No HD to reinstall on following flashing question mark

[JamesLV]

Hi All,

bit of a problem, closed my MBP (as in the lid) and travelled home from work, went to open it this morning and it rebooted and then showed me the dreaded question mark on start up, so I have restarted whilst holding option, command and R to do an internet recovery, however when I then go into disk utility, after selecting view all devices, I’m faced with the image in the screenshot, I can’t erase either disk?

therefore can’t reinstall the OS.

any ideas at all here? I’m suspecting either faulty HD, or cable, but I’m in below my neck when it comes to this.

any help at all would be gratefully received.

machine is I believe a 2012 MPB.

 

[velocityg4]

It’s very rare for a HDD cable to fail. It’s common for a HDD to fail. Given the age. It’s likely the HDD failed.

Even if you got the drive to work again. They are too flaky and cheap. To trust it again.

I’d replace it. You should consider an SSD. They are cheap enough and a huge performance improvement. I’d also consider upgrading the RAM. At this time. To get the most out of your computer. Especially if it’s only 4GB.

 

[JamesLV]

It’s very rare for a HDD cable to fail. It’s common for a HDD to fail. Given the age. It’s likely the HDD failed.

Even if you got the drive to work again. They are too flaky and cheap. To trust it again.

I’d replace it. You should consider an SSD. They are cheap enough and a huge performance improvement. I’d also consider upgrading the RAM. At this time. To get the most out of your computer. Especially if it’s only 4GB.

Ok, I see your point, and I agree, a replacement is the way forward, but surely if the HD was totally goosed it wouldn’t show at all in disk utility?

 

[velocityg4]

Ok, I see your point, and I agree, a replacement is the way forward, but surely if the HD was totally goosed it wouldn’t show at all in disk utility?

That's the RAM drive created for the disk image for Internet Recovery showing in those pictures. If you restart. It disappears.

Also when HDD fail. They can still show up in Disk Utility. Even though it isn't the case right now. It all depends on what part of the drive failed.

 

[JamesLV]

Ok, so order a new HD, that’s cool, I can do that. After that, what’s the process? Sorry, I’ve not gone this deep down the rabbit hole before

 

[velocityg4]

Remove the old HDD and install the SSD. It must be an SATA SSD for the 2012. Then run Internet Recovery as you've already done. Format the drive in Disk Utility and reinstall macOS. I've read in one thread there are issues with the new Samsung 870 Evo.

Here is a drive replacement guide from iFixit. I'm assuming a 13" MBP. They also have guides for the 15". Make sure you have the right tools. Which are listed in the guide.

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Replacement

Use this guide to replace a dead hard drive. If your new hard drive seems slow or doesn’t work correctly, try replacing the hard drive cable. The...

www.ifixit.com

This is a tool set I use for many repairs. As it contains a wide range of odd bit types. Plus it is small for portability. It's easy to confuse the pentalobe with the torx. If none seem to fit for some reason.

Small Screwdriver Bits Set, Sourcingbay 45 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Kits, Magnetic Screwdriver set with Flexible Shaft for Mobile Phone, PC Parts, Game Console, RC Car…

1. All bits are made of supreme chrome/vanadium steel. Sleeves are made of high-grade carbon steel. 2. Professional and practical screwdriver, easy to carry and store at Home and Work. 3. Easily interchangeable. 4. Complete specifications of high quality precise screwdriver bits. 5. Handle is des...

www.amazon.com

A plastic spudger set is also good to have.

iFixit Prying and Opening Tool Assortment - Electronics, Phone, Laptop, Tablet Repair

iFixit compatible Prying and Opening Tool Assortment - Set von Öffnungswerkzeugen

www.amazon.com

Use Option-Command-R for the latest supported macOS in Internet Recovery.

 

[JamesLV]

Remove the old HDD and install the SSD. It must be an SATA SSD for the 2012. Then run Internet Recovery as you've already done. Format the drive in Disk Utility and reinstall macOS. I've read in one thread there are issues with the new Samsung 870 Evo.

Here is a drive replacement guide from iFixit. I'm assuming a 13" MBP. They also have guides for the 15". Make sure you have the right tools. Which are listed in the guide.

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Replacement

Use this guide to replace a dead hard drive. If your new hard drive seems slow or doesn’t work correctly, try replacing the hard drive cable. The...

www.ifixit.com

This is a tool set I use for many repairs. As it contains a wide range of odd bit types. Plus it is small for portability. It's easy to confuse the pentalobe with the torx. If none seem to fit for some reason.

Small Screwdriver Bits Set, Sourcingbay 45 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Kits, Magnetic Screwdriver set with Flexible Shaft for Mobile Phone, PC Parts, Game Console, RC Car…

1. All bits are made of supreme chrome/vanadium steel. Sleeves are made of high-grade carbon steel. 2. Professional and practical screwdriver, easy to carry and store at Home and Work. 3. Easily interchangeable. 4. Complete specifications of high quality precise screwdriver bits. 5. Handle is des...

www.amazon.com

A plastic spudger set is also good to have.

iFixit Prying and Opening Tool Assortment - Electronics, Phone, Laptop, Tablet Repair

iFixit compatible Prying and Opening Tool Assortment - Set von Öffnungswerkzeugen

www.amazon.com

Use Option-Command-R for the latest supported macOS in Internet Recovery.

Brilliant, thank you. I’ll get ordered now. Got the tools already from having had to do a few bits on my previous MacBook.

so just do as above, then once the OS is installed just update from my time machine backup?

 

[velocityg4]

Brilliant, thank you. I’ll get ordered now. Got the tools already from having had to do a few bits on my previous MacBook.

so just do as above, then once the OS is installed just update from my time machine backup?

Yes, once the OS is installed. It’ll ask you if you want to restore and what you want to restore from.