Going from HDD to SSD+HDD

I have a 2010 First Gen i7 desktop iMac computer and am looking rather fondly at SSD drives to run alongside my 1TB Internal HDD. Boot and Apps on SSD, everything else on Internal, the usual set-up.
I know I can change the location of my home folder via System Prefs > Users & Groups > Ctrl+Click User > Advanced Options
What would be the best way to deal with the migration from HDD to SSD+HDD?
Do I do a fresh install onto the SSD and then point to the home folder left over on the HDD and delete the old system files around it?
Does restoring from Time Machine via the Lion install process give me the option of choosing a different disk to send my personal files to? (this would be proffered).
Do I wipe everything clean, restore the OS from time machine, then use Time Machine from the temperary user account to restore my personal files to the HDD?
I do have two external HDDs (time machine and "junk" drive) - do I use the terminal to copy my files to the junk drive (preserving structure and timestamps using the -pR flag), then copy them back onto the HDD once everything is wiped and continue from there?
The last options seems like the most realistic, but the second would be the most proffered (if possible).
What is the best way to do this? Anyone done it before? Anything I should be careful of?
Thanks!

A clone of a HDD will have loads of empty blocks, all those blocks would be written to the SSD...
Incorrect. Most backup programs don't do a block-for-block copy (though some have such an option on very restricted conditions). They copy the files (like cp -rp). So blank space on the source won't be the same blank space on the destination.
But serious question for a moment, do these Carbon Copy Clone drive 3rd party softwares have some kind of special function? Some people have crazy devotion to them and its peaked my interest as to why.
If you want to go through the "exercise" of creating lauchagents or cron tasks for constructing and easily changing scheduling backups, more power to you. I for one just want to schedule the stuff, possibly change the schedule if need be, and move on to more important things like doing the work that actually needs to be backed up! If you don't believe in scheduling periodic backups, well, that's another story.
Though, to be honest, I still question its usefulness when Disk utility does the same thing; select a hard disk ( "TOSHIBA MK2561GSYN Media" on my MacBook Pro), click "new image" and then click go. Then use restore in Disk Ulitity to restore the disk from the image - carbon copy goodness!
So do most other people that do backups, i.e., creating a .dmg (what you get from DU's New Image) is not the way to do backups. DU's Restore, maybe, but I've never used DU for backups.

Similar Messages

Going from hdd to ssd

I would like to change a hdd to ssd on macbook pro (mid 2010). If I use time machine backup from old system on new ssd will it be copied with the old disk faults ? I would like to install fresh OS X on ssd, but at the same time I wish to keep aperture librery with all my pictures and iweb where I created my website.
This are my priorities and the rest of data I can move to external hard drive and bring them one by one to new system on new ssd.
Could you please, tell me how to do it and what is best solution ?

A clone of a HDD will have loads of empty blocks, all those blocks would be written to the SSD...
Incorrect. Most backup programs don't do a block-for-block copy (though some have such an option on very restricted conditions). They copy the files (like cp -rp). So blank space on the source won't be the same blank space on the destination.
But serious question for a moment, do these Carbon Copy Clone drive 3rd party softwares have some kind of special function? Some people have crazy devotion to them and its peaked my interest as to why.
If you want to go through the "exercise" of creating lauchagents or cron tasks for constructing and easily changing scheduling backups, more power to you. I for one just want to schedule the stuff, possibly change the schedule if need be, and move on to more important things like doing the work that actually needs to be backed up! If you don't believe in scheduling periodic backups, well, that's another story.
Though, to be honest, I still question its usefulness when Disk utility does the same thing; select a hard disk ( "TOSHIBA MK2561GSYN Media" on my MacBook Pro), click "new image" and then click go. Then use restore in Disk Ulitity to restore the disk from the image - carbon copy goodness!
So do most other people that do backups, i.e., creating a .dmg (what you get from DU's New Image) is not the way to do backups. DU's Restore, maybe, but I've never used DU for backups.

