2011 Macbook Pro 13 - many beachballs with 510 SSD

[Weaselboy]

Thanks. I'll try that out. Any idea how to disable it so I can do a fresh install?

You should also turn off hibernation. Go to Terminal and type the following command. You will be prompted for your password.

sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0

To disable sleep just go to Energy Saver pref pane and slide the Computer Sleep slider all the way over to "Never" for both battery and AC power.

You can still manually sleep the computer from the Apple menu and this does not seem to cause any problems.

 

[wingsky]

Hey guys, I've got a 13" i7, now working with a 510 250gb.

I did have the issues some of you have been having. Failed installations, hanging at startup, et cetera. All of this by installing the ssd & then installing osx from dvd.

Not sure if it'll work for everyone but what I did was resize the partitioning on the drive. So, instead of the single partition using up the whole ssd (think it came to 250.6gb on disk utility) i resized it to 250.0gb with the rest as free space.

This seemed to do the trick - hope it works for you guys!

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Let me ask a question here this may give a clue is everyone doing a install without making a partition first. Or simply put unit in the MBP install from disk will not make a partition first it will just install on the whole drive. Or are people making a partition first than either copying over via Carbon copy cloner or some other program. Either way normally this will work but I am wondering if you trying to install on the bare drive out of the box and you make it journaled as you would normal do than installing the OS or are you than making a partition first with a single partition. After reading the last comment it maybe a good idea to actually make a partition.

 

[00286247]

Let me ask a question here this may give a clue is everyone doing a install without making a partition first. Or simply put unit in the MBP install from disk will not make a partition first it will just install on the whole drive. Or are people making a partition first than either copying over via Carbon copy cloner or some other program. Either way normally this will work but I am wondering if you trying to install on the bare drive out of the box and you make it journaled as you would normal do than installing the OS or are you than making a partition first with a single partition. After reading the last comment it maybe a good idea to actually make a partition.

What difference would this make?

 

[Consultant]

My BTO quad MBP with 512GB SSD works great.
Model "Apple SSD TS512C"

OWC version has great reviews too.

 

[phyphaen]

No problems with the Intel 510 (250gb) in my 2011 MBP 15" 2.2.

I created 1 partition and did a clean install from the dvd.

I did not reset the SMC/PRAM, SSD running at 6gbps.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

What difference would this make?

It should not make any difference normally but when we have people having issues installing on bare drive and when we see some folks for instance this comment

No problems with the Intel 510 (250gb) in my 2011 MBP 15" 2.2.

I created 1 partition and did a clean install from the dvd.

I did not reset the SMC/PRAM, SSD running at 6gbps.

than we have to wonder if for some reason the OS wants to see this drive as a partition . You have to look at the variables because this makes no sense why this drive being brand new is giving folks fits on install.

 

[mac jones]

It should not make any difference normally but when we have people having issues installing on bare drive and when we see some folks for instance this comment

No problems with the Intel 510 (250gb) in my 2011 MBP 15" 2.2.

I created 1 partition and did a clean install from the dvd.

I did not reset the SMC/PRAM, SSD running at 6gbps.

than we have to wonder if for some reason the OS wants to see this drive as a partition . You have to look at the variables because this makes no sense why this drive being brand new is giving folks fits on install.

It makes sense. It's a new controller (SATA 3)

We are beta testing.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

It makes sense. It's a new controller (SATA 3)

We are beta testing.

Certainly are and as crazy as what i said sounds it makes you wonder. What makes me think this also is maybe TRIM is looking for some garbage space.

Even though it does not support 3rd party does not mean its not looking for garbage space a bare drive has no space, but a 1 partition might just seem like there is garbage space for it. Its a wild hair guess but why some work and some don't makes you throw silly questions like this in the air.

 

[bodaay]

so, is the 1 partition less than total size solution working or not? I've already tried so many times and I just wanna make sure that this solution will work even if it doesn't make any sense
??????

 

[johnhlaj]

Possibly a RAM issue

I just exchanged my MacBook and my 510 seems to be working perfectly now. I vaguely remember the RAM being on a green circuit board, I can't recall the make. But what I have now is HYNIX branded memory:



BANK 0/DIMM0:

Size: 2 GB
Type: DDR3
Speed: 1333 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0x80AD
Part Number: 0x484D54333235533642465238432D48392020
Serial Number: 0x57259984

BANK 1/DIMM0:

Size: 2 GB
Type: DDR3
Speed: 1333 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0x80AD
Part Number: 0x484D54333235533642465238432D48392020
Serial Number: 0x57459982


Can everyone with an intel 510 SSD please post this info from their system profiler. Just a place to start the comparison for troubleshooting what is causing this for so many people.

