Preparing a new SSD to take over as main boot drive

Hi,
I've just installed a new SSD in my 2011 Mac mini, and my aim is to make sure I set it up properly first time around to take over boot duties from the default 500GB HDD. The SSD is currently completely blank, without even a partition scheme.
I ran:
diskutil list
in the Terminal and noticed that the 500GB HDD has 5 partitions:
1:                        EFI                         209.7 MB
2:                  Apple_HFS Macintosh HD            80.0 GB
3:                 Apple_Boot Recovery HD             650.0 MB
4:                  Apple_HFS Internal Storage        337.8 GB
5:       Microsoft Basic Data BOOTCAMP                81.2 GB
If the SSD is going to take over the main duties of the 500GB HDD, it looks like I'm going to have to endow it with the following partitions:
1:                        EFI
2:                  Apple_HFS Macintosh HD
3:                 Apple_Boot Recovery HD
I'm not sure how to properly go about giving the new SSD the EFI partition or Recovery HD. The main OS I can clone quite easily with Carbon Copy Cloner, however. Can someone advise?
The second thing is that I want to encrypt the new OS partition. I've done this before on another drive, and follow the less-common (though equally supported method) of encrypting the new volume as HFS (Encrypted) before copying the old OS onto it. The main bonus of this on an SSD is that it doesn't interfere with the SSD's drive maintenance routines; copying the OS onto an unencrypted volume and then turning on FileVault 2, on the other hand, does. The other benefit is that I have a unique boot password that takes me to the Login screen, as opposed to using a user's password that then boots me straight into that user's account.
The problem is that I want to use Boot Camp later, but I don't know how that works if the main OS X partition is encrypted. Can the Boot Camp Assistant still shrink the drive and create the Windows partition as needed?
In the end, the plan is to have the following:
SSD:
1:          EFI
2:          Boot Recovery HD
3:          OS X (HFS Encrypted)
4:          Windows 7 (NTFS)
HDD:
1:          Windows Swap (NTFS)
2:          OS X Extra Storage (HFS)
Thanks!

I think the easy (maybe only) way to get the recovery partition is to format as a single partition, and install (Mountain) Lion on it.
Here is what I plan to do in a similar situation (MBP in my case), except that I DON'T want to encrypt - I am not sure how that would fit in the plan, but here goes:
1) partition SSD as one partition, GUID partition table;
2) install ML; in the appropriate step of the installation, select "I want to transfer from another mac or hard disk";
3) when prompted, select the internal HD as the source to import from. This will Migrate everything, or maybe just users and documents (I haven't decided yet)
4) use Bootcamp assistant to create the win partition and subsequently install win 7 (this one I probably won't do, but I am not sure)
5) Reformat the HD as desired

Similar Messages

Why when I click on a bookmark it doesn't open a new window, it takes over a window I am working on

Why when I click on a bookmark it doesn't open a new window, it takes over a window I am working on

Also, if you right click, the menu will include; '''''Open New Tab''''' and
'''''Open New Window'''''.

MAC OS 10.6.8 Firefox 6.0.2 Any new window opening takes over a minute to happen. Once open all is fine. New tabs open immediately. Only on new windows is there this delay. This only happens on FF, not on Sarari, Chrome, Opera. - stevehorn@websentia.us

Opening FF for the first time and when any additional, new window is opened, it takes over 60 seconds for the window to appear. This happens after reboot and repair permissions in Disc Utilities on reboot (from installation disc). Once window appears, all works fine. New tabs appear instantly. New, added windows still take the 60+ seconds to appear even with current window remaining open. No other browsers or applications behave this way.

