User profile for user: thatcoldguy
thatcoldguy Author
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macOS Monterey installed on external SSD, machine restarts unexpectedly

Problem Report for macOS


Hello Community!


I'm running macOS Monterrey 12.7.1 on an external SSD (Kingston XS2000 500GB) on my 2021 MacBook Pro.


I've done this for over 2 years without any problem. A few months ago, my MacBook began randomly freezing or rebooting when idle. I tried troubleshooting the problem with no luck. Recently, I purchased a duplicate SSD and reinstalled macOS Monterrey from scratch, without migrating over any old data. However, the problem is happening again.


Could anyone help explain what is happening? A recent problem report for the reboot is posted below.



[Re-Titled by Moderator]




MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 7, 2023 7:36 PM

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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
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Posted on Nov 10, 2023 6:59 PM

So a simple erase and install to a new Kingston is basically Kernel panicking. Perhaps the power source to the drive isn't reliable. I would definitely plug that drive in a pass through USB-C hub that takes the charging power of the computer and offers another USB-C port on the hub.


I have found that many drives that use the computer for power don't get enough.


This is especially the case if Energy Saver is telling it to put hard drives to sleep while in use.

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User profile for user: a brody
a brody
User level: Level 10
85,366 points

Nov 10, 2023 6:59 PM in response to thatcoldguy

So a simple erase and install to a new Kingston is basically Kernel panicking. Perhaps the power source to the drive isn't reliable. I would definitely plug that drive in a pass through USB-C hub that takes the charging power of the computer and offers another USB-C port on the hub.


I have found that many drives that use the computer for power don't get enough.


This is especially the case if Energy Saver is telling it to put hard drives to sleep while in use.

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
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User level: Level 9
70,820 points

Nov 12, 2023 12:48 PM in response to thatcoldguy

It appears a MBPro 16,2 listed in the Kernel Panic log is a Intel MBPro 13" (2020) model.


If you get a Kernel Panic when booting into a clean install of macOS without any third party software installed and without migrating from a backup, then you have a hardware issue of some sort which will need to be repaired....assuming the Kingston SSD or its cable/adapter is not at fault. Make sure to disconnect all other external devices in case one of them is causing a problem.


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macOS Monterey installed on external SSD, machine restarts unexpectedly

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