Using en express card SSD as boot drive

You'd have to have the actual expresscard in the computer - I've read on various forums of people having success partitioning the drive as GUID before starting the installer and installing it without issue. I personally tried it once and it didn't work on my old MacBook Pro. I'd make sure the seller would take an opened box if you're adventurous enough to experiment.

I've also heard that they're not necessarily as fast as the expresscard bus should allow them to be - my Lexar SSD drive wasn't much faster than a fast USB thumbdrive.

Hope that helps.

Hi
I also saw the successful use of an express card SSD as a boot drive on the net and wanted to try.

So I bought a Verbatim 64GB SSD express card last week (1730 Chinese Yuan) and tried to install Snow Leopard on it. I erased and formatted as described.

About half way in the installation process, a restart is initiated and then it does not seem to find the card SSD again, so it returns to the internal HD. The now card has a lot of packages stored on it.

The SSD is never visible under "Startup Disk" at any time. I guess it has something to do with the SSD driver I had to download from Verbatim.

As a comparison, I have an old firewire external HD where this process worked flawlessly.

Anyone knows how to do?

Check out this article and video

http://www.macworld.com/article/145572/2010/01/ssdmacbookpro.html

If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask.

OK, thanks, this article makes it clear I cannot use a Verbatim 64GB SSD Express card for booting, due to the driver. - So I got extended HD storage.

Hi,

I've heard there are issues with the SolidGo ExpressCards when the computer is in sleep mode. Is this issue isolated to the 64GB version? From the video, I understand you have the 48GB version. Are there sleep issues with this version?

Thanks,

Glyn

I have just added a verbatim 32GB expresscard ssd to my MacBookPro5,1. it works as a charm and really speeds up the system.

To do that, I downloaded the lastest drivers from Verbatim, formatted the card using disk utility and selecting Partition / Mac OSX Extended (journaled).

Then I copied the system and my main apps from the HD to the card, using Carbon Copy Cloner (www.bombich.com , donationware). It took 17GB on the card. I didn't copy the users folder due to lack of space on the card. then I went to the startup disks pane in system preferences and selected the SSD card as startup disk.

I have kept the old system and apps files in the HD, as backup. just in case.

A reboot. and my MBP is speeding as never.

Hope this will help.

How can you boot from the Verbatim expresscard SSD, when the driver which is needed to use the drive, is loaded after systemstart?

In all reviews I have read, the Verbatim is not bootable... or does the new driver (which version?) change this? Do you have a Unibody MBP 5,1?

another question: what is about sleep mode, does it work then?

I am using a 48 GB SolidGO ExpressCard SSD to boot my early-2008 MacBook Pro. As per the MacWorld article, I believe it only functions as a bootable drive for MBPs with identifier 3.1 or 4.1.
No issues here with sleep mode. And the speed of disk access is just incredible!

I also have a 48 GB SolidGo ExpressCard SSD in my late-2009 unibody MBP. The first one I had kept corrupting and I couldn't even get a clean installation on it. I returned it and it was promptly replaced, and while I successfully installed a bootable copy of SL on it, I finally reformatted it and now use it as a scratch disk for Photoshop and Illustrator, and for temporary storage. (My internal Mac drive is also SSD, so I don't really need the SolidGo as a boot drive.) It works wonderfully and it's very fast, but sometimes it doesn't mount when I turn on the machine and I have to pop it out and back in to get it to mount. YMMV.

I know about the Filemate ExpressCard SSD (48 GB SolidGO), but I saw horrible reviews on the net (also for macs). It is said to work very good, but gets very hot and usually dies after about 9 months, depending on how much it is used. So I mistrust this card and still searching for alternatives, although it seems that there are no acceptable Expresscards SSDs out there.

I'm starting to try using an express SSD as a boot drive, but a little ways into the installation process for Snow Leopard, the computer will launch into kernel panic. Thoughts?

Here's what I get

Interval Since Last Panic Report: 4016068 sec
Panics Since Last Report: 4
Anonymous UUID: 1D45F5BA-DC3A-4C88-B3DB-8980934389C1

