Chosen Solution
I have a 17’ Macbook Pro A1286 (2010) that no matter what I do I cannot get it to install the Operating System, I cannot even get it to boot to recovery mode. I replaced the HDD due to system booting to a white screen 3/4 of the way through the boot process. After running diagnostics on HDD it was determined that it was suffering from numerous corrupt sectors. I have also replace the data cable for the HDD as original did have some heavy creases in it. I have tried running the recovery without success, I have tried to install new system from bootable USB drive only for the installer loading to around 3/4 way and then I get a white screen and nothing. So new HDD, new HDD data cable, fresh complete installer still not able to get a working machine. This is seriously causing me to question my skills. I just wish I could clone another Mac but that didn’t even work. Solutions, advice & help needed please.
Are you able to get to the Target Disk Mode Screen when you restart the system holding the T key? (you may need to do a SMC reset first). If you can your issue is the dedicated GPU has failed and you’ve been chasing your tail thinking you has a drive/OS issue. Sorry ;-{
Never think you are slipping. The crap Apple has been pulling is lately always my first suspect. Hook that drive up to another Mac and do an erase with the security option on for at least one pass of writing all zeros. As you know, this will map out all the bad blocks. Do it externally with a USB to SATA adapter and format it GUID. Stay far away from High Sierra, especially if it is an SSHD or SSD. Install Sierra onto it, then put it into the 17” and see where you’re at. Zap the PRAM on first start up.
