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Updating Samsung 850 EVO firmware via USB enclosure

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burningrave101

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Mar 4, 2008
384
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I have a late 2013 iMac running High Sierra, a 1TB Samsung 850 EVO, and just bought a USB 3.1 external enclosure and there is a firmware update available for my SSD but the only Mac directions involve creating a bootable CD/DVD to flash the firmware.

What are my options to update the Samsung SSD firmware without using a CD/DVD? Is there a guide to using a bootable USB stick instead or can I just install Windows on the iMac and update the firmware using the Samsung Magician software or will it not work with an external SSD over USB?

This is the external enclosure I bought if it matters:

http://plugable.com/products/usbc-sata-e/
 
Years ago I had the same trouble with a Samsung SSD. I couldn't get it to update in an exclosure via USB. In the end I pulled it and plugged it into my laptops caddy and updated via Windows. PITA I know however the bright side was I didn't lose any data.
 
I don't think it's possible to update firmware for an SSD in a USB3 enclosure.

The firmware applications seem to be written to "recognize" drives connected directly to the SATA bus -- but they can't "see" and won't "touch" drives behind a USB controller...
 
nope, impossible while mounted in a USB case! the only way possible (without disassembling the iMac) is to put the SSD in a Thunderbolt case. I usually buy LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt equipped with the smallest HDD and replace the HDD with an SSD.
 
Yes, as mentioned, firmware updates will not work over USB. This is another reason in addition to the inability to enable TRIM that I always recommend using Thunderbolt for external SSDs running the OS.

Even if you were get your hands on a firmware update CD/DVD, it would not work over USB.

I have the Delock 42510 Thunderbolt enclosure and can recommend it highly.
 
As a year or so has gone on since your post, I am interested in how you flashed the SSD in your Thunderbolt enclosure. What did you do with the firmware .ISO file downloaded from Samsung? Thanks
[doublepost=1523575465][/doublepost]As a year or so has gone on since your post, I am interested in how you flashed the SSD in your Thunderbolt enclosure. What did you do with the firmware .ISO file downloaded from Samsung? Thanks
 
What if you don’t have a CD/DVD optical drive? Apple are not making computers with CD/DVD it’s a format long gone. I have Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 ports and enclosures. However I bought into speed spec and here we are. Your right it’s the only way to do it but dose not help me. I am going to try using an Thunderbolt enclosure to put the ISO files on. TRY? You have to have a direct connection to the SATA bus? Like the internal optical drive would have. Many thanks for your advice.
 
Sg wrote:
"Apple are not making computers with CD/DVD it’s a format long gone."

The "format" IS NOT "long gone".
CD/DVD is still used by millions.

Apple no longer builds optical drives into their Macs.
There's nothing that stops you from using an EXTERNAL DVD/CD drive to do what needs to be done.
 
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Have been through this route on both Mac and Windows a few times now. You CANNOT update SSD firmware through USB - period.

The usual way for me is to use external S-ATA power (or routed through chassis) and eSATA - SATA cable. I use Samsung Magician on Windows if I can, otherwise boot from USB-stick.

It's a hassle as I have to use my Windows PC to make it easy, but in the long run it's the least time consuming. I went through 200 SSD's this way (DOS-USB + PC) in a couple of hours.

eSATA is a life-saver in these situations so you don't have to Frankenstein the chassis.
 
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