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http://www.macnn.com/articles/09/08/10/fix.coming.for.mbp.hdds/

Apple to fix MacBook Pro hard drive stalling

updated 12:30 pm EDT, Mon August 10, 2009

 

Fix coming for MBP HDDs


A software fix is enroute for MacBook Pro owners encountering frequent hard drive stalling, according to Apple spokesman Bill Evans. The problem affects 7200rpm, 500GB drives, freezing a Pro for several seconds before allowing normal operation. Stalls are typically preceded by a beep, and several clicks indicating overworked reading mechanisms.

Apple has not explained the cause of the problem, but a source at Other World Computing has attributed it to Seagate's Momentus 7200.4 drive. The model uses G-Force technology to provide shock protection, but in a Pro this doubles on top of existing technology, potentially triggering rapid spinups and spindowns. It may also shorten the overall lifespan of storage. Systems equipped with 5400rpm drives are believed to be unaffected.


by MacNN Staff

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 MacBook Pro, computers, troubleshooting, Apple

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Comments

  1. Roehlstation

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +7
    08/10, 12:57pm | report spam | Reply |

    2 kinds of hard disks

    A dead one, and one that is going to die.

    Backup your stuff.

  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    -10
    08/10, 01:35pm | report spam | Reply |

    Re: 2 kinds

    Neither of which has anything to do with the problem at hand, which one would have thought Apple should have caught in QA.

    And, I believe, this still doesn't solve the issue Apple foisted upon its users (as this came about, apparently, with the last firmware update that put back SATA 3.0 on the bus) and 500GB drives not working correctly.

  1. Roehlstation

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +2
    08/10, 01:56pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Re: testudo

    Quote from Story

    "It may also shorten the overall lifespan of storage"

    So, yes it does have plenty to do with the problem at hand.

  1. Swordsman

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2009

    0
    08/10, 04:20pm | report spam | Reply |

    500GB 5400RPM drive here.

    Bought my MBP13" from the Apple Store directly, had them put an 500GB 5400RPM drive in to it. And I have been experiencing the same problems as described since having received the machine.

  1. testudo

    Forum Regular

    Joined: Aug 2001

    +1
    08/10, 04:39pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Re: testudo

    It isn't making the drives fail. The drives might fail in 4.5 years instead of 5. But it isn't making them fail out of the blue, like the infamous Seagate issue from the end of last year.

  1. savedbymacnn

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2009

    -1
    08/10, 08:46pm | report spam | (1 reply) Reply |

    Macbook Pro & Apple Care



    I have been following the thread on Apple's Support Forum for over a month. It has caused me to question the credibility and reliability of Apple's staff and systems. The experience of customers who have purchased Apple's most expensive Macbook Pros with the Seagate 500GB 7200 RPM hard drives has been inexcusable and should be embarrassing to Apple. Customers have been denied a resolution not to mention an explanation regarding this on their brand new systems for two months now. "Apple Care" has been all over the map, from no questions asked returns and exchanges to complete denial that a problem exists, advising customers to ignore it or just deal with it. It is no coincidence that customers who have had the most cooperation in getting exchanges and returns have been in countries with laws that leave Apple no choice but to make good on these defective systems. My experience in raising my concerns about this issue with the entire range of staff at Apple Stores and over the phone has been one of predisposed denial. At best some Apple representatives have made honest efforts to find out what is going on, but have been in the impossible position of not being allowed to say anything. In the meantime Apple has continued to sell these systems with this defect to unsuspecting customers who then are left to put up with this and the additional frustration of Apple not returning people's money, without playing games, charging restocking fees, and generally putting customers in a position where all too often they have had to fight to get an exchange that works, or a refund. This is unacceptable behavior. It is well documented in the over 80 pages of posts, and there are no excuses for these people being put through the frustration they have had to deal with. Thank you CNET news and Macnn for alerting people about this issue and sticking with it.

    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2049659&start=1260&tstart=0

  1. moredoug

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2009

    0
    08/10, 10:40pm | report spam | Reply |

    Drive Stalling Issues

    After making an appointment with the Genius Bar I took my MacBook to the Apple store today. After doing a basic diagnostic test on the HDD they told me "it checks out fine and there are no (known) issues", and all I can do is "back-up often and simply wait until it dies, then bring it back." LOL. Although my drive is an Hitachi 300GB 5400 RPM and the article is specific to Seagate 7200 RPM drives, this article describes my situation to a tee. I hope the update will help my drive.

  1. rytc

    Senior User

    Joined: Jan 2001

    +1
    08/11, 01:41am | report spam | Reply |

    5400 500GB

    I have been experiencing frequent stalls on my 13" MBP, without the high pitched noise.

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