TRIM support for aftermarket SSD's?

[ThomasJL]

Under Snow Leopard and Lion, TRIM support is only enabled for SSD's that are provided by Apple. Third party SSD's cannot have TRIM enabled under Snow Leopard and Lion. Do any of you know if that has changed in Mountain Lion?

 

[calderone]

It has not changed.

However, you can indeed enable TRIM for 3rd party SSDs under SL, Lion and Mountain Lion.

 

[ThomasJL]

It has not changed.

However, you can indeed enable TRIM for 3rd party SSDs under SL, Lion and Mountain Lion.

Thanks for your reply, calderone. However, I am not interested in a hack solution. The TRIM enabler hack solution that you speak of gets disabled every time Apple releases an OS software update. Also, that hack solution could potentially cause data corruption and other problems.

I should have clarified in the OP that I am specifically asking about official (i.e., Apple-enabled) TRIM support for aftermarket SSD's.

 

[calderone]

Thanks for your reply, calderone. However, I am not interested in a hack solution. The TRIM enabler hack solution that you speak of gets disabled every time Apple releases an OS software update. Also, that hack solution could potentially cause data corruption and other problems.

I should have clarified in the OP that I am specifically asking about official (i.e., Apple-enabled) TRIM support for aftermarket SSD's.

Indeed it may.

The answer is no, there is no official solution.

 

[kissmo]

Under Snow Leopard and Lion, TRIM support is only enabled for SSD's that are provided by Apple. Third party SSD's cannot have TRIM enabled under Snow Leopard and Lion. Do any of you know if that has changed in Mountain Lion?

1. Backup the file we’re patching
sudo cp /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage.original
2. Patch the file to enable TRIM support
sudo perl -pi -e 's|(\x52\x6F\x74\x61\x74\x69\x6F\x6E\x61\x6C\x00{1,20})[^\x00]{9}(\x00{1,20}\x51)|$1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00$2|sg' /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage
3. Clear the system kernel extension cache
sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel

sudo kextcache -system-caches

 

[Orlandoech]

I have TRIM enabled on my Corsair SSD, I just did this;

BACKUP ORIGINAL FILE:
sudo cp /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage /IOAHCIBlockStorage.original

ENABLE TRIM SUPPORT:
sudo perl -pi -e 's|(\x52\x6F\x74\x61\x74\x69\x6F\x6E\x61\x6C\x00).{9}(\x00\x51)|$1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00$2|sg' /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage

CLEAR KEXT CACHES:
sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
sudo kextcache -system-caches

REBOOT!

----------

Thanks for your reply, calderone. However, I am not interested in a hack solution. The TRIM enabler hack solution that you speak of gets disabled every time Apple releases an OS software update. Also, that hack solution could potentially cause data corruption and other problems.

I should have clarified in the OP that I am specifically asking about official (i.e., Apple-enabled) TRIM support for aftermarket SSD's.

Ive NEVER had data corruption lol.

 

[arashb]

Pretty sure those are the hacks he's talking about, doesn't the trim enabler do the exact same thing but leaves terminal out?

 

[bushido]

just use "trim enabler" its an app and u can enable and disable it with a toggle. works perfectly fine

 

[djc6]

I too am leary of these unsupported hacks and am disappointed there isn't a supported method of enabling TRIM for 3rd party SSDs.

Aren't there drives out there that have good enough garbage collection in the firmware that TRIM isn't required? That seems to be the stance from OWC about their SSDs. I'm thinking this is the route I should take.

 

[50548]

I too am leary of these unsupported hacks and am disappointed there isn't a supported method of enabling TRIM for 3rd party SSDs.

Aren't there drives out there that have good enough garbage collection in the firmware that TRIM isn't required? That seems to be the stance from OWC about their SSDs. I'm thinking this is the route I should take.

It has been explained many times already that newer drives with SandForce garbage collection do NOT need TRIM. OWC stated this publicly on their website, and similar analyses have been made for other SSDs.

http://blog.macsales.com/11051-to-trim-or-not-to-trim-owc-has-the-answer

Having said the above, you may try the hacks above - Apple will NEVER enable native TRIM support for aftermarket SSDs, just like it won't support PowerNap on them.

 

[Krazy Bill]

I am specifically asking about official (i.e., Apple-enabled) TRIM support for aftermarket SSD's.

Doesn't exist. And why do you feel it should? Especially in light of Apple's imminent venture into totally sealed devices (including all MBP's - current and future).

 

[daneoni]

I've been using the Trim Enabler option since Snow Leopard and my SSD hasn't even blinked since.

Just because it is a 'hack' doesn't mean the sky will come falling down. In this case it just means its unofficial nothing more. its using the TRIM command built into each release version of the OS, which is the best you can hope for since Apple will never support 3rd party SSDs.

 

[Orlandoech]

I've been using the Trim Enabler option since Snow Leopard and my SSD hasn't even blinked since.

Just because it is a 'hack' doesn't mean the sky will come falling down. In this case it just means its unofficial nothing more.

Some people just are sooooooooooo Leary because Apple said NO.

