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

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The first post of this thread is a WikiPost and can be edited by anyone with the appropiate permissions. Your edits will be public.
Result on a MacBook Pro Late 2013 with a 1TB SX8200 Pro and the short Sinetech Adapter vers. B
Running Mojave 10.14.3, bootrom 149.0.0.0.0.

From/ to

uw9GG7A.jpg

Yg4LYzE.jpg


I did put the included heat-sink plate on the drive hoping not to get to tight inside. I didnt´use kapton tape as I couldn´t find some in my area, but seems to be all fine running since a week now. Put Hibernate, autopoweroff and standby on 0.

Only problem my battery is loosing like 1% / a day (what seem quite a lot) on global capacity charge now. Any idea what could help? Did a SMC Reset already
 
Last edited:
yosh22 said:
Result on a MacBook Pro Late 2013 with a 1TB SX8200 Pro and the short Sinetech Adapter vers. B
Running Mojave 10.14.3, bootrom 149.0.0.0.0.

From/ to

uw9GG7A.jpg

Yg4LYzE.jpg


I did put the included heat-sink plate on the drive hoping not to get to tight inside. I didnt´use kapton tape as I couldn´t find some in my area, but seems to be all fine running since a week now. Put Hibernate, autopoweroff and standby on 0.

Only problem my battery is loosing like 1% / a day (what seem quite a lot) on global capacity charge now. Any idea what could help? Did a SMC Reset already
Click to expand...

Awesome! Can you share the link to the adapter that you purchased?
 
Hi guys !

I spent quite a while reading this thread, thank you @gilles_polysoft for your hard work!

I am currently using a 13" MacBook Pro Retina from late 2013. I recently bought the Samsung EVO 970 with the adapter and successfully installed the very last version of Mojave (10.14.3).

9sBIF72.png

PqFb3Oy.png

Everything works perfectly fine, except the hibernate mode - which came as a surprise at first. After some googling I found this thread and noticed I wasn't the only one experiencing the issue (when it wakes from sleep: freeze + double chime at restart).

So far I understood that I had 2 options:

1. Prevent my rMBP from going to deep sleep by setting the standby to 0 with:

sudo pmset -a standby 0​


2. BootRom mod (replacing the NVMe DXE driver with the more complete one of the 2015 macs)

The 1st option is a very easy option, but I'd rather have my rMBP hibernate "properly". However I am still unsure about how to do exactly the BootRom mod process. I saw several posts mentioning bits of the process, but I am quite lost tbh, and don't really want to brick my computer... So I have a few questions:

- Which BootRom version should I use? Where can I download it or how can I extract the correct from the Mojave installer? I saw somewhere something about the software "Pacifist" and the "InstallESD" file, but can't remember where I saw that...

- After extract the appropriate bootrom file, then I just have to follow the steps mentioned in the post #1346, right? Or is there any more recent/reliable method?

- So I don't need to buy any hardware stuff? I saw posts from people talking about buying mattcards and some other tools, in order to flash the bootroom - didn't quite get it tbh...

- Do I need to repeat the process in case I update my rMBP?



Thank you very much for your help !
 
Hey guys:

Just bought these for my 2014 15" MacBook Pro:
1. JSER 12+16pin (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F9LDD5/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
2. NGFF M.2 PCIe SSD Card (http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html)
3. XPG SX8200 Pro 512GB (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K1HMMJC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Going to try and replicate the success that troys had with his machine. I decided to buy both adapters and keep the one that works best. Based on the thread, I am quite hopeful that this configuration will work successfully, though I do expect issues with sleep, hibernation, wake, etc. I've also seen posts about flashing the BootROM to bypass many of those issues but I doubt I'll do that. The 2014 MBP has a PCIe 2.0x4 interface that maxes out at ~1500MB/s Read and Write. The process seems much too risky for a marginal increase in performance. Maybe if the process becomes less complicated over the next year or so I'll consider it but for I'll wait it out. Thanks to everyone for their hardwork - will post my results soon.
 
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vllpz said:
Hi guys !

I spent quite a while reading this thread, thank you @gilles_polysoft for your hard work!

I am currently using a 13" MacBook Pro Retina from late 2013. I recently bought the Samsung EVO 970 with the adapter and successfully installed the very last version of Mojave (10.14.3).

9sBIF72.png

PqFb3Oy.png

Everything works perfectly fine, except the hibernate mode - which came as a surprise at first. After some googling I found this thread and noticed I wasn't the only one experiencing the issue (when it wakes from sleep: freeze + double chime at restart).

