Chosen Solution

Here is the situation:

  • The original SSD in my MacBookPro died (verified by diagnostics run by the genius bar at the apple store).
  • I purchased and installed a “240GB OWC Aura Pro X SSD (Blade Only)” from MacSales.
  • The new SSD is not recognized using recovery.
  • I only have access to windows machines to try and revive the MacBookPro. The MacSales site states: “macOS 10.13 and later versions include an EFI (firmware) update that adds support for the Aura Pro X to the host computer. If you do not first update the host firmware by installing macOS 10.13 or later onto the existing SSD, the Aura Pro X will not function properly once installed.” I’m pretty sure that the original drive had High Sierra on it because I tried to reinstall OSX by booting with Command-R and it was trying to install High Sierra (before visiting the Apple store). Is there a way to make a bootable USB with High Sierra on it using windows? Or another way to get out of this mess using the tools I have (a MacBookPro with an un-formatted SSD)? Help.

Well you are in a tight spot… You do need to find someone with a Mac that allows you to create a USB thumb drive OS installer. It comes down to which came first the chicken or the egg ;-} I’m sure you can find someone to help you even the Apple Store should be willing to help setup the drive (ask nicely & smile!) Here’s the steps you’ll need to take: How to create a bootable macOS Sierra installer drive Or How to create a bootable macOS High Sierra installer drive Save the thumb drive for the next time.

Another solution is to do a clean install of macOS 10.13 or later version from recovery mode onto the Aura Pro. dont need to configure the os. After that update to whatever os the latest time machine entry is. Then restart the mac and hold cmd + r to start in recovery mode (should be from disk) then select recover from time machine and your computer should regonize the Auro Pro since it now has a mac os installed and can restore from time machine from it.

I upgraded my MacBook Air (early 2015) to the latest macOS Monterey, v 12.0.1. Installed the Aura Pro X2, but the mac did not recognize it. Reinstalled the old SSD, no problem. (So the connectors etc on the mac must be fine. ) Installed the Aura Pro X2 in the external enclosure that came with the bundle. The enclosure powers up, but, the mac still does not see it when connected via USB port. I believe the Aura Pro X2 that was shipped to me is defective but, not sure how to get help beyond this. Wasted over $500 on this effort.