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So I'm having issues getting the USB boot mode working on my new raspberry pi 3b+ and a couple of different SSD's

I'll first go through all the things that I've done, and what I'm seeing.

  1. Installed Rasbian on an SD card
  2. Setup the USB Boot Mode in accordance to these steps from the SD card --https://www.raspberrypi.org/documentation/hardware/raspberrypi/bootmodes/msd.md
  3. Reboot the R.Pi to write the OTP bit
  4. The vcgencmd otp_dump | grep 17: command checks out and I get the verified result
  5. I flash my SSD with etchio with the exact same image (I'm using rasbian lite) as the original on the SD card
  6. I boot the R.pi with the SSD plugged in via a SATA to USB 3.0 connection and the SD card removed.
  7. I see the "power" indicator on the SATA/USB connector light up for 2 seconds during the check cycle of the R.pi, but it turns off immediately after and doesn't boot leaving me with a black screen.

And thats where I leave basically.

I tried doing this with TWO different SSD's too...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N6JQS8C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 -- A kingston 120GB SATA 3 SSD

https://www.amazon.com/PNY-CS900-120GB-Internal-Solid/dp/B0722XPTL6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1532920058&sr=8-3&keywords=pny+120gb+ssd&dpID=51dLyw45hpL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch -- A PNY 120 GB SSD

And I'm using this Rosewill USB 3.0 to SATA 3 adapter cable -- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WVDK9QD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The only thing I can possibly think is that the USB to SATA 3 cable isn't compatible? But I honestly have no idea, I'm at a loss. I just ordered a new one to test this theory.

It's probably worth noting that I also flashed a 32 GB Lexar Flash Drive and it worked! So it confirms that the USB Boot options works, but there is a problem with the SSD's.

I'm skeptical about power consumption, but I'm really no expect in this area.

Thank you all in advance

Zane. R
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1 Answers1

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It looks like you are using a USB 3.0 device, no?

Well, the bad news is that raspberry pi (all models) dont support USB 3.0. If I remember right, USB 3.0 (among other things) uses more power that the pi provides. I might be wrong (Someone correct me if I am) but I am 99% sure that that is your issue.

You might be able to use a USB hub to power your drive, or get a different USB-SATA converter with a seperate power supply for your SSD.

If this is not the issue, that it could be that your SSD needs more time to boot. While this is unlikely, because SSD are fast, that could be it. You could try to get another USB-SATA cable but first you should try to ajust the period of time the pi will wait at boot.

Read this: Raspberry Pi 3 USB booting

Be sure to pay special attention to what Dmitry Grigoryev and Yorch said.

lockheed silverman
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