Damaged SSD Nightmare

[MyMacIsDead]

Hi all!

Brief summary:

I installed a cheap no-name battery in my A1466 Mac. After, the SSD has seemingly stopped working. I have checked it is seated correctly.

Using a USB stick, I managed to enter recovery, and even upgraded up to Sierra. This is where the nightmare began.

I can't upgrade to High Sierra or later on my USB.

Apparently, I can't just buy an NVME SSD and use an adapter. I've heard I need to upgrade to High Sierra or later first (something to do with file systems or firmware).

Even SSDs which have MacOS preinstalled claim I need to upgrade to High Sierra before installing, e.g., amazon.co.uk/Superpard-MacBook-2013-2017-2013-2015-Pre-Installed/dp/B0DYSDH47F

So what do I do? I'm pulling my hair out over the fact that, in order to replace my damaged SSD, I need the original SSD to install a working one.

I've seen suggestions that buying used Apple SSDs might work, but I'm not a big fan of that idea, I'd rather pay more to get something brand new.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated - I love this Mac and it has sentimental value so I feel I can't give up on it.

Thanks!

 

[Bigwaff]

Any suggestions greatly appreciated - I love this Mac and it has sentimental value so I feel I can't give up on it.

If you love the that MBA, you’ll need an Apple SSD to upgrade the Mac to its latest firmware. Once Mac firmware updated, you can most likely replace the Apple SSD. Find a used, small capacity Apple SSD. I believe this a quirk of this model MBA and a iMac model from that period.

 

[MyMacIsDead]

If you love the that MBA, you’ll need an Apple SSD to upgrade the Mac to its latest firmware. Once Mac firmware updated, you can most likely replace the Apple SSD. Find a used, small capacity Apple SSD. I believe this a quirk of this model MBA and a iMac model from that period.

Thanks for replying to my question!

I feared a second-hand SSD might be suggested, there's really no way I can just buy something new, is there?

Failing this - could I just switch to using Linux on my Mac instead to sidestep this problem entirely - or doesn't it work like that?

I checked my Mac, and I can see that my Boot ROM Version is 489.0.0.0.0 (I'm not sure what version of MacOS I was running before these problems) - I just wanted to share this in case you happen to know whether this is 'updated enough' or whether a newer firmware version is needed.

P.S. sorry I don't just google it - but AI and outdated information has had me running in circles for about the last month - so if a knowledgeable person like yourself could let me know it would be so so appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[Bigwaff]

Monterey 12.7.6 is latest macOS your MBA can support. It will install firmware version 489.0.0.0.0, so you do seem to have the latest firmware. You should not need an Apple SSD as you already have latest firmware version. I’m betting your SSD is simply incompatible. Return and buy one known or stated to be compatible.

 

[benwiggy]

To be honest, I wouldn't throw too much money on an MBA that's at least 10 years old, and can only run Catalina (7 years old) to Monterey (5 years old) at best.

You might want to consider whether other options are more viable. I appreciate that brand new Macs are very expensive, but a secondhand model in between might be better.

 

[MyMacIsDead]

Monterey 12.7.6 is latest macOS your MBA can support. It will install firmware version 489.0.0.0.0, so you do seem to have the latest firmware. You should not need an Apple SSD as you already have latest firmware version. I’m betting your SSD is simply incompatible. Return and buy one known or stated to be compatible.

Ah! So if I'm following along correctly, it sounds like, at some point, I did upgrade to Monterey.

Sorry, I think there's a bit of confusion. I only have one SSD, the original Apple one that came with my Mac (which no longer seems to be recognised by my Mac). I haven't bought a replacement SSD because I'm worried it won't work.

I've been trying to fix the Mac solely using a USB stick as my storage. Using internet recovery, I was able to install Yosemite on the USB and upgrade to Sierra.

I've tried installing Monterey on the USB, but I get the error "you may not install to this volume because the computer is missing a firmware partition".

All through this process, the original Apple SSD was inserted, but apparently not detected.

I'm not really sure what to do now - I thought it might be an issue to do with High Sierra requiring the APFS format(?) but I'm really not sure. The fact that the error says the computer is missing the firmware partition makes me wonder if there's some other issue.

Would it be a mistake to purchase this NVMe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0CN3LQSBZ for use with a 16+12 pin adapter?

Worryingly, the 16+12 pin adapters I've looked at all seem to say things like "requires high sierra or later" or "doesn't support internet recovery mode" - so I'm presuming this wouldn't work?

I'm unsure where having Monterey firmware, but being stuck on Sierra, leaves me in terms of options.

I'm tempted to buy the above SSD, test it out, and if it doesn't work switch to Linux as a backup option. Would that be possible? So if the Monterey install fails, I could at least make it usable by using Linux?

 

[MyMacIsDead]

To be honest, I wouldn't throw too much money on an MBA that's at least 10 years old, and can only run Catalina (7 years old) to Monterey (5 years old) at best.

You might want to consider whether other options are more viable. I appreciate that brand new Macs are very expensive, but a secondhand model in between might be better.

That's probably the logical thing to do, I just really enjoy this Mac, and when it did work it handled everything I needed to. It would feel like a shame to give up on it given it has sentimental value to me.

Would my idea of buying an NVMe + adapter, trying to install Monterey on it, and switching to Linux if it fails be remotely sane given the error I'm currently seeing ("you may not install to this volume because the computer is missing a firmware partition") while trying to run it solely on a USB stick?

 

[MarkC426]

Have a look here https://www.ifixit.com/Search?query=MacBook+Air+13+inch+a1466
Not sure which exact model you have.
Select your model and there are instructions for all repairs.
You may have trouble if it has a T2 chip.

 

[Bigwaff]

Would my idea of buying an NVMe + adapter, trying to install Monterey on it, and switching to Linux if it fails be remotely sane given the error I'm currently seeing ("you may not install to this volume because the computer is missing a firmware partition") while trying to run it solely on a USB stick?

W/out knowing what spend is too much to keep this MBA you love still humming along... here is reputable source for new, compatible, w/warranty SSD

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Even have used Apple SSD and others on clearance

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