Sat Feb 27 02:50:36 2010
panic(cpu 1 caller 0x55648d): "getPhysicalSegment() out of 32b range 0x10000f000, len 0x1000, class IOGeneralMemoryDescriptor"@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1486.2.11/iokit/Kernel/IOMemory Descriptor.cpp:1597
Backtrace (CPU 1), Frame : Return Address (4 potential args on stack)
0x5cd7baf8 : 0x21b2bd (0x5cf868 0x5cd7bb2c 0x223719 0x0)
0x5cd7bb48 : 0x55648d (0x5d8d28 0xf000 0x1 0x1000)
0x5cd7bb98 : 0x551acb (0xa88fd00 0x6000 0x5cd7bbdc 0x0)
0x5cd7bbf8 : 0x5ce472a4 (0x9b0d8e0 0xa88fd00 0x6000 0x5cd7bc44)
0x5cd7bc68 : 0x1220c27 (0x9a6a200 0x0 0x86563692 0x10b)
0x5cd7bc88 : 0x121d5be (0x9a6a200 0x7530 0xf4240 0x121f326)
0x5cd7bca8 : 0x121d453 (0x9a6a200 0x7530 0x5cd7bcf8 0x54ee2c)
0x5cd7bcc8 : 0x121cea5 (0x9a6a200 0x9971500 0x0 0x0)
0x5cd7bce8 : 0x121ce67 (0x9a6a200 0x9971500 0x0 0x0)
0x5cd7bd18 : 0x549661 (0x9a6a200 0x9971500 0x5cd7bd9c 0x0)
0x5cd7bd68 : 0x121ce2a (0x9b01800 0x121ce34 0x9971500 0x5cd7bd9c)
0x5cd7bda8 : 0x121a527 (0x9a6a200 0x9a65a00 0x9971500 0x5ce28cfb)
0x5cd7bdd8 : 0x5ce307dc (0x9a65a00 0x9971500 0x8a31e51e 0x104)
0x5cd7be18 : 0x5ce30a21 (0x9a62200 0x9d37318 0x20000 0x0)
0x5cd7be78 : 0x5ce28488 (0x9a62200 0x9d372c0 0x1 0x121f7d4)
0x5cd7be98 : 0x121d203 (0x9a00a00 0x0 0x5cd7bec8 0x50)
0x5cd7bec8 : 0x121d56a (0x9a6a200 0x0 0x5cd7bf38 0x50847e20)
0x5cd7bee8 : 0x5ce46b6a (0x9a6a200 0x4 0x5cd7bf68 0x226f27)
0x5cd7bf08 : 0x5491b5 (0x9a6a200 0x9a65980 0x1 0x29c50a)
0x5cd7bf58 : 0x5481e6 (0x9a65980 0x806545c 0x5cd7bf88 0x226f92)
Backtrace continues...
Kernel Extensions in backtrace (with dependencies):
com.apple.iokit.IOATABlockStorage(2.5.0)@0x5ce27000->0x5ce34fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily(2.5.0)@0x1219000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily(1.6)@0xff4000
com.jmicron.JMicronATA(1.0.0)@0x5ce45000->0x5ce4bfff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily(2.5.0)@0x1219000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.6)@0x932000
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily(2.5.0)@0x1219000->0x1225fff

