Partition External SSD Samsung T5

Question

Level 1

12 points

Partition External SSD Samsung T5

I have several Samsung T5 1TB external (USB C) drives. I bought a Tesla Model S with Sentry and I wish to replace the 128GB USB ThumbDrive. FYI - It is completely possible and works, Ive seen it.

I am trying to partition the drive to 2 X 500GB. Partition, Volume 1 for Sentry (TeslaCam) and Partition 2 for Music.

I CAN NOT split this disk as I have in the past with Intel based Macs using Disk Utility on MacOS using 14" M1 MacBook Pro and MacOS 13.4.1 (c) (22F770820d)

This is the problem. Notice anything? Even the clearly stated instructions say (+) to add. When (+) is grayed out... how?

MacBook Pro (M1, 2020)

Posted on Aug 27, 2023 4:10 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

24,131 points

Aug 27, 2023 5:35 PM in response to s.j.daniels

If this is a new drive, I believe you need to format it before you can partition it. (In DU, select Erase, not Partition.) Once formatted, then you should be able to partition the drive.

Note that there have been reports of problems with ExFAT under Ventura. If you have a Windows pc it may be better to format/partition the drive there for use with your Tesla.

Reply

Answer 2

Aug 27, 2023 11:05 PM in response to s.j.daniels

I am using an Intel macOS 13.5.1 and it seems it does not allow adding exFAT (GUID) partitions unlike APFS and Mac OS Extended.

But this seems to work: Erase the device as Mac OS Extended (GUID). Then partition it into two or more volumes and format them as exFAT.

Reply

Answer 3

s.j.daniels Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 28, 2023 11:22 AM in response to s.j.daniels

Worked! MacOS Extended (Journaled)

Reply

Answer 4

s.j.daniels Author

Level 1

12 points

Aug 27, 2023 5:47 PM in response to MartinR

I already tried formatting in every format and even changed partition types to verify it’s a problem… and it is.

I have a couple Windows Surface Laptop 4s and even a Linux ThinkServer, but this just seems stupid.

Reply

Answer 5

Aug 28, 2023 12:09 PM in response to s.j.daniels

I am glad you got it working. Does Tesla need FAT32 instead exFAT which can hold larger than 4GB files? Does it accept them as GUID and MBR partition scheme? I guess in theory GUID is newer and better but I have better experiences with MBR even with new Windows gear with Mac-formatted exFAT USB flash drives.

Reply