New SSD not recognized by my Mac Mini 2012

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Level 1

4 points

New SSD not recognized by my Mac Mini 2012

My Mac Mini late 2012 started to slow down with new updates, so I decided to buy a New WD SSD 1TB to replace my HDD.

I opened up my Mac Mini and removed my old HDD and put a new SSD successfully.

When I booted my Mac Mini again it took me to OS X Utilities. I clicked on reinstall OS X “reinstall a new copy of OS X” Mavericks.

When I came to “Select the disk where you want to install OS X” there was No disk.

When I went to Disk Utilities there was NO disk there either.

When I went to Terminal and typed “diskutil list” there was NO disk either.

Your help is really appreciated.

Thank you 🙏

Mac mini, macOS 10.15

Posted on Sep 26, 2020 5:35 AM

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Answer 1

WildCatDNA Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2020 8:25 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for your response, turns out the SATA cable was popping loose. Used more tape, now it shows up.

Thanks again.

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Answer 2

Sep 26, 2020 12:05 PM in response to WildCatDNA

Popping loose is not a good sign! Either you damaged the cable or

not completely seating it in the socket.

Suggest looking for a replacement cable.

The constant heating and cooling will eventually loosen the tape.

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Answer 3

WildCatDNA Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2020 8:23 AM in response to den.thed

Oops, reopened it again and it turned out its still loose/not attached. I used more tapes this time and now it shows up on my mac.

Thanks for your help.

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Answer 4

den.thed

Level 10

90,922 points

Sep 26, 2020 6:17 AM in response to WildCatDNA

Check the SATA cable connection on the logic board. It has a habit of not seating or popping loose when you install the antenna plate and black plastic cowling. Normally I add a thin piece of foam tape on top of the flat connector to help hold it in place.

FWIW I looked at those WD SSD’s, but I’ve had such good luck with PNY SSDs in the 2010 thru 2012 Mac Mini’s, that I stayed with PNY.

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Answer 5

WildCatDNA Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2020 6:14 AM in response to WildCatDNA

This is where the disk supposed to show up.

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Answer 6

WildCatDNA Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2020 6:14 AM in response to WildCatDNA

Disk Utility

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Answer 7

WildCatDNA Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 26, 2020 7:02 AM in response to den.thed

Thanks for your reply.

I just tried, didn’t work.

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Answer 8

den.thed

Level 10

90,922 points

Sep 26, 2020 8:35 AM in response to WildCatDNA

You’re welcome.

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Answer 9

den.thed

Level 10

90,922 points

Sep 26, 2020 7:20 AM in response to WildCatDNA

Could be a faulty WD SSD. To test it you will need to put it into a USB 2.5" enclosure or on a SATA to USB adapter and test it plugged into the Mac Mini or another computer. Also note, that you will need to partition and format any new drive, GUID Partition Map / Mac Extended (Journaled) before you can install macOS.

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Answer 10

den.thed

Level 10

90,922 points

Sep 26, 2020 12:36 PM in response to woodmeister50

Excellent point woodmeister50.

It also helps to reinstall the antenna grill and replace the 2 drive mounting screws before connecting the SATA cable to the logic board.

I will admit though, that I had a little trouble getting the OWC Data Doubler cable bent just right, in the 2011 Mac Mini that I use as a media server.

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New SSD not recognized by my Mac Mini 2012

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