Installing OS and Apps on SSD boot drive on early 2008 Mac Pro while keeping all other data from old iMac on hdd

So I've just got myself a early 2008 Mac Pro with a OCZ RevoDrive 80GB PCIe SSD to replace my old iMac which is slowly but surely giving up on me. I want to put my OS (mavericks) and some/all (whichever is possible/easier) apps, both apple and 3rd party, from my old iMac, onto the SSD but keep all my other data on the 2TB HDD, also from my old iMac, in the mac pro. Can anyone tell me how to do this/if its possible? (not massively tech savvy so simpleish language and steps would be handy!) Thanks!

How to use an SSD with your HDD
If you are going to use an SSD as a boot drive together with your existing HDD as the "data" drive, here's what you can do.
After installing the SSD you will need to partition and format the SSD using Disk Utility. Then, install OS X on the SSD. After OS X has been installed boot from the SSD. Use Startup Disk preferences to set the SSD as the startup volume.
Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and authenticate. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on your user account listing in the sidebar and select Advanced Options from the context menu. You will see a field labeled "Home dir:" At the right end you will see a Change button. Click on it. In the file dialog locate the Home folder now located on the HDD (HDD/Users/account_name/.) Select the folder, click on Open button. Restart the computer as directed.
When the computer boots up it will now be using the Home folder located on the HDD.
Another more technical method involving the Terminal and aliases is discussed in depth here: Using OS X with an SSD plus HDD setup - Matt Gemmell. This is my preferred approach because I can select which of the Home's folders I want on the HDD and which I don't want. For example, I like to keep the Documents and Library folders on the SSD because I access their content frequently.
Be sure you retain the fully bootable system on your HDD in case you ever need it.

Using migration assistant from HDD only to SSD+HDD?

Hi,
Usually, when buying a new mac and starting it for the first time, I use the migration assistant to get everything (software, settings, data...) from my time capsule backup.
I am currently using an iMac 24'' which only has a "standard" HDD. I am however thinking about upgrading to the latest iMacs, potentially with the "SSD+HDD" option.
The description on the "Configure" page of the online store says : "If you configure your iMac with both the solid-state drive and a Serial ATA hard drive, it will come preformatted with Mac OS X and all your applications on the solid-state drive. Then you can use the hard drive for videos, photos, and other files."
My question is therefore the following : would the migration assistant be "smart enough" to place my OS and applications on the SSD drive, and the rest of my files ("videos, photos, and other files.") on the HDD?
Thanks in advance!

I had the same issue some time ago: I added a 32 gb SSD to my mac running leopard. Then wanted to use install Snow Leopard and use migration assistant to restore the sytem with Snow leopard and applications on the SSD, and the user folders on the old 250gb HD. Turns out this isn't possible. Manually accessing your time machine or other backup up to restore files by hand is a pain. Just installing Snow Leopard and pointing the user folder to the Leopard user folder on the HD creates problems too, just as pointing it to a newly created folder.
Solution:
-Backup your old system with time machine to an external disk
-Note: make sure you don't mix up SSD and HD in this manual.
-Install SSD (If this means you no longer have a cd drive, use a copy of snow leopard on an external drive).
-BE SURE YOUR OLD SYSTEM IS BACKED UP WITH TIME MACHINE.
-Then install OS X TWICE: once on the old HD and once the SSD. Wipe your HD with Disk Utility before install.
-Start up OS X on the HD, use the option key at startup if necessery to select the right disk.
-Use migration assistant to restore from the time machine backup. Now you have a fresh install of OS X, with your user files and applications intact.
-Now startup OS X on the SSD.
-Make the SSD startup disk in system preferences -> Startup disk.
-Go to System preferences -> Users. Unlock. Create an extra user, so you end up with a spare user account, and one you will actually use. Now right click on the user account thats going to be used, and select your user folder on the HD that you just restored with Migration assistant. Just leave the spare one. It is for emergencies and also disk failures: OS X is designed to have user and system files on the same disk, so you should always have one user account sticking those rules.
-Restart OS X on the SSD as asked.
-Now all thats left to do is migrate applications from the HD application folder to the SSD application folder by simply copy/pasting. This is trial and error, but in my case 90% of the applications gave no trouble at all. The ones that did are library based media applications like Aperture. All I needed to do is go to their preferences and point them to their old libraries on the HD. MS Office was the only application that needed full reinstalling. The applications that ship with the OS don't need to be migrated of course since they are already there on the SSD.
-Point your dock icons to the right folders (on the HD) and applications (on the SSD)
-Make a new time machine backup
-Last step, optional: clean up the HD. You don't need the system folder that is still there, but I chose to keep it for a while as a backup. I left the library in place there too, since I don't know which applications still use it, but in time I will clean it up too.
And one more thing: Since Migration assistant doesnt' just copy files, but also seams to adapt application databases of Apple apps to work with a newer version of an application coming with a new OS, such as Mail, Safari, iCal and Address Book, this is probably going to be the best way to upgrade an SSD+HD setup to Lion too. (Lion has better SSD support). Provided of course that Apple doesn't update Migration assistant, which is what should actually be done. Upgrading this way took me 2,5 hours, most of which was spent waiting ofcourse.
Message was edited by: jason487
Message was edited by: jason487

