Macbook Air Hard Drive Problems

Macbook Air Hard Drive Problems

Finally, use a third-party utility like Drive Genius or Disk Tools Pro to check the drive's media with a surface scan. This will check for bad blocks and replace them with spare blocks, if necessary. I bought a new hard drive cable and then the problem was solved. It seems that the MacBook Pro from 2011–2012 have some issues with the hard drive cable failing after some time. Officially, the hard drive or SSD in the original, 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models is not designed to be replaced or upgraded by the end user. Given the particularly tight tolerances in the MacBook Air, this is not the best system for a new user to attempt to upgrade.
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Macbook Air Hard Drive Problems -
 Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: Solve Mac Problems • Proven solutions
Sometimes peripheral devices (particularly those not made by Apple) can cause power problems that prevent MacBooks from fully booting up. Remove all third-party mice, drives, and other accessories. My wife's Macbook Air 13' from mid 2012 (model A1466) suddenly stopped recognizing the SSD drive. She was working, left it alone for a while and when she came back it was frozen and unresponsive. She forced a shut down (holding the power button) and when it restarted, it took a while and finally came to the folder-question mark icon.
Technical problems are frustrating, and troubleshooting issue is time-consuming. When your MacBook Pro keeps shutting down on Startup, you can't just ignore the problem. You're dead in the water. You need a solution immediately. So, instead of throwing the computer out the window, let's take a look at what could go wrong. Then, we'll go over tips for fixing your computer and making sure it never happens again.
Part 1. Why MacBook Pro Keeps RestartingYou're wondering: 'Why does my MacBook Pro keep restarting?' The answer is that when you install new software solutions on your MacBook Pro, it can lead to 'kernel panic' (or KP) which leads to unexpected restarts. A kernel panic is really not as scary as it sounds. When your computer's OS encounters an internal fatal error on bootup, and it can't safely recover or continue, it will display an error message informing you that it needs to reboot.
There can be many reasons why your MacBook keeps rebooting.
The most common issue is conflicting applications.
Another issue could be incompatible hardware or peripheral devices.
It could be an issue of not enough RAM or hard drive space.
The plugins or drivers could be out-of-date.
When your MacBook keeps restarting, this is what happens:
The system detected a problem and it gives an error message that it must restart to fix the issue.
If the system is truly stuck in the reboot cycle, the system will shut down.
In general, a message will pop up on your Mac screen showing you 'Your Computer restarted because of a problem.'
Part 2. How to Fix 'Mac Keeps Restarting'So, by now, you have an idea of why your MacBook keeps restarting, but how do you fix it? Take a systematic approach to troubleshoot, starting with the hardware. As you test the potential suspects, you can cross it off your list and move on to the next possibility.
HARDWARE CONFLICTThe kernel panic can be caused by hardware conflicts. So, if you've recently installed new RAM, a hard drive, a printer, or other devices, the addition(s) may be contributing to the problem
Solution: Check the devices and hardware that you've hooked up to your MacBook Pro.1. Turn off your MacBook Pro.
2. Disconnect all devices including printers (excluding the display, mouse, and keyboard).
3. Restart your MacBook.
4. Use your MacBook for the period of time that would typically have resulted in a restart.
>> If your MacBook restarts, check the status of your internal RAM and any other hardware.
>> If your MacBook does not restart, turn off your system and reconnect one device at a time per restart to troubleshoot your hardware issue.
SOFTWARE CONFLICTProblems can pop up when you install new software on your MacBook Pro. There could be a compatibility issue, or it could be that the lack of space on your hard drive is contributing to the problem, and making it appear that your issue is software related.
Solution: Check the software that you've installed on your MacBook Pro.1. Hold down the Shift-button and boot into Safe mode.
2. Backup your user files to an external hard drive.
3. Update the software on your MacBook Pro.
If the problem persists and is not resolved with the reinstall of your software, it may be a recurring issue with corrupt software. It's not uncommon to be required to reinstall your software, so it's important to make sure you're regularly backing up your system.
Solution: Discover corrupt software.1. Update the corrupt software application.
2. Reboot your computer.
3. If you aren't able to reinstall or update the software application..
>> Uninstall or delete the application.
Best open source video recording software. >> Use an app-installer tool to completely remove all trace of the corrupted app.
4. Reinstall the application.
If the 'Kernel Panic' error is associated with random software applications, the problem probably has nothing to do with the applications themselves, but more to do with drivers or other conflicts.
Solution: Fix disk permissions.The problem of faulty disk permissions is yet another way that your software applications can go wrong and produce the 'Kernel' error. The process of fixing permission errors is one of the most frequent troubleshooting tasks that are recommended beyond just when your iMac keeps restarting. (The diagnosis is often incorrect, but it is a safe thing to try.)
For OSX Yosemite or older..
1. Press Command + R to restart your MacBook Pro.
2. Open Disk Utility.
3. Select 'First Aid,' then 'Repair Disk Permission.'
For macOS Sierra or OSX El Capitan ..
1. Open CleanMyMac X.
2. Select advanced Maintenance module.
3. Repair the disk permissions.
Fix the disk space issue..
We recommend maintaining a 20% margin for storage space, but that's just a safe estimate. Before you get started, consider which application and files you need to keep on your computer. If they are old, if they are duplicated elsewhere, or if they are remnants of previous projects, delete (or back-up and remove) the files from your MacBook Pro.
If you don't have enough free space via virtual or physical memory, your system will lag. You'll see poor performance. You may also see the Kernel Panic issue.
To check to see if a lack of hard drive space is the issue, select the Apple menu.
>> Select 'About This Mac'
>> Select the 'Storage' tab.
To resolve the disk space issue, install a larger hard drive.
To resolve low capacity hard drive space issues, without installing a new hard drive, delete files or programs to free up space.
Run a CleanMyMac app to free up additional hard drive disk space.
Solution: Launch Disk UtilityYou can fix corrupted files with your Disk Utility, which allows you to perform some tasks related to your storage and hard disks.
1. Select the Apple menu.
2. Select Restart
3. Hold down Command + R as your MacBook Pro is restarting.
4. Select Disk Utility.
5. Select First Aid.
Solution: Disable Startup ItemsWhen you have too many startup items set to launch at startup, your MacBook Pro's processor can be overloaded and overloaded, which can lead to a Kernel Panic error and an auto restarts. Disable startup items to see if that's the reason for your error issues.
1. Select the Apple menu.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Select Users & Groups.
4. Select your username from the menu.
5. Select the Login Items tab
6. Select a startup item to disable and then select '–'.
7. Restart your MacBook Pro.
Continue this process until all the startup items are disabled. You may be surprised by how many items are being loaded at startup. You can add back one startup at a time and reboot between each addition, so you can determine which item is causing a problem. You can use the CleanMyMac app for maintenance that may resolve your issues more quickly.
Solution: Reinstall a clean MacBook Pro operating system.When other fixes do not resolve the reboot issue, you need to reinstall a clean install of the operating system on your MacBook Pro.
1. Restart your Macbook Pro.
2. Hold down Command + R as your MacBook Pro is restarting.
3. Select 'Reinstall macOS' or 'Reinstall OS X' to initiate a clean install of the OS that came with your MacBook Pro.
Solution: Recover Lost FilesRecoverit Data Recovery is the best file recovery software for your MacBook Pro.
You can quickly and easily recover files you've lost by reinstalling the MacOS.
Recoverit supports the recovery of photos, videos, documents, archives, and more than 1,000 other types of files.
You can also scan your hard drive and preview the files you want to save before you initiate the recovery process.
Recoverit allows you to recover the Desktop folder, as well as other content.
Step 1. Launch Recoverit
Install Recoverit, and open the application. If you've already installed the application, select the 'Recoverit' icon from the MacBook Pro desktop. It can take a few seconds to launch the program.
Select the source location, where you've lost your files.
Initiate the scan to search for the lost files.
Recoverit displays a list of all the files that you can recover. Review the files to determine which ones you need to recover. Select the 'Recover' button.
2. Recover Files
To recover files, repeat the main three steps.
Select the source location.
Initiate the scan to search for the lost files.
Preview and recover.
You should be able to get a listing fairly quickly. If you don't see the file(s) you need to recover, you can still try one more method of recovery.
Select 'All-around Recovery' to run a more in-depth scan and see if you can recover your files. The results are usually better with the deeper scan.
Part 3. How to Prevent 'Mac Keeps Rebooting' IssuesIt's always preferred to resolve the reboot issue before you have the complaint: 'My Mac keeps restarting.'
Keep Your Mac OS UpdatedA missing Mac update can cause unusual restart issues. Your Mac is confused and needs the latest update(s).
1. Select the Apple menu.
2. Select System Preferences.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Click Update Now to install the updates.
>> You can click 'More Info' to see details.
When your Software Updates are complete, your MacBook Pro will prompt you if the update requires you to restart your computer. To make this process easier, and to be sure that you have all the correct updates, you can set up your computer to automatically install updates in the future.
Verify Software CompatibilityMany software issues can be resolved by just being cautious and prepared before you install new applications.
1. Read install details to see if there are known issues.

