Chosen Solution
Hello, Weird one this hope some one can help. I’ve got an old 2011 13” MacBook Pro had the screen repaired but the hd wouldn’t boot, replaced the SATA cable and the HDD boots, did clean install all works fine. Installed a SSD after initializing it via format as an external HD in disk utility. Preformed an internet recovery and started to install Lion (old) select the disk downloaded the OS then system reboots to start install only it doesn’t load in, at first I was getting the prohibited sign, so I tried a new tact by installing the OS on the SSD as an external device which worked and it was bootable, then when I put it back into the machine on boot I get the flashing folder icon and I cant boot in. I swap the SSD over to my 17” MBP 2011 and it works fine no issues boots straight up. Tried numerous processes of elimination by using my boot drive from my 17” MacBook Pro in the 13” MacBook Pro but I get the same issue - flashing folder. But a standard HDD works fine in the old machine. Does anyone have any ideas? Many thanks Dean Update (02/09/2021) Hi Nick, I did replace the SATA cable prior to installing the SSD with this cable, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07B… I will buy a new one maybe from OWC and try again, the image below is the cable thats currently in the machine.
Its perplexing as when in disk utility it recognizes the SSD When installing via external SSD and disk utility it works and boot. As soon as its in the machine, flashing folder on boot, holding alt only takes me to recovery.
The issue you’re having on the 2012 is usually due to the SATA II HD cable issue in these, or flat out cable wear. The issue with these original cables is the wear tends to be invisible, so you never know it until you put an SSD in - which is why it’s better to change the cable yourself when you get the computer. You also need to protect it, because the aluminum milling wears out the cables as they move inside the chassis. The issue is so common when I got my 2012 13” I proactively replaced the cable so I knew it was done. Refer to this photo from my old 2011 (bad board and the LVDS cable fell apart when I took a look at it to see if I could fix it, so I replaced it):
The Kapton tape is extra, so it’s optional. I did it at the time because I felt it was needed, but did not carry it to my 2012.
I think you can easily fix this. With the SSD in your system, restart your system and press the Option (⌥) key to enter into the Startup Manager. Select your SSD from the menu your system should startup! Now we need to do one more thing as your SSD is not blessed as the startup drive, You need to go to your Systems Preferences, open Startup Disk and alter it to your SSD. That should fix things. Reference: Mac startup key combinations
