Unable to log in at first boot with Zike drive as external disk on Mac mini m4

Question

MacBryceNice Author

Level 1

4 points

Unable to log in at first boot with Zike drive as external disk on Mac mini m4

I use as an external drive on my new Mac mini m4.

The model is a ZikeDrive USB4 40Gbps NVMe M.2 SSD Enclosure Z666

I use the drive as the main drive for my "brice" user and it seems that the first time I start the Mac

The disk does not mount automatically and it is impossible for me to log in.

If I do a simple reboot the disk is well recognized and I can log in.

I'm using one of the Mac's back Thunderbolt ports.

Any hint on this issue ?

[Re-Titled By Moderator]

Mac mini, macOS 15.3

Posted on Mar 21, 2025 2:08 AM

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Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

84,814 points

Mar 21, 2025 8:05 AM in response to MacBryceNice

What else is connected to the rear Thunderbolt/USB-C ports...? (a hub, a dock, a display a drive)

Test with just the Zike drive plugged into Mac mini's inner most Thunderbolt/USB-C port.

If that doesn't help, leave the Mac mini on and allow the display(s) to turn off.

Then restart once a week and only shutdown when away for more than a day.

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Answer 2

tbirdvet

Level 6

15,533 points

Mar 21, 2025 7:11 AM in response to MacBryceNice

Not sure how you made your boot drive. I have a similar drive to the Zike and have no issues. I made my drive by booting into Recovery mode, installing the OS (Sequoia) then migrating all my files from my TM drive and no issues with login at startup. My PW for login is the same on both internal and external drive.

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Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

15,533 points

Mar 21, 2025 8:58 AM in response to MacBryceNice

To add to what den.thed has stated try the port next to the hdmi port. I read somewhere that is the preferred port for boot drives which is what I use.

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Unable to log in at first boot with Zike drive as external disk on Mac mini m4