So far I understood that I had 2 options:

1. Prevent my rMBP from going to deep sleep by setting the standby to 0 with:

sudo pmset -a standby 0​


2. BootRom mod (replacing the NVMe DXE driver with the more complete one of the 2015 macs)

The 1st option is a very easy option, but I'd rather have my rMBP hibernate "properly". However I am still unsure about how to do exactly the BootRom mod process. I saw several posts mentioning bits of the process, but I am quite lost tbh, and don't really want to brick my computer... So I have a few questions:

- Which BootRom version should I use? Where can I download it or how can I extract the correct from the Mojave installer? I saw somewhere something about the software "Pacifist" and the "InstallESD" file, but can't remember where I saw that...

- After extract the appropriate bootrom file, then I just have to follow the steps mentioned in the post #1346, right? Or is there any more recent/reliable method?

- So I don't need to buy any hardware stuff? I saw posts from people talking about buying mattcards and some other tools, in order to flash the bootroom - didn't quite get it tbh...

- Do I need to repeat the process in case I update my rMBP?



Thank you very much for your help !
Click to expand...

I’d also like to get more info about software options to flash the rom opposed to using a hardware programmer. I’m glad you mentioned this because I didn’t notice the posts when I skimmed the thread and was wondering about if a software based flash was possible because I know people dsicuss doing it with Mac Pros. Can anyone shed some more light? Thanks.
 
gilles_polysoft said:
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).
Click to expand...

Oh so what happens when you suspend to disk in linux? Is the macbook unable to bring the OS back again?
 
macgeek01 said:
I’d also like to get more info about software options to flash the rom opposed to using a hardware programmer. I’m glad you mentioned this because I didn’t notice the posts when I skimmed the thread and was wondering about if a software based flash was possible because I know people dsicuss doing it with Mac Pros. Can anyone shed some more light? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Short answer is Right now there is no known software way to flash a modified Bootrom.

dosdude tool mentioned by Gilles require your device to be in a kind of service mode in order to flash bootrom and it seems there is no way to put these macbook models in service/programming mode. Official bootrom updates are flashed by the updater but it won't flash your custom file.
Hardware is the way to go as of now (but you already guessed that the guys here weren't doing it this way for fun right?), or you wait and hope Apple releases a patched bootrom with a system update (I guess it's unlikely to happen).
If you are not comfortable with flashing the chip on your motherboard there is another option. You can buy a Mattcard that plugs in your motherboard and overrides the bootrom present on the chip. You need to provide the seller with your modified bootrom for him to flash it on the mattcard.
 
Last edited:
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Hey guys,

i have bought a 970 evo in combination with an sintech long black adapter and installed it on my mac late 2013.
It works nice with Mac OS Mojave but i need Windows on it. I tried severel times to install it but with no luck.

I experienced a big problem while installing it. If i try to install Windows via bootcamp on it the Windows Installer doesent find any drive unless the magsafe adapter is plugged in. If the magsafe adapter is plugged in it installs perfectly but start with a bluescreen "critical process died". I fixed it with the regedit but my weird problem is whenever i unplug the magsafe adapter i get a bluescreen "critical process died".

As mentioned if i try to install windows without the magsafe it doesnt find any drive.
If i try to install windows without the bootcamp drives on the flash drive it show me the 970 evo and all the partitions but i cant install on them.

Pls guys you are the hope for me to install windows properly on the new ssd. I need windows for my current work...
I hope someone has a clue..
 
Ismis said:
Hey guys,

i have bought a 970 evo in combination with an sintech long black adapter and installed it on my mac late 2013.
It works nice with Mac OS Mojave but i need Windows on it. I tried severel times to install it but with no luck.

I experienced a big problem while installing it. If i try to install Windows via bootcamp on it the Windows Installer doesent find any drive unless the magsafe adapter is plugged in. If the magsafe adapter is plugged in it installs perfectly but start with a bluescreen "critical process died". I fixed it with the regedit but my weird problem is whenever i unplug the magsafe adapter i get a bluescreen "critical process died".

As mentioned if i try to install windows without the magsafe it doesnt find any drive.
If i try to install windows without the bootcamp drives on the flash drive it show me the 970 evo and all the partitions but i cant install on them.

Pls guys you are the hope for me to install windows properly on the new ssd. I need windows for my current work...
I hope someone has a clue..
Click to expand...

Afraid I can't help with that but I recommend finding a PC computer that you can remote in. I find it is the best of both worlds. I use my retina MBP to remote in to my Desktop PC via Microsoft Remote Desktop. I can swipe back and forth with the trackpad to instantly "be back" in OS X or Windows. Windows runs smoothly on my Desktop PC and I don't have to worry about restarting my computer to get into Windows Bootcamp.

Seeing the issues you experienced, this route seems like it could save you a lot of headache.
 
