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User profile for user: flyingostrich
flyingostrich Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Mojave install fails on SSD?

Earlier this week I got the dreaded circle with slash on startup. I'm running Mojave on a Samsung SSD on an old 2012 MBP.


I booted into recovery and attempted to reinstall the OS, which took over 24 hours and then failed.


I then booted into my backup HD and installed the OS there and got everything running, moved my files from the SSD (it mounted fine), and erased it.


Now I'm trying to put Mojave again on the SSD and it's saying "12 hours remaining" which makes no sense because I'm installing from USB, Not over WiFi. I'm pretty sure this install will spontaneously fail as well. Any ideas on what the culprit is?

MacBook Pro 13", macOS 10.14

Posted on Jun 24, 2019 7:22 AM

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User profile for user: woodmeister50
woodmeister50
User level: Level 7
20,497 points

Posted on Jun 24, 2019 7:34 AM

I would try this:

How to use Apple Hardware Test on your Mac - Apple Support


You may have a failing SSD or other hardware issue.


At the very least, you could rule out hardware as a problem.

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,380 points

Jun 25, 2019 10:51 PM in response to flyingostrich

You may have a bad hard drive cable. These internal cables have a high rate of failure especially with the 13" (mid-2012) model. Even more so after upgrading to an SSD.


Connect the SSD externally to see if the install process goes any faster to eliminate the internal cable as the problem. Edit: You may need a working formatted internal drive installed so the Mojave installer won't give you a firmware error.


You could also have an incompatible USB drive being used with the installer. I've found Macs are very picky about the USB sticks used for booting.


Also some Samsung SSDs have compatibility issues with Macs, but I'm not sure which exact ones have the issues.

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Mojave install fails on SSD?

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