From hdd to ssd: what about os and all data?

Hello everybody.
I know there are a lot of discussion about it and i read lots of them,
But maybe because english is not my first language, i have some problems in understanding the right things to do.
Also, i am pretty new with mac world as i just have my mb pro since last november.
so i hope you can help me with easy words, thanks.
here's the list of what i have:
- MacBook Pro 2.5ghz, 4gb ram, 500gb hdd
- os x mavericks (installed 2 days ago)
- all my documents/photos/music in my MB Pro
... and:
- crucial ssd 480gb
- an external hd enclosure usb 3.0
- the 17 in 1 tool kit
What do i have to do first?
And how will i transfer/install the os x from hd to ssd? or it "remains" somewhiere in my MB Pro?
I know there is a link from crucial with the procedure for removing hd and installing ssd, is this all i have to do?
Really hope you can help me... thanks in advance!
F.

Follow these steps:
Make certain that you have your data backed up as a precaution.
Attach the SSD to the MBP and open Disk Utility>Erase. Format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Open Disk Utility>Restore and in the 'Source' field drag the internal HDD from the left hand column.
In the 'Destination' field, drag the SSD from the left hand column.
Click on the 'Restore' button.
Depending upon the amount of data, this process may take a couple of hours.
When finished, restart your MBP holding doen the OPTION key. The display should show the internal HDD and the external SSD (yellow in color). Click on the SSD and if it boots the MBP, the clone has been successful.
Perform the physical swap. Your MBP should be ready to go. All of your data will be on the SSD exactly as it was on the HDD.
Ciao.
Message was edited by: OGELTHORPE

Transferring OS from HDD to SSD using ThinkVantage Tools?

Hi everyone. I recently purchased a ThinkPad T420 from Lenovo and an mSata SSD (80gb) off Newegg. I installed the drive properly and my computer recognizes the drive, etc. Now, when I bought my ThinkPad, I didn't purchase a physical copy of Windows 7 because when I go to college next year, I'll be able to get a super cheap copy (like 7 dollars). So I'm stuck with the problem of getting my operating system from my factory installed HDD to my self installed SSD. How would I go about doing this?
Things I have:
-External Hard drive
-CD-RW discs (made one into a Rescue and Recovery Start Up Disc using the Rescue and Recovery software)
-ThinkVantage Tools
-Patch for Rescue and Recovery
Should I be doing this using Lenovo's built in tools? Also, I was wondering if/how/when I should partition my SSD for my OS. I don't have any experience doing this, but I've read that it's pretty important.
Thank you! I'm still learning, so I appreciate your patience :]