Not sure if this is exactly the same as the other reported problems.
But creating a new (via command N or via menu selection) window creates a long thin nearly zero width but full height window. Selecting the window via the window menu and zooming brings it up at full size.
I tried turning off all add-ons and things seemed to work but then stopped working again (sorry can't find a consistent set of symptoms here).
MacOSX 10.6.8 Firefox 6.0.2

How do I install OSX onto a new SSD (in the place of my optical drive) without transferring all data across. However, with the applications, system and library on the SSD to improve the speed, but keep non essential items (the home folder) on the HDD

I have a mid 2009 13 inch unibody 2.53GHz MacBook Pro. I'm finding that it doesn't run as quickly as it used to.
A genius in the Apple store suggested that I replace my optical drive with an SSD, however only use the SSD for OSX, applications, system and library. Keep all documents, pictures, music etc on the current hard drive.
I would be grateful if someone could help me with:
1) installing OSX on the SSD without copying across data from the current hard drive
2) transferring applications, system and library folders across to the SSD so that they still function
3) changing my settings so that OSX reads the home folder from the current hard drive, as well as all the applications' data (documents, music etc...)
However, I would like to run iMovie, with all events etc solely from the SSD to speed up the process of editing movies.
If anyone could help with this, it would be much appreciated.

If you got the data transfer cable with your SSD, the procedure should be pretty simple - and there should be step-by-step instructions in the box. You're simply going to remove the bottom case of your computer (using a Phillips #00 screwdriver), take out the two screws in the bracket holding the hard drive into place (using same screwdriver), remove the drive and (use a Torx 6 screwdriver) remove the four screws that hold the hard drive in place. Then put in the SSD and reassemble the machine.
Then you'll plug up the old hard drive by using the SATA to USB cable and use the option key to boot from the old drive. I don't know what data transfer software Crucial provides, but I would recommend formatting the SSD using Disk Utility from your old drive ("Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" with a single GUID partition) and then use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your old drive to your new SSD (see this user tip for cloning - https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4122). You needn't worry about getting an enclosure since you have the data transfer cable and you don't want to use your old hard drive.
There are a number of videos on YouTube that take you step-by-step through this procedure - many specific to Crucial SSDs and their data transfer kit - do a little searching there if you're unsure of how to procede.
Clinton

Brand New Mac Pro takes 1Min 20 to boot

Hi people, just got this brand new Mac Pro, was a dream to get, however first one i received i had to send back as it had a faulty hard drive bay which didnt read the disks. I then received this replacement and this second machine had to have the airport card replaced as it was faulty. I also notice that it takes 1min 20seconds to boot to login screen. It is a brand new 3.0 8 Core with 10GB Ram. My macbook pro boots in less than 20 seconds. Is this normal of the Mac Pro?

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear.
First of all, I agree with everything in your post. I just wanted to know why you said "The amount of RAM has nothing to do with how slow or fast the system boots." You see, I have the same problem on my iMac, it occurred right after I installed extra memory. The boot time almost doubled. The mac was a few days old so I assumed it was because of the RAM. But if you are right, my assumption was wrong and I have to look to other options. But I was just wondering, how do you know? That's why I asked you to explain your answer.
Second, the PS was back on topic and not in reply for your answer. For example, a few months ago, one of our macs had the same problem and it was fixed after we removed all the extra fonts the operator had installed.

My new macbk pro takes over 8 min to boot up

It sits on the grey screen with the apple icon and progress wheel spinning, which I timed this morning. I never had this performance issue with my last mac, which had less ram, so I'm assuming it is something with the Mavericks OS. I looked at the settings, but don't see anything I can tweak to improve this start time. I can't really tell what applications may be opening at boot to slow it down. I am a photographer and have a number of folders with large data files on my desktop. This was never a problem before but I could remove them if it is now. I have no other programs on my desktop. It's not a critical mass issue, but certainly is annoying.

You are still under warranty. Call Apple Care. Make sure you get a case number as all repairs have an additional 90 days of warranty.
#1 - You have 14 days from the date of purchase to return your computer with no questions asked.
#2 - You have 90 days of FREE phone tech support.
#3 - You have the standard one year Apple warranty.
#4 - If you've purchased an AppleCare Protection Plan, your warranty last for 3 years. You can obtain AppleCare anytime up to the first year of the purchase of your computer.
Take FULL advantage of your warranty. Posting on a message board should be done as a last resort and if you are out of warranty or Apple Care has expired.

