[SOLVED]A1278 gets a flashing question mark when booting

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Hello;

I ve got a macbook that shows a flashing question mark inside a folder after not succeeding loading the OS from the HDD.

To my knowledge this can be a HDD or data cable issue!

1- I ve tried to read this HDD by use of an USB casing connected to another macbook. I could see the HDD, but the system was corrupted. I ve partitionned the HDD and put it on the macbook but I got the same issue.

2- On this stage I thought it should be the cable, then I ve used a working hdd from another installed macbook, the macbook started normally. This has confirmed to me that the data cable has not problem.

3- I ve used another working hdd and partitionned it by use of another macbook. And tried it again on the customer macbook. And again I got a flashing question mark.

What can be the problem?

Greeting
 

2informaticos

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Staff member
On the second test, did you change the flex too?
Use the flex which worked first time.
This second HDD, works in other machine?
 
On the second test I ve changed only the HDD which is booting properly on the second machine.

I don t have a spart part for the data flexcable to be tested with.
 
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2informaticos

Administrator
Staff member
Does it spin at least?
If it works through USB, then bad HDD flex...
But still possible to have bad connector, or corrosion around it.
I supposed you already checked that.
 
HDD 1 came with the customer laptop that gives a flashing question mark.
HDD 2 is a good working hardisk borrowed from another machine.
HDD 3 is totally another working harddisk

At first instance I ve thought that too. If hdd1 partitionned by use of another macbook and when placed on the customer machine still give the flashing question mark.

That s why I ve tooked HDD2 which confirmed to me that the cable is working fine, otherwise it will not boot up normally.

And yes I ve checked the state of the connectors at both side on the cable self and also on the board.
 
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