There are a couple of ways to do this, depending on what you want to accomplish. Do you want the OS install on your SSD to be the factory image - as it was when your laptop came out of the box - or do you want a snapshot of your machine at the time you swapped drives (actually just before you swapped drives)?
(obviously, you do either of the below with the original HD in the machine.)
For a factory config, in addition to that Rescue and Recovery start-up disk, you need the full factory recovery media set. You should see an option to burn that set of DVDs in R&R. Whatever you do, it's a good idea to burn these and keep them handy. Once you have the full set, install the SSD, and boot the first DVD. You should then be able to install the factory image.
For an "as-running" image, plug in your external HD. You can choose to put the R&R bootable rescue media on the HD, or you can just use the CD you already made. If you make the HD bootable and it already has data on it you want to keep, watch out for a "preserve existing data" checkbox. Then just save a backup to your external HD. Install the SSD, boot the CD or external HD, and do a restore.
I don't know about the current generation of machines and R&R, but it's been my observation that a full restore from backup restores everything _except_ the factory image in the Q: partition. You will have your full OS and everything you've installed, R&R capabilitites (from within Windows and at boot time) but you will not have the boot time option to restore your machine to factory state from the Q: image. That's what that factory optical media set it for.
If you use the factory media set you burned to set up your SSD, you will have everything including the Q: full image, but of course you will have to reinstall anything that you added to the HD yourself.
You can also do this kind of thing with Acronis, and other utilities. One thing though, if you use a cloning process instead of a backup and restore, make sure that the SSD ( or any target HD or SSD you or another reader is using) is in the ThinkPad when you do the clone. For some reason TPs are very fussy about this. Cloning to an external device, then moving it to the TP generally doesn't work.
Here is andyP 's excellent write-up on using Acronis for this: Hard Drive Clonewars
Re SSDs, there may be things you should do/have to do to get full performance and keep it healthy. I can't help you there.
Good luck,
Z.
The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
English Community Deutsche Community Comunidad en Español Русскоязычное Сообщество

SSD HDD from R61e doesn't work in T61p

I've removed the HDD from my R61e and put it into my T61p, the computer doesn't recognise it at all. Tried another SSD HDD from another laptop of mine and same deal. Any ideas why the T61p doesn't seem to be able to run SSD HDD?The one from the R61e is a OCZ Technology Core Series v2 SATAII 2.5" Sold State Drive and the other is a Silicone Power SSD 2.5" SATA Solid State Disk 64GB.
Message Edited by twr7cx on 08-06-2009 04:33 PM

What is the machine type and model for your T61p?
Did your T61p orginally come with just a traditional HDD or did it come with a SSD??
If your T61p came with a regular HDD, just placing the SSD drive in it will not work.. You need the storage container for the SSD
Take a look at the link below and you'll see the part number for the Storage container (12) and the part number for the SSD (13).Both parts are needed for the SSD. See types below:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-68229 <-- ThinkPad T61, T61p 15.4inch (6457, 6458, 6459, 6460, 6461, 6462, 6463, 6464, 6465, 6466, 6467, 6468, 6470, 6471)
NOTICE: All T61p machines do NOT come with a SSD!!
If you T61p is listed under one of the following types, it is NOT equipped with a SSD - See below (14 inch models)
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=MIGR-68208 <-- ThinkPad T61, T61p 14.1inch standard screen (Type 8889, 8890, 8891, 8892, 8893, 8894, 8895, 8896, 8897, 8898, 8899, 8900, 8938, and 8939)
Only the SSD HDDs that are listed on MIGR-68229 will work with the T61p.
I listed all the models since I don't know what your machine type/model is for your unit.
Hope this answers your question.
Mark
Do NOT PM me with technical issues. Post in the forum for assistance. Thanks

How to upgrade from HDD to SSD in Mid 2010 13inch MacbookPro?

I am upgrading from HDD to SSD and would like the step by step direction of how to do it on my 13inch MacBookPro mid 2010. Also, I would like to do a clean install of the OS onto the new SSD, and simply transfer my data(i.e. documents, pictures) from the old HDD to the new SSD(Samsung 500GB)
Any detailed directions would be appreciated. You may send responses directly to my address: ******* Thanks in advance
<Edited by Host>

Tolefe1 wrote:
Thanks. How do I booth to IR? Won't I need to connect to the internet to be able to booth to Internet Recovery... Please give steps as I am pretty new to this.
Turn the Mac on (or reboot it) and press command-option-R as soon as you hear the startup chime. Hold the keys down until you see a globe, then release. When the Recovery Menu appears you choose Disk Utility and format the SSD for use in a Mac (Erase>Set Format to MacOS Extended (Journaled), then exit Disk Utility and choose Install OSX
You will need to be connected to the Internet and your Mac should detect your network and ask for a password automatically when Recovery Starts.

