So, anyone that's upgraded a base-config retina imac knows that Apple cheaped out with a 32GB cache drive and some size Hard Drive.
Usually (from a PC standpoint) manufacturers that go this route actually utilize a 32GB SSD...that if removed could be used just like any other drive (albeit very small in size).
I am coming to find that this 'drive' is basically only usable in it's original intended form.
Installing this drive inside an OWC Envoy Pro results in neither the latest macOS or Windows recognizing it (no device/volume appearing in Disk Utility or DiskPart). Installing this drive internally in a mac and going to the boot picker shows this drive named 'Macintosh HD' and craps out halfway through booting.
Looking at this drive installed internally at the Disk Utility in the Internet Recovery menu shows a 27.55GB drive that cannot be mounted.
So what is this exactly? An SSD with really narrow firmware limitations? What can reasonably done with this?
EDIT: I did not realize that this was an NVME drive, it’s very possible that the OWC Envoy Pro doesn’t support it (only the 12+16 pin AHCI drives).
EDIT: With the Combination of the Sintech 12+16 to M.2 Adapter and an M.2 (NVME) to USB adapter I was able to read the drive on both Mac and Windows. I didn't think I could wipe a drive I couldn't mount, but it is now formatted as EXFAT and working as a normal SMALL SSD as expected!
Moral of the story...M.2 PCIE can be both NVME and AHCI...NVME is much easier to work with! AND...you CAN wipe a drive you cannot mount!
Usually (from a PC standpoint) manufacturers that go this route actually utilize a 32GB SSD...that if removed could be used just like any other drive (albeit very small in size).
I am coming to find that this 'drive' is basically only usable in it's original intended form.
Installing this drive inside an OWC Envoy Pro results in neither the latest macOS or Windows recognizing it (no device/volume appearing in Disk Utility or DiskPart). Installing this drive internally in a mac and going to the boot picker shows this drive named 'Macintosh HD' and craps out halfway through booting.
Looking at this drive installed internally at the Disk Utility in the Internet Recovery menu shows a 27.55GB drive that cannot be mounted.
So what is this exactly? An SSD with really narrow firmware limitations? What can reasonably done with this?
EDIT: I did not realize that this was an NVME drive, it’s very possible that the OWC Envoy Pro doesn’t support it (only the 12+16 pin AHCI drives).
EDIT: With the Combination of the Sintech 12+16 to M.2 Adapter and an M.2 (NVME) to USB adapter I was able to read the drive on both Mac and Windows. I didn't think I could wipe a drive I couldn't mount, but it is now formatted as EXFAT and working as a normal SMALL SSD as expected!
Moral of the story...M.2 PCIE can be both NVME and AHCI...NVME is much easier to work with! AND...you CAN wipe a drive you cannot mount!
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