 

[superk]

So I understand apple use Samsung SSDs in their BTO models, what if I were to install a Samsung SSD myself? Will TRIM support still be unavailable?

Thanks

 

[prisstratton]

So I understand apple use Samsung SSDs in their BTO models, what if I were to install a Samsung SSD myself? Will TRIM support still be unavailable?

Thanks

Trim would still be unavailable as your drive would be read by the system as being a Samsung drive. SSD's provided by Apple would be read as APPLE SSD as this is part of the firmware on the drive.

Edit:

People have already quoted (above) and shown the fix from Grant Pannell, but here is another good thread to read on the subject. This person has expanded on Grant's work:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1409151/

 

[Crunch]

Still working on OS X 10.8.2/3???

Hey guys, has anyone done this successfully on OS X 10.8.2? 10.8.3 just came out, though, but am I correct in assuming that this will pretty much work on any version of OS X 10.8?

I look at it as a kind of jailbreak. New OS update, gotta re-do it, except no new exploit has to be found. lol...

This is for an Intel 520 Series 240GB that I just put in my Mac mini 6,2.

Thanks!

 

[Weaselboy]

Hey guys, has anyone done this successfully on OS X 10.8.2? 10.8.3 just came out, though, but am I correct in assuming that this will pretty much work on any version of OS X 10.8?

I look at it as a kind of jailbreak. New OS update, gotta re-do it, except no new exploit has to be found. lol...

This is for an Intel 520 Series 240GB that I just put in my Mac mini 6,2.

Thanks!

There are some posts in the 10.8.3 thread today reporting it works.

 

[GP-SE]

anyone know the terminal command to enable trim with 10.8.3?
With 10.8.2 I used a terminal command to enable trim without issue, however after installing 10.8.3 trim is no longer enabled.

 

[ibarnett]

I'm using Chameleon.
After I updated I found Trim was Off in the Chameleon App.
After selecting On & rebooting Trim is showing Yes again.

 

[Crunch]

TRIM on 10.8.3 and RAID working!

The following commands work on both OS X 10.8.2 as well as 10.8.3:

sudo cp /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage-backup (backup original driver)

sudo perl -pi -e 's|(\x52\x6F\x74\x61\x74\x69\x6F\x6E\x61\x6C\x00{1,20})[^\x00]{9}(\x00{1,20}\x54)|$1\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00\x00$2|sg' /System/Library/Extensions/IOAHCIFamily.kext/Contents/PlugIns/IOAHCIBlockStorage.kext/Contents/MacOS/IOAHCIBlockStorage (modify driver)

sudo kextcache -system-prelinked-kernel
sudo kextcache -system-caches (clear caches, so OS X can pick up new driver)

After that, reboot and if all goes well, you'll see TRIM turned on in System Information.

Beyond that, I am happy to report that after I put in a 2nd 240GB Intel 520 Series into my Mac mini, I was even able to turn on TRIM after RAID'ing those babies together using the same commands listed above. That is some sick performance!

Intel, a while back, implemented full TRIM support for its 520 Series SSD's in RAID mode, which is great. Probably not just the 520 Series, but that's what I can personally attest to.

Enjoy! (and let me know if you have any questions and how it worked for you)

 

[Fishrrman]

"After that, reboot and if all goes well, you'll see TRIM turned on in System Information"

Where does one look in System Information to ascertain this?

I'm using an IBM 520 series SSD, but have it mounted in an external USB3/SATA docking station. I can bring up its information in System Profiler, and there's no mention of TRIM at all (enabled or disabled).

Perhaps it's impossible to use the TRIM command when booted via USB?

Or….?

 

[Weaselboy]

Perhaps it's impossible to use the TRIM command when booted via USB?

I have not seen anybody that was able to get TRIM working on a USB external. I think that's your problem right there.

 

[Crunch]

"After that, reboot and if all goes well, you'll see TRIM turned on in System Information"

Where does one look in System Information to ascertain this?

I'm using an IBM 520 series SSD, but have it mounted in an external USB3/SATA docking station. I can bring up its information in System Profiler, and there's no mention of TRIM at all (enabled or disabled).

Perhaps it's impossible to use the TRIM command when booted via USB?

Or….?

I'm not certain. What do you see in System Profiler (System Information) under Serial-ATA?

 

[jomobco]

"After that, reboot and if all goes well, you'll see TRIM turned on in System Information"

Where does one look in System Information to ascertain this?

I'm using an IBM 520 series SSD, but have it mounted in an external USB3/SATA docking station. I can bring up its information in System Profiler, and there's no mention of TRIM at all (enabled or disabled).

Perhaps it's impossible to use the TRIM command when booted via USB?

Or….?

It will look like this in about this mac>more info>system report>hardware>serial-ATA
this will show:
Medium Type: Solid State
TRIM Support: No

I just asked OWC tech support about trim support and they say not to use it on their drives for what that's worth.

 

[MacLorenz]

i've an OCZ vertex 3 and trim enabled by trim enabler.
but i was wondering if it is so important since some SSD (including mine) have garbage collector that should be better than trim.
its inside the controller, as i understoot its the next gen trim. isnt it?
still need to enable trim?
tx