After migration from HDD to SSD, thumbnails in iPhoto are missing

Dear Apple-community,
I migrated my system a week ago. I added a SSD to the HDD which is now in an optibay. After adding the SSD I installed Lion from new on the SSD, migrated all programms etc. from the HDD and left only the user-folders on the HDD.
After repairing the rights and linking the user-folders to the system again, I was able to use everything, beside iPhoto.
in iPhoto the thumbnails don't show up. The categories are there, the pictures also, just I don't see them, just black or grey fields. I tried all the options offered by the menu, that appears when you start with cmd-shift. Now I need new solutions, that could help me get back my thumbnails!
Thanks a lot for your help!

I think I would have find the files on the internal HDD after the migration (eventhough they should be visible in Finder after the migration, don't they?) if there were there, even hidden.
I thought they dissappeared, because I made one mistake in following the instructions for the migration of the system to the added internal SSD (keeping user files on the internal HDD): I had to migrate everything but the content of the user folders from time machine to the SSD, but I migrated from my user folder on the internal HDD to the SSD. I had to migrate only the users, not the content of the user-folder. In the end, all this content was deleted from the HDD I migrated the users from.
Anyway, now all this old files on the internal HDD are deleted, because I restored my user-folder from time machine (external HDD) (because there was no folder visible anymore), so I could start the system again with my used options stored in the user-folder. Afterwards time machine started and deleted the old copys on the external harddrive.
Weird.

Q190 from HDD to SSD?

Hi,
Can I upgrade my Q190 (57312246) from HDD to SSD?
I am looking to purchase the following SSD: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-MZ-7TD250BW-Series-Solid-2-5-Inch/dp/B009NHAEXE/
Thanks
Solved!
Go to Solution.

hi filippo,
Yes you can use that SSD Samsung MZ-7TD250BW 840 Series Solid State Drive (SSD) 250 GB Sata 2.5-Inch as the Q190 uses a standard SATA 3.0Gb/s, 2.5" wide HDD as per this pdf data sheet.
You may also want to check Crucial's SSD Upgrade for the Ideacentre Q190.
Best regards,
neokenchi
Did someone help you today? Press the star on the left to thank them with a Kudo!
If you find a post helpful and it answers your question, please mark it as an "Accepted Solution"! This will help the rest of the Community with similar issues identify the verified solution and benefit from it.
Follow @LenovoForums on Twitter!

Early 2008 mac pro won't boot from hdd when ssd is installed

I have Mountain Lion 10.8.3 installed on my 1TB HDD in my early 2008 mac pro. That is the only OS install on my mac. I have an OWC SSD formatted but left as an empty drive that I am trying to use but when it's installed my mac hangs on the blank gray screen.
My mac cold boots fine and runs fine when the SSD is *not* installed. When I shut down and put the SSD into a drive bay the mac does seem to boot ok the first time, but when the computer is off for a while it will not boot. It just hangs on the blank gray screen (no apple logo). As soon as I pull out the SSD, the computer boots fine and runs fine again. I am not trying to boot off the SSD, I am booting off the HDD. The correct drive (1tb hdd) is selected in startup disk.
OWC has been helping me and I have tested 3 SSD's. So it does not appear to be a problem with their drive.
The mac will boot into safe mode with the SSD installed. It will boot if I choose the boot drive with the option key at startup.
Mountain Lion was clean installed.
Could it be some sort of library pref or cache issue?
Any recommendations on what to try?

