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HELP needed! not able to install Sonoma on external Samsung SSD attached to Mac Mini M2

D

Dr Zauis101

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 14, 2023
12
1
Hello Mac Forum Members,
Just wanted to ask if anyone able to help me with this issue.
I have a mac mini m2 a few months old but I want to install Sonoma on an external drive.
I have formatted the external drive with APFS, then downloaded Sonoma, started on Safe Mode, selected options, and then Install Sonoma, but after all that, I get this error when I try and reboot on the SSD

An error occurred while setting “Samsung SSD” as the startup disk: The operation couldn’t be completed. (SDErrorDomain error 108)

anyone able to guide me please as my hair is getting a lot like Homer Simpson!
Cannot find any solution on the YouTube or the Internet.

Thank you in advance!
 
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OP:

Have you booted to recovery (on the Mini), and then opened the "startup security" utility and set for "minimum" security? You have to disable all the "protections" (I don't want them, anyway).

I don't believe you can boot from an external drive UNTIL you've done this.

Some other thoughts...
Could you tell us which SSD you have? (manufacturer and form factor)
Could you tell us what enclosure it's in? (manufacturer, 3rd-party, etc.)

With Monterey (yes, I realize it's not "Sonoma"), I found that I could not boot from an external platter-based drive, but COULD boot from an SSD.

I was able to upgrade that (Monterey) external SSD to Sonoma, without problems.

But again, I'm thinking that SOME SSDs in SOME enclosures might not be bootable.
Not "all"... just "some"...
 
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Fishrrman said:
OP:

Have you booted to recovery (on the Mini), and then opened the "startup security" utility and set for "minimum" security? You have to disable all the "protections" (I don't want them, anyway).

I don't believe you can boot from an external drive UNTIL you've done this.

Some other thoughts...
Could you tell us which SSD you have? (manufacturer and form factor)
Could you tell us what enclosure it's in? (manufacturer, 3rd-party, etc.)

With Monterey (yes, I realize it's not "Sonoma"), I found that I could not boot from an external platter-based drive, but COULD boot from an SSD.

I was able to upgrade that (Monterey) external SSD to Sonoma, without problems.

But again, I'm thinking that SOME SSDs in SOME enclosures might not be bootable.
Not "all"... just "some"...
Click to expand...
Hello Fishrrman
how's it going? you good?
Thank you for taking the time to respond and I was unaware of this security setting. So I have managed to change it. but then went back to safe mode and would not boot on the SSD. Doh!

OK so I attached enclosure is a Qwiizlabs 25 pro with an Western Digital NVME SSD model SN350 - 1tb and a Samsung SSD - 1tb attached.

As I have reduced the security do you think i should 'reinstall' ?
 
"I attached enclosure is a Qwiizlabs 25 pro with an Western Digital NVME SSD model SN350 - 1tb and a Samsung SSD - 1tb attached"

I'd disconnect everything EXCEPT the drive from which you're trying to boot (at least for the moment).

Hmmm... that "Quizlabs" is a "dock", right?
Don't use that. I'll bet this is "the problem".
Try using a REAL USB3.1 gen2 SATA enclosure instead.
Like this:

ORICO 2.5'' USB C External Hard Drive Enclosure, SATA 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen2 6Gbps Case for 2.5 Inch HDD/SSD Support Max 6TB with UASP Tool Free(2189C3)

ORICO 2.5'' USB C External Hard Drive Enclosure, SATA 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen2 6Gbps Case for 2.5 Inch HDD/SSD Support Max 6TB with UASP Tool Free(2189C3)
www.amazon.com

It's USB3.1 gen2 (2x as fast as USB3).
MAKE SURE you use a USBc "high speed charging" cable to connect it, otherwise you won't get the full speeds available.

And again... DO NOT connect the drive via "a dock".
Connect it DIRECTLY to the rear of the Mini.

Good luck.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Fishrrman said:
"I attached enclosure is a Qwiizlabs 25 pro with an Western Digital NVME SSD model SN350 - 1tb and a Samsung SSD - 1tb attached"

I'd disconnect everything EXCEPT the drive from which you're trying to boot (at least for the moment).

Hmmm... that "Quizlabs" is a "dock", right?
Don't use that. I'll bet this is "the problem".
Try using a REAL USB3.1 gen2 SATA enclosure instead.
Like this:

ORICO 2.5'' USB C External Hard Drive Enclosure, SATA 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen2 6Gbps Case for 2.5 Inch HDD/SSD Support Max 6TB with UASP Tool Free(2189C3)

ORICO 2.5'' USB C External Hard Drive Enclosure, SATA 3.0 to USB 3.1 Gen2 6Gbps Case for 2.5 Inch HDD/SSD Support Max 6TB with UASP Tool Free(2189C3)
www.amazon.com

It's USB3.1 gen2 (2x as fast as USB3).
MAKE SURE you use a USBc "high speed charging" cable to connect it, otherwise you won't get the full speeds available.

And again... DO NOT connect the drive via "a dock".
Connect it DIRECTLY to the rear of the Mini.

Good luck.
Click to expand...
OK, I will have to purchase this one and try that, see if it works. Thank you
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Hi Everyone. Just to let you know, I've managed to make it work. So thank you all for reaching out. your help was much appreciated.
 
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