Mac mini late 2014: Reuse PCIe SSD Fusion Drive part as single drive

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Mac mini late 2014: Reuse PCIe SSD Fusion Drive part as single drive

Hello,

I recently took apart my late 2014 Mac Mini to exchange the Fusion Drive with a single SSD (Crucial MX) without using the M.2 128GB blade. Everything is fine, I removed both the blade and the HDD, before I made a restore of my entire system via repair console to my externally attached SSD.

Now my question: I want to reuse the 128GB blade as a separate drive. What will happen when I reattach it into the slot? Is Mac OS detecting a new separated drive or will it try to reconfigure it as a fusion drive together with my new SSD? I'm afraid to lose all my data if the fusion will start immediately.

I've read that it is possible to break the fusion using some terminal commands, but this will also erase everything. I also consider to buy an external case for the blade and try to erase everything while attaching it externally.

Any ideas? I don't want to waste the 128GB if it is possible.

Thanks for any help

Mac mini, macOS 12.0

Posted on Dec 9, 2021 11:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MichaelScherf Author

Level 1

37 points

Dec 10, 2021 11:48 AM in response to MichaelScherf

I just put back the blade into the slot, booted into the recovery screen via ⌘R and erased and formatted the 128GB drive with APFS. Now I have another separate volume. I just moved my photo library on this drive and it's fast. Now I'm happy to have another 128GB more internally without wasting the empty slot ;)

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

91,012 points

Dec 10, 2021 8:32 AM in response to MichaelScherf

+ 1 I would also leave it out instead of preforming a second operation.

In addition while OWC has an enclosure for the M.2 blade.

see > https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/envoy-express/thunderbolt-3

It is TB 3/USB-C and you would really only benefit from it's speed connected to a newer Mac.

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Answer 3

Dec 10, 2021 9:52 AM in response to MichaelScherf

Sorry, but as I live in Germany, for me it is not worth to buy this expensive enclosure plus shipping/fee/customs for just a 128GB blade. for same money I'll get a 2TB SSD with external case ;) I don't care much about the speed as this is not noticeable for the purpose of this extra volume: backup and storage. And I just want to utilize the free slot inside the Mac instead of having another case lying on my desk.

But thanks for the advises

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Answer 4

Dec 10, 2021 4:27 AM in response to MichaelScherf

I would save myself the hassle and just get an external case. OWC has a selection cases specifically designed for the special SSD blades used in Macs. (https://eshop.macsales.com)

If you aren't still quite sure as to what to purchase, give them a call and they will be more than happy to help you with the decision.

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Mac mini late 2014: Reuse PCIe SSD Fusion Drive part as single drive

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