Intel 530 series SSD in a Mac Pro - can't warm restart

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Intel 530 series SSD in a Mac Pro - can't warm restart

Has anyone tried an Intel 530 series SSD (I have a 240GB) with their Mac? I just put one into my Mac Pro and installed a fresh copy of 10.8. If I try a "warm" restart it will hang on boot - I get a "circle-slash" and verbose mode shows "still waiting for root device". But if I turn the machine off and cold boot it works fine.

I've tried updating the SSD's firmware and went to 10.8.5 - still doesn't work. I even tried another identical SSD, no luck. Do you think this is a bug in the drive or an incompatibility in the Mac OS? I've posted a similar question on Intel's forum.

Thanks!

Posted on Sep 18, 2013 11:18 AM

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Answer 1

willp1

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121 points

Sep 18, 2013 1:49 PM in response to tbone48

They work perfect in our 150 macros.

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Answer 2

Sep 30, 2013 11:17 PM in response to tbone48

Hi

I can confirm that I have the exact same problem on two Mac Pro's. I can see that there is a thread alive at Intel's forums where other PC users have the same problem. Do you think Intel will come up with a solution, or should I return the 530 240 GB drive to the store where I bought it?

Kind regards

Pär-Anders

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Answer 3

tbone48 Author

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Oct 1, 2013 6:57 AM in response to parandersb

I borrowed a 320 series from someone and it works just fine. So I know there's some issue with this batch of 530s.

I ended up returning the Intel drive and bought an OWC drive. Works great so far!

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Answer 4

The hatter

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60,980 points

Oct 1, 2013 9:48 AM in response to tbone48

You may have an NVRAM issue or conflict with anothrr device incl USB kb/mouse, seeing you did have latest Intel firmware, yes?

try TRIM ENABLER 3 and give it a shot, you need it on another boot drive to invoke TRIM in Disk Utility.

I have Intel 330, not 520 series and had the "slash" issue when I had a Sonnet Tempo SSD PCIe card and had to zap PRAM as well.

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Answer 5

tbone48 Author

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Oct 1, 2013 10:36 AM in response to tbone48

Tried zapping PRAM, didn't help. I even reset the SMC..no help. I used TRIM enabler, didn't help the boot issue.

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Answer 6

Oct 1, 2013 12:56 PM in response to tbone48

Yes, I have done all possible resets including the ones that you are mentioning, but no one solves the problem. Since so many PC-users have the same kind of problem, I will try to return the two SSD's that I have bought and exchange them for another model or brand. Any particular you can recommand? These are the first SSD's I'm bying and I have not been digging into the details regarding SSD....

BTW. Thanks for your help!

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Oct 1, 2013 2:57 PM in response to parandersb

Crucial and Samsung but I would RMA and get another Intel first

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Answer 8

adinnc

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Dec 2, 2013 12:37 AM in response to tbone48

Have you tried upgarding your SSD firmware ? what is the existing firmware version for your SSD?

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Answer 9

Dec 2, 2013 12:57 AM in response to adinnc

Hi

Instead of spending more time on these SSD's I returned them and instead bought Samsung 840 Pro's, which works with no problems.

If you want to check what is happening with the firmware for the Intel SSD, you can follow this thread at Intel: https://communities.intel.com/thread/44258?start=0&tstart=0

Kind regards

Pär-Anders

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