I want to replace my HDD to a SSD.

I want to replace my harddrive with an SSD.
How do I know the SSD is compatible with my computer?
How much space do I need for all all the basics?
Is it possible to have two drives at the same time?
Now I have Maverick on a Macbook Pro 13 that I bought some time ago.
Tell me all there is to know, please!

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Hi ! I want to replace my hdd 750 gb with 512GB Micron RealSSD C400 Self-Encrypting 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD

Hi ! I want to replace my hdd 750 gb with 512GB Micron RealSSD C400 Self-Encrypting 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD in MacBook Pro ( 15-inch Late 2011 ) .
Change has advantages for the system? Thank you !

And why do you want to use the Self Encrypting style? OS X has a very good encyption system built into it, Filevault.
But anyway you can use that drive. Yes it will be much faster than the current drive installed.

Lessons learned replacing ThinkPad HDD with an SSD

Installing a Samsung SSD on my 3 year old ThinkPad W510 was easy. Getting Windows 7 set up took me days.
Here are some lessons learned so you can do it faster.
Backup
Lenovo Rescue & Recovery will back up files to a USB 3.0 disk but it took 10+ hours and it put several files and folders at the top level. Can it back up multiple disks (HDD and SSD)? Probably not.
Backup
Windows 7 Backup & Restore doesn’t have those problems backing up data files but when trying to save a disk image to an external drive that’s > 2 TB (with 4K blocks), it runs for a while then fails. The generic error message and event log are not helpful, costing hours of debugging.
SSD “frozen”
Some web sites say that an SSD will perform better if you fully erase it before installing the OS, but when I tried to do this, the Samsung Magician software said the SSD was “frozen.” Apparently this is a confusing way to say it’s locked from erasure. Magician’s workaround recommendations didn’t help. Magician’s PDF guide has alternate workaround recommendations (like turning of AHCI mode in BIOS) but I didn’t find them soon enough.
Clone the HDD or install fresh?
Restoring Lenovo’s factory disk image onto the SSD (instead of cloning the HDD) fixed accumulated problems but it took several days of work and problem solving. (The HDD’s hidden SYSTEM_DRV partition was full. Did that cause some of the problems?)
How to over-provision the SSD
“Over-provisioning” boosts an SSD’s sustained write performance by allocating temporary space. The Samsung Magician program will set this up -- but not on a drive with the Lenovo_Recovery “Q:” partition. Moving and resizing C: and Q: with GParted Live didn’t solve this. Instead it made me start all over restoring the factory disk image and the Windows Updates and Lenovo Updates. The solution (thanks, Samsung’s phone tech support!) is to use GParted or Windows Disk Management to shrink the C: partition. All it needs is some unallocated space between partitions anywhere on the SSD. (Samsung recommends 10%.) You don’t have to do anything to allocate that space to the purpose.
Partition alignment
For speed, you want the partitions aligned on a 4096 byte boundary. GParted will align them on a MiB boundary, which is more than adequate.
Windows restore points
The Windows installer is supposed to make system restore points but I found it started out with a broken configuration. So open System Properties, the System Protection tab, and check the “available drives” for any drives labelled “... (Missing)”. Turn off “system protection” (restore points) for the “missing” drives, then turn it on for the real C:.
Faster updates
After restoring Lenovo’s factory disk image, you must iterate installing Windows Updates and Lenovo Updates over and over until there aren’t any more to install. Fortunately this is faster on an SSD than an HDD. Save more time by having only one user account and no password so Windows reboot won’t stop for login. Also watch the taskbar for license dialogs that open up behind other windows but require your clicks to proceed.
Watch for stuck updates
Lenovo Update quietly gets stuck updating Intel WiFi & WiMax software. The fix is to download those installers from lenovo.com, run them, get an error message that it can’t install over the existing software, uninstall the WiFi & WiMax software, then run the installers again.
Restore from backup, or not?
At key points, I made system disk image backups of the SSD to the old HDD and tried restoring from a backup after the failed repartitioning experiment. But Windows Backup and Restore won’t restore a system image after booting from the destination drive’s recovery partition nor from the source drive’s recovery partition. Since my backup was on the HDD in the Ultradrive bay, I couldn’t boot from the Rescue & Recovery CD. The workaround was to make a bootable System Repair disk on a 512 MB USB key. Windows Backup and Restore then failed with another meaningless error, “The parameter is incorrect. Code: 0x80070057.” Apparently you have to remove the USB key right before starting the system restore operation but that yielded the error, "No disk that can be used for recovering the system disk can be found." I’m not sure if that’s a symptom of removing the USB key or yet another problem with Windows Backup and Restore. Maybe it can’t restore to resized partitions? Windows Backup and Restore failed and burned hours of my time.
Fix the annoying request on bootup?
After you install Windows, all its updates, and Samsung Magician, you can use Magician to adjust system settings for SSD performance. Then you’ll find that Magician needs permission to “make changes to this computer” on every boot. Samsung tech support explained that you can then remove Magician from the startup list via msconfig.
Optimizations
Recomputing the “Windows Experience Index” might make the OS recognize the boot drive as an SSD and disable defrag for it. This didn’t work for me, so be sure to unschedule defrag. Also use msconfig to remove Digital Line Detect from the startup list and turn on “No GUI boot” (no Windows splash screen). Also use power plans Advanced Settings to never turn off the “hard disk.”
ThinkPad
Thumbs up. Easy to replace the HDD with an SSD and move the HDD into an Ultradrive caddy. Sturdy. Easy to work on. Well documented. Hardware that I didn't want to replace.
Microsoft Windows 7
Thumbs down. Buggy, fragile, over complicated, inadequate error messages, painstaking to install, difficult and time consuming to administer, poorly documented, accumulates gunk over time that causes problems, failed backup software, even a fresh install has scary event log errors.
Lenovo forums & support pages
Very helpful. Sometimes it's good to use Use Google to search them e.g. https://www.google.com/search?q=site%3Alenovo.com+"over+provision"
Samsung 840 EVO SSD
Fine hardware. Some confusions around the Magician software. Great phone tech support. Web support doesn’t work.
References and more info
How To Geek, Lifehacker, Lifehacker, SSD Review, Newegg, Newegg, Anandtech, Storage Review.

