Chosen Solution
Hi, I am trying to replace the Hard Drive on my Early 2011 MacBook Pro with a Samsung 860 EVO SSD. I have followed the guide and know that the new SSD is working as I have removed the original Hard Drive and the computer works using the SSD through USB. I bought the 2012 SATA cable. But when I turned my computer on I still got the question mark in the folder error. However I think I may have damaged the new SATA cable when I was installing it. I have included a picture of the cable and would be obliged if someone with more expertise than me could let me know if I have indeed damaged the cable or perhaps suggest where I am going wrong. Thanks, Glen.
Update (08/24/2018) Sorry images didn’t post
Put the cable back in with the drive connected. Now this time restart the system and hold the Option Key to set to the Startup Disk manager. Do you see the SSD at this point? If you do select it and the system should boot up. If that indeed works you’ll need to go into the system preferences setting and alter the Startup Disk setting within it. I do recommend you apply a strip of electricians tape on the uppercase where the cable crosses over as the rough aluminum surface can damage the cable over time. Also don’t bent the folds! You want arcs not sharp corners. The foil wires inside are fragile! Bending them too much can damage them.
