My 2012 Mac mini 2012 256 ssd won’t boot so trying to do install it won’t find the hard drive but disk utility can veryfi it and finds no repairs help!.
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Mac mini 2012 won’t boot
- Thread starter adamcarvell
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I can get the Apple logo then hangs as the progress bar goes across then had flashing question mark. I can also find a usb drive to install time machine on which I’m trying to now
I’ve managed to somehow put OS X onto an old sea gate spinner never done it before it’s slow and noisy. I’m thinking I need new Mac or maybe I can get an external boot drive but haven’t a clue how to proceed or what to buy
If someone can point me in the right direction for external ssd and what to do might buy a few more months
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A Samsung T3, T5 or T7 will work well. I have three of the older T3 SSD's and used one of them for a boot drive on my 2012 Mini for years. Worked great - and you Mini sounds just like mine, I have the quad-core 2.6ghz i7 with original Apple 256gb internal SSD.
These drives will be slightly slower than an internal SSD, but really, the only difference I ever noticed is that it takes about 15 seconds longer to start up from the SSD. I used my Mini heavily with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro and the external SSD worked perfectly.
The T3 has been discontinued but you might find used/refurbs. The T5 is basically the same but (maybe) slightly faster. The T7 is much faster, however you will not be able to take advantage of the greater speed on a 2012 Mini so I would not buy that unless you find a really good deal.
These drives will be slightly slower than an internal SSD, but really, the only difference I ever noticed is that it takes about 15 seconds longer to start up from the SSD. I used my Mini heavily with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro and the external SSD worked perfectly.
The T3 has been discontinued but you might find used/refurbs. The T5 is basically the same but (maybe) slightly faster. The T7 is much faster, however you will not be able to take advantage of the greater speed on a 2012 Mini so I would not buy that unless you find a really good deal.
It’s got to the desktop and I can see the mackingtosh hd. Can I now use disc utility to erase it and start again?
Just checked disc utility it has Mac hd and Mac hd data which says APFS it’s not seeing the internal hd at all so guess that’s finished. I used time machine to get the seagate 500gb 13 year old spinner going temporarily until I get advice on external boot option.
In Disk Utility, make sure to click on the View menu, then select "Show All Devices".
So any external ssd ? Or an internal one in an enclosure is best I’ll buy one tonight I’m in uk though. I can always use it for storage when I get a new Mac late next year.
Your first post says that you have a 256 GB SSD.
Post #9 says you installed a system on an external 500 GB Seagate spinner
Where did the Samsung 512 GB SSD come from?
I have two SSDs installed in MY 2012 mini. Is the Samsung one of two drives in your mini?
If you are not sure, you could post a screenshot of the Disk Utility window.. That might make what you are posting more understandable.
Post #9 says you installed a system on an external 500 GB Seagate spinner
Where did the Samsung 512 GB SSD come from?
I have two SSDs installed in MY 2012 mini. Is the Samsung one of two drives in your mini?
If you are not sure, you could post a screenshot of the Disk Utility window.. That might make what you are posting more understandable.
Ticked show all device in disc utility it still didn’t show the internal drive. It is the original ssd i7 one from 2012
The Samsung is one I’m looking at to buy if it’s the right one. The internal one is 256ssd. The one I’ve put time machine on is old spinner that gets me a desk top.
FWIW, this is the original Apple 256gb SSD in my 2012 Mini (as per System Information)
The fans have been running on it just lately when got opera browser maybe that was a sign the ssd failing. I’m not that good at this it’s all new
All I know is that I have been using the Samsung external SSD's for around three years and they have been great. Very simply, just plug it in and re-format it for the Macintosh. Then you can copy your backup to it and select it in the startup disk system preference.
Since you are in the UK, you will need to do your own shopping. The Samsung T5 and T7 are probably what you will find. The T7 will not be any faster on your 2012 Mini, but would be about twice as fast if you get a new Mac with USB-C ports.
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I’ve found the system information app in utilities but it’s taking ages to load I’m having to type on my iPhone Mac is that slow it’s indexing I think I can hear the plates churning. Will that Samsung t7 i posted just do the job it’s a portable one not one you build your self btw.
Well it’s loaded but under that string no ssd drive you is showing so I assume it’s died.