Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
The Samsung 840/840 Pro SSD thread
- Thread starter Hexley
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Has anyone successfully updated their Samsung 840 Pro using a bootable disk with the latest Mac version of the firmware, which is entitled, "DXM05B0Q_Mac.iso"?
I've followed Samsung's instructions to the letter, created a bootable CD and DVD, and started my MacBook Pro 2012 using the [Option] key and I keep getting the same, "No bootable device found" error that others have noted. It's bad enough that I have to pull my Data Doubler and reinstall the optical drive. This is maddening.
I also selected the startup disk in preferences, and the DVD shows, but it indicates it's a Windows disk. Shouldn't it show up as a DOS disk? And yes, I've confirmed that I have the correct ISO file. By the way, my 840 Pro currently has the DXM03B0Q firmware installed, so I'd really like to update it with the latest version.
I've followed Samsung's instructions to the letter, created a bootable CD and DVD, and started my MacBook Pro 2012 using the [Option] key and I keep getting the same, "No bootable device found" error that others have noted. It's bad enough that I have to pull my Data Doubler and reinstall the optical drive. This is maddening.
I also selected the startup disk in preferences, and the DVD shows, but it indicates it's a Windows disk. Shouldn't it show up as a DOS disk? And yes, I've confirmed that I have the correct ISO file. By the way, my 840 Pro currently has the DXM03B0Q firmware installed, so I'd really like to update it with the latest version.
Last edited:
When you say you're pulling your data doubler, are you pulling the SSD out too? Or do you have the original HDD in there? I suppose my question is: are you booting the disc with your SSD installed via an internal SATA connection, or with it connected via USB?
The firmware updater seems to only work for drives connected via SATA.
I'm booting from the reinstalled Superdrive, but I kept the SSD installed in the bay that normally houses the traditional hard drive. I spent about an hour on the phone with representatives from Samsung and Apple and nobody could figure out the problem.
In the end, I simply don't have the time to waste on a simple firmware upgrade so rather than upgrade to the latest version of Parallels, which I was just about to do, I'll simply purchase a copy of Windows 7 and install Bootcamp, which should allow me to complete the upgrade process. Plus, I won't have to keep tearing my MacBook Pro apart for each firmware upgrade.
What is totally ridiculous to me is that Samsung is the OFFICIAL supplier of SSDs to Apple. There should already be a built-in way or Mac compatible app to upgrade Samsung's SSD firmware for the Mac.
Are there any issues with upgrading the firmware with Bootcamp and Windows 7?
Trying to upgrade the firmware on my Samsung Pro 840 SSD has officially become an obsession. Unfortunately, I am no closer now than I was three days ago. As it turns out Apple won't let you install Bootcamp if your MacBook is missing the built-in optical drive. Ridiculous. So once again I have to crack open my MacBook Pro and pull the OWC Data Doubler, which, to me, is stupid, stupid, stupid.
Before I continue with this madness, has anyone had any success updating their Samsung Pro 840 firmware by simply connecting their Samsung SSD externally to a PC, via USB or some other means? Please help me end this nightmare.
Before I continue with this madness, has anyone had any success updating their Samsung Pro 840 firmware by simply connecting their Samsung SSD externally to a PC, via USB or some other means? Please help me end this nightmare.
Well after a whole afternoon, I successfully upgraded to the DXM05B0Q firmware using Bootcamp and Windows 8.
However, in order to do this (at least with my MacBook Pro 9,1), I had to remove the OWC Data Doubler and reinstall the stock optical drive. Why, I have absolutely no idea, especially since Bootcamp (nor Windows 8) uses the optical drive to perform any of the install, instead relying instead on a USB drive.
After playing around with Windows 8 I finally crash it and can longer boot into the Windows 8 partition, which means it's out of here. What a major fiasco just to update the Samsung SSD firmware. I'm not sure what kind of performance ore reliability improvements this latest firmware update offers, but I sure it was worth it.
Now, onto reformatting my Samsung 840 Pro and reinstalling Parallels and Windows 8 under the Mac OS.
However, in order to do this (at least with my MacBook Pro 9,1), I had to remove the OWC Data Doubler and reinstall the stock optical drive. Why, I have absolutely no idea, especially since Bootcamp (nor Windows 8) uses the optical drive to perform any of the install, instead relying instead on a USB drive.
After playing around with Windows 8 I finally crash it and can longer boot into the Windows 8 partition, which means it's out of here. What a major fiasco just to update the Samsung SSD firmware. I'm not sure what kind of performance ore reliability improvements this latest firmware update offers, but I sure it was worth it.
Now, onto reformatting my Samsung 840 Pro and reinstalling Parallels and Windows 8 under the Mac OS.
Hi guys, I'm planning to get a 840 EVO-series SSD as an external drive for my MBP to store my photos, while running Photoshop from the laptop.
What is the best external enclosure to go with this drive?
I read that some people buy a Lacie Rugged and use it as an enclosure but to me this is such a waste because I'll have no need of the 500GB or 1TB HD drive that came with the Lacie. Buffalo makes a TB drive too but it seems like a big hassle to replace its factory drive.
This leaves me with all USB3.0 enclosures, but Amazon.com's reviews are all over the place, some say never to use them with OSX, some claim slow speeds with SSD, and some report data corruption. So I'm super confused by the choices
What is the best external enclosure to go with this drive?
I read that some people buy a Lacie Rugged and use it as an enclosure but to me this is such a waste because I'll have no need of the 500GB or 1TB HD drive that came with the Lacie. Buffalo makes a TB drive too but it seems like a big hassle to replace its factory drive.
