Upgrading Early 2015 SSD - EFI Version help!

[covertsurfer]

My SSD has completely given up. It was on 10.14.

I've looked at iFixIt parts and replacement guide but I see a warning about it needing to be on High Sierra due to a EFI version introduced to ensure it will recognise new disks.

In the process of fixing the disk and trying to install different OS versions its been erased quite a few times etc.

Is there anyway to know for sure that if I buy a new disk from iFixit that it will "just work"?

I did try to boot into Recovery Mode and open the terminal to run /usr/libexec/firmwarecheckers/eficheck but that wasn't there so not sure how to proceed.

Thanks

 

[Audit13]

If you upgraded your MBA to 10.14 with the original Apple SSD inside, your bootrom should be on Mojave which is fine for running a nvme drive. If you are installing an Apple SSD, doesn't matter which EFI the MBA is running.

What methods have you used to install macOS? What are the issues?

 

[covertsurfer]

I've tried the following combinations:

Command+R - Install the latest macOS that was installed on your Mac, without upgrading to a later version.


Option+Command+R - Upgrade to the latest macOS that is compatible with your Mac.


Shift+Option+Command+R - Install the macOS that came with your Mac, or the version closest to it that is still available.

I also created a bootable USB for Catalina. I was given Catalina option using Option+Command+R too.

I think there is a problem writing to the disk, it gets so far and just fails.

I was thinking of buying these to replace the Apple SSD https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sintech-Replace-MZ-JPU128T-SD6PQ4M-128G-MacBook/dp/B01CWWAENG/ and https://www.amazon.co.uk/ADATA-SX8200-512GB-Gaming-Solid/dp/B07K1MDMF3/

 

[Audit13]

I recommend getting the short Sintech rather than the long adapter. The long adapter and short adapter are electrically the same except the long adapter has a longer board and this additional "board" serves no purpose. In fact, some people had difficulty inserting the retaining screw and had to trim the long board.

The nvme drive you selected is a good choice.

Depending on the bootrom inside the MBA, upgrading to Cataina may allow the bootrom to update as well because you have a Mojave bootrom and a 2015 MB.

I assume you are erasing all partitions before trying to install Catalina.

Does the MBA fully boot from an external drive?

 

[covertsurfer]

Yeah I’ve erased the whole lot and created new partitions a few times.

How do I boot from an external drive? I mean the USB Bootable Drive I made appears to work but when installing into the internal SSD it fails.

 

[Audit13]

Connect an external drive and install macOS to that. If this works and it fully boots, that's a good starting point.

Can you try the problematic drive in another Mac?

 

[covertsurfer]

Ah. I only have one external hdd however could I create multiple partitions on it. Put the installation media on one and install to another partition?

Thanks for the help. Bit stressful that this has happened in the current world circumstances

 

[Audit13]

Yes, you could try that.

Have you tried formatting the drive as MBR, then GPT, then MBR, and then GPT? Not sure if this will help but I find that I can sometimes fix unreadable flash drives by formatting them on my Windows desktop and then formatting on my MacBook.

 

[covertsurfer]

I haven’t to be honest.

I have erased it as APFS which caused issues and then erased it as Journaled a few times but as I said it seems to get so far then just fail to write.

Is this the short adapter?

Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card For Upgrade 2013-2015 MacBook

NOTICE:because too many customers can use it,I suggest you to try it again if your MAC can't detect nVME SSD. Pls notice to insert card fully into SSD slot and you must prepare bootable USB disk(see third point) with High Sierra to format M.2 SSD first, it can't support recover from internet. mai...

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Audit13]

I haven’t to be honest.

I have erased it as APFS which caused issues and then erased it as Journaled a few times but as I said it seems to get so far then just fail to write.

Is this the short adapter?

Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter Card For Upgrade 2013-2015 MacBook

NOTICE:because too many customers can use it,I suggest you to try it again if your MAC can't detect nVME SSD. Pls notice to insert card fully into SSD slot and you must prepare bootable USB disk(see third point) with High Sierra to format M.2 SSD first, it can't support recover from internet. mai...

www.amazon.co.uk

I have used APFS for a long time and it's never been a problem for me.

Yes, that is the adapter.

 

[covertsurfer]

Do you think if I try and install the new disk and adapter with Catalina it should be ok?

 

[Audit13]

Yes, you should be fine since you already had 10.14 (Mojave) on the Air.

 

[covertsurfer]

Thanks so much.

Will keep you posted

 

[covertsurfer]

Parts arrived and all fitted perfectly and used a Catalina boot drive to install it onto the new drive after erasing and partitioning it. Worked like a charm! Thanks

 

[Audit13]

Parts arrived and all fitted perfectly and used a Catalina boot drive to install it onto the new drive after erasing and partitioning it. Worked like a charm! Thanks

Glad it all worked.

Which drive did you install?

 

[covertsurfer]

The disk mentioned above and the short adapter you recommended 👍