User profile for user: the_hoac
the_hoac Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

MBP unable to recognize SSD

Hello all,


I'm at a loss here. I'm trying to upgrade my mid 2009 macbook pro to a SSD and have run into a few problems. I originally bought a crucial SSD. Their website said the SSD would be compatible. I received it, plugged it in the usb port with a SATA to USB 3.0 cable by startechcom, but disk utility did not recognize it. I didn't even get the message saying that there was an unknown device prompting me to proceed or not. Then I tried plugging it in a different MBP, a 2015 version, and it gave me the prompt to proceed with the SSD and I was able to format it perfectly fine thinking that once I formatted it my 2009 MBP would be able to recognize it. Well, that didn't work. I returned the SSD assuming it was because my old 2009 MBP does not recognize SATA III and would only recognize SATA II. I then purchased the recommended SSD from OWC, which is the Mercury Electra 3G which is SATA II, but same exact problem. My other assumptions is that my 2009 MBP can't read a usb 3.0 cable, but from what I read USB 2.0 is able to read 3.0. I'm not sure what to do to go about this problem.


Here are some other details about my MBP:

Macbook Pro (13 inch, Mid 2009)

OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.6 (I'm unable to update to High Sierra)

2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Startup Disk MAC OS X 10.8.4 (I'm confused why this is different from what the OS version is?)


I'm planning to also contact OWC support....

MacBook Pro, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Apr 24, 2018 6:00 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Posted on Apr 25, 2018 6:56 AM

Sorry, but it wasn't clear that the SSD was to be used externally. Your 2009 model has USB 2.0 ports. The SSD must be connected to USB 3.0 port or internally. I would suggest you open up the case, remove the HDD and install the SSD in its place.


You may need to use the software restore DVDs that came with your computer or you can use a Retail Snow Leopard DVD from Apple. You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order. After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click OK button, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.
  9. You may now download and install El Capitan. You can upgrade to El Capitan from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. El Capitan can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE. To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.


Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

View in context

Similar questions

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Apr 25, 2018 6:56 AM in response to the_hoac

Sorry, but it wasn't clear that the SSD was to be used externally. Your 2009 model has USB 2.0 ports. The SSD must be connected to USB 3.0 port or internally. I would suggest you open up the case, remove the HDD and install the SSD in its place.


You may need to use the software restore DVDs that came with your computer or you can use a Retail Snow Leopard DVD from Apple. You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order. After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store.


Snow Leopard Erase and Install


  1. Insert Snow Leopard DVD into the optical drive and restart the computer.
  2. Immediately upon hearing the chime hold down the C key.
  3. Release the key when the Apple logo appears and wait for the loading to finish.
  4. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Utilities' menu. After Disk Utility loads select the out-dented disk entry from the side list (mfgr.'s ID and drive size.) Click on the Partition tab in the Disk Utility’s right window. Set the number of partitions to one (1) from the drop down menu. Click on the Options button and select GUID, click OK button, set the format type to MacOS Extended, Journaled. Finally, click on the Apply button.
  5. After formatting has finished quit Disk Utility. Continue with the OS X installation and follow the directions.
  6. When the installation has finished the computer will restart into the Setup Assistant. After you complete the Setup Assistant you will be running a fresh installation of Snow Leopard. Open Software Update and install the recommended updates.
  7. If you are planning to sell or give your computer away, then do the following: After you reformat your hard drive and reinstall Snow Leopard, the computer restarts to a Welcome screen. To leave the Mac in an OOTB (Out Of The Box) state, don't continue with the setup. Instead, press Command and Q keys to shut down the computer. The Setup Assistant will guide the new owner through the setup process after he/she turns on the computer.
  8. Download and install Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1. if needed. It is not needed if you are selling or giving away the computer.
  9. You may now download and install El Capitan. You can upgrade to El Capitan from Lion or directly from Snow Leopard. El Capitan can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for FREE. To upgrade to El Capitan you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download El Capitan from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. El Capitan is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.


Are my applications compatible? See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.

Reply
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
362,007 points

Apr 24, 2018 6:10 PM in response to the_hoac

Try replacing the ribbon cable between the drive's connector and the motherboard connector. Does your HDD still work in the computer? How did you prep the SSD before using it? You should use the GUID partition schema and format type of Mac OS Extended, Journaled. DO NOT use APFS. It is only compatible with High Sierra.

Reply
User profile for user: the_hoac
the_hoac Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Apr 24, 2018 6:45 PM in response to Kappy

Yea I formatted the new OWC SSD on a different (2015 mbp) to the MAC OS extended journaled single GUID partition scheme. Are you basically saying to not bother connecting it externally and just try connecting it internally? My main reason why I'm trying to connect it externally is so that I can clone my existing hard drive which I can't do since I'm unable to detect it via USB.

Reply
User profile for user: the_hoac
the_hoac Author
User level: Level 1
12 points

Apr 25, 2018 7:00 AM in response to Kappy

Yea I assumed it was the USB ports but from what I read it made it seem like those ports would still be able to read USB 3.0 but operate at 2.0 speeds. I plugged into a USB 3.0 flash drive and it read it fine. Either way, I proceeded with connecting the new SSD internally, created a bootable usb drive from the original hard drive and installed a fresh copy of El Capitan on the new SSD. I'll just have to either reinstall all my apps or figure out a new way of cloning the old hard drive. Thanks for the help Kappy!

Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

MBP unable to recognize SSD

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up