2017 MacBook Air will not see new SSD

Question

Level 1

8 points

2017 MacBook Air will not see new SSD

Hi I bought a 2nd hand 13" Air but the disk isn't big enough to transfer my data to. I carefully sourced a compatible SSD but Disk Doctor in Recovery mode refuses to see it. So I cannot format it.

I have reset the PRAM and SCM multiple times. I noted the original disk had hardware protection set on. So I wiped and reinstalled it to remove it but that did not help either.

I'm considering putting the new one is an enclosure and formatting it that way. But I cannot seem to find a compatible one so any tips on that would be welcome too.

I wore a grounded wrist strap through all the swapping. Putting the original SSD in place makes it work fine.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 12.7

Posted on Nov 22, 2024 8:17 AM

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Answer 1

Muscleman Author

Level 1

8 points

Nov 22, 2024 9:55 AM in response to varjak paw

I had the same issue with the first SSD and returned it to the retailer. They tested it in another machine and found it fine. This is a second SSD different from the first in maker but still absolutely compatible. It is brand new.

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Answer 2

HWTech

Level 9

60,650 points

Nov 23, 2024 9:28 PM in response to Muscleman

What SSD did you purchase? If it was a third party SSD, then what SSD adapter are you using?

Plus what version of macOS installer are you booting when attempting to install macOS with the "new" SSD installed internally?

FYI, not all Apple SSDs are compatible with other model Macs even if the SSD connector is the same. In fact sometimes macOS may even refuse to boot if the wrong Apple OEM SSD is installed in the Mac.

If these are third party SSDs, then things become very complicated.

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Answer 3

varjak paw

Level 10

178,120 points

Nov 22, 2024 9:12 AM in response to Muscleman

Sounds to me like a defective SSD.

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