SanDisk as bootable external SSD

[CallMeCaillach]

Hello all! I’m trying to create a bootable drive from an external SSD (SanDisk Extreme 1TB portable SSD) for my late 2012 21.5” iMac.



I’m running Catalina, and I’ve formatted the drive AFPS (format) and GUID (scheme), downloaded the Catalina Mac OS installer (of course) and I’m getting nowhere. Each time I try to start up from the external SSD, I get the verboten circle/line icon.



I’ve got my SSD installed on a USB 3.0 port, using a USB-A to USB-C cable (that came with the SanDisk) ~ my iMac does have two Thunderbolt(1) ports, but I’m trying to do this on a budget if I can.



May I ask if anyone might have any suggestions, please?



I do have a copy of Bombich’s CarbonCopy Cloner and I’ve got 1TB of iCloud storage if needed.



I’m attaching screenshots of my specs, if that helps.



I truly appreciate any and all help you might to be so kind as to offer. Thank you! x

 

[Jack Neill]

If your happy with your current install, why not just clone it to the SSD?

 

[CallMeCaillach]

If your happy with your current install, why not just clone it to the SSD?

Thanks for the quick response! x

I tried doing just that (using CCC) and when I tried booting to the SSD, I got the bloody circle/line icon. 🙁

I feel like I’m missing a step or two, but I can’t put my finger on it.

 

[Jack Neill]

Thanks for the quick response! x

I tried doing just that (using CCC) and when I tried booting to the SSD, I got the bloody circle/line icon. 🙁

I feel like I’m missing a step or two, but I can’t put my finger on it.

What version of CCC did you use? 5 or 6?

 

[CallMeCaillach]

What version of CCC did you use? 5 or 6?

CCC 6

 

[Jack Neill]

CCC 6

You're booting from Catalina already? Try 5, I've had mixed results with 6 and clones. You can try superduper as well.

 

[Imac Sam]

You may find this of use: https://bombich.com/kb/ccc6/cloning-macos-system-volumes-apple-software-restore

 

[Fishrrman]

My suggestions.
Please follow my steps in the EXACT ORDER I present them.

Plug in the SSD.

Open disk utility.

Go to the view menu and choose "Show all devices" (VERY IMPORTANT step).

Look on the left, locate the line for the SSD. Click on the line that represents the drive itself (NOT on a logical volume for that drive).

Erase it to APFS, GUID partition format.
(I know you may have erased it before, but do it again)

Now, quit disk utility.

Since you're having problems with CCC, I'd suggest you try SuperDuper instead.
Download it here:

SuperDuper!

SD is FREE to download, and it will do "a full clone" FOREVER without registering. If you want to do incremental cloned backups, for that you need to register.

Now, launch SD and just set it up to clone from the internal drive to the external SSD (it couldn't be simpler).

Let the clone get done, then open the startup disk preference pane.

Do you now see the SSD as a boot drive option?

If so, click the lock and enter your password. Then click the icon for the SSD to select it, then click "restart".

Do you get a good boot from the SSD now...?

 

[Macky-Mac]

Thanks for the quick response! x

I tried doing just that (using CCC) and when I tried booting to the SSD, I got the bloody circle/line icon. 🙁

I feel like I’m missing a step or two, but I can’t put my finger on it.

have you tried holding holding down the "option" key while you boot up? Hopefully you'll get a screen asking which disk you want to boot from