From: thomas.e.elam@gmail.com   
      
   On 2/2/2026 5:51 PM, David B. wrote:   
   > On 02/02/2026 21:51, Tom Elam wrote:   
   >> On 2/2/2026 11:28 AM, David B. wrote:   
   >>> Thanks if you will try!   
   >>>   
   >>> https://idmsa.apple.com/IDMSWebAuth/signin?path=//thread/256233641?   
   >>> login=true&language=US-   
   >>> EN&instanceId=EN&appIdKey=529eb2b096d5a3d54162171f0f29ba797e   
   02812660013123243e58bc7bedf56&rv=1   
   >>>   
   >>> Can you take a screenshot of what Etresoft posted please, and show it   
   >>> here?   
   >>>   
   >>> That would be VERY much appreciated.   
   >>>   
   >>> Thank you.   
   >>>   
   >> Access Denied   
   >> Access to this place or content is restricted. If you think this is a   
   >> mistake, please contact your administrator or the person who directed   
   >> you here.   
   >   
   > Many thanks, Tom. Much appreciated. :-D   
   >   
   > Please try Googling for.......   
   >   
   > *2017 iMac Fusion Drive issues and external SSD workaround*   
   >   
   > If you find the item, can you /then/ open the thread?   
   >   
      
   Same no-go result on the Apple Forums, but AI returned the summary   
   below. This reveals exactly why Baker's reply was F-Off. In case you   
   don't know Baker thinks Apple is perfect.   
      
   AI summary from a Bing (not Google) search:   
      
   2017 iMac Fusion Drive issues and external SSD workaround issues   
   The 2017 iMac Fusion Drive has been reported to have issues such as   
   instability and kernel panics when running macOS from the internal   
   drive. Users have found that the SSD portion of the Fusion Drive may no   
   longer be reliable, while the HDD portion still functions normally. This   
   inconsistency can lead to unpredictable behavior under APFS when one   
   physical store becomes unreliable.   
      
   To address these issues, users have opted for running macOS externally   
   and using the internal HDD independently, which has proven to be a   
   stable workaround. This approach allows for a more reliable operation of   
   the iMac, especially when dealing with the known unreliability of the   
   Fusion Drive's SSD.   
   Apple   
      
   For those looking to upgrade from the internal HDD/28GB SSD   
   configuration to an external SSD, there are noticeable differences in   
   speed and performance. Users have reported that moving to an external   
   SSD can significantly improve disk speed warnings and freezes,   
   especially when using demanding applications like Logic Pro X.   
   MacRumors   
      
   In cases where the Fusion Drive is not showing up or mounting correctly,   
   it can lead to various issues such as drive not showing in Finder or   
   Disk Utility, inability to access files, and slow boot times.   
   Troubleshooting steps can include checking for software issues,   
   corrupted macOS installation, or hardware failures.   
   Donemax   
      
   If the Fusion Drive is failing, it is recommended to install   
   drive-health monitoring software to check the drive's wear state and   
   alert for any problems. This can help in taking proactive measures to   
   avoid data loss and ensure the longevity of the Fusion Drive.   
   iFixit   
      
   For users experiencing issues with the Fusion Drive, it is crucial to   
   have a complete backup of the Mac before making any repairs or upgrades.   
   This includes using Time Machine or disk-cloning apps to ensure all data   
   is safely backed up.   
   iFixit   
      
   In summary, the 2017 iMac Fusion Drive has been known to have issues,   
   but with the right approach and external SSD, users can mitigate these   
   problems and maintain a stable and efficient system.   
   Apple   
   +4   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)