OWC Mercury Series - User Manual

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Start with Internet Recovery
This guide provides the information required to format your OWC SSD, as well as options for installing the Mac operating system and
migrating your data. The process starts by booting into Internet Recovery, using one of the keyboard shortcut listed below. Because the
shortcut used and the specific Mac determine the OS used by Recovery it is worthwhile to determine the latest compatible OS for your
Mac before choosing a method. We have included Apple’s official compatibility lists for the last several OS versions (see below).
Recovery Option 1: Cmd-Opt-R (Recommended)
Power on the Mac then immediately press and hold Cmd-Opt-R until you see a screen similar to the one at right (in some cases it may
be grey). If you see a Wi-Fi menu, choose your preferred network to continue; you may need to provide network credentials.
This Recovery option ensures that later in the process, if you use
the ‘Reinstall macOS / OS X’ function (i.e. a clean OS install) the
latest compatible version will be used.
Exception:
If your SSD is installed on an Accelsior S PCIe
card and is installed in a 2019 Mac Pro, and you have not
previously installed a macOS update, Cmd-Opt-R may install
the macOS version that was most recently used on your Mac.
Recovery Option 2: Cmd-R
Power on the Mac then immediately press and hold Cmd-R until you see a screen similar to the one shown above (in some cases it may
be grey). If you see a Wi-Fi menu, choose your preferred network to continue; you may need to provide network credentials.
This option ensures that if you use the ‘Reinstall macOS / OS X’ function (i.e. a “clean install”) later in the process, the most recently installed
OS version will be used.
Exception:
If you recently had your Mac logic board replaced during a repair, Recovery might instead install the latest compatible OS.
Additional Notes:
• OS 10.11 and 10.13 included changes to Disk Utility that will determine which formatting instructions to use (see next page).
• If you want to verify the OS version that you booted into before choosing the formatting instructions, you can use the Terminal.
From the main menu at the top of the Recovery screen, choose Utilities > Terminal, then type the command sw_vers and press
Return. The OS version that you have booted into will be displayed. If it’s the version you expected based on the information
provided earlier, you can continue to the Formatting section below. If not, you can try again by choosing Apple Menu > Restart,
waiting till the screen turns black and then pressing and holding a different Recovery shortcut, to see if you get the result you want.
If you do not it is possible the version of the OS you are looking for is no longer available for your specific Mac.
Formatting, OS Installation, and Migration Guide
OWC Mercury Series 2.5 inch SATA SSDs
Important Notes
• This process requires a working internet connection on the host computer.
• This guide assumes that the SSD installation process was already followed and completed.
• If the SSD is installed on a laptop, make sure the power adapter is connected before you begin the steps below.
• macOS 10.15 Catalina-compatible
• macOS 10.14 Mojave-compatible
• macOS 10.13 High Sierra-compatible
• macOS 10.12 Sierra-compatible
• Mac OS X 10.11 El Capitan-compatible
• Mac OS X 10.10 Yosemite-compatible

Summary

Start with Internet Recovery

Recovery Option 1: Cmd-Opt-R (Recommended)

Reinstall macOS or OS X using Cmd-Opt-R for the latest compatible OS version.

Recovery Option 2: Cmd-R

Reinstall macOS or OS X using Cmd-R for the most recently installed OS version.

Formatting the SSD

Formatting Steps: 10.13-10.15

Detailed steps for erasing and formatting the SSD for macOS 10.13 to 10.15.

Formatting Steps: 10.11-10.12

Formatting Steps: 10.7-10.10

OS Install Methods & Data Migration

Option 1: Reinstall the OS + Migration Assistant

Install a clean macOS and migrate data using Migration Assistant.

Option 2: (Full) Restore From Time Machine Backup

Option 3: Full Restore from Carbon Copy Cloner

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Usage Features
3. Maintenance Features

This document serves as a comprehensive guide for formatting, installing the operating system, and migrating data to an OWC Mercury Series 2.5-inch SATA SSD. It outlines various methods and steps to ensure a smooth transition to the new storage device, catering to different macOS versions and user scenarios.

Function Description:

The OWC Mercury Series 2.5-inch SATA SSD is a storage device designed for use with Mac computers. This guide facilitates its integration into an existing Mac system by providing instructions for formatting the SSD, installing a macOS operating system, and transferring user data. The primary function of the SSD, once integrated, is to serve as a faster and more reliable primary or secondary storage solution for the Mac. The guide focuses on using Apple's Internet Recovery feature as the starting point for these processes, which allows users to access macOS Utilities for disk management and OS installation without needing a pre-existing bootable drive. It supports various macOS versions, from OS X 10.7 Yosemite up to macOS 10.15 Catalina, with specific instructions tailored to the changes in Disk Utility across these versions.

