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User profile for user: Max Gansel
Max Gansel Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

FusionDrive broken

Hi Guys,


i have a mac mini (late 2014, i5) and i have a big problem. Since I connected an external CD drive, my hard drives have stopped working properly. You have to say that I connected the drive with USB & power. When I plugged the drive into a power outlet, everything crashed. The Mac shut down and didn't start until a little later. Then ALL DATA was gone ... And my 1TB FusionDrive hard drive is gone too. Since then I only have my 128gb SSD. The other part of the FusionDrive somehow only has 2GB (?) Instead of 1TB. (According to disk utility) I hope I explained it clearly and you can help me.


Max

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Aug 30, 2020 12:51 PM

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User profile for user: samtenor
samtenor
User level: Level 4
1,684 points

Aug 30, 2020 2:54 PM in response to Max Gansel

I am afraid that you might have "spontaneous" split of the Fusion drive -- most likely caused by the HDD part of the Fusion drive.


That might be explained by the unusual of 2T, instead of 1T.


First, I hope you have a recent backup for the later restore process.


Here are few options you can consider:

  1. replace the HDD - with your choice of drive (2T HDD, 1T HDD or SSD) -- most of the users here will suggest SSD for the speed of reliability over any HDD. If you choose internal SSD (SATA) -- don't bother to "refuse" both drives. In my opinion and experience, Fusion drive is a pain.
  2. Complete forget the HDD -- 2014 MacMini actually is pretty easy to replace the PCI-e SSD (from 128Gb to 1T) - you need the right tool to open the MacMini. OWC website includes the choices.
  3. Use external SSD (USB 3)


You will need internet recovery to reinstall the OS.

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FusionDrive broken

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