Resolved Need help partitioning external SSD

[Apple_Robert]

I purchased a SanDisk SSD to run Mojave from. I connected the drive to my iMac, opened Disk Utility, erased the drive and formatted to Extended Journal. Got the green ok. When I try to install Mojave, I get the error message that the drive needs to be partitioned. I get the same message when trying to clone the drive via CCC.

The partition option is grayed out in Disk Utility. I unmounted the drive and the option is still grayed out.

Any ideas how to get this going? I need the GUID option.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Could never get it to work correctly. Sending back to Amazon.

Went to the Apple store and picked up the G-Drive 500GB SSD. Mojave installed in a few minutes and is rocking right along.

 

[mikzn]

did you install APFS? or continued with the Extended Journal?

SanDisk is usually top quality - I am a evo fan myself - but have a few SanDisk drives - no issues

Mojave has a lot of changes and the install is different too

I was worried about APFS during the intro of HS - but with Mojave - cant' help feeling it is better to go with the APFS - so I did and so far it is awesome - really like Mojave

 

[Apple_Robert]

did you install APFS? or continued with the Extended Journal?

SanDisk is usually top quality - I am a evo fan myself - but have a few SanDisk drives - no issues

Mojave has a lot of changes and the install is different too

I was worried about APFS during the intro of HS - but with Mojave - cant' help feeling it is better to go with the APFS - so I did and so far it is awesome - really like Mojave

I didn't format the drive as APFS, as the option was not available.

I even booted in recovery mode to try and format the SanDisk drive. I erased and did as b before and it stated it finished correctly but, still kept getting the 'drive is not GUID partitioned.

I previously installed the DB Mojave on a USB 3.1 WD 4TB external drive but, it was just too slow for me. That is what prompted me to get a SSD to connect to my iMac. Running much better now.

I still have the Sandisk unboxed if you or someone else has a suggestion for me to try.

One thing I really don't with this drive (as well as the G-Drive SSD) is that the USB-C cable is very, very short.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[mikzn]

interesting and thanks for the update / info

I would not waste time on the sandisk just my (IMHO) not worth the effort to figure it out since you have it working with the other drive?

I installed Mojave on an EVO 500g (in enclosure AFPS) that was a test drive for HS - tried on several MBP's - I upgraded it from HS to Mojave and was instantly impressed with Mojave - so I swapped the drive into my MBP 2012 - even more impressive so far.

Cool features in Mojave - I think apple is downplaying this version - it has some cool new stuff like the "Voice Memo" app, dark menu ( I don't use yet) and really cool effect is the Dynamic Desktop!

I like to record guitar - so the voice memo is huge - better than on iOS version and it seems like you can trim and copy etc.

Hope there is a few more gems yet to show up!

 

[HDFan]

Apple's disk unity has a lot of limitations. You might want to see if Paragon Hard Disk Manger helps. They have a 10 day free trial:

https://www.paragon-software.com/home/hdm-mac/download.html