Upgrading 2013-2015 Macbook Pro SSD to M.2 NVMe

[NutFlush920]

Results on 15” Mid 2015 MacBook Pro using SX8200 Pro 1TB with long adapter. Will be swapping to short adapter once it arrives as the long one bends and I don’t wanna cut it down. Also did BootCamp the manual way. Very impressed by these results and happy with the purchase.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Results on 15” Mid 2015 MacBook Pro using SX8200 Pro 1TB with long adapter. Will be swapping to short adapter once it arrives as the long one bends and I don’t wanna cut it down. Also did BootCamp the manual way. Very impressed by these results and happy with the purchase.

Great results!
I was waiting forever for the 2TB version that still hasn’t come out I don’t think.
Odd - and frustrating.

 

[gpwz-zhen]

hi guys, newbie here, have tried to read all the thread but eyes hurting...
my case:
- model: a1398 (15 inch mid-2015)
- ssd: samsung 970 evo plus (released recently, new)
- adapter: little one with NF in a circle at the back
- issue: even can't erase ssd properly, the formatting worked several times, but no matter a fresh install or recover from time machine, it constantly reboot

does anyone know what might be the problem, i know i have to use the bigger one first though (sintech), but the last thing i wanna do is to look for another ssd...

 

[mbosse]

hi guys, newbie here, have tried to read all the thread but eyes hurting...
my case:
- model: a1398 (15 inch mid-2015)
- ssd: samsung 970 evo plus (released recently, new)
- adapter: little one with NF in a circle at the back
- issue: even can't erase ssd properly, the formatting worked several times, but no matter a fresh install or recover from time machine, it constantly reboot

does anyone know what might be the problem, i know i have to use the bigger one first though (sintech), but the last thing i wanna do is to look for another ssd...

You are not the first one who reports such issues with the Samsung 970 Evo Plus.

 

[gpwz-zhen]

I'll update the experience of my setup here:
WITH CableCC/Chenyang Adapter:
Overall Usability: Tolerable. Only have reboot issues.
Macbook Model: Macbook Pro Mid-2015(A1398)
Adapter: CableCC (Chenyang)
SSD Model: Samsung 960 Pro 512GB
BootRom Version: MBP114.0177.B00
BootCamp: Installed, with problem rebooting and error launching BootCamp Control Panel
Kernel Panics: Rare when taped(<2 times/month). Noticeable when untaped(1~2 times/day)

High Sierra cold boot time: >30s with APFS, ~10s using JHFS+(forced os installer to install using JHFS+)
Sleep issues: NO
Reboot issues: YES, showing nothing but black screen, have to force turn off and start.
Any hiberate policy modified?: NO(Factory Default)
P.S.
I'm trying to buy a Sintech Adapter, it seems CableCC is not the 'authentic' one? I'm in china, so it should not take long for the adapter to arrive.
---
Update:
I just received my Sintech Adapter(new version), and the reboot problem is gone!
WITH Sintech: Work like a charm!
Kernel Panics: Rare
Adapter version: New (bigger version)
Reboot Issue: No
Sleep Issue: No
Tape? : You still have to tape it.

Go sintech!
Yey!

Hi, where did you get the Sintech new adapter, any links you could share? I'm also in China but couldn't find there products... many thanks
[doublepost=1550663347][/doublepost]

You are not the first one who reports such issues with the Samsung 970 Evo Plus.

thanks... that's fairly informative... any new update leads of them that you might be aware of?

 

[maenpaa24]

I have done long tests with Samsung drives this evening, hoping I could figure it out..

I tested again the 960 Evo and PM981 (which is newer than the 960)

Tests were made with both macOS 10.13.4 (beta 0) and Linux Xubuntu 17.10 on a 13" rMBP late 2013, and with both black v.3 and large green v.2 sintech adapters.

Results with Linux and the 960 Evo/Pro :
- never had any hang or panic... Sleep works and resume properly. Reboot works and never present a blinking folder even on 2013-2014 mac, with both green and black adapters !
Copy of 400GB of datas can be made without trouble up to a fast external Samsung T3 , at a medium speed higher than 300 MB/sec


Results with macOS and the 960 Evo/Pro
- reboot fails with the black sintech adapter with a blinking icon
- reboot works 100% times without issue with the large green adapter
- huge data copy-I/O transfers work without issue from a NVMe APFS boot drive running 10.3.3
- huge data copy-i/o transfers randomly causes kernel panics while booted from a NVMe APFS drive under 10.3.2. Same thing while booted from an HFS+ drive (any version of High Sierra)


Results with Linux and the PM981 :
- no problem at all. Disk is fast, reboot works 100% of the time, sleep seems to work perfectly; no single issue

Results with macOS and the PM981 :
- disk impossible to use. Read works fast (1500MB/s) but write almost always fails ! (with both models of adapters).
Write on a APFS or HFS disk can write up to 100MB a 5 MB/sec only... after a while, I got spinning ball cursor and no transfer at all, then all this followed by a KP...


