Mac mini 7,1 - FusionDrive replacement

[btse]

I recently aquired a Mac mini 7,1 destined for landfill. It had no os on it so I installed Monterey through recovery. Install went fine but it refused to boot. I tried to install Sequoia via oclp, again installation went fine but it refused to boot. I tried Sonoma and Sierra but the installer(s) errored out and froze mid way.

I then tried repartition the drive and it came up with some errors. I tried to do resetFusion which failed with error -69825. I then decided to replace the drive. It took alot of fiddling to dismantle the whole thing but I managed in the end. So in went a samsung ssd. Installer couldn't see it. In went a Verbatim ssd, installer couldn't see it.

The quesion now is what exactly do I need to get a generic ssd working in this machine? Do I need a ssd AND an nvme? Or can I get by with an ssd only? Do I need to do some magic for it to work?

 

[Fishrrman]

Posting "Mac mini 7,1" is often useless -- folks don't know what that means.

It's a 2014 Mini. Folks understand what that means.

The last supported OS that a 2014 Mini can run is OS 12.x Monterey.
Have you tried installing that?

If you have a newer Mac with an m-series chip in it, I'd suggest that you download the FREE utility called "Mist". It can download the OS you need AND create a bootable installer drive in one integrated operation. You'll need at least a 16gb flashdrive, formatted to HFS+.

Another option:
Have you tried booting to INTERNET recovery?
That's "command-OPTION-R" at boot.
I'd suggest you use ethernet for this (not wifi).

After the utilities have loaded, open Disk Utility.
MAKE SURE that you go to the "view" menu and choose "show all devices".
Then erase the internal drive and try an OS install.

Re the fusion drive.
I'd suggest you forget about it.
Erase BOTH internal drives (factory SSD and the one you installed).
Let them now exist as "separate" drives.

Try the OS install on one (or BOTH) of them.
Whatever works, works.

 

[btse]

I did try internet recovery with Monterey and also Sierra, both are available via internet recovery for this machine. "I installed Monterey through recovery" as per above.

I think I'll replace the cable next.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I think I'll replace the cable next."

I wouldn't put much money into a 2014 Mini.

Again, I'd "split" the fusion drive (sounds like you already did, physically).
Don't try to "re-fuse" the drives.
Just let them be "standalone" drives.

If I recall, the 2014 Mini with a fusion drive came with a 128gb SSD and a 1tb HDD (which you replaced).

Even though the 128gb SSD is small, it can still hold the OS, apps, and basic accounts.
Have you tried an OS install onto that one (instead of the verbatim SSD)?

 

[tonmischa]

The quesion now is what exactly do I need to get a generic ssd working in this machine? Do I need a ssd AND an nvme? Or can I get by with an ssd only? Do I need to do some magic for it to work?

I have performed the same HDD exchange on a FusionDrive MacMini7,1 a few times and had no problems. I split the Fusion Drive and replaced the HDD with an EVO 860 2TB.
The original 128 GB stick is still in it and is used as boot drive. The 2 TB Evo holds the data but could have been used as boot drive as well. The installer saw it.)

A few initial thoughts:
- Look through https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+mini+Late+2014+Hard+Drive+Replacement/32815 . maybe you missed something?
- Before installation, how did you format the 128 GB stick? how did you format the new SSD? Both need GUID partition scheme and the intended boot disk needs APFS.
- I did a vanilla Montery Install first to test everything, then later OCLP to Sonoma. (Sequioa had performance issues.)
(you seem knowledgeable in Terminal, so I assume you did all the above by yourself.)

TBH I would test for a hardware problem next. Maybe on the cable. Maybe on the controller. Have you tried the Apple Hardware Diagnostics?

You said "it refused to boot". Can you elaborate on that? (EDIT: Probably moot, because you exchanged the HDD afterwards...)

 

[ivnj]

Try booting from an external.

 

[maflynn]

I recently aquired a Mac mini 7,1

Mini 7.1?

Better to say the year as mentioned by @Fishrrman It saves me clicks to google what that is

The quesion now is what exactly do

See below:

landfill.

its a 12 year old computer that is not working, There's a saying throwing good money after bad, and this is a prime example. Some things are destined for the landfill. Turn it into apple for recycling if your conscience is bothering you about throwing it away.

 

[Fishrrman]

maflynn wrote:
"Mini 7.1?
Better to say the year as mentioned by @Fishrrman It saves me clicks to google what that is"

Whenever I see something like "Mini 7,1", I know whoever is posting that isn't from the USA. I guess that's what they call them in Europe and elsewhere...

 

[vader_slri]

maflynn wrote:
"Mini 7.1?
Better to say the year as mentioned by @Fishrrman It saves me clicks to google what that is"

Whenever I see something like "Mini 7,1", I know whoever is posting that isn't from the USA. I guess that's what they call them in Europe and elsewhere...

What? “Macmini7,1” is an official Apple USA model identifier. See here:

Identify your Mac mini model - Apple Support

Learn all the ways to identify your Mac mini model.

support.apple.com

 

[FreakinEurekan]

What? “Macmini7,1” is an official Apple USA model identifier.

So is "Mac mini (Late 2014)" - and that one's a lot easier to parse/understand.

 

[vader_slri]

So is "Mac mini (Late 2014)" - and that one's a lot easier to parse/understand.

I agree, but the post I was responding to suggested that “7,1” was some sort of non-US model designation which is clearly incorrect.

 

[fricotin]

Mini 7.1?

Better to say the year as mentioned by @Fishrrman It saves me clicks to google what that is


See below:


its a 12 year old computer that is not working, There's a saying throwing good money after bad, and this is a prime example. Some things are destined for the landfill. Turn it into apple for recycling if your conscience is bothering you about throwing it away.

My 2012 mini connected to three external drives begs to differ...

 

[maflynn]

My 2012 mini connected to three external drives begs to differ...

The difference is you have a working computer, where as the OP needs to spend time and probably money to get a non-functioning computer to work. So beg all you want, it doesn't change the fact that spending money on such an old computer is ill-advised. Also, who cares if your mini is connected to three monitors, is that some weird so of flex?

 

[Snowlover]

I have a 7,1 with one ssd. After messing with OCLP and deciding to erase and reinstall back to Mojave, mine also refused to boot . I solved the issue by resetting pram/nvram.

To reset PRAM/NVRAM, restart your Mini and press and hold the following key combo: Option + Command + P + R.

You’ll want to listen for the Apple “chime” twice or even 3 times. Then release the keys and let it boot.


Did you format the samsung and verbatim ssds before installing them into the mini?
Try them in an external usb3 case and format as guid partition table and apfs. Then try to install os to them, and boot from the external before putting back in mini.

 

[fricotin]

The difference is you have a working computer, where as the OP needs to spend time and probably money to get a non-functioning computer to work. So beg all you want, it doesn't change the fact that spending money on such an old computer is ill-advised. Also, who cares if your mini is connected to three monitors, is that some weird so of flex?

Three external drives...