Trying to run a TB5-enclosure drives me crazy!

[macerkopp]

For a few days I tried to use an external TB5/80Gbps-enclosure on my new M4max. But a new day, a now issue with my MacStudio, it doesn`t work as expected...
Meanwhile I tried it with two different enclosures an the original cables and a seperately bought one as well. And I´m in the comfortable situation to own still my old M1max, so I`m able to double-check it there. I used to use all time TB3-enclosures from Acasis together witch WD SN850x SSD, without any issue so far.

Following results with my two test enclosures:
Enclosure A:
M1max: recognized as TB4, runs perfectly with expectable speeds
M4max: recognized as USBC4 V2 in system information, but the drive itself is not even being mounted, so it`s not to see or use in the finder.

Enclosure B:
M1max: recognized as TB4, runs perfectly
M4max: recognized as TB3(?) in system information, drive is mounted, shown and readable in the finder - but as soon I try to write on it
it gets unmounted.

So my big question mark is, what is getting wrong here? And my biggest concern meanwhile is: is my M4max out of order??
Any thoughts or ideas by the community are very welcome!
Is somebody running a TB5-enclosure on MacStudio M4max, what is working definatly, so I could double check the
behavior of my own M4max to foreclose issues with my Mac?

Enclosure A

ANYOYO 80 Gbit/s M.2 NVMe SSD-Gehäuse unterstützt bis zu 8 TB intelligente Temperaturregelung und Lüfterkühlung, kompatibel mit Thunderbolt 3/4/5/USB4, abwärtskompatibel mit USB 3.2/3.1/3.0 (Schwarz)

ANYOYO 80 Gbit/s SSD-Gehäuse. Entfesseln Sie die Leistung der Hochgeschwindigkeits-Datenübertragung mit dem ANYOYO 80 Gbit/s SSD-Gehäuse. High-Speed-Leistung: Mit einer beeindruckenden Datenübertragungsrate von 80 Gbit/s sorgt dieses Gehäuse für blitzschnelle Datenübertragungen, wodurch Wartezeit...

www.amazon.de

Enclosure B

QWIIZLAB Lüfterloses 80Gbps NVMe Gehäuse mit Aluminiumgehäuse, kompatibel mit Thunderbolt 5/4/3, abwärtskompatibel mit USB4/UBS3.2/3.1/3.0, unterstützt PCIe M.2 SSD bis zu 8 TB (Silber)

Erleben Sie externe Speicherlösungen der nächsten Generation mit unserem lüfterlosen 80-Gbit/s-Thunderbolt-5-NVMe-SSD-Gehäuse. Das vollständig aus Aluminium gefertigte Gehäuse verfügt über ein innovatives Lamellendesign in Kombination mit einer Kupferplatte für optimale Wärmeableitung und sorgt s...

www.amazon.de

 

[okkibs]

Probably comes down to Thunderbolt controller incompatibilities. It's what happens when buying no-name stuff off the marketplace. It might work, it might not work, but there isn't any brand name behind it that guarantees compatibility or checks for it, and there certainly won't be any support.

 

[macerkopp]

Yeah, can`t argue in principle with that argument, but there are a lot of users/user reports, reporting these gadgets run very properly. And: I wouldn`t name Acasis (new named Anyoyo) as a "no name" in that matter. They built in the past very successful enclosures for TB3.
I`d claim not only OWC is able to build this stuff successfully- and if you´d look for some user experiences reporting their experiences with that enclosures then you`d find a lot of issues as well. Only the pricing is three times higher as the so called "no names"

 

[okkibs]

I agree with you there and OWC probably isn't often worth the premium they charge. And cheaper brands like Anker often slap their label on a generic design sold by various brands. Regardless, I'd start by looking up what specific controller your enclosures use and see if there are any user reports or other info on compatibility with various Mac generations to be found.

