Modern SATA SSD compatibility issues with 2009 iMac 9,1

[schmosef]

I recently picked up a 24" iMac 9,1 3.06GHz.

It came with a 100GB SATA SSD that was working fine. The previous owner used OpenCore to install Ventura on it.

I wanted more space so I picked up a 1TB WD Blue SATA SSD.

The trouble is the iMac often does not detect the new SATA SSD when connected via the internal SATA drive bay.

But, if I use a cheap, unpowered USB to SATA dongle, the drive works fine and I can install macOS on it and treat it like a normal drive.

Is there a known compatibility issue with current gen SATA drives? Maybe the issue is that it's a SATA3 drive?

Should I order a SATA SSD from OWC? Would that be more compatible?

Should I give up on having an internal SSD and just find a FireWire800 enclosure for the SATA SDD and use it externally?

 

[phunguss]

Specs say

• 24-inch model with 3.06GHz processor
  • 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA hard drive

So it should support the 1TB SSD. Verify the partition scheme is set to GUID.

 

[schmosef]

Thanks for the suggestion. It is indeed GUID partitioned.

I don't know if the SATA controller on my "new" iMac is failing or has some compatibility issues with WD or just newer SATA3 drives.

I've ordered a 1TB SATA2 SSD and a FireWire800 enclosure from OWC. Between the two, I'll cobble together a working solution.