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Basically I am trying to install a brand new Aura Pro X2 480gb SSD into a Macbook Air 2014, the original apple SSD has failed and is not seen by the Macbook Air. I know the Aura Pro X2 requires High Sierra as the previous system so the firmware updates via the Macbook Air.

But for some reason whenever I try to install High Sierra using a bootable installer via the Macbook Air, I get an error message stating that the computer is missing firmware partition on any device. I try to install High Sierra on to, been it a USB key or an external hard drive etc.

Is there anyway I can get High Sierra installed via a USB or external hard drive so the firmware partition updates, so I can then see the new Auro Pro X2 480gb SSD and install new system on to it?

I've tried formatting USB keys and hard drives in different ways but keep getting the missing firmware partition message on anything I do.

I have an old 2008 Mac Pro and also a 2011 Mac mini, if those can be useful in anyway to solving this issue I have.

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  • Is the Aura Pro X2 480gb SSD installed into the MacBook Air? If not, then where?
    – David Anderson
    Feb 19, 2021 at 9:38
  • I've tried with the Auro Pro X2 installed in Macbook Air and also without it when trying to install High Sierra on to either a USB key or external hard drive. The Macbook Air does't see the Auro Pro X2 via disk util, as the firmware needs to be updated.
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 19, 2021 at 10:21
  • What was the newest version of macOS installed on the original apple SSD?
    – David Anderson
    Feb 19, 2021 at 10:41
  • Had either 10.10 or 10.11 not sure as did't have the macbook air when working on Apple ssd.
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 19, 2021 at 11:19
  • You might try reading the accepted answer to the question Select the disk where you want to install macOS? The same Aura Pro X2 SSD is involved.
    – David Anderson
    Feb 19, 2021 at 11:55

1 Answer 1

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The OWC installation video has the following caution message.

video

High Sierra has a firmware update. To install this update, there needs to be an working internal drive compatible with the existing firmware. The original apple SSD was compatible. The new Aura Pro X2 480gb SSD will be compatible once the firmware update is installed.

I assume you have not ever had High Sierra or a newer version of macOS installed on your Mac. I assume this true, because you state the Disk Utility on the High Sierra installer does not recognize the new Aura Pro X2 480gb SSD when installed in your Mac.

Trying to install High Sierra to an external drive does not solve your problem. The firmware that updates itself requires an internal drive.

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  • So is my only option to buy an used Apple SSD to update the firmware?
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 19, 2021 at 11:20
  • Ok I've obtained an Apple SSD and installed Mojave via the macbook air. But once the Aura Pro X2 is installed into the macbook air, the Mojave USB installer does't see new SSD via disk utilities.
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 20, 2021 at 19:42
  • Did you select Show All Devices?
    – David Anderson
    Feb 20, 2021 at 21:42
  • do you mean via disk utitlies?
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 20, 2021 at 21:47
  • does't show in show all devices. i feel I may have defective Aura Pro X2 SSD.
    – Ginger Mac Benn
    Feb 20, 2021 at 21:55

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