Conclusions so far :

- as for kernel panics issues : it sems macOS doesn't handle well the combinaison of Samsung NVMe drives formates in HFS+... (or Samsung NVMe drives formatted in APFS under 10.13.2 or lower)

- also macOS doesn't like the combinaison of both Samsung NVMe and Sintech black adapter... it results of a blinking icon folder



I have noticed no problem at all with any combinaison of linux / apple hardware / samsung NVMe drive / sintech adapter

Also all 2015-2017 macs are free from reboot problems so they can use a black sintech adapter with no issue !

And last, I feel quite optimistic, at least the fact that it works perfectly with linux/ windows makes me hope that the remaining issue (very noticeable with the PM981) is only with the macOS kext and the way macOS handles samsung NVMe drives..

Hi! Regarding this post from @gilles_polysoft I figure out that with linux there are no problems at all, neither hibernation issues nor any other problem in any compatible macbook from 2013-2017. From what one could conclude that the problem is the NVME kext from MacOS. What strikes me here is the fact that in order to solve the hibernation issue on MacOS on macbooks from 2013-2014 one must change the DXE driver in the EFI firmware. Then the hibernation problem is not only related to the nvme kext but to how MacOS communicates with the drive through the kext making use of the efi firmware. I mean, I can't understand that if with linux works like a charm in mac os a firmware mod is required. In my opinion, if it works in linux whereas in mac os doesn't, then it should not have anything to do with the efi firmware, does it? Can anyone shred some light on this?

Thanks!

 

[Audit13]

Hi, where did you get the Sintech new adapter, any links you could share? I'm also in China but couldn't find there products... many thanks

Here are two adapters that have been shown to work well with nvme drives:

Without screwsrivers: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1139.html

With screwdrivers: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html

 

[NutFlush920]

Ships from overseas but can find on eBay for more money and shorter delivery times. I just ordered a short one for $23 on eBay as the long one bows when plugged in on my 15” 2015 MBP.

 

[macgeek01]

So this is not recommended?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_-GBBCbJBEVYHW

Thanks

 

[NutFlush920]

So this is not recommended?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CWWAENG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_-GBBCbJBEVYHW

Thanks

This is the one I have now. It bows when it’s plugged in because it appears to be too long or something. Others have suggested cutting it to be shorter. I am not that risky. I wish they made the short ones available on prime

 

[owbp]

It bows when it’s plugged in because it appears to be too long or something. Others have suggested cutting it to be shorter. I am not that risky.

I really don't see any risk in cutting it short, but understand why someone wouldn't do that.
You can clearly see where "the important stuff" ends and where you can cut it

IIRC the bowing is the problem with SSDs that have memory chips on both sides.

 

[NutFlush920]

I really don't see any risk in cutting it short, but understand why someone wouldn't do that.
You can clearly see where "the important stuff" ends and where you can cut it

IIRC the bowing is the problem with SSDs that have memory chips on both sides.

I’ll have to look and see if where the chips begin are past the “important stuf”. Otherwise now my short adapter well arrive on Monday
[doublepost=1550699733][/doublepost]I also had a problem with Boot Camp constantly restarting windows 10 after installing the BootCamp drivers. I’ve troubleshooted and only installed the Apple drivers for the keyboard and trackpad and now it seems to be stable. I only need windows for one or two programs anyways

 

[owbp]

I’ll have to look and see if where the chips begin are past the “important stuf”.

That would be great!
Even better if you manage to take few pictures for us to have it here for future reference.

 

[NutFlush920]

That would be great!
Even better if you manage to take few pictures for us to have it here for future reference.

I’ll do that.
[doublepost=1550703855][/doublepost]

I’ll do that.

Here’s a couple pics. It doesn’t look like any chips are on the underside and cutting may be an option but I’m opting to just get the small adapter.

http://i66.tinypic.com/bf2vir.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/2lsuv7t.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/35d3yar.jpg

 

[macgeek01]

Hi! Regarding this post from @gilles_polysoft I figure out that with linux there are no problems at all, neither hibernation issues nor any other problem in any compatible macbook from 2013-2017. From what one could conclude that the problem is the NVME kext from MacOS. What strikes me here is the fact that in order to solve the hibernation issue on MacOS on macbooks from 2013-2014 one must change the DXE driver in the EFI firmware. Then the hibernation problem is not only related to the nvme kext but to how MacOS communicates with the drive through the kext making use of the efi firmware. I mean, I can't understand that if with linux works like a charm in mac os a firmware mod is required. In my opinion, if it works in linux whereas in mac os doesn't, then it should not have anything to do with the efi firmware, does it? Can anyone shred some light on this?

Thanks!

I would like to the reason as well.

This is the one I have now. It bows when it’s plugged in because it appears to be too long or something. Others have suggested cutting it to be shorter. I am not that risky. I wish they made the short ones available on prime

Thanks for the info.

