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How to boot Studio Max from external SSD?

L

Ladd

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 1, 2014
66
19
After updating from a 2009 Mac Pro to a Studio Max, I just tried to reboot my new Studio Max from an external SSD clone and was quickly reminded that that doesn't work, as the external SSD clone doesn't show up in the "startup disks" listing.

I have vague recollections however that this is possible after jumping though some hoops. If someone would be so kind as to let me know the steps needed to do this, I would be most appreciative.
 
I don’t understand your answer; my Studio Max is Apple silicon, not Intel.
 
Sorry, I assumed that you were trying to boot a clone of your Intel Mac Pro on your Mac Studio? Wasn't sure of the relevance of mentioning the Mac Pro otherwise.

If you're doing ARM Mac cloning, it's problematic yes. Which cloning software are you using? CCC 6 can do it as of the last year, as can Super Duper.
 
I mentioned that my previous computers was a 2009 Mac Pro mostly to illustrate how much has changed since then and the acquisition of my new Studio Max (and my lack of knowledge); one of which is one can no longer (easily?) boot off of a external clone of the Mac Studio SSD. Making the clone is no problem; booting off the external clone appears to be.
 
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If the external drive isn't running a version of macOS that supports ARM (aka Big Sur or higher) will not boot on your Studio because ARM isn't compatible with older OSs.
 
I guess I need to apologize for not being clear. I have made a clone of my new Studio Max internal SSD running Monterey to an external SSD and wish to boot the computer from the external SSD.
 
How did you clone your internal SSD? SuperDuper? Carbon Copy Cloner? DD?

I use SuperDuper to backup my Mac Studio. This is what your cloned drive must look like to be bootable.
 

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SuperDuper.

From previous comments, is it being suggested that CCC will make a clone that will be recognized in System Preferences as a startup disk?
 
@Ladd CCC will make a bootable clone. I've done it several times, works every time. Just download the free trial, no need to pay for it at this point, unless you already have a subscription.

If this doesn't work, then maybe your internal SSD is somehow encrypted and prevents you from making a bootable clone, which would be really weird.

The other thing you can do is install a fresh copy of macOS to the external SSD and use Migration Assistant to transfer everything from a backup of the internal drive.
 
Thanks for the reply. Filevault is NOT turned on, at least according to System Preferences/Security and Privacy.

SuperDuper has always worked for me for making bootable clones (as of last week when I was still using Mohave on the 2009 Mac Pro); if CCC works better, I would be happy to give it a try.

Installing MacOS Monterey to the external SSD then doing a Migration Assistant sounds like a lot of work, but if it will then be select-able in System Preferences/Startup Disk as a valid boot disk, then it might be an option.
 
onefish2 said:
How did you clone your internal SSD? SuperDuper? Carbon Copy Cloner? DD?

I use SuperDuper to backup my Mac Studio. This is what your cloned drive must look like to be bootable.
Click to expand...
I see only the internal Mac HD SSD when Startup Disk searches for bootable disks.

Perhaps I need a direct Thunderbolt connection from the external SSD to the Studio Max? I'm using either a USB3 to USBC connection or a Firewire800 to Thunderbolt adapter to Thunderbolt 2-to-3 adapter.

Time to start shopping for an external SATA SSD case with a Thunderbolt connection. I wonder if USBC would be sufficient ...
 
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I looked at mine, could select the external drive as a startup disk.

But, my Samsung 1TB T5 with Mac OS 12.3.1 is asking for me to use recovery to update the OS on the drive.
 
I thought there was a security feature on new OS since Catalina that requires you to set Security feature to allow external hard drive boot.

I believe you need to get into the recovery mode, and set the security level to allow booting from external drive.
 
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When I was having trouble creating a bootable cloned external drive with SuperDuper this is the advice I received and it worked although it took a LONG time! He suggested Coca to prevent my Studio display from sleeping. I think the key though was using the erase then copy "option" since this is what copied the start up files. After doing this my external drive was visible and selectable as a start up drive. After this initial endeavor I switched SD back to update changes rather than erase and copy.