Be sure to include in your post if you are having any issues or not.

 

[bodaay]

I've tried the partition solution, fresh OSx install
the installation took about an hour,
but still, doesn't work

well, when the installation finished, I've checked profiler and the negotiated link speed was 3Gb. Thats why it was working fine until I powered off the machine and turned it back on. I think turning off the machine changed link speed to 6Gb (no need really to do SMC reset or anything). It stopped working

I wish there is a way to force Sata II or negotiated speed at 3Gb for now, until apple release something that actually does fix Sata III problems.

Those saying their machines are working fine, how about a small a test by turning the machine off and back on

Edit: I just confirmed again what I've said. I put back the original HDD and started OSx. Link speed changed back to 3Gb/s. turned off machine and put back intel 510. Machine started normally at link speed 3Gb/s. As far as I know is that I should never turn off the machine for now because this will change link speed to 6Gb. and If I did, I need to put the original HDD, start OSx, turn off, put intel 510 again

Sucks I know, but I can live with Sata II speeds

 

[macchiato2009]

people seem to have more issues with Intel 510 rather than with Crucial C300

i already have a c300 (recently bought and used with a 2010 MBP that i just sold)

i just ordered the 2011 13" MBP i7

i hope that this will work smoothly

will keep you updated once i receive it and swap the drive

 

[Weaselboy]

Let me ask a question here this may give a clue is everyone doing a install without making a partition first. Or simply put unit in the MBP install from disk will not make a partition first it will just install on the whole drive. Or are people making a partition first than either copying over via Carbon copy cloner or some other program. Either way normally this will work but I am wondering if you trying to install on the bare drive out of the box and you make it journaled as you would normal do than installing the OS or are you than making a partition first with a single partition. After reading the last comment it maybe a good idea to actually make a partition.

I put the bare Intel 510 SSD in the MBP first then booted of my old HDD (now attached by USB enclosure) then used Disk Util to make one 120GB partition. Then used Carbon Copy Cloner to move everything to the SSD. Having no problems. As long as the partition gets made at some point, I'm not sure how the order of operations would matter.

 

[Weaselboy]

Those saying their machines are working fine, how about a small a test by turning the machine off and back on

2011 13" MBP here with 120GB Intel 510 and I have restarted and powered down many times and not had any problems. It always works and stays connected at SATAIII link speed.

The only thing I can see I may have done differently than others here is I installed the bare unpartitioned drive in the MBP then booted from my old HDD in a USB enclosure and used the Disk Util from the HDD to partition. By doing that the SSD was attached at SATAIII when I did the partition and clone. I have no idea how that would matter, but I'm just trying to help figure out why mine works and others with the same MBP do not.

 

[mac jones]

2011 13" MBP here with 120GB Intel 510 and I have restarted and powered down many times and not had any problems. It always works and stays connected at SATAIII link speed.

The only thing I can see I may have done differently than others here is I installed the bare unpartitioned drive in the MBP then booted from my old HDD in a USB enclosure and used the Disk Util from the HDD to partition. By doing that the SSD was attached at SATAIII when I did the partition and clone. I have no idea how that would matter, but I'm just trying to help figure out why mine works and others with the same MBP do not.

That's interesting. Your wondering if there's a difference if you partition these in one of two modes.

I think I partitioned it a bunch of times after it negotiated the sata 3 link. But that, in reality, might not be the case somehow. Don't know.

Makes sense though, as i've got a feeling it's definitely sata 3 related.

 

[Guy Mancuso]

I put the bare Intel 510 SSD in the MBP first then booted of my old HDD (now attached by USB enclosure) then used Disk Util to make one 120GB partition. Then used Carbon Copy Cloner to move everything to the SSD. Having no problems. As long as the partition gets made at some point, I'm not sure how the order of operations would matter.

That is the point actually is you have a partition on it and the OS is not on the bare drive alone without a partition. Its not he order I am thinking just that a partition is on it. So hard to do a poll but the real question comes up are you working with a 510 with a partition made and/or are you working with a bare drive only with OS on it.

Seems from some of the folks responses including yours you do have a partition on the drive and seems to be working.


