Momentus XT, Momentus, Momentus Thin, MobileMax, and other notebook drives

[ProtagonistZ]

I cloned my OEM hard drive into a Momentus XT 750GB for my Macbook Pro (late 2011 model) however it doesn't seem to be recognizing when I install it. If I connect it externally via USB and a SATA adapter I have to use an external power source for it to power on. I'm not sure what the problem is. 

[duffer6]

Try a clean install from the OEM drive to the XT.  Cloned drives can have issues.  Install a clean copy of Lion on the XT and use the Apple migration tool to bring all your files over to the XT from the OEM drive.  After the migration you should be able to install the XT into your laptop without issue and be up and running.

[ProtagonistZ]

Here's the thing. When I have the drive hooked up to my Mac using a SATA to USB adapter, and an external power source, it finds the drive just fine. If I remove the external power the USB doesn't seem to be able to power the 2.5 drive alone. And when I install it, it doesn't look like it's being powered either. Only when I have an external power adapter attached will it start up. 

[ProtagonistZ]

I've been able to boot from this drive just fine when it's not actually installed in the laptop. 

[WiseDrive]

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ProtagonistZ wrote:

Here's the thing. When I have the drive hooked up to my Mac using a SATA to USB adapter, and an external power source, it finds the drive just fine. If I remove the external power the USB doesn't seem to be able to power the 2.5 drive alone. And when I install it, it doesn't look like it's being powered either. Only when I have an external power adapter attached will it start up. 

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You have just described the symptoms of a bad ribbon cable / connector on your Mac.

[ProtagonistZ]

It doesn't seem likely to be the connector cable because other 2.5 drives have been powered just fine by the connector cable. Also, how is the connector cable related to the USB port being unable to power a 2.5 drive? I could be wrong though. Is there any other way to test this theory?

[WiseDrive]

 "Other" drives have different requirments.

This is a very large 750gb, 7200 RPM drive with electronics that have additional power requirments.

If you have access to a lab, I can specify a way for you to test the theory.

The easier method is to send the Mac to an authorized center where they have the spare parts to fix the problem.

Many USB housings have 2 different connectors, one for data and power, and the second for power only as many SATA drives exceed the power available from a single USB.

[ProtagonistZ]

My question still remains though. Why does this connector power other drives and not this one? If there was something wrong with this specific connector wouldn't other drives have a similar problem?

[duffer6]

Wiseguy,

If his ribbon cable is bad and Apple tests the bay with the OEM drive and it proves to work Apple will most likely do nothing.  Even if they test the bay with the XT drive and it does indeed fail Apple will state that the XT is a non-Apple drive and deny the repair.  So what should he do now?

I too find it odd that other drives work and the XT does not.  I think it maybe a bad clone copy or a defective XT drive (which is pretty unlikely).  Just my two cents.  

[WiseDrive]

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duffer6 wrote:

Wiseguy,

If his ribbon cable is bad and Apple tests the bay with the OEM drive and it proves to work Apple will most likely do nothing.  Even if they test the bay with the XT drive and it does indeed fail Apple will state that the XT is a non-Apple drive and deny the repair.  So what should he do now?

I too find it odd that other drives work and the XT does not.  I think it maybe a bad clone copy or a defective XT drive (which is pretty unlikely).  Just my two cents.  

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Concur with you.

The bad clone copy must be ruled out with a clean install (or attempt at one).