I may have confused you: Lenovo provides two tools, 1) one makes DVDs that restore the original out-of-the-box factory image of the entire disk (i.e. System partition, C: + Q: partitions) and 2) Backup and Restore, which is the Lenovo user backup tool that does conventional full disk backups, i.e. with all user customizations, added programs and files. Since my system-generation-to-SSD saga hadn't created the the Q: partition correctly, my only alternative was to create a full up-t-date disk backup with the second Backup and Restore tool that include all the Windows + Lenovo updates, but didn't include extra programs and my user files. This fitted on 5 DVDs, which I will use if ever I reinstall the entire operating system.
Once you get above 100-150 GB of backup volume (I'm at 450 GB right now), the Lenovo Backup and Restore is very slow, so I use the much quicker Windows built-in Backup and Restore program to backup incrementally a system image and all files.

A600 Replacing SATA HDD with SATA SSD

I have reviewed the current knowledge base materials, but don't see one directly tied to my problem. Appreciate any help received.
My current HDD has been making a lot of noise lately, at least much more than I have heard in the past. It's a little over 5 years old. I bought an Intel 730 series 240G SSD, and have tried to use that drive as my primary drive, replacing the current one. I used Intel's cloning software, which took a while, but appeared to be successful. My problem is that the BIOS does not recognize the new drive. Looking in the BIOS, my SATA drive 0 now shows "None", and the screen at power-up fails with "No Boot Filename received". Is there an issue with the BIOS not recognizing newer SSD's? I've read other inputs saying that people have been successful in powering up via new SSDs, so I thought it could be done. Anyone have any thoughts? Appreciate it.

