MacBook Pro Hard Drive Cable Failure - Free fix and preventative maintenance - Question mark
Why Ask Different Stack Exchange recommends it
Apple Stack Exchange answerers point people to it when a MacBook Pro drive works over USB but not internally, since the video shows a free cable-insulation fix.
Recommended by 3 people across 3 different months, 2015 to 2019.
What it is
A short repair demonstration from Brue Computing showing how the internal hard drive SATA cable on pre-Retina unibody MacBook Pros can wear against the aluminium chassis and fail. The presenter fixes it by insulating the cable and chassis with tape, and lists the affected 13, 15 and 17 inch models from 2009 to 2012.
What people said
Strong rec user240448 · 2017-06 · Ask Different Stack Exchange · on “Macbook Pro boots successfully when using hard drive in USB enclosure but doesn't boot when connected internally”
This YouTube video was incredibly helpful, and worked for me: [this video] I'd only add that as I chose to upgrade my HDD to SSD at the same time as fixing this problem using James' technique, I had to re-set the PRAM by starting-up while holding the CMD-OPT-P-R keys down. Before I did that, the MacBook would boot from the drive connected to USB, but not while installed directly onto the HDD SATA cable. Once the PRAM was re-set, all works properly (and I'm not even sure I need a new cable).
Strong rec Salv · 2019-01 · Ask Different Stack Exchange · on “Macbook Pro boots successfully when using hard drive in USB enclosure but doesn't boot when connected internally”
I literally unscrewed the cable, rubbed off some dirt and grit and dust, replaced it and SOLVED my issue! Thank you to this vlogger for his video! :) try it before you reinstall, format, or buy a new cable! Vid below: [this video]
Recommends Beto Mohr · 2015-05 · Ask Different Stack Exchange · on “Hard Drive Issues with MacBook Pro 13-inch mid-2012”
So, after buying a new SSHD and SATA cable, spending 3 weeks reading and writing command lines on Terminal.... this is what fixed my problem, believe it or not: [this video] This video shows how an electric tape can isolate the sata cable and prevent it to touch the aluminium surface, which will cause you some problems. I mean, seriously Apple? The design of the SATA cable path is so prone to failure....it's obvious!
Cites Toz · 2016-07 · Ask Different Stack Exchange · on “New internal hard drive not spinning on MacBook Pro A1278 13", Mid-2012”
[this video] Not an official source, but you can ask Google and see by yourself or trust my experience. The cable is so thin and right angles folded ... not really suprising they fail that often.
Cites user240448 · 2017-06 · Ask Different Stack Exchange · on “macbook doesn't recognize internal HDD, only when connected via USB”
[this video] I changed my HDD to SSD at the same time as following James' advice, and had to reset the PRAM (start while holding CMD-OPT-P-R) before the new SSD would boot while connected to the internal SATA cable (repaired with insulation tape) - before I did the reset, it would only work while connected via the USB.