Gunmoule said:
Short answer is Right now there is no known software way to flash a modified Bootrom.

dosdude tool mentioned by Gilles require your device to be in a kind of service mode in order to flash bootrom and it seems there is no way to put these macbook models in service/programming mode. Official bootrom updates are flashed by the updater but it won't flash your custom file.
Hardware is the way to go as of now (but you already guessed that the guys here weren't doing it this way for fun right?), or you wait and hope Apple releases a patched bootrom with a system update (I guess it's unlikely to happen).
If you are not comfortable with flashing the chip on your motherboard there is another option. You can buy a Mattcard that plugs in your motherboard and overrides the bootrom present on the chip. You need to provide the seller with your modified bootrom for him to flash it on the mattcard.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your input. Posts seems to imply it has been done on MacBook Pros but I have noticed that holding down the power button doesn’t trigger the EFI update mode like it does on Mac Pros and also older MacBook Pros.
[doublepost=1551130525][/doublepost]Another method I’ve heard that may be possible is injecting the the modified bootrom into a Mac OS installer.
 
Gunmoule said:
You need to provide the seller with your modified bootrom for him to flash it on the mattcard.
Click to expand...

You don't need to give him the bootrom, you can flash it yourself pretty easily with a CH341 EFI programmer and an 8 pin SOIC clip. Obviously asking him to flash it for you is a bit cheaper since you won't need those components. (about 2-4$ in total).
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Yeah - Just a reminder PSA to this whole thread.

Don't buy the Samsung EVO Plus drives...

The normal EVO's are fine and work great (a bit hotter and power hungry though).
Click to expand...

Yup, EVO Plus is incompatible for some reason. Just returned it and bought an SX8200 Pro and now I'm up and running in under 15 mins.
[doublepost=1551225147][/doublepost]
stantheman2013 said:
Hey guys:

Just bought these for my 2014 15" MacBook Pro:
1. JSER 12+16pin (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073F9LDD5/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
2. NGFF M.2 PCIe SSD Card (http://eshop.sintech.cn/ngff-m2-pcie-ssd-card-as-2013-2014-2015-macbook-ssd-p-1143.html)
3. XPG SX8200 Pro 512GB (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07K1HMMJC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Going to try and replicate the success that troys had with his machine....
Click to expand...

Hey guys:

So I just installed the SX8200 Pro in my 2014 "15 MacBook Pro. The JSER 12+16pin adapter came in today and I decided to give it a try. The adapter works well, however, the thickness of the adapter won't allow me to snap the bottom enclosure into place securely. Only the snap furthest from the SSD bay snaps into place with this adapter. Not a huge deal, but it could be a deal breaker for some. I've also posted some benchmarks. Things to notice:

1. According to Black Magic Speed Test, I'm now getting about 1300MBs write and 1500 MBs read, which is exactly as I expected.
2. The SX8200 Pro controller runs at 61 degrees while the controller on my stock drive runs at 48; a 12-13 degree difference between the two controllers. For whatever reason Macs Fan Control does not detect the actual Adata SSD, nor does it report a temperature for it. On my stock drive, the controller ran at 48 degrees while the SSD ran at 35. I assume that means there's about a 12-degree difference between the two, though I have no other data to back this claim. Nonetheless, I constantly run my fans at 5500RPM so this shouldn't be a huge deal, but its definitely worth noting.

I haven't done much testing yet, but I anticipate hibernation, sleep, and wake issues. I'm open and appreciative to any suggestions that you might have. Also thanks to you guys for the hard work! I feel great saying that I've officially maxed out my Macbook for about $110.

adata_fan.jpeg adata.jpeg
stock_fan.jpeg stock.jpeg
 
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So I have a Late 2013 macbook Pro Retina with 256gb OEM drive currently (a1502 2678). I was going to purchase the samsung evo plus 970 but realize its a bad idea. I only need to increase storage, speed increase would be nice but not the main reason for the upgrade. I purchased the short Sintec adapter direct and plan to purchase (XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 2280) from amazon. For installation do I still need to upgrade to high sierra prior to install and worry about the hibernation issues once I upgrade or are the issues associated with the plus 970? Any thoughts are appreciated.
 
ramosz83 said:
So I have a Late 2013 macbook Pro Retina with 256gb OEM drive currently (a1502 2678). I was going to purchase the samsung evo plus 970 but realize its a bad idea. I only need to increase storage, speed increase would be nice but not the main reason for the upgrade. I purchased the short Sintec adapter direct and plan to purchase (XPG SX8200 Pro 1TB 3D NAND NVMe Gen3x4 PCIe M.2 2280) from amazon. For installation do I still need to upgrade to high sierra prior to install and worry about the hibernation issues once I upgrade or are the issues associated with the plus 970? Any thoughts are appreciated.
Click to expand...
I suggest updating to the latest Mojave release before installing the Adata.

The hibernation issue affects all nvme drives for all MacBooks from 2013 and 2014.
 
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