Weird that Acasis renamed to Anyoyo. I'd give Acasis a try as they seem to have established a brand of well working products but renaming that to sound like one of the dozens fake brands on amazon might not have been the best move.

Also not all ports on the Studio are necessarily equal. You might find the front ports don't behave the same as the back ports. At least according to user reports the front ports don't always work so well it seems.

 

[Ifti]

Could be something to do with your computer. I've been through a whole host of enclosures and they have been fine. They all typically run the same JHL9480 chipset, which handles the TB5 level 80Gbs speeds, and the Realtek RTL9210, which deals with backwards compatibility. These are proven chipsets that work especially well.
Most current 80Gbps enclosures run this chipset pair, so they are all pretty much the same, just wrapped up in a different external design etc.

Only a few OWC drives, and Sabrent drives, are actually TB5 certified by Intel. These are typically the drives that are not user serviceable though. Because of the huge number of possibilities with enclosures depending upon the SSD inserted inside, Intel does not certify them, but they are instead marketed as 'Compatible with TB5'. In essence, the speed etc is the same.

Just this weekend I have been testing the Qwiizlab you have linked to in your first post (I also have a M4 Max) and after various speed tests etc I've been getting fantastic performance from it. No disconnection issues. Nothing at all.

The only disconnect issues I had was with an OWC Envoy Ultra. It was quickly replaced by OWC, and my replacement worked perfectly well. So that was down to a drive error of some kind. Otherwise, with all the drives I've been through, all have worked perfectly well......

BTW, I only use Apple's Thunderbolt Pro cables - although that shouldn't make any difference......

 

[macerkopp]

@Ifti
Thanks a lot for this very valuable information. Valuable but concerning, because it seems to approve my suspicions something would be wrong with my MacStudio. So I`ve to talk with Apple about it, hoping for a quick replacement.

 

[maflynn]

@Ifti
Thanks a lot for this very valuable information. Valuable but concerning, because it seems to approve my suspicions something would be wrong with my MacStudio. So I`ve to talk with Apple about it, hoping for a quick replacement.

To build upon @Ifti, if you have an Apple store near can you take the enclosure too, then you can plug it into one of their macs to see if its behaving any different, i.e., if it works then maybe its specific to your mac

 

[maflynn]

The only disconnect issues I had was with an OWC Envoy Ultra.

Not for nothing, but I have that drive, and its been perfect for me. Zero disconnects (*knocks on wood*)

 

[macerkopp]

To build upon @Ifti, if you have an Apple store near can you take the enclosure too, then you can plug it into one of their macs to see if its behaving any different, i.e., if it works then maybe its specific to your mac

A really good idea indeed, but it will take me at least 1 hour to get there, so, yes, it is an opportunity now, knowing by @Ifti `s information that a least one of my enclosures is supposed to work really.

EDITH: was just in contact with the Apple hotline. They offered a visit of a technician here at home or sending out the Mac to repair. Hmmm, hoped they would offer a pre-replacement with an other MacStudio, but as I learned that is only available for IOS gadgets. Hmmm, not amused, I mean if there would be issues with the TB5 lines located on the mainbord, what a technician could do out of an specific workshop?!

 

[Ifti]

Not for nothing, but I have that drive, and its been perfect for me. Zero disconnects (*knocks on wood*)

It seemed to be a drive issue. All my other OWC drives have always been spot on, and my replacement Envoy Ultra has also been perfect. I do trust OWC drives - never had any issues with them and performance has always been great!

A really good idea indeed, but it will take me at least 1 hour to get there, so, yes, it is an opportunity now, knowing by @Ifti `s information that a least one of my enclosures is supposed to work really.

EDITH: was just in contact with the Apple hotline. They offered a visit of a technician here at home or sending out the Mac to repair. Hmmm, hoped they would offer a pre-replacement with an other MacStudio, but as I learned that is only available for IOS gadgets. Hmmm, not amused, I mean if there would be issues with the TB5 lines located on the mainbord, what a technician could do out of an specific workshop?!