Your Mac has fallen asleep during the copy, even though we asked it not to, or something similar -- as you can see, Apple's error is vague and unhelpful.

But, in our experience, this usually works. Please reformat the backup drive:

- Open Disk Utility
- Choose "Show All Devices" from the View menu
- Select the destination drive hardware (above the existing volume)
- Click Erase
- Choose the "GUID" partition scheme (2nd pop-up), THEN "APFS" formatting (1st pop-up) and name appropriately
- Click Erase

Then restart your Mac. Install Coca (free) from the App Store and enable it to keep your Mac awake -- *including* the screen. Ensure it's plugged in if it's a laptop. Turn Time Machine off temporarily. Then try the erase-then-copy backup again.
Click to expand...
 
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Working on a Samsung 2TB T7 for external boot.

Just used trial copy of CCC, legacy settings to erase target and clone the boot drive.

Took about 45 minutes, selected it as the boot drive, granted admin access to drive (several different popups) and booted onto the drive.

Never increased security on the Mac Studio, so it booted off the USB-C drive.
 
OP:

After trying the changes suggested by yukari in reply 16 above, did you succeed in booting from the external drive?
 
Fishrrman said:
OP:

After trying the changes suggested by yukari in reply 16 above, did you succeed in booting from the external drive?
Click to expand...
I did an "erase and copy" on the external SSD and copied the Studio Max internal SSD. Even after going through the "recovery" process and enabling the external boot function, the external SSD still doesn't appear in the "Startup Disk" listing in System Preferences.

At this point, I'm assuming it is because the external SSD is in a Firewire 800 case connected to the Studio Max via Firewire 800-to-Thunderbolt and Thunderbolt-to-Thunderbolt 3 adapters. I will next try the external SSD in a USB3.x dock, but don't have high hopes for that as I vaguely recall Macs aren't happy booting from USB.

I am in the process of shopping for USB-C or Thunderbolt enclosures to get a more modern connection type.
 
OP:
"I will next try the external SSD in a USB3.x dock, but don't have high hopes for that as I vaguely recall Macs aren't happy booting from USB."

I don't think you're going to get one of "the new OS's" booted from firewire.

I tried creating a cloned backup of my MBP 14" onto a PATA (parallel ATA) drive in a USB2 enclosure -- the files copied properly, the backup shows up as being "bootable" when I go to startup options, BUT... it won't boot. I'm thinking it has more to do with the enclosure/connection setup than it does with the drive. Or it could be the old 40-pin ATA drive and the controller board -- not compatible with the modern Mac OS.

HOWEVER...
I DO suggest that you try the USB/SATA docking station.
In fact, I'd suggest you try that RIGHT AWAY, before doing anything else.

Come back and report the results you get.
 
Fishrrman said:
I DO suggest that you try the USB/SATA docking station.
In fact, I'd suggest you try that RIGHT AWAY, before doing anything else.

Come back and report the results you get.
Click to expand...
Just put the external SATA SSD into an external drive dock and the SSD is now visible in the "Startup Disks" panel. This occurs when the external drive dock is connected to the Studio Max via eSATA-to-USB3.0 cable to a rear USB3.1 port OR the eSATA-to-USB3.0 cable connected to a small four-port USB 3.x dock connected to the front USB C port.

I'm in the middle of something right now so I can't restart the computer, but I will test actual boot capabilities later. I'm guessing the older Firewire 800 external case with the multiple adapters was simply too far off the mark for the Studio to recognize the external SSD.
 
OP wrote:
"This occurs when the external drive dock is connected to the Studio Max via eSATA-to-USB3.0 cable to a rear USB3.1 port OR the eSATA-to-USB3.0 cable connected to a small four-port USB 3.x dock connected to the front USB C port."

For booting, I would not rely on a connection "through a USB dock". (try it, however, to see if it works, and report your results)

Plug the drive dock DIRECTLY into the back of the Studio via one of the USBc ports.

So... perhaps you could try booting BOTH ways and let us know, please?
 
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