A HT does not find a lot of errors.
It doesn't look for bad sectors or directory or file problems.
Clone your SSD now that you have a clean OS and has the Apple updates on it. Before you make changes.
Install TRIM Enabler 2.2+ on it and any boot volume, to enable TRIM and so that Disk Utility's Repair Disk will trim cells. Mountain Lion Recovery won't which is a shame, so...
Clone and keep bootable backup clone of your system to use for maintenance.
A really bad directory on a system drive will cause interference from booting.
SSDs really need extra care, and even with TRIM, to be repaired from time to time and couple times a year, to do an erase and restore from a current image.
Of course Mac OS system even iwth apps is small and doesn't need to have any data or media and fits on 120GB usually just fine and still have a good enough amount free so TRIM and Garbage Collection can work properly and not get low on free pages. But 20GB free should be the minimum free, and better to have more, at least whatever total amount is written out in a month.

Moving Windows 8.1 from HDD to SSD

Hi! I want to know the best way to move Windows 8.1 from current HDD to SSD. Thanks!
System Information
Model: MSI GT72 2QE DOMINATOR PRO GT722QE-638NL
Product Name: GT72 2QE
OS: Microsoft Windows 8.1 64-bit
Windows Product Key:
HDI Build: ZS7-1781BM4-DS0 3.3.A15.8.0.1
BIOS Version: E1781IMS.10H
BIOS Release Date: 2014/11/21
EC Version: 1781EMS1 Ver5.08, 11/04/2014
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4720HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz
Memory: 16 GB @ 666 MHz
- 8192 MB, DDR3-1600, Kingston MSI16D3LS1MNG/8G
- 4096 MB, DDR3-1333, Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
- 4096 MB, DDR3-1333, Samsung M471B5273DH0-CH9
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980M, 4095 MB
VBIOS Version: 84.04.22.00.0c
Drive: HDD, HGST HTS721010A9E630, 931,51 GB
Drive: SSD, ADATA SP900NS38, 238,47 GB
Network: Killer Wireless-n/a/ac 1525 Wireless Network Adapter
Network: Killer e2200 Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.30)
OS Activation
Name: Windows(R), Core edition
Description: Windows(R) Operating System, OEM_DM channel
Partial Product Key:
License Status: Licensed

Thank you all for answers. I found a solution:
Tools: 1) Aomei Partition Assistant Pro Edition
2) Paragon Migrate OS to SSD 4.0 ™
First i convert my new SSD MBR to GPT with AOMEI Partition Assistant. After this used Paragon Migrate OS to SSD™ 4.0. Very easy. Time ellapsed ca 30 minutes.
w w w.paragon-software.com/technologies/components/migrate-OS-to-SSD/
w w w.download.paragon-software.com/doc/MigrateOStoSSD_4_manual_eng.pdf
w w w.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-1670056/successful-clone-windows-hard-drive-ssd-gpt-uefi.html

Changing HDD to SSD, what are the options?

hi, guys, new to the forum, I just bought a thinkpad x130e during an on sale event at one of the local retailer, pretty excited, since i like the rugged design.
I am looking at an upgrade from 320G HDD to a 128G SSD... but i don't have any windows 7 installation disc handy, so what are the options for me to install the operating system (windows 7).
I don't know if there is a way to transfer the whole system from HDD to SSD? will there be any trick to perform? or simply i just have to purchase new copy of windows?
cos i noticed i do have a windows7 pro product key at the bottom of my thinkpad, i kinda don't want to waste the money.
please help..
Solved!
Go to Solution.

You don't need to purchase another copy of Win7. You will need
1. SSD. This must be 7mm thick, not the more common 9.5mm thick.
2. USB enclosure for your HDD,
3. Software to "clone" the contents of your HDD to your SSD. Acronis True Image is a well-regarded package that does this. There are also some free utilities that can do this, however, I'm not familiar with them.
Procedure:
1. Move the HDD to the external enclosure.
2. Put the SSD in the X130e.
3. Reboot from the HDD. (You'll need to interrupt boot with Blue ThinkVantage button to specify.)
4. Install Acronis (or equivalent.)
5. Perform disk clone operation. You will need to tell the software how you want to resize partitions since you're going to a smaller disk.
6. Reboot from SSD.
Cheers... Dorian Hausman
X1C2, TPT2, T430s, SL500, X61s, T60p, A21p, 770, 760ED... 5160, 5150... S360/30