2. Check forums to see if there are any reported compatibility issues.
3. Be sure to verify that there are no issues with other software you've already installed in the past.
Verify Hardware CompatibilityJust as you can resolve software issues by being proactive about your installs, you can do the same with hardware. Some hardware just does not play nicely together, but you should also check to see if it is compatible with Mac.
1. Read through any hardware install details to find out if there are known issues with compatibility with your MacBook Pro.
2. Check forums to see if there are any known compatibility issues with hardware related to MacBook Pro.
3. Be sure to verify that there are no issues with other hardware that you've already installed in the past.
Part 4. Extra Info About Mac StartupThe bootup process for your MacBook Pro appears to be fairly simple. You just press the button, and the computer starts up. There's actually a lot more going on behind the scenes when you start your computer. Your MacBook Pro is running a series of initializations.
Select the 'On' button.
The hardware and firmware is initialized (loaded & run)
The firmware runs the power-on self-test (POST)
>> It tests the processors, memory, peripherals, etc.
The indication of startup both sounds and displays.
Of course, there can always be an issue with the startup initialization process. This article just discusses one symptom (the reboot) that can go wrong.
What About Next Time?The next time you won't be saying, 'My MacBook Pro keeps restarting.' You'll have the answers to solve the problem. By regularly backing up your MacBook Pro, and keeping your files and updates current, you're able to avoid many troubleshooting problems beyond just the restart fix for your computer. You don't have to be an IT expert to put into place very simple strategies and processes that will save you time, money, and also make it easier for you to use your computer for the purposes it's intended for.
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How do you replace or upgrade the hard drive in the original, 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models? Can you swap the hard drive for an SSD?
This Q&A covers the original, Late 2008, and Mid-2009 MacBook Air models (A1237, A1304). EveryMac.com provides storage upgrade instructions for later MacBook Air models -- the 'Late 2010 and 'Mid-2011,'Mid-2012,' and 'Mid-2013,' 'Early 2014,' 'Early 2015' and 'Mid-2017' lines, too.
Officially, the hard drive or SSD in the original, 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models is not designed to be replaced or upgraded by the end user. Given the particularly tight tolerances in the MacBook Air, this is not the best system for a new user to attempt to upgrade.
However, for those with some experience replacing the hard drive in similar notebooks, the upgrade is quite feasible. 