When it comes to computers they do tend to repair rather than replace. If it is the main board causing the error (which for I/O ports, is most likely) then they will request the computer is returned to them and they will replace the entire board.

They only tend to replace the entire machine if you have repeat recurring issues and have had to send it in 3-4 times already. And only then, after some complaining!

I had this issue with a previous MacBook. The TB3 ports would keep randomly disconnecting my drives. Luckily it was just before my 3 year AppleCare was due to end. I'm talking literally 2 weeks or so before it was ending!
Apple just replaced the entire mainboard under warranty, and it was fine after that.

 

[macerkopp]

I had this issue with a previous MacBook. The TB3 ports would keep randomly disconnecting my drives. Luckily it was just before my 3 year AppleCare was due to end. I'm talking literally 2 weeks or so before it was ending!
Apple just replaced the entire mainboard under warranty, and it was fine after that.

I always struggled with me if to book AC+ ... or better to safe the money. For years I`ve never had any issue with Iphones, Ipads or Macs. So - why the hell drop the money into Apples throat?! Particularly for a desktop, what could happen?! And just this time I took the money - and it seems I did it right, although I`m in first two months now with my Mac, so regular guaranty had effected the same actions now, I think

 

[Ifti]

I always struggled with me if to book AC+ ... or better to safe the money. For years I`ve never had any issue with Iphones, Ipads or Macs. So - why the hell drop the money into Apples throat?! Particularly for a desktop, what could happen?! And just this time I took the money - and it seems I did it right, although I`m in first two months now with my Mac, so regular guaranty had effected the same actions now, I think

Yes for the first year you would be covered under the manufacturer warranty regardless

 

[macerkopp]

Meanwhile I learned a lot reg. Apple`s so called first class support with AppleCare... Yesterday the hot line gave me the choice between the options carry in for repair or a technician in front of. Chose the technicians option. Today I got a mail by a service provider located 250km away from my location- and told me I had to send it it, they would not offer on site repairs. I should contact apple again. So did I and was informed that the system not even allowed them to book such an on-site option. Referring to my AppleCare contract was not useful - although in their conditions is written, that there is the right for on-site-service .... but ... the big but, only in that cases that there is such a provider located within an 80km-radius to customer´s location. Funny guys, selling service for money - and can finally self decide how or how many such service providers take under contract to have a tight service web - or not. That`s Monty Python in my opinion .....
Annoying and disillusioning.

Ok., so at least I learned my lesson well, after an investment is before an investment , and Apple can be sure that I`ll not forget that overwhelming experience.....

 

[macerkopp]

Despite the trouble with Apple´s support I wanted to double-check it with a "reliably working" TB5-gadget. So I ordered a Lacie Rugged SSD Pro5. The gadget arrived and I tested it. Plugged it in, was as USB4V2 recognized. Speeds a little below 5000`s. Ok., so far so good .... seemed to work.
The surprise came with a new start. No Lacie to see anymore, it`s not even regognized as a hard drive anymore, only connected with 12MB/s - so like a Computer monitor. That´s it.
Front USB-C panel (no TB) shows it again as an hard drive, pluging it on the back panel (TB5) again nothing....

What a sh.... So with this "foggy" failure picture I´ve not a good feeling to send it anywhere for repair without a contact to explain what the issue is. Apple itself I can forget. Wonder, it it wasntt the best to make an appointment in an Apple store to speak with real persons, with the geniusses and to demonstrate the issues on my specific MacStudio. No glue if that will work there, I´ve never set a foot into such an Apple etablissement....

 

[macerkopp]

The LaCies Rugged worked on my TB3-backpanel of the M1max so far, but only if it´s the only gadged hanging on the back panes USB-Cs. As soon an add. hard drive is added there is a failure message reg. to less power.
Impressing, Apple

 

[macerkopp]

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