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I wiped my ssd and it disappeared from disk management, what do I do now?

I received this used macbook, but it didn't boot up... I reset the Pram and NVram, nothing happened... I tried reinstalling the os in recovery mode, it couldn't connect to the server... Then I went online and saw this article about someone having the same problem after they wiped their ssd, and so I wiped mine and put a password on it. The next thing I knew my ssd didn't show up anymore after booting the macbook up, so I removed the ssd from the logic board and put it back in again. Kept having the same problem ever since.

Earlier Mac models

Posted on Sep 19, 2024 12:54 AM

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12 replies

Sep 19, 2024 2:21 AM in response to r1velino

... Then I went online and saw this article about someone having the same problem after they wiped their ssd, and so I wiped mine and put a password on it.


That doesn't sound like a good idea at all. Using whatever method you used to put a password on that storage device, undo it. Password protected storage devices cannot even be mounted without that password, and unless that protection was accomplished by enabling FileVault on that device, a Mac won't know what to do with it.


  • If the previous owner already encrypted that device with FileVault, it's a brick without that password.


The inability for the Mac to contact Apple's Recovery servers will be a separate problem. You need to identify the specific model MacBook you have. There are about a dozen of them: Identify your MacBook model - Apple Support

Sep 19, 2024 5:27 AM in response to r1velino

Removing the SSD and replacing it did nothing, but the good news is that it did nothing detrimental.


A1502 isn't sufficient either, since there are three possible MacBook Pro models with that designation. Use this link:


Identify your MacBook Pro model - Apple Support


That information would help, but regardless of the answer try the following. Boot macOS Recovery again but this time use the key chord that corresponds to installing the latest macOS version compatible with that Mac. Refer to Use macOS Recovery on an Intel-based Mac - Apple Support, and the following specific passage:


  • Option-Command-R: Start up from macOS Recovery over the internet. Use this key combination to reinstall macOS and upgrade to the latest version of macOS that’s compatible with your Mac.


The reason for that choice is to invoke the Internet version of macOS Recovery, which does not require the built-in storage to be readable. When the macOS Utilities screen appears, choose Disk Utility. Then, you must choose Show All Devices from its View menu or dropdown menu. Choose the upper-leftmost device, which will bear an immutable name such as "APPLE xxx SSD MEDIA" or words to that effect.


That's what you need to erase. An eligible startup disk should then appear, so that you can proceed with reinstalling macOS. This obviously assumes the SSD and all logic board components associated with it are still ok.

Sep 19, 2024 2:30 PM in response to r1velino

According to that picture of Disk Utility, the SSD simply is not present. That might not be a show-stopper because the error you are encountering upon attempting to boot Internet Recovery (⌘ ⌥ R) is just a generic code indicating the Mac was not able to connect to Apple's Recovery servers. Try to resolve that first — find another wireless network, or get an Ethernet adapter for that Mac and connect it directly to a router.


You can see the Wi-Fi icon at the upper right is "greyed out": no Wi-Fi connection.


I suspect it will be required to establish a connection with Apple's Recovery servers before you can make any definitive progress with that SSD.


Other possibilities are that Mac's wireless hardware is defective, or some logic board fault exists preventing that SSD from working, or some similar hardware-based problem.


There are other ways to boot a Mac with a defective or missing startup disk... they involve connecting an external boot disk, creating a "bootable USB installer" or perhaps even a different operating system such as Linux on an external disk or USB flash drive.

Sep 19, 2024 7:36 PM in response to r1velino

If this is a Retina model laptop and you installed an NVMe based SSD, then you need to boot into macOS 10.13+ in order to physically see the NVMe SSD (assuming the laptop previously had macOS 10.13+ installed at some point in the past so that the system firmware had already been updated to work with an NVMe based SSD). The version of Disk Utility in your picture pre-dates macOS 10.13.


If you used an M.2 SSD, then things are even more complicated since the SSD adapter used can play an important part. The only SSD adapter which is recommended as being most reliable & compatible is from Sintech.


This is why people need to post exact details about the computer & any replaced parts & connected items. The exact model of the laptop can be found by clicking the Apple menu & selecting "About This Mac", but if the Mac is not booting, then you can get the exact model by entering the system serial number on the check coverage page here:

Check Your Service and Support Coverage - Apple Support


Knowing the exact make & model of the SSD and any adapters used is also extremely important. Not all SSDs are compatible with all devices.


Plus knowing the exact version of macOS which the installer will install is also important. I just happen to be aware of how Disk Utility differs for macOS 10.13+, but that is very easy to overlook. Not all contributors are as aware....even if they are aware, it is easy to overlook that small detail.


I wiped my ssd and it disappeared from disk management, what do I do now?

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