Thanks Caveman31 for your thoughts. I checked the BIOS, and this model has very limited BIOS options, which don't include any options for SATA control. There are probably 1/2 of the options in my Lenovo A600 BIOS, then in my generic PC (ASUS motherboard) I put together a couple years ago. It has a menu option for SATA control, located in the "Main" tab of the BIOS screen.
Unless there are some other options, or a way to get more control with this BIOS, I won't be able to select between AHCI or IDE regarding the SATA control. Do you know if that's the only way for me to replace my HDD with a SSD for this computer?
Thanks for your help!

Hi, I've replaced my HDD to an SSD and wonder if I can download Mountain Lion without having to pay for it again?

Well?

Of course. Once you have purchased Mountain Lion, you can install it in all your Macs as many times as you want free of charge.
If you have already installed another OS X version on the iMac, open the Mac App Store, log in with your Apple ID, go to Purchases and download OS X Mountain Lion.
If the SSD hasn't got any operating system and you keep the HDD, you can buy a USB to SATA cable to connect the HDD to the iMac, and then, turn it on. Finally, start up into the HDD and use the Disk Utility's Restore feature to restore the HDD onto the SSD > http://pondini.org/OSX/DU7.html

Replacing the hdd to a ssd.

I would like to know if the action of replacing the hdd will void the warranty, and also which is the size of the hdd?

Hi:
There should be no problem with the warranty as long as you don't break something trying to install the HDD.
HP will not support the SSD however and your recovery disks won't work because the new drive will need to be the same size as the 500 GB HDD you removed.
I have a workaround for the recovery disk issue...
According to your PC's system specs it came with W7 Home Premium 64 bit.
It has to be the English, French or Spanish version too.
If so, download the W7 Home Premium 64 bit ISO file at the link below.
Burn the file to a disk using a DVD burning program that can burn ISO files so the DVD is bootable.
Burn at the slowest speed you can.
Then use the 25 character product key on the bottom of your notebook to activate the installation.
Visit your notebook's support and driver page to install any drivers you need.
Link to the MS W7 downloads.
http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/
Link to your notebook's support and driver page.
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=5079222&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=228&query=dv6-6060e...=
Paul

Want to replace stock HDD with a 256GB SSD, have questions.

Hi All,
I am sure this has been asked a bunch of times, so forgive me if I ask again...
I have a late 2010 MBP (Model A1278). Currently the machine has 4gb of memory and a 256gb hard drive on it. The machine is starting to show its age and is slowing down considerably, so I was thinking of upgrading the memory to the max allowable 8gb, and swapping out the HDD with a nice 256gb SSD. What I am looking to find out is if I have daily time machine backups, can I just swap out the drives, reboot the machine into recovery mode and then select a TM backup to restore to this new drive?
My main concern with all of this is that I have been reading stories of people having to first create a partition on the SSD, then transferring over the TM backup, but I am not sure how I would set a partition when the drive itself is internal... Do I need to get an enclosure? Is there some other easy way to accomplish this? Is it even necessary?
My ultimate goal is this:
1. Open laptop
2. Replace memory
3. Replace hard drive with SSD
4. close laptop
5. Boot Laptop into recovery mode (Command + R)
6. Restore from Time Machine Backup
7. Select backup date
8. Restore finished.
9. Reboot Laptop into normal boot mode
10. Enjoy a slightly faster laptop
Thank all!!!

Unless you purchase your SSD from OWC your drive will have to be partitioned first. The OWC SSDs I've bought have already been partitioned and formatted for the Mac. Either way, unless you have another boot drive, you'll have to boot your computer with Internet recovery since you won't have a recovery partition until you've install the operating system. Here's how I've swapped out my hard drives for SSDs
place the SSD in an enclosure
I've always had an enclosure or bought one when I got the SSD so I could make the old internal drive into an external drive.
I typically use this new external drive as a clone backup for my computer
run Disk Utility to partition the drive
The trick is to delete the current single partition
Then click on the + symbol to make a new partition (GUID)
Format the drive
Download and install OS XThis will create the recovery partition
Swap out the SSD for the old HHD and reboot
While the computer boots put the old HHD in the external enclosure and plug it into the computer
Go thru the new owner setup and when asked if you want to setup the new computer say yes and choose the external as the sourceYou could also use the TimeMachine backup as your source but I find this is a bit slower than using the external drive
Depending on what software you have you may need to enter some serial numbers.

