Today's project- CPU swap

[Robert M]

Black,

THe machine shouldn't have needed any patches to run Catalina. It can actually move up to Monterey. I'd upgrade the internal drive to Monterey to ensure any firmware updates are applied to the machine. In my experience, firmware updates always require an Apple OEM SSD in applicable models. Might as well do any updates (if there are any) while the internal drive is solid.

The message you're getting about a drive that can't be read is definitely referring to the internal drive. I get a similar message on my '18 Mini when booting off its external SSD. Apple changed how it manages drives under newer variations of the OS. This is why you see two volumes. Just ignore the error message and both of the volumes that are on the internal drive.

Are you using a 3rd party keyboard? If so, upon initial startup, you might have to go through the keyboard identification process. Same goes for remapping the [OPTION] and [COMMAND] keys. It depends on the keyboard. Can't speak for the Logitech pane since I do my utmost to avoid 3rd party drivers.

Robert

[Black]

I wonder if I should just completely wipe that drive and install HS. No use for Catalina or Monterrey at present.

[Black]

Seller says no known patch of any sort. I haven't tried resetting NVRAM yet, will try to do so next time a restart is necessary.

[Black]

And at this point it's looking like their was something wrong with the 2012's USB management.

[Black]

And oops startup message is not that internal can't be read but that it's not fully compatible.

[Robert M]

Black,

Might be worth nuking and paving the internal once you've confirmed the machines is working perfectly with the external as its boot drive. Give it a serious workout. After that, you can nuke the internal and clone the external to it as a backup. Or, just ignore it entirely. I wouldn't do anything with the internal that until you know the machine is working perfectly, though.

Much in the same way that when my office's 2019 iMac crapped out, I immediately replaced it with a Late 2018 Mini. The mini came with a newer OS on its internal. As a part of the swap process, I booted off the Mini's internal SSD and created an account on it. This allowed me to test the machine to make sure all was working perfectly.

Once that was done, I booted into recovery mode, adjusted the boot settings to allow the machine to boot off an external drive. Connected a current clone backup of the iMac's Mojave drive to the machine, rebooted and gave it a workout. Once all was well, I adjusted the startup disk setting to default to the external drive. Done.

Now, each time I reboot off the external, I get the error message that the internal drive is incompatible. No surprise since the Mini's internal drive was configured with a newer OS than the one on the external. I just close the notification ignore the internal drive and go about my business.

Robert

[Black]

Robert M wrote:
Black,

Might be worth nuking and paving the internal once you've confirmed the machines is working perfectly with the external as its boot drive. Give it a serious workout. After that, you can nuke the internal and clone the external to it as a backup. Or, just ignore it entirely. I wouldn't do anything with the internal that until you know the machine is working perfectly, though.

Much in the same way that when my office's 2019 iMac crapped out, I immediately replaced it with a Late 2018 Mini. The mini came with a newer OS on its internal. As a part of the swap process, I booted off the Mini's internal SSD and created an account on it. This allowed me to test the machine to make sure all was working perfectly.

Once that was done, I booted into recovery mode, adjusted the boot settings to allow the machine to boot off an external drive. Connected a current clone backup of the iMac's Mojave drive to the machine, rebooted and gave it a workout. Once all was well, I adjusted the startup disk setting to default to the external drive. Done.

Now, each time I reboot off the external, I get the error message that the internal drive is incompatible. No surprise since the Mini's internal drive was configured with a newer OS than the one on the external. I just close the notification ignore the internal drive and go about my business.

Robert

Thanks, Robert. The mac is working perfectly, main problem right now is that my wifi seems to have become a bit flaky with the new head unit.... there's really no explanation related to the mac I can think of for it other than maybe the dreaded old USB vs. Wifi interference thing.... guess I'll make a project out of trying to move the router a few feet further away, on the other side of a wall from the mac and its octopus of USB hubs and externals.

[Robert M]

Black,

It wouldn't surprise me if it's the USB interference issue. It's definitely more of a problem in this day and age of adapters and wires. Definitely one of the reasons I miss having a bigger box with internal expansion and upgrade options. Any chance you can hardwire the Mac to the router? As much as I like wireless, it's always better to go hardwire if feasible. Hardwire is generally more reliable and doesn't suffer from interference issues.

Robert