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OS reinstall woes....

D

dodge79

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 26, 2021
10
3
Texas
Hey guys,
Got a mid 2010 mini mac. I purchased a 30.00 usb Sierra High usb install drive and was able to reinstall the OS on the STOCK hd. Upgraded the memory and that does make a difference for sure. thought this thing might really rip with a 1 TB crucial SSD. Got that in place but for some reason the machine doesn't recognize the ssd. I've read a few things and viewed a few YT videos, but... Apparently, I am needing to format the ssd prior to inserting the usb install drive and completing the task. I just ordered a caddy that might allow me to format the ssd after putting the stock hd back in. Any suggestions on how to do this without a caddy? Or maybe that might not work..I dunno. Just an entomologist here with little experience with MACs. thanks so much
 
dodge79 said:
Hey guys,
Got a mid 2010 mini mac. I purchased a 30.00 usb Sierra High usb install drive and was able to reinstall the OS on the STOCK hd. Upgraded the memory and that does make a difference for sure. thought this thing might really rip with a 1 TB crucial SSD. Got that in place but for some reason the machine doesn't recognize the ssd. I've read a few things and viewed a few YT videos, but... Apparently, I am needing to format the ssd prior to inserting the usb install drive and completing the task. I just ordered a caddy that might allow me to format the ssd after putting the stock hd back in. Any suggestions on how to do this without a caddy? Or maybe that might not work..I dunno. Just an entomologist here with little experience with MACs. thanks so much
Click to expand...
You should be able to format your new SSD before using it through use of macOS Recovery mode and Disk Utility. Make sure you format it as APFS and GUID Map Scheme.
 
This should be able to be done with the new ssd in place yes? I know somewhere the drive did show up(the disk utility or reinstall OS feature) but the erase keys etc. were greyed out.

thanks!
 
dodge79 said:
This should be able to be done with the new ssd in place yes? I know somewhere the drive did show up(the disk utility or reinstall OS feature) but the erase keys etc. were greyed out.

thanks!
Click to expand...
When the new drive is installed, boot up the Mac and hold Command + R and you will enter recovery mode. From there you can choose to format your ssd and install your os. If you find that screen where the erase option was greyed out could you take a photo of it and post it here? Thanks
 
theapplehead said:
When the new drive is installed, boot up the Mac and hold Command + R and you will enter recovery mode. From there you can choose to format your ssd and install your os. If you find that screen where the erase option was greyed out could you take a photo of it and post it here? Thanks
Click to expand...
This describes exactly what happened. I suppose there's a chance I didn't connect everything back correctly, but thought at some point I saw a drive with lots of GBs listed. Yes, I will try and get a pic..and thanks!
 
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This is the install page that I eventually navigate to. I thought this was the SSD...but thats 700MB not GB lol. So, it is not showing up here.
IMG_20210727_141403_143.jpeg
 
Here is another image: only the install usb drive is showing for target install options it looks like.
IMG_20210727_141403_143.jpeg
 
It looks like the SSD isn't being seen at all. Can you check if the SSD is working fine by testing it with another machine or in an external enclosure?
 
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dodge79 said:
Here is another image: only the install usb drive is showing for target install options it looks like.View attachment 1811731
Click to expand...
Yeah I second what @Amethyst1 said. From the looks of it your SSD is not being read by your Mac. I would find a way to test it with another computer or external hard drive enclosure to make sure it works. Also, make sure “All Devices and Volumes” is selected on the top left when you’re choosing which devices are being shown in disk utility.
 
That's what I thinking as well. I do have a SSD caddy on order, so that will be the next step. I have other MACs in the lab, so I should be able to just install the OS on the SSD from one of those? Or even clone one and transfer I suppose. First thing would be to make sure the SSD is OK. All those cable connections are so small..these 65 yo eyes even with 3X reading glasses is a bit of a challenge.

thanks again!
 
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dodge79 said:
I have other MACs in the lab, so I should be able to just install the OS on the SSD from one of those?
Click to expand...
That's possible, yes. Also check that the SSD's connectors are properly aligned with the mini's connectors, just in case.
 
Was apparently able to install the OS using another MAC here in the lab on to the new SSD using a usb connection.
But, when I placed the SSD in the MacMini it is not booting up eventually a blinking ? appears. Do I need to enable something prior to attempting to boot up?

thanks!
 
dodge79 said:
Was apparently able to install the OS using another MAC here in the lab on to the new SSD using a usb connection.
But, when I placed the SSD in the MacMini it is not booting up eventually a blinking ? appears. Do I need to enable something prior to attempting to boot up?

thanks!
Click to expand...
What OS are you installing on the SSD? What happens if you bring up the boot picker on the mini (power on and immediately hold down Option on the keyboard)?
 
That's really odd, that the SSD seems to work with the other Mac in your lab but not yours. You reported that the SSD does work with the other Mac via USB...are you currently trying to get the SSD working with your Mac via USB as well?

My only other thought is to maybe get a return on it, or exchange it for another brand of SSD (i.e Samsung).
 
No, I just used the other MAC to connect to the new SSD, format, and install the OS. Everything worked fine apparently there, but when I connect the SSD in the MacMini..it doesnt boot etc.
OK..I just tried the Command+R when attempting to boot to bring the utility up. Looks like the SSD is being recognized. I did find an option to select startup disk..but it is not listed there? The original OS was something (Capitan?), but I was able to upgrade that to the Sierra High.
 
Last edited:
Got er done..

While the new SSD was all in place and connected I brought up the disk utility and erased the disk. May have even re-formatted at that time as well. Then I popped the OS USB install drive in place and booted while pressing down on the command key. At some point a message or window popped up prompting if you wanted to reinstall OS. Was a breeze from there. It seems that the SSD HAS to be in place for the OS install. I did however have to use the usb SSS adaptor and the other MAC to do the initial format.

The mini is now much more responsive with the additional ram and SSD in place.

Thanks guys..we won this one.
 
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