2015 27" iMac Fusion Failure

[Oldmanmac]

When I turn my iMac on, it doesn't start. The chime chimes, but nothing else. So, I start with an external drive. The internal drive shows on the desktop, but doesn't on 'Startup Disk'.
I think it is dying. With 45 days of AC+ left now is the time.

Should they(Apple) replaces the drive, how many chances are there that I could pay a difference and get a SSDF instead?

AND are there TB3 cables? What seperates them from TB2?

 

[Fishrrman]

You have AppleCare?
Then... what are you waiting for?
Make a genius bar appt. TODAY.
Get "what you paid for".

But...I believe the following is true:

If there is an internal drive failure
and
if you take it to Apple
then
... they will only "repair" it to the same configuration that you brought it in with.

But again, since you have AppleCare -- take it in right away!

 

[mikehalloran]

Should they(Apple) replaces the drive, how many chances are there that I could pay a difference and get a SSDF instead?

None.

You have AppleCare?
Then... what are you waiting for?
Make a genius bar appt. TODAY.
Get "what you paid for".
...
But again, since you have AppleCare -- take it in right away!

Exactly!

There's always the chance that it is something else, too.

 

[Oldmanmac]

I *AM* taking it on Mon(17th, don't want to be without it all weekend).

I figured they'd only take it back to stock. The internal HD(fusion) icon shows on the desktop, but not a startup option.

 

[Oldmanmac]

**UPDATE**

Took & pickers up from the Apple Store. All they did was reformat and put a OS(Mojave) on it. I couldn't migrate my stuff back, I couldn't reformat it & CCC it back either. Calling AC+.

 

[Fishrrman]

"All they did was reformat and put a OS(Mojave) on it. I couldn't migrate my stuff back, I couldn't reformat it & CCC it back either."

You have a CCC cloned backup?
And you can't mount it?
Please explain in detail what went wrong.

If you have a cloned backup, and if you can mount the drive on the desktop, you CAN "get your stuff back".
But... you have to know what to do.

 

[mikehalloran]

I couldn't reformat it & CCC it back either

That is to be expected.

Those who constantly beat the cloning drum don't understand that there are very good reasons why Apple has never recommended it and never will.

I couldn't migrate my stuff back,

From where?

Migration Assistant can pull from a Time Machine backup or any other drive. It will not restore an older OS. Just ask it to pull your settings, apps and documents. If you've redone your settings, have it pull over just your apps and documents.

You caused this problem because you didn't know what you were doing. Use the correct tools. Get Apple Support on the phone with you if you're having problems restoring your apps and documents. Cloning will not work here but pulling from a clone will.
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If you have a cloned backup, and if you can mount the drive on the desktop, you CAN "get your stuff back".
But... you have to know what to do.

Exactly.

 

[CoastalOR]

Those who constantly beat the cloning drum don't understand that there are very good reasons why Apple has never recommended it and never will.

Nonsense. So why does Apple provide Restore in their Disk Utility?
https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

 

[mikehalloran]

So why does Apple provide Restore in their Disk Utility?
https://support.apple.com/guide/disk-utility/restore-a-disk-dskutl14062/mac

Ain't the same. Restore creates a true duplicate.

So-called cloning software is a disingenuous use of the word. CCC, SuperDuper! et all do not actually clone a disk—ever—they can't. it's in the fine print that they don't. You must reinstall the OS to create a Repair Partition, for example. There are other differences.

I use CCC for specific tasks. Used correctly, it's a time saver. The way most use it, it's a time waster and can cause problems.

I'm not blaming cloning for the problems in the OP. Mere misuse of CCC couldn't have caused this. Attempting to partition a Fusion drive that would have shipped with HS or Mojave without having a clue is what did it. Thinking that CCC can help restore is just a symptom of the problem.

The Apple tools are the correct ones to use here. In this case, it's Migration Assistant providing he can get a TimeMachine backup or clone to mount. The files need to be pulled into the Mac, not pushed from another volume.

My work here is done.