MacBook Pro Refusing to take a SSD

[discipulus]

Hey Guys,

So, got a clients system in and they wanted an upgrade to a SSD. Their drive has some minor flags in the SMART attributes, but no issues otherwise. I install the SSD and then attempt to install OS X. Fails. Attempt a clone. Fails. Drive test - SSD is performing sub optimally during a test. Replace the SSD. Having same issues with the new one. Drive passes long test and short test - SMART. Any ideas on how to make this computer take this drive? Mechanical drives work in the system just fine....

 

[Markverhyden]

Ok, MBP's that can fit a SSD date back nearly 10 years. So maybe narrowing it down a bit by model or year might help. First thing that comes to mind is it's an old one and you may be using an SSD that cannot "dumb" down enough.

 

[300DDR]

Perhaps the SATA data cable is bad (more likely if they want to upgrade because current HD is "slow")?

Edit: just read the last line, so probably not. But, I remember some Macs had this problem with data cables (maybe was MacBooks and not MacBook Pros?).

 

[discipulus]

It's a Late 2011

EDIT: The technician that I work with who normally does the apple stuff says he's tried a different cable in it with the same results

 

[trevm999]

You were able to perform an OSX install on a mechanical drive without any error?

 

[discipulus]

According to what the tech told me, yes. I'm going to attempt an install on the SSD as soon as the flash drive finishes making.

 

[Markverhyden]

2011 should not be an issue. I tossed a 500gb SSD into my 2010 13" MBP before I gave it to my daughter. And exactly how is the imaging, cloning, etc failing? Was Disk Utilities used to partition the drive first using GUID?

 

[discipulus]

Alright, got an update - my install USB does not see the drive plugged into SATA at all, but it does see the drive when plugged into USB. Mechanical drives are being recognized by the installer when plugged into SATA. I can even boot from a mechanical drive. Any ideas?

Attempted CCC for the clone when the drive was plugged in USB. Clone said it was successful but drive failed to dismount after completion. Attempted Clonezilla - drive didn't boot, but I think now it's more because it's not seeing the SSD when it's plugged in SATA.

 

[discipulus]

I suspect it's the cable - ordering a replacement to see how it goes

 

[resolvetech]

2011 should not be an issue. I tossed a 500gb SSD into my 2010 13" MBP before I gave it to my daughter. And exactly how is the imaging, cloning, etc failing? Was Disk Utilities used to partition the drive first using GUID?

I can also confirm that 2011 Macbook shouldn't be an issue as I recently did upgrade for business owner from platter to SSD. Used SuperDuper to backup and clone and that software worked great. First time doing this so I recommend this method. I do very few hardware "upgrades" these days because they can't be cost justified but....it's Apple so it was.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Maybe a weird issue with the model of SSD? Might try a different brand?

 

[L2CS]

I have a SSD in my 2010 macbook pro. Works good. Strange! I have put them in Macbook Pro 2009 also.

 

[discipulus]

I'll update as soon as we get the cable in and tested.

 

[pcpete]

With the exception of a mechanical drive working well, I would have voted for a bad cable. They fail all the time