Disk Utility unable to erase or partition SSD Drive

Dan, thanks for replying it’s appreciated. I’ve been running High Sierra for about 3 years now with no issues until now. Currently using an SSD drive which seemed to have failed.

Here’s an update on the issue: I took out the drive and placed it into an enclosure and was able to connect via USB and format it with a name, etc. I’m not familiar with much of the tech specifications but the install instructions from OWC (where I purchased the drive a few years ago) suggested that APFS be selected and not Mac Journaled.

Then I was able to install HS again via internet recovery and am currently trying to retrieve some lost files. I’m using a recovery software and have found some files but for some reason Adobe Illustrator files aren’t showing up (I’m in the graphic design industry).

Hopefully I can recover my files soon.

At this point I may just go back to a disk drive or keep this same SSD. I’m just holding off for a few more months before a new(er) Mac purchase after the Holidays.

So when I reformat again, do I go with APFS or Mac Journaled?

Is that how the HFS+ is established?

I’ll also most likely revert back to Sierra 10.12.x per your advice.

Thanks again, I look forward to hearing back.

Some clearity here would help.

Why do you think the SSD drive has failed?

Is this the same drive you connected via USB?

If yes then it sounds like you may have over-written some of your files your files. You do you have an external back-up drive, don't you??? At least for your Adobe files???

Oh and you just posted as an "Answer" when you were asking more questions.

@zerimar3 - The OWC SSD requires APFS per their documentation. Frankly, SSD’s work better with APFS, yet spinning iron HDD’s work better with HFS+

@mike I was working on a project the other night when the computer froze. On restart it would get stuck. Tried logging in through safe mode and was unable to. Did a PRAM reset and got back in. Everything was extremely slow but managed to close out programs and got stuck on restart again. Various attempts at using disk utility to repair which did not work.

Ultimately got a blinking folder and then just a white screen. Tried for hours as everything was moving extremely slow. Slow because after nearly an hour of the white screen the login would show up but not let me through.

And yes, the same drive that failed is now connected via USB and I’m trying to recover files. After connecting with USB it was able to be reformatted/partitioned.

But now I’m curious to know if it was a the drive or the SATA cable that failed. Thoughts?

Also, I do have a back up as I wrote in my initial post but not for the last 5 days. Thanks what I’m trying to recover.

@Dan: noted - regarding APFS and HFS+. I did follow the documentation, thank you.

@zerimar3

Yes you did mention your backup.

@Dan could help you better with the cable.

Data recovery rule #1 - don't do anything to drive before attempting recovery as files may be over written.

This is what I am concerned about "After connecting with USB it was able to be reformatted/partitioned." That action can over write files permanently.

Ideally you would want to connect the drive to another working computer and just pull your files off or use data recovery software if needed.