Replacing my HDD with another SSD

My 120 intel is already full. I cant use the 500gb HDD as its too slow for the data purposes so I have to buy a new one.
Is there a cable or some kind of drive I can slip the 500 drive into to act as an external drive?
Thanks
Solved!
Go to Solution.

I think I understand your question.
Yes, it is possible to remove your 500 gb hard drive, and then put it into an external hard drive enclosure (typical cost: $15 - 35, and then use it as an external hard drive. The external drive enclosure will come with a cable to connect to your PC (typically a USB cable). An external hard drive enclosure is just an empty external hard drive case you can uy at electronics stores or online. Newegg is one source, in the US at least.
If you do this, I recommend buying an external drive enclosure that has a USB 3.0 cable, and I would also recommend you buy one that is rated for SATA III. The USB 3.0 is the cable, and can move data faster. The SATA III is the connector inside the enclosure that you plug the drive into, and is the most recent and fastest. Using an external USB 3.0 drive with these specs and your 500 gb drive, your external drive will be nearly as fast as when it was inside the PC.
-JV474

Replacing the HDD on a Satellite M50-A-110

Hi,
I just bought a new Satellite M50-A-110 and I wanted to replace the HDD that came with the laptop with my existing SSD.
Unfortunately, there is no way (that I could find) to reach the HDD bay.
In the previous versions I could replace it with no hassle at all, but here the whole bottom panel is made out of a single piece of plastic that I couldn't remove.
Can somebody please help me out?
Is there a trick in removing the bottom panel that I'm not aware of?
Thank you for your assistance in advance and all the best,

Hi
Well, the HDD as well as the memory modules or battery are placed under the plastic cover at the bottom of the unit.
You will have to remove the whole plastic cover to get access to such parts.
From my knowledge there are 12 screws securing the bottom cover.
Then you could gently remove the logic lower from the upper by prying the edge of the lower from the right corner.

Qosmio X500-10W - Can I replace the HDD with another one?

Hello
I have a Qosmio X500-10W with two HDD Toshiba MK5055GSX 500GB 5400RPM 8MB ??SATA II but is one of hs so I wonder if I can be replaced by a more powerful style HDD 750GB 7200tr / min 16MB Toshiba course?
merci

Hey,
Your question is a little bit hard to understand but I think you want to replace the HDD with another (faster) model, right?
Well, thats no problem. HDDs with 7200rpm will work, they are a little bit louder but they are faster so if you need more performance no problem.
Also 750GB or more is no problem because SATA interface is not capacity limited. Theoretically 1TB or more should also work.
Anyway, you can buy the 750GB you mentioned it will work. :)

Qosmio F10-100 - I want to replace HDD

My hard drive on this laptop has just died and I want to replace it. The current hard rive capacity is 60GB.5400 rpm.
Can anyone tell me what the maximum capacity hard drive I can refit, and if possible what i should be looking for in a hard drive equivalent should a Toshiba replacement not be readily available.
Many Thanks

Hi
Take a look into this thread:
http://forums.computers.toshiba-europe.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=41606
Seems you will need an IDE 2.5 HDD.
I think you can take an 120GB HDD and such HDD should work properly.
The HDD bay should be placed at the bottom of the unit.
Its secured with an plastic cover and one screw. You have to remove the screw, then the plastic cover and then you should be able to remove the HDD..
Greets

I want to replace one of the dual hdd-which one is which?

i want to replace one of the dual hdd-after opening the back cover which one is which? They are both exactly the same #'s etc

Your statement :
for whatever reason there were indications of which was which...
Maybe what you meant to say :
for whatever reason there were no indications of which was which.
Anyways, no it shouldn't be that difficult, open the DVD drawer using the end of a small paper clip by inserting it in the release hole in the front of the drawer.
Insert your first recovery disc or OS installation disc and upon boot up start tapping away at the f9 key. Select to boot from the internal CD/DVD ROM Drive and push enter.
It should be that simple.
Maybe the new drive is faulty, but some times people also have problems with a drive that is not purchased through HP when they use their HP recovery discs.
Buying a drive not bought from HP shouldn't make a difference though.
It will be interesting what the computer store will have to say, they will have a drive to try out to rule out the possibility that your new one may be faulty, it's not unheard of.