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
10C540

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 10.2.0: Tue Nov 3 10:37:10 PST 2009; root:xnu-1486.2.11~1/RELEASE_I386
System model name: MacBookPro4,1 (Mac-F42C89C8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 1119010358957
unloaded kexts:
com.apple.driver.AppleFileSystemDriver 2.0 (addr 0x100c000, size 0x12288) - last unloaded 225810922835
loaded kexts:
com.parallels.kext.prl_vnic 5.0 9308.543312
com.parallels.kext.prl_netbridge 5.0 9308.543312
com.parallels.kext.prl usbconnect 5.0 9308.543312
com.parallels.kext.prl hidhook 5.0 9308.543312
com.parallels.kext.prl_hypervisor 5.0 9308.543312
com.jmicron.JMicronATA 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.2d0 - last loaded 42663542730
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 1.7.9a4
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 1.4.9
com.apple.GeForce 6.0.6
com.apple.driver.AppleBacklight 170.0.14
com.apple.driver.SMCMotionSensor 3.0.0d4
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 2.1.0
com.apple.kext.AppleSMCLMU 1.4.5d1
com.apple.Dont Steal_Mac_OSX 7.0.0
com.apple.driver.AudioIPCDriver 1.1.2
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPenrynProfile 17
com.apple.driver.ACPI SMCPlatformPlugin 4.0.1d0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCButtons 1.8.0b4
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBTCKeyboard 1.8.0b4
com.apple.driver.AppleIRController 251.1.4
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 2.6.0
com.apple.BootCache 31
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0d1
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 1.6.0
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelPIIXATA 2.5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 2.0.1
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBHub 3.8.4
com.apple.iokit.AppleYukon2 3.1.14b1
com.apple.driver.AirPortBrcm43xx 421.91.26
com.apple.driver.AppleSmartBatteryManager 160.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 4.4.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBEHCI 3.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBUHCI 3.7.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFINVRAM 1.3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.4
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 96.0.0
com.apple.security.sandbox 0
com.apple.security.quarantine 0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 2.1.11
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 96.0.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIBlockCommandsDevice 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOATABlockStorage 2.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBMassStorageClass 2.5.1
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 1.7.9a4
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileReadCounterAction 17
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileTimestampAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileThreadInfoAction 14
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileRegisterStateAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileKEventAction 10
com.apple.driver.AppleProfileCallstackAction 20
com.apple.nvidia.nv50hal 6.0.6
com.apple.NVDAResman 6.0.6
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 73.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 2.2.4f3
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 10.0.3
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 1.7.2fc1
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 1.3
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 1.7.9a4
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 2.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 1.7.9a4
com.apple.iokit.AppleProfileFamily 41
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.0.1d2
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 4.0.1d0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMultitouch 204.9
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBHIDDriver 3.8.4
com.apple.driver.BroadcomUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.2.4f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBBluetoothHCIController 2.2.4f3
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 2.2.4f3
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBMergeNub 3.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBComposite 3.7.5
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIMultimediaCommandsDevice 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOBDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IODVDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.iokit.IOCDStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.XsanFilter 402.1
com.apple.iokit.IOATAPIProtocolTransport 2.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOSCSIArchitectureModelFamily 2.6.0
com.apple.iokit.IOATAFamily 2.5.0
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIFamily 2.0.2
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBUserClient 3.8.5
com.apple.iokit.IO80211Family 310.6
com.apple.iokit.IONetworkingFamily 1.9
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireFamily 4.1.7
com.apple.iokit.IOUSBFamily 3.8.5
com.apple.driver.AppleEFIRuntime 1.3.0
com.apple.iokit.IOHIDFamily 1.6.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSMBusFamily 1.1
com.apple.kext.AppleMatch 1.0.0d1
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 6
com.apple.driver.DiskImages 281
com.apple.iokit.IOStorageFamily 1.6
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIPlatform 1.3
com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily 2.6
com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily 1.3.0
Model: MacBookPro4,1, BootROM MBP41.00C1.B03, 2 processors, Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB, SMC 1.27f2
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT, GeForce 8600M GT, PCIe, 256 MB
Memory Module: global_name
AirPort: spairport wireless_card_type_airportextreme (0x14E4, 0x8C), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.10.91.26)
Bluetooth: Version 2.2.4f3, 2 service, 0 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: AirPort, AirPort, en1
Serial ATA Device: Hitachi HTS722020K9SA00, 186.31 GB
Parallel ATA Device: HL-DT-ST DVDRW GSA-S10N
USB Device: Built-in iSight, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8502, 0xfd400000
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub, 0x0a5c (Broadcom Corp.), 0x4500, 0x1a100000
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x820f, 0x1a110000
USB Device: Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x0230, 0x5d200000
USB Device: IR Receiver, 0x05ac (Apple Inc.), 0x8242, 0x5d100000

hello vince33 - are you shure with the verbatim SSD ExpressCard 32. Here it does not boot, and is not available without driver, even formatted it to GUID & hfs+ journaled. Maybe you got an newer version with internal Driver? Please take a look with SystemProfiler:

ExpressCard SSD:

Kapazität: 32,2 GB (32.195.477.504 Byte)
Modell: ExpressCard SSD
Version: PER1.36
Seriennummer: 89560796052600000585
Wechselmedien: Nein
Absteckbares Laufwerk: Nein
BSD-Name: disk1
Protokoll: ATA
Einheiten-Nummer: 0
Socket-Typ: Intern
Low-Power-Polling: Nein
Partitionstabellentyp: GPT (GUID-Partitionstabelle)
S.M.A.R.T.-Status: Überprüft
Volumes:
SSD:
Kapazität: 31,85 GB (31.851.503.616 Byte)
Verfügbar: 3,87 GB (3.865.567.232 Byte)
Beschreibbar: Ja
Dateisystem: Journaled HFS+
BSD-Name: disk1s2
Mount-Point: /Volumes/SSD

and this is the Extension:
PhisonPCIATA:

Version: 1.0.2
Zuletzt geändert: 21.09.09 09:39
Informationen: 1.0.2, Copyright Phison Electronics Corp. 2008-2009
Art: Universal
Architekturen: i386, ppc, x86_64
64-Bit (Intel): Ja
Ort: /System/Library/Extensions/PhisonPCIATA.kext
Kext-Version: 1.0.2
Lade-Adresse: 0x19e1000
Gültig: Ja
Identifiziert: Ja
Abhängigkeiten: Erfüllt


many Greetings - holger

Hello,

I am curious as to how you got Version 1.0.2 of the PhisonPCIATA.kext. Is there a place where I can download it?

Many thanks,
Ahmad

I to use carbon copy cloner on my macbook pro 3,1 (Core 2 duo, 2,2 GHz), but it will not boot from the verbatim 65GB expresscard.