This leaves me with all USB3.0 enclosures, but Amazon.com's reviews are all over the place, some say never to use them with OSX, some claim slow speeds with SSD, and some report data corruption. So I'm super confused by the choices
I have a macbook pro 15" late 2011 version with 750 GB 5400 rpm and I'm buying a SSD. Right now I'm flipping coin between the Samsung SSD 840 PROSeries 512GB and the Samsung SSD 840 EVO 1TB, the pricedifference is not big but the storagespace is.
I'm working with heavy photographs everyday in OS X and it would be great if a SSD can speed up the process. Yes, I'm using Windows 8.1 in bootcamp right now (but Windows is just for EVE Online and other games). So it would be great if I can partition the SSD aswell.
I want to replace my current HDD with a SSD, but keep the opticaldrive.
PRO or EVO? What would you choose and why? I'm clueless and just want a good SSD.
I'm working with heavy photographs everyday in OS X and it would be great if a SSD can speed up the process. Yes, I'm using Windows 8.1 in bootcamp right now (but Windows is just for EVE Online and other games). So it would be great if I can partition the SSD aswell.
I want to replace my current HDD with a SSD, but keep the opticaldrive.
PRO or EVO? What would you choose and why? I'm clueless and just want a good SSD.
evo is no brainer from what i have read on this forum, it will outlive your computer, only people wanting to justify their purchase of the pro will tell you different
Agreed.... unless you are an extremely heavy user, there is no reason to pay more for the Pro. These things will last longer than the computer.
I forgot to mention that the 1TB EVO version is actually more expensive (4659 NOK = 785.75 USD) compared with the 512 GB PRO version (3449 NOK to 582.93 USD). The pricedifference is not big.
In my mind, more space is better, but is it really better? What doesnt make the 1TB EVO cost 1575.50 USD?
Can anyone guide me on how to burn the firmware update ISO? Ive tried using Disk Utility to burn the contents to a RW-DVD (The ISO contains an IMG, and I've burned the files from this IMG to the disc), but my Mac Mini with the Samsung Pro 840 SSD does not recognize it as a bootable disc. Any advice?
Also, the revision of this drive is DXT06L6Q, which I assume is really old? I bought it used.
Also, the revision of this drive is DXT06L6Q, which I assume is really old? I bought it used.
Just drag the ISO to the left column of Disk Utility and burn it. The best disc to use is a plain CD-R for the FW update.
Also, the CD-ROM drive must be on the Mini's main SATA bus in order to work. External ROM drives will not allow this to work.
Ah, there we go then. Im running of Apples external Superdrive. Thank you.
So your Bootcamp successfully saw your USB key? I'm using VMWare and the Magician software from Samsung doesn't seem to detect my USB stick..
Could also be because I'm trying to do it on my computer that doesn't have an SSD installed. No idea. Really annoying though!
I updated the firmware on my SSD using the Apple external DVD drive with my 2012 Mini just today. No issues.
You need to burn the ISO itself to the CD, not the individual files inside the ISO, as described in the post above yours, from SandboxGeneral. That's why it's not booting.
I'm sure it has been already discussed in the previous pages but I can't go through all of them now.. so I hope you don't kill me if I ask you the following:
1) does the 840 512 GB Evo need TRIM to be enabled?
2) if 1) is YES, can it be enabled only on that SSD, if I install it in the OptiBay of my Mid-2010 MBP? In the main disk slot I have a 256 GB OCZ Vertex 4.
3) Doesn't Samsung provide a USB-installable firmware updater as OCZ does?
4) Firmware updater work as expected if you have two differently-branded SSD in your system?
Thank you very much in advance for any help
1) does the 840 512 GB Evo need TRIM to be enabled?
2) if 1) is YES, can it be enabled only on that SSD, if I install it in the OptiBay of my Mid-2010 MBP? In the main disk slot I have a 256 GB OCZ Vertex 4.
3) Doesn't Samsung provide a USB-installable firmware updater as OCZ does?
4) Firmware updater work as expected if you have two differently-branded SSD in your system?
Thank you very much in advance for any help
You are indeed correct sir! Now I have the Mac mini booted of the CD, from the external drive also.
One problem though, I now have a black screen, with "FreeDos" written it in the top left corner along with a blinking marker next to, and has been sitting like that for 10 minutes now without anything happening. Is that normal?
Edit: I have a hunch that Disk Utility isn't burning it properly. Or maybe it is the RW disc I am using, as suggested above.
Edit 2: Well, VMWare Fusion didn't help out. Samsung Magician software couldn't see the SSD. Bummer. And it wouldn't even let me create a USB stick, because it couldn't see an SSD. Stupid software. Time to get me a CD-R.
Last edited:
A CD-R didnt make any difference, still stuck at the Freedos image. I ended up installing bootcamp on the machine, but alas, samsung magician still didnt ser the drive! So now i am thinking that the drive itself is strange, so I have contactef Samsung.
I'm sorry to bother you, but I've been trying to update for months in my spare time - I can't get it to work. If you could suggest what else to try, I would appreciate it.
I have a 2012 CMBP 15', 840 SSD. When I make the disk (by dragging the iso from the download tab in Safari to the left column on Disk Utility, I burn the disk then it returns "No bootable device ― insert boot disk and press any key" when I boot. I recently put in a parallels/Windows 8, and could try that route if you think it might help. I appreciate your time,
R.
Instead of dragging the ISO from the download tab in Safari, try dragging it from the Downloads folder into Disk Utility. Who knows, maybe it'll make a difference since this is a very finicky process.
- Next be sure to use a regular CD-R disc.
- Then you must use the built in Superdrive to boot from. External drives not on the main SATA bus will not let this work.
- You cannot do this via Parallels or Fusion. But if you put Windows into BootCamp you can update it via the Samsung software.
Good luck!
As mentioned above, booting the Samsung ISO worked fine for me using a DVD-RW + external drive. External drive also worked fine for another guy above.