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (MacBook Air) 
Identification Help
If you're not sure if you have a original, 'Late 2008' or 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air, these models can be differentiated externally by Model Number (which is visible on the bottom in tiny text toward the hinge). Accordingly, EveryMac.com has hand documented that the original MacBook Air models are Model Number A1237 and the 'Late 2008 and 'Mid-2009' models -- which support the same type of storage -- are Model Number A1304. More recent MacBook Air models have different Model Numbers. 
In software, the original MacBook Air models have a Model Identifier of MacBookAir1,1, and the 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models all have a Model Identifier of MacBookAir2,1. 
Macbook Air Hard Drive Problems StuckEveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify these MacBook Air models by their serial numbers. 
Storage Type & Details
Macbook Air Hard Drive Problems SolvingAs first noted by AnandTech, the original MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air 'Core 2 Duo' 1.6 13' (Original) and 1.8 13' (Original) -- have a 1.8-inch wide, 5 mm tall hard drive or SSD and 'instead of a standard PATA connector Apple uses a 40-pin ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) connector' due to space constraints. 
The 'Late 2008' MacBook Air models -- the MacBook Air 'Core 2 Duo' 1.6 13' (Late 2008) and 1.86 13' (Late 2008) as well as the 'Mid-2009' models -- the 1.86 13' (Mid-2009) and 2.13 13' (Mid-2009) -- use a hard drive or SSD with the same physical dimensions as the original models, but have a standard Serial ATA connector. 
Storage Upgrade Instructions & Advice
Naturally, whether or not it is easy or difficult to upgrade the hard drive in these MacBook Air models depends on the skill of the user performing the upgrade, but as noted in the introduction of this Q&A, this is a moderately difficult upgrade as it requires one to remove the bottom plate of the notebook as well as the battery before it is possible to access the hard drive or SSD.
Site sponsor OWC doesn't consider this upgrade to be extremely easy, but considers it to be 'straightforward' and provides step-by-step video instructions: 
Note that for those with one of these MacBook Air models with a hard drive, not only is swapping it for an SSD quite possible, the performance improvement can be dramatic. 
This video, also from OWC, shows the performance of the MacBook Air 'Core 2 Duo' 1.86 13' (Mid-2009) -- upgraded with an OWC Mercury Aura Pro SSD -- compared to the MacBook Air 'Core 2 Duo' 2.13 13' (Mid-2009) with a 120 GB hard drive:
 Since these MacBook Air models were introduced, the price of SSDs has become far more affordable. Consequently, for those interested in increasing the performance and/or capacity of an original, 'Late 2008' or 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air, an SSD upgrade may be well worth the price whether self-installed or installed professionally. Professional installation is recommended. 
Storage Purchase Options 
In theory, just about any hard drive or SSD that meets the minimum requirements should work in these MacBook Air models. However, it always is best to buy from a trusted company with Mac knowledge for the most trouble-free experience.
In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells hard drives and SSDs compatible with both the original MacBook Air and the 'Late 2008' and 'Mid-2009' MacBook Air models.
In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook Air compatible SSDs with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.
In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells MacBook Air hard drives and SSDs with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs duties to worry about.
In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell MacBook Air compatible SSDs with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.
In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells MacBook Air SSDs with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.
Also see:
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the 'Late 2010' and 'Mid-2011' MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the 'Mid-2012' MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?
How do you replace or upgrade the storage in the 'Mid-2013' and subsequent MacBook Air models? Is it even possible?

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