 

[gpwz-zhen]

small black adapter, long adapter)
--> Doesn't work. Still reb

Here are two adapters that have been shown to work well with nvme drives:

Without screwsrivers: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1139.html

With screwdrivers: http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html

thank you for sharing. as a chinese consumer, really pissed off by their staff (apparently they don't have customer service or they don't deal with retail customer), just made a phone call according to the corresponding info on their website and asked do they have alternative online shopping exclusive for chinese market (coz i'm now in china and taobao or other online shopping site would be a much more convenient way), if not, do they ship china if i paid the same oversea's price tag and the shipping fee with paypal which the only way of payment they accept on the website, the answer is 'no (long silence) no (long silence) no (long silence * 2) we don't sell products to china market (hang up the phone without a bye)...

 

[Audit13]

thank you for sharing. as a chinese consumer, really pissed off by their staff (apparently they don't have customer service or they don't deal with retail customer), just made a phone call according to the corresponding info on their website and asked do they have alternative online shopping exclusive for chinese market (coz i'm now in china and taobao or other online shopping site would be a much more convenient way), if not, do they ship china if i paid the same oversea's price tag and the shipping fee with paypal which the only way of payment they accept on the website, the answer is 'no (long silence) no (long silence) no (long silence * 2) we don't sell products to china market (hang up the phone without a bye)...

That is terrible service. I don't understand why they wouldn't sell it directly to Chinese residents or ship to a Chinese address.

 

[gilles_polysoft]

Great info, thanks for taking the time to explain! I’ve done my best to browse/search this thread for info. So if you flash the ROM in pre 2015 models with a modified version it adds the ability to support hibernation with 3rd party NVME?

Exactly.
At this time we still don't know if Apple will one day incorporate the full uncompressed DXE NVMe driver in the BootRom of the 2013-2014 models...

Hi! Regarding this post from @gilles_polysoft I figure out that with linux there are no problems at all, neither hibernation issues nor any other problem in any compatible macbook from 2013-2017. From what one could conclude that the problem is the NVME kext from MacOS. What strikes me here is the fact that in order to solve the hibernation issue on MacOS on macbooks from 2013-2014 one must change the DXE driver in the EFI firmware.

Hi,
in the post you refer to, there were no problems with the PM981 and linux. But this regards only the PM981 which has problems with macOS nvme kext.
Regarding hibernation, Linux doesn't handle at all hibernation (suspend to disk) on macs.
It has been tested and proved for ~1 year here that hibernation perfectly works perfectly on 2015 macs with NVMe drives, which have a full NVMe DXE driver.
And it has been experimented over and over, that with the proper DXE NVMe driver, mac from 2013-2014 handle perfectly full hibernation (suspend to disk).

 

[ezrix]

Hye.. Thanks for the thread i successfully upgrade my macbook pro 2015 ssd using ADATA SX8200 Pro.. Everything look great but i can setup bootcamp windows keep crashing..anyone get the same problem?

 

[NutFlush920]

Hye.. Thanks for the thread i successfully upgrade my macbook pro 2015 ssd using ADATA SX8200 Pro.. Everything look great but i can setup bootcamp windows keep crashing..anyone get the same problem?

Does it keep rebooting?

 

[darkevil]

I’ll do that.
[doublepost=1550703855][/doublepost]
Here’s a couple pics. It doesn’t look like any chips are on the underside and cutting may be an option but I’m opting to just get the small adapter.

http://i66.tinypic.com/bf2vir.jpg

http://i63.tinypic.com/2lsuv7t.jpg

http://i65.tinypic.com/35d3yar.jpg

Did you double check that the adapter board is pushed in all the way? It should click in with some Minimal force. The hold on the adapter should line up perfectly with the screw hole on the logic board. I can see it bowing like that if it’s not lined up correctly and once you out the screw in it’ll flex it.

 

[NutFlush920]

Does it keep rebooting?

Follow these instructions to get Windows 10 installed successfully. FYI I had to make the the WINFILES partition 10gb as 8gb wasn't enough.

Once installed I ran the BootCamp installer and that was causing Windows to keep rebooting randomly. To fix that I had to reinstall windows using the troubleshooting tool that's built into Windows. I learned there is a driver install (not sure which) causing the issue but I wanted my keyboard and tackpad to work normally so I made the BootCamp install folder look like the attached folder and ran setup. Now it works perfect. There are no devices in Device Manager with errors so I'm happy.

[doublepost=1550772726][/doublepost]

Did you double check that the adapter board is pushed in all the way? It should click in with some Minimal force. The hold on the adapter should line up perfectly with the screw hole on the logic board. I can see it bowing like that if it’s not lined up correctly and once you out the screw in it’ll flex it.

Yes its pushed in all the way. My short adapter will be arriving Monday. Just shipped. Ill just return the long adapter to Amazon.

 

[splekertz]

have you guys tried WD sn750? and what about it's performance in macbook air 2015?

 

[ezrix]

Does it keep rebooting?

Yup.. I got Bsod and it keep rebooting

 

[NutFlush920]

Yup.. I got Bsod and it keep rebooting

Has to do with one of the BootCamp drivers. I only installed the Apple ones and mines fine. Check out my previous post.

You may need to first boot into Windows Troubleshooting and reinstall Windows. Luckily it’s a fast process.