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Upgrading SSD from Samsung EVO 840(256GB) to EVO 860(1TB) - Disk Issue

I wanted to use bootcamp to run windows 10 and MacOS high Sierra. So I proceeded to purchase a storage upgrade from 256GB to 1TB SSD. I followed the attached videos to format and download macOS High Sierra to my 1TB SSD through an external SATA III connection:

Part 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpMt1GFT...

Part 2) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFNYQqoc...

Upon formatting and installation, I proceeded to turn on my Mac, but the original SSD (EVO 840 - 256 GB) was the only disk showing under disk utility ( See attached picture) even when its the new 1TB currently inside the MacBook Pro.

I couldn't boot into the 1TB SSD initially after changing the SSD, so I decided to reinstall MacOS High Sierra into the 1TB drive through recovery mode (While it was still installed in the MBP) in hopes that 1TB drive partition would be recognized upon installation.

I was able to complete the installation but when I opened disk utilities it still showed the old EVO 840 name and partition size.

I also tired clearing the VRAM, PRAM and SCM and it still showed the old SSD info and the portion size as 250GB.

I suspect that maybe the EVO 860 might not be compatible with this model but I researched many reviews that mentioned it would work.

Not sure what to do to get the MacBook Pro to recognize this 1TB drive, any tips or help would be greatly appreciated.


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Update (11/12/2020)

Here are the screenshots

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Ha! You fell into the trap!

I bet your system is using Sierra or older macOS which would be using GUID/HFS+ (Journaled File system). High Sierra is the knifes edge between GUID/HFS+ and the newer GUID/APFS file system. But we have a problem! When you run the OS installer it will recognize the drive as an SSD and will then format it GUID/APFS. While thats fine if you did it on the system as the only drive then the systems firmware wouldn’t have been updated so your system won’t recognize it as a bootable drive!

So what to do?? If you really need High Sierra then you’ll need to put your new drive in and then run the OS installer directly on the system via a bootable OS installer drive to get the systems firmware updated.

But lets step back a bit… As there is a second issue which could be getting you! A common issue in this series is the HD SATA cable fails. What is maddening is a SATA II (3.0 Gb/s) drive will work without any problems (your Samsung 840 EVO) but a SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) like your Samsung 860 EVO will encounter problems! Here’s a bit more Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb

Here’s the needed cable: MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Early 2011-Late 2011) Hard Drive Cable and the guide to put it in MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

crwdns2886500:0MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Early 2011-Late 2011) Hard Drive Cablecrwdne2886500:0

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MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Early 2011-Late 2011) Hard Drive Cable

$34.99

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Late reply, but thank you sir! I replaced cable and the new 860 1TB drive was recognized and is working. I appreciate your help!

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

Happy to hear it! Don't forget to accept the answer - Thanks!

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

One last thing, I have both 840 EVO and 860 EVO showing in the disk utility, is there a way to completely remove the 840EVO from showing? Only thing it allows me to do is to Erase disk and reformat

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

You didn't pull out the 840 EVO or disconnect it from the USB port?

crwdns2934271:0crwdnd2934271:0crwdne2934271:0

The 840 Evo is completely removed. The only one inside the Mac is the 860. The Mac shows two internal drives though. I’m happy I have the 1TB size correct and don’t want to mess with it. But I was just curious why the 840 still shows because on paper it should not exist anymore

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