Enable TRIM for any SSD on 10.6.7

Rainmaker · 26 Mar 2011 at 21:15

I didn't make this tool, and I don't know all the ins and outs. However, I did find this tool on MacRumors - it switches a single word of code in one of the chipset kexts to enable SSD TRIM for your own 3rd party SSD (basically by changing the drive ID from Apple-only to the ID of your own drive.

YMMV, and I haven't tried it myself (no SSD) but I thought some here might find it useful. Someone on MR made this tool to enable you to get TRIM working simply, no kext editing required. Worth a try - there are several reports of success on that forum.

Linky.

EDIT: If you want to know more, or to ask any questions, the thread is available here. As I said I'm only the messenger.

MacRS4 · 26 Mar 2011 at 22:48

I've turned on the 'Yes I have TRIM' hex-edit - it's been doing the rounds for a bit.

What I don't know is whether I have TRIM support or not. Having it, and reporting it - well they're not quite the same things

Still, interesting hack.

FreeStream · 26 Mar 2011 at 23:38

Just done my Mac Pro with X25-M, says enabled now but if it's actually doing anything I doing anything is anyones guess!

Feek · 26 Mar 2011 at 23:40

Spotlight is reindexing after a reboot, don't know why.

Rainmaker · 27 Mar 2011 at 00:43

The thread I linked offers 'evidence' that this does indeed work. For example, they did some 'jigging' with a file of a certain size and location in a Linux environment. Rebooted to OS X, deleted it, and moved back to Linux. Investigation of the hdd showed no file, but only zeroes. Or something. Apparently that demonstrates that TRIM is indeed fully functional rather than just saying 'Yes' for the sake of it.

As I said, I really don't understand the ins and outs, I just thought the tool was cool so I passed it on.

shine · 27 Mar 2011 at 00:51

Concorde Rules said:
Just done my Mac Pro with X25-M, says enabled now but if it's actually doing anything I doing anything is anyones guess!

Same here my X-25M is now reporting TRIM enabled but no idea if it is under the covers. Still it looks better than no trim.

tonym · 28 Mar 2011 at 18:41

Be aware: I installed it and it utterly destroyed my SSD's performance.

Running firefox went from one bong to six, installs taking forever.
I've ran the remove and rebooted and I'm back to normal again....

2010 MPB6,2 and a Corsair F120 in case anyone is wondering.

Rainmaker · 28 Mar 2011 at 18:44

tonym said:
Be aware: I installed it and it utterly destroyed my SSD's performance.

Running firefox went from one bong to six, installs taking forever.
I've ran the remove and rebooted and I'm back to normal again....

2010 MPB6,2 and a Corsair F120 in case anyone is wondering.

Weird, this is the first issue I've heard of. :confused:

tonym · 28 Mar 2011 at 19:21

http://www.groths.org/?p=308

Big list to go through, but there's a few others with issues too

Westyfield2 · 28 Mar 2011 at 19:23

I think I'm gonna be hanging back on trying this!

shine · 28 Mar 2011 at 19:38

Seems ok on my Intel X-25-M 80GB.

Before patch:

After:

tonym · 29 Mar 2011 at 21:44

Thought I should post a little update on my experience......

After I had the issues, and removed it, I tried to create a bootcamp partition for Windows 7. After about 15 minutes staring at the formatting screen, I received an error saying bootcamp couldn't partition the drive and I should back up my data and format my drive.

So, after backing up, formatting and reinstalling, I decided to try again with the Trim support.... Much better this time. No slowdowns, everything back to it's nippy self.

XBench Before:

Results 255.33
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.6.7 (10J869)
Physical RAM 8192 MB
Model MacBookPro6,2
Drive Type Corsair CSSD-F120GB2
Disk Test 255.33
Sequential 158.42
Uncached Write 152.18 93.44 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 233.69 132.22 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 91.67 26.83 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 286.55 144.02 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 657.61
Uncached Write 456.62 48.34 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 458.79 146.87 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 2961.62 20.99 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 727.10 134.92 MB/sec [256K blocks]

XBench After:

Results 285.12
System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.6.7 (10J869)
Physical RAM 8192 MB
Model MacBookPro6,2
Drive Type Corsair CSSD-F120GB2
Disk Test 285.12
Sequential 185.74
Uncached Write 273.69 168.04 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 233.89 132.33 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 92.64 27.11 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 355.66 178.75 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Random 613.22
Uncached Write 462.77 48.99 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Write 404.75 129.58 MB/sec [256K blocks]
Uncached Read 2952.83 20.92 MB/sec [4K blocks]
Uncached Read 644.04 119.51 MB/sec [256K blocks]

OzyOly · 29 Mar 2011 at 22:34

Hmmm, if it worked for Feek, I'll do it.

Spyhop · 29 Mar 2011 at 22:43

Wouldn't touch this myself.

Upside: Possible performance difference you likely won't notice.
Downside: God knows what.

Hopefully 10.7 brings proper universal TRIM support.

fez · 29 Mar 2011 at 23:25

I applied this and it caused all sorts of slowdowns. Random beachballs and just stuttering performance in things like browsing. Was fine again after I removed it.

MacRS4 · 29 Mar 2011 at 23:40

Conversely I've done it on my Air (Apple SSD), Mini (Crucial M225) and on my 2011 MBP (Crucial C300) and all have worked just fine.

fez · 29 Mar 2011 at 23:43

Mines an ocz vertex 2e if thats any help.

OzyOly · 30 Mar 2011 at 00:00

fez said:
Mines an ocz vertex 2e if thats any help.

Me, Fez and Feek are all using Vertex 2e and are fine so far it seems.

JAMAL · 30 Mar 2011 at 08:48

Working well for me with a macbook unibody crucial c225

fez · 30 Mar 2011 at 11:21

OzyOly said:
Me, Fez and Feek are all using Vertex 2e and are fine so far it seems.

Oi, I wasn't fine! I might try it once more as some people are suggesting that it worked when they tried it again but it caused all sorts of issues with my 120gb vertex 2e.