I'm using an SSD external to run my old iMac, but when I shut it down it always starts up on the internal disk, which is really s l o w. There must be a way to get it to start-up on the external right off?

system preferences > startup disk

Tried that many times. It shows the external selected, on both HDs. Always starts on the internal then requires a reboot. Also tried holding the option key at chime but it only gives me the internal HD.

It sounds like the external isn't spinning up and mounting fast enough. Not sure what you would do about that.

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ka jowct
It sounds like the external isn't spinning up and mounting fast enough. Not sure what you would do about that.

No spinning involved. SSD. Two different versions of OS10: 10.10.5 on the internal and 10.11.6 on the external. I'm thinking that shouldn't make a difference?

OK, this works: hold down option key after chime (only internal HD icon appears), turn SSD external off and back on, external HD icon shows up. Select and boot. Better than nothing...

weird that it doesn't initially see the external drive; kinda sounds like an issue w/ the enclosure's bridge board. How "old" an iMac is it? I found better reliability for external booting via FW800 than via USB.
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I'm booting via FW800. iMac (24-inch, Early 2008) 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo. It's a OWC Mercury Electra 6G in one of their enclosures.

Wags,

That sounds like the external housing or connection is not being triggered as soon as it should be. I had that problem with one of my WD drives, I only found it because aI had several bootable externals, and that was the only on that I could not get to boot. I pulled the drive and put it in a dock and it was the bootable. That told me it was the housing circuit that caused the problem.

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Wags
OK, this works: hold down option key after chime (only internal HD icon appears), turn SSD external off and back on, external HD icon shows up. Select and boot. Better than nothing...

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Ed (modelamac)

I think I will just put an OUT OF ORDER
sticker on my head and call it a day.

It's one of these enclosures: [eshop.macsales.com]

It could be the chipset used in the enclosure, I do know that my 2008 Black MacBook is not compatible with all external Firewire enclsures as far as booting is concerned. I ran into this with a WD portable external drive, I can use it to boot my 2009 iMac, but no go on the MacBook Firewire port. But the drive did work over the USB port.

I tried shutting down and turning off the enclosure. I waited a few minutes than turned the enclosure on and booted. That worked. I guess the FW800 supplies power even when the computer is off.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2016 04:53PM by Wags.

try zapping your p-ram.

Shut down, unplug iMac from wall, wait a few mintues, plug back in, restart.

Im pretty sure we have discussed this before, but the 24" AL iMacs are pretty easy to get in to... internal mount that thing =)

Damn, those cases are EX-pensive. $110 just to get FW800. A barebones, but functional, USB 3 case is only $10.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

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Wags

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ka jowct
It sounds like the external isn't spinning up and mounting fast enough. Not sure what you would do about that.

No spinning involved. SSD. Two different versions of OS10: 10.10.5 on the internal and 10.11.6 on the external. I'm thinking that shouldn't make a difference?

Could have phrased that better, but the idea is the same, the external is not available soon enough.

Are you using an AC adapter with that enclosure?

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ka jowct


Are you using an AC adapter with that enclosure?

Nope

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jdc
try zapping your p-ram.

Shut down, unplug iMac from wall, wait a few mintues, plug back in, restart.

Im pretty sure we have discussed this before, but the 24" AL iMacs are pretty easy to get in to... internal mount that thing =)

Damn, those cases are EX-pensive. $110 just to get FW800. A barebones, but functional, USB 3 case is only $10.

I looked at the OWC vid. Could maybe do that on a day when I'm feeling brave, then put the internal into the enclosure. Got everything except the suction cups.

Well, the internal wont fit, since its 3.5" vs 2.5", but any decent USB 2 case will work for the 3.5. USB 2 is more than enough for many things...

And I may have said this before too, but taking the glass off is the *easiest* part of the whole thing. 5 seconds at most. Dont even need a suction cup, just pry it up with your fingertips or a credit card. And its not necsassry to take the whole screen off. I lay it on its back and use a 10" screwdriver to hold it open.

soemthign like this is really helpful, I have just used a small decorative pillow from the couch...



[www.ifixit.com]

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

I've had similar issues with their 6G drives on older--2007 and 2008-- Macs. The 3G drives work fine for me on these machines.

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