Here is what i would do here as this seems to work in many situations. Install the 510 , have a OS external to boot from so there is no OS on the internal system. First thing that will come up after booting from the external drive is do you want to initialize the drive in the MBP hit yes . Go through the formatting than make a 1 partition and call it your Master drive or whatever. Once you are done the drive should show up on the desktop . Than Carbon copy from the external to the 510 SSD than power off pull the external and boot the 510 internal drive

 

[Weaselboy]

Seems from some of the folks responses including yours you do have a partition on the drive and seems to be working.

Correct. I did make the partition first before cloning.

 

[mac jones]

That is the point actually is you have a partition on it and the OS is not on the bare drive alone without a partition. Its not he order I am thinking just that a partition is on it. So hard to do a poll but the real question comes up are you working with a 510 with a partition made and/or are you working with a bare drive only with OS on it.

Seems from some of the folks responses including yours you do have a partition on the drive and seems to be working.


Here is what i would do here as this seems to work in many situations. Install the 510 , have a OS external to boot from so there is no OS on the internal system. First thing that will come up after booting from the external drive is do you want to initialize the drive in the MBP hit yes . Go through the formatting than make a 1 partition and call it your Master drive or whatever. Once you are done the drive should show up on the desktop . Than Carbon copy from the external to the 510 SSD than power off pull the external and boot the 510 internal drive

Ha! worth a shot. Doesn't seem likely but you never know, and this is a good idea. Sometimes it's just beyond our limited human understanding

I'll report back after it fails (ok so i'm a pessimist )

 

[Guy Mancuso]

Exactly but we are seeing some evidence that having the partition is working and that really makes you wonder if this may solve some issues. I just was at Fry's electronics and they had the 510 in stock 679 dollars i think . I came real close to closing on it but waiting till see if Vertex 3 hits the streets Monday. If not i will go the 510.

 

[bodaay]

Ha! worth a shot. Doesn't seem likely but you never know, and this is a good idea. Sometimes it's just beyond our limited human understanding

I'll report back after it fails (ok so i'm a pessimist )

I'll wait for your report

I've already tried more than 15 times. really tired of opening and closing 12 screws

 

[desantii]

What i did and DID NOT work was put the 510 in, then boot of the CD. Create a brand new partition with Disk utilities and then install OSX.

 

[mac jones]

I'll wait for your report

I've already tried more than 15 times. really tired of opening and closing 12 screws

Yeah, i left the screws off for a while because of this, but they are back on as I have little hope.

It's in need of an firmware update. The drive is new, but you can be sure this is going to be addressed sooner or later. Macbooks are pretty mainstream these days

I really don't want to wait a few weeks. Then again, at least I don't have to deal with those 12 screws LOL

 

[bodaay]

Yeah, i left the screws off for a while because of this, but they are back on as I have little hope.

It's in need of an firmware update. The drive is new, but you can be sure this is going to be addressed sooner or later. Macbooks are pretty mainstream these days

I really don't want to wait a few weeks. Then again, at least I don't have to deal with those 12 screws LOL

If you have access to any unibody 17" macbook pro, you can try swapping the Sata connector with that one. I've already ordered this
http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Pro-17-Inch-Unibody-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF162-015
and waiting for the shipment. The installation should be very simple, its explained in details on iFixIT.

Maybe, according to what I read somewhere else that the sata connector could be inefficient(maybe they are using different brands into different batches) to deliver Sata III speeds. I'm just trying anything even if it doesn't make any sense

And I'm waiting for the C300 as well, which has same problems as intel 510 I think.

I'll keep you guys updated

 

[mac jones]

If you have access to any unibody 17" macbook pro, you can try swapping the Sata connector with that one. I've already ordered this
http://www.ifixit.com/MacBook-Parts/MacBook-Pro-17-Inch-Unibody-Hard-Drive-Cable/IF162-015
and waiting for the shipment. The installation should be very simple, its explained in details on iFixIT.

Maybe, according to what I read somewhere else that the sata connector could be inefficient(maybe they are using different brands into different batches) to deliver Sata III speeds. I'm just trying anything even if it doesn't make any sense

And I'm waiting for the C300 as well, which has same problems as intel 510 I think.

I'll keep you guys updated

I'm not sure what you mean. I have a 17" and it doesn't work, and that link you show is the cable in mine (which doesn't work), for $39 +shipping.

I would not go that route as the answer most likely is a firmware update.(it always is).

Anyway, if it is the cable then none of them are up to spec and the ones that do work are a fluke (variations in manufacturing).

But I don't know, i'm just guessing. Perhaps you are much more knowledgable about this (I hope so as i'm clueless)

BTW, there's another MBP (13") coming to the house in a couple days so i'll test it in that. If that works, then the whole thing is screwy.