I want to replace the 40GB HDD on Satellite M50-130

I want to replace the hard-disk, since it is becoming unreliable but cannot fnd the specs.
Can anyone help with the exact specs please?
Is the drive IDE or SATA?
Size = 2.5 inch?
I believe the original size is 40gb, can I replace with any size?
Is the removal and replacement easy? Are there any instructions please?
I have a horrid feeling that there may be recovery data for the operating system on a hidden partition in the drive.
Is that correct? Can that be transferred to a new hard-disk?
Many thanks,
Nick

The Satellite M50-130 was delivered with the 2.5" 60GB HDD.
This HDD supports a rotation speed of 5400rpm and it supports an enhanced IDE (ATA 6) interface.
So you need an IDE HDD, and not SATA

Do I have all the parts to replace my HDD with a new SSD on my Macbook (late 2008)?

Hey everyone, I am trying to figure out if have all the parts to replace my hdd with a new ssd on my macbook (late 2008 aluminum).
I just bought a crucial mx100 SSD and plan on replacing my mac HDD. I have the appropriate screwdrivers, and a bootable OSX on a usb drive. I also purchased a sabrent usb 2.0 to sata/ide hard drive adapter.
How do I replace and install OSX on my new SSD?
From what I read here are the steps I'm planning on taking.
1) Detach the old HDD
2) Attach new SSD.
3) Turn on computer and use the bootable usb drive to install OS X.
Does that work, I think I read somewhere about maybe formatting the SSD before I can use the bootable usb. Any input or help would be awesome. Thanks.
I'd prefer to do a clean install of yosemite and not carbon copy my old HDD

Hi Bradtk24,
On this site you will find the requirements for the physical change that you want to make.
These pages will give you insight into the processes required for the software side of things. It might be slightly dated, but the principles remain valid.
Have fun
Leo

I want to upgrade the 500gb HDD to an SSD on an S230u with windows 8 but want clone the drive

I want to upgrade the 500gb HDD to an SSD on an Thinkpad Twist S230u with windows 8 but don't want to lose the data and programs installed on the drive and have to start over. I tried to clone it but no software could do it. I tried acronis and EasyToDo. I was able to clone it with a duplicator but it wasn't bootable. Am I to assume that what I need to do is the following - 1- Create the recovery media on a 32gb usb stick. 2- back up the drive using Acronis (or other) 3- Physically replace the drive 4- boot to the USB Recovery Media and bring the system back to it's original state out of the box but with the SSD Drive. 5- Use Acronis (or other) to restore back up made of the 500gb prior to removal. Thanks in advance! Scott Fischer

Before you start cloning your HDD with acronis, you have to prepare the SSD:
at first: connect your SSD with USB to your notebook and
1. Start CMD.EXE as Admin
2. type: "diskpart"
3. type: "select disk x " x = Letter of your SSD
4. type: "list partition" the drive should be unformatted
5. type: "create partition primary align=1024"
6. type: "active"
7. type: "format fs=ntfs" --> wait some minutes
8. type: "assign letter=x" --> For example "x"
9. type: "exit"
Start acronis true image 2013 (trial version)
select "Backup" without empty sectors
you can select any partitions, so also the the invisible lenovo backup paritions
The Backup can be "Restore"-d to the SSD, incl. GPT (MBR like in UEFI Systems)
After all, the SSD is ready to use. Booting on USB gives here a blue screen. I tought it was my fault. It isnt. You can build in the SSD into your SATA Port and Windows 8 will boot very well.
Sorry for my bad english

I want to replace my HDD to a SSD.

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