serial number here, to find specs for\ your model:
http://support.apple.com/specs/

I have successfully removed my hard-drive. It's a 80GB NEON 655-1396A.

Model: HS082HB

Where do you guys think I can find one of these. I found a few for like $499 EEK.....

EDIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-80GB-8M...ltDomain_0&hash=item4156b30e03#ht_2442wt_1141

Heres one I found. It's used so I'm sort of leery about that...

Here's a 120GB will this work in my mac?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-HS12UHE...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb43d5c98#ht_2106wt_1141
EDIT

 

[MRU]

I have successfully removed my hard-drive. It's a 80GB NEON 655-1396A.

Model: HS082HB

Where do you guys think I can find one of these. I found a few for like $499 EEK.....

EDIT
http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-80GB-8M...ltDomain_0&hash=item4156b30e03#ht_2442wt_1141

Heres one I found. It's used so I'm sort of leery about that...

Here's a 120GB will this work in my mac?

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-HS12UHE...ltDomain_0&hash=item3cb43d5c98#ht_2106wt_1141
EDIT

Did we find out if your MBA is a REV A or Rev B/C ?

According to the ebay listing

If the model of the HDD in your laptop is HS082HB or MK8025GAL, your MACBOOK is Rev A and this hdd is not compatible with your laptop.
Here is the link for HS082HB, which compatible with MACBOOK AIR Rev.A
http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-HS082HB-1-8-5mm-80GB-ZIF-HDD-/250685756972?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0
MK2431GAH is also compatible with MACBOOK AIR Rev A. But it is 8mm thick. You need to make enough room for MK2431GAH if you want to upgrade you MACBOOK to 240GB.