Usage Features:

The guide details three main options for setting up the new SSD:

1. Reinstall macOS + Migration Assistant: This method involves performing a clean installation of macOS on the new SSD, followed by using Migration Assistant to transfer user data from a backup. This is particularly recommended when the system backup uses an older macOS version than the SSD's base requirement or when a user desires a fresh OS installation for stability or peace of mind. The process begins by selecting "Reinstall macOS" or "Reinstall OS X" from the macOS Utilities window. After the OS installation, the Setup Assistant will guide the user through data migration, offering options to transfer information from a Time Machine backup, another Mac, or a startup disk.
2. Full Restore from Time Machine Backup: For users with a recent and complete Time Machine backup of their entire system drive, this is presented as the simplest method. It allows for the direct restoration of both the operating system and user data from the Time Machine backup onto the new SSD. This option is accessed by choosing "Restore From Time Machine Backup" in the macOS Utilities. Users will need to select their Time Machine backup disk and then the new SSD as the destination for the restore.
3. Full Restore from Carbon Copy Cloner Backup: This option is for users who have cloned their system drive using Carbon Copy Cloner (CCC). It involves booting the Mac from the CCC backup drive, launching the Carbon Copy Cloner application, and then performing a restore operation from the backup volume to the new OWC SSD. This method allows for the transfer of the entire system and user data, similar to a Time Machine restore, but using CCC's specific functionalities.

Before any of these options, the SSD must be formatted. The guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions for formatting the drive using Disk Utility, which is accessible through Internet Recovery. These instructions are differentiated based on the macOS version targeted by the Recovery method (10.13-10.15, 10.11-10.12, and 10.7-10.10) to account for variations in Disk Utility's interface and options. Key steps include selecting "Show All Devices" in Disk Utility, identifying the physical disk for the OWC SSD, choosing the appropriate format (APFS for 10.13 and later, Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for earlier versions), setting the scheme to "GUID Partition Map," naming the volume, and then initiating the erase process. The guide emphasizes that the chosen volume name will be important for identifying the drive during OS installation and data migration.

Maintenance Features:

While the document primarily focuses on initial setup, it incorporates several maintenance-related recommendations:

• Internet Connection: A working internet connection is a prerequisite for the entire process, as Internet Recovery relies on downloading necessary OS components and utilities.
• Power Adapter: For laptop users, ensuring the power adapter is connected is crucial to prevent power loss during critical operations like formatting and OS installation.
• OS Version Verification: The guide suggests using the Terminal command sw_vers within Recovery mode to verify the booted OS version. This helps users ensure they are proceeding with the correct formatting and installation steps tailored to that specific OS version, thereby avoiding potential compatibility issues. If the expected OS version is not booted, users are advised to restart and try a different Recovery shortcut.
• Software Updates: After completing the OS installation and data migration, the guide strongly recommends running "Software Update" to ensure all system resources and applications are fully up-to-date. This is a standard maintenance practice that helps maintain system stability, security, and performance.
• Backup Importance: The entire guide implicitly underscores the importance of having a reliable backup (Time Machine or Carbon Copy Cloner) before starting the process. This is a fundamental data maintenance practice, as it allows for the restoration of data in case of unforeseen issues or when migrating to a new drive.
• Disk Utility for Repair/Erase: Disk Utility, a core tool used in this guide, is also a primary macOS utility for disk maintenance, including repairing disk errors and erasing drives. The formatting steps outlined are essentially a form of initial maintenance for a new drive.
• Troubleshooting: The guide acknowledges potential exceptions, such as a recently replaced Mac logic board affecting the Recovery OS version, and provides advice on how to proceed. It also notes that if an SSD is installed on an Accelsior S PCIe card in a 2019 Mac Pro without a prior macOS update, Cmd-Opt-R might install the most recently used macOS version, rather than the latest compatible one.

The document is structured to be user-friendly, with clear steps and visual cues (referencing items by letter in screenshots) to guide users through potentially complex procedures. It accounts for variations in macOS interfaces and provides notes to clarify specific behaviors or recommendations.

OWC Mercury Series Specifications