mounting SSD external drive on older (2012) iMac

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Level 1

8 points

mounting SSD external drive on older (2012) iMac

I purchased a 16 terabyte portable SSD drive to use on this computer. Using the regular USB ports the drive doesn't mount and the disk utility sees it but cannot write or mount it. I had a hot flash that the SATA port (Thunderbolt) might be used instead but cannot decide if the cables I find on Amazon will properly connect the drive (ie, does the port accept the thunderbolt 4 cable end).

Has anyone experienced this issue and can offer advice? I've included a link to a possible cable to use for reference.

https://www.amazon.com/DisplayPort-Thunderbolt-60Hz-Compatible-MacBook-Monitor-6-6FT/dp/B09PV7R3VV/ref=sr_1_8?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxI-4ie-m_AIVJhXUAR0YMApsEAAYAiAAEgIaJ_D_BwE&hvadid=568646657906&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9030944&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=349973515090394701&hvtargid=kwd-375324600907&hydadcr=18037_9812658&keywords=usb-c+to+thunderbolt+cable&qid=1672593173&s=electronics&sr=1-8

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jan 1, 2023 9:57 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

steve626

Level 6

13,701 points

Jan 1, 2023 1:35 PM in response to jwmpc

What type of connection comes with that external drive? Is it really 16 TB SSD? What brand/model?

A 2012 iMac has USB 3 ports and Thunderbolt 1 ports. However adaptors that convert between Thunderbolt 1 and USB-C (or later Thunderbolt connectors) do not allow bus charging from the computer. One way around this is to obtain a powered hub and connect the external drive through that so it gets adequate power.

If the external drive is not getting power, any adaptor or cable being used is immediately suspect, or possibly the drive is incompatible, hence my question about the model/make of the external drive.

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Answer 2

Jack-19

Level 8

46,182 points

Jan 1, 2023 5:24 PM in response to jwmpc

I'm very sad to say this, but I believe you may have purchased a fraudulent product. First, 16TB portable SSDs aren't readily available in the consumer market, and any that are would be by a real, highly reputable company and cost thousands.

What usually happens is a seller has an ad for a very large capacity device for a good price, such as an 16TB SSD drive, and either it does indeed appear to be an 16TB drive in software due to the tampered components (but it's really not), or it doesn't work at all.

However, it either case, it can only really hold ~10GB of data, and it will corrupt everything it does store.

You should replace it with a quality external SSD, from a known manufacturer, such as a Crucial X8 Portable SSD - Crucial.

I'm sorry about this.

Jack

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Answer 3

Jan 1, 2023 10:24 AM in response to jwmpc

Not sure if that cable will work. What you probably need is Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter. Also then purchase a thunderbolt cable as well. While the older computers have what appears to be a display port connector I would assume that while the display port cable will plug in just fine how it is wired internally would be completely different.

Hope this helps.

Paul

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Answer 4

MartinR

Level 7

24,125 points

Jan 1, 2023 2:13 PM in response to jwmpc

It will help a lot if you identify the exact make & model of your SSD external drive -and- your 2012 iMac.

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Answer 5

Jack-19

Level 8

46,182 points

Jan 1, 2023 5:47 PM in response to jwmpc

Again, it may appear to be a 16TB drive in software due to the tampered components, but it's really not. It won't hold more than 10GB, maybe up to 60GB.

Here's a screenshot for a real 16TB SSD:

I've seen your situation many times.

Jack

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Answer 6

jwmpc Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 1, 2023 5:08 PM in response to steve626

A simple USB cable, USB-C Port on SSD Drive. Not a major manufacturer, just says Made in China. Says it uses 3.2 standard for USB, which suggested an SATA connection. The listing on Amazon said it was Mac/Win compatible, and it certainly appears on my sons Windows machines, but the packaging only listed Win 7 and 10. Theoretically I think the drive should be available even if formatted for Windows, but my USB ports are only 2.0 so I assumed that that was just the problem. The enclosure has only the one port, so it can't be externally powered.

So the Thunderbolt 1 port doesn't provide power. I do have a powered hub, but it is connected to one of the regular USB ports. Could I connect the Thunderbolt port on the iMac to the powered hub (using a Thunderbolt to USB-B connector, the regular flat 3/8 in wide one) then connect the SSD drive to the hub? I'm just trying out a few ideas to see if they can work. If the Thunderbolt 1 port does provide power (necessary for this SSD drive) does the Thunderbolt 4 connector fit in the port on the iMac? Here's the specs on the Thunderbolt ports

Thanks for you help. If nothing else I can just return it by the end of January.

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