Selective cloning of the system (HDD to SSD)

Hello there! First things first, my system is:
MacBook Pro9.2 (mid 2012) [13inch, non-Retina]
OSX Yosemite 10.10.1
Now the situation: I have stock 500gb HDD, which is almost filled. Im planning on buying a smaller SSD (256gb) [thinking of Crucial - just in case] to install it as my primary disk, having HDD aboard in Optibay.
The question is: what is the best (if there is exact) way to copy the system and essential user data/apps/settings (incl. Keychain and stuff) to a new smaller drive? (avoiding as much as possible additional backups, temporarily erasing things that exceed the space limit, moving data here and there to create a smaller partition and whatnot). In other words, what tool is more suitable to do such selective cloning, be it Time Machine (I have this option, the whole BU is bigger than 256gb), Migration Assistant, Disk Utility or 3rd party stuff like CCC/SuperDuper etc.?
Thanks!

Install OS X Using Internet Recovery
Boot to the Internet Recovery HD:
Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the COMMAND-OPTION- R keys until a globe appears on the screen. Wait patiently - 15-20 minutes - until the Recovery main menu appears.
Partition and Format the hard drive:
Select Disk Utility from the main menu and click on the Continue button.
After DU loads select your newly installed SSD (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed. Quit DU and return to the main menu.
Reinstall OS X: Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Install button. Be sure to select the correct drive to use if you have more than one.
Note: You will need an active Internet connection. I suggest using Ethernet if possible because it is three times faster than wireless.
This should restore the version of OS X originally pre-installed on the computer.
See the following to finish:
How to use an SSD with your HDD
If you are going to use an SSD as a boot drive together with your existing HDD as the "data" drive, here's what you can do.
After installing the SSD you will need to partition and format the SSD using Disk Utility. Then, install OS X on the SSD. After OS X has been installed boot from the SSD. Use Startup Disk preferences to set the SSD as the startup volume.
Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and authenticate. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on your user account listing in the sidebar and select Advanced Options from the context menu. You will see a field labeled "Home dir:" At the right end you will see a Change button. Click on it. In the file dialog locate the Home folder now located on the HDD (HDD/Users/account_name/.) Select the folder, click on Open button. Restart the computer as directed. When the computer boots up it will now be using the Home folder located on the HDD.
Another more technical method involving the Terminal and aliases is discussed in depth here: Using OS X with an SSD plus HDD setup - Matt Gemmell. This is my preferred approach because I can select which of the Home's folders I want on the HDD and which I don't want. For example, I like to keep the Documents and Library folders on the SSD because I access their content frequently.
Be sure you retain the fully bootable system on your HDD in case you ever need it.

SSD, HDD and Dual Booting

I'm new to the whole SSD thing and wanted to know what I should partition my install of Linux along with Windows and what I should/could move to the HDD to reduce some wear and tear on the SSD. It would be nice to also hear what others may have done.

If new the the SSD thing means that you have an SSD that isn't from four of five years ago, you have nothing to worry about. All that crap that still floats around the internet about needing to reduce writes to your SSD are true, but only if you use one of the first generation SSDs (like when they wre new the the market). With wear leveling that actually works and improved garbage collection, today's SSDs should last a long time. I have seen reports of people trying to wear drives out by just writing them to death, and the controller goes out before the flash gets worn out. So at this point, all that stuff is probably just FUD.
Partitioning is a very personal thing. No one else can tell you what the "best" layout would be (except me... just use a single btrfs and subvolumes!). But in terns of a combined SSD/HDD situation, you should remember that although you want to store you media on the bigger rotational, putting your entire /home on the HDD is probably not the best idea. There are all kinds of configuration files and whatnot in your $HOME that can seriously beneift from the super fast read speeds and low latency of a SSD.

Going from HDD to SSD+HDD

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for