I just updated to the newest Firefox 9.0.1 and now I get pop up ads as a new tab that takes over my web session. Firefox also crashes my whole computer and restarts it. I am running Windows XP Pro.

Pop Ad tabs include ad, when I close it asks if I'm sure I want to leave the page. I say yes and then there is another survey ad that says I may have won something. This whole process requires at least 4 denials before I can get the page to close.
Periodically my computer will freeze and restart when I am using Firefox.

Sounds like Malware.
Install, update, and run these programs in this order. They are listed in order of efficacy. '''''(Not all programs detect the same Malware, so you may need to run them all to solve your problem.)''''' These programs are all free for personal use, but some have limited functionality in the "free mode" - but those are features you really don't need to find and remove the problem that you have. 
''Note: If your Malware infection is bad enough and you are mis-directed to URL's other than what is posted, you may have to use a different PC to download these programs and use a USB stick to transfer them to the afflicted PC.''
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - [http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php] 
SuperAntispyware - [http://www.superantispyware.com/] 
AdAware - [http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/] 
Spybot Search & Destroy - [http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html] 
Windows Defender: Home Page - [http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx] 
Also, if you have a search engine re-direct problem, see this: 
http://deletemalware.blogspot.com/2010/02/remove-google-redirect-virus.html
If these don't find it or can't clear it, post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help: 
[http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php] 
[http://forum.aumha.org/] 
[http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/] 
[http://bleepingcomputer.com]

Is a 64GB SSD good enough for a primary boot drive on a Macbook Pro?

My hard drive just failed and I am thinking of going the SSD way - installing a 64GB SSD as my bootable drive and taking out my optical disc to install a 500GB HDD. Will the 64GB work for my purpose? Or do I need to go higher? Thanks!

I would go with a min of 128GB personally, ideally a 256GB drive is best, but depends on what you are going to run as to how much space you will require.
cheers Mythandra

IDE over SATA for Boot Drive

If I have an IDE HD (Hitachi Deskstar 160GB) install along with my WD Sata 250 my BIOS always chooses the IDE drive to boot from. When the IDE drive is detected the sata does not show as available.
How can I have both installed, but boot from the SATA?

Quote from: Maesus on 12-January-07, 22:56:07
can you change the HDD sequence in the BIOS ? Pick the HDD you wanna boot as the 1st HDD.
No, I cannot choose the HDD. If the both the SATA and IDE is physically installed, the SATA does not show .
However if I press F11 during the boot, both the ARE listed. Using F11 to boot, I have booted from the SATA. The IDE shows in WinXP as a "disk drive." I rebooted to see if any subsequent boots would you the SATA (thinking that the F11 function sets it as default), but the boot was with the IDE.

New 2nd Mac Pro boot drive (ssd) how do I know which is booted?

   Both boot drives are Leopard. Also how do I switch between them safely? Is this do-able w/o restarting? The restart surprised me and I damaged one, maybe more older externals, so I'm gunshy about moving ahead... Need conceptual and practical help.
   My original boot drive is in pre-fail status (according to OWC software), so I want to use the new ssd rather than risk the old boot drive to back-up everything - system, Time Machine and photos - to a partitioned new 4Tb ext'l drive... I assume I should be able to do this with the SSD and then retire my orig'l boot dr?... Does this make sense? Many thanks...

OK, this is good to get cleared up, and helps sharpen my question: What are the actions that jeapordize external drives in cases like this? I can guess a few: pulling out the firewire/usb etc cable while they are mounted and the computer is on? Or, If they are powered, switching them off or pulling the plug out of the electric outlet before ejecting?
   There must be others because I didn't do either of these before getting the message that the drive was improperly disconnected and was likely damaged. I did perform "command-option-eject" just before getting the above warning message (I actually was told to do that command at the Genius Bar in order to switch boot drives ) but perhaps there was more I was supposed to do but forgot...Can you think of others - why I screwed up so badly? It keaves me so hesitant and worried around this beautiful machine....?

I have a new account because someone was using my old account so it was disabled when I had made a new account I tried get it take over my old account put when try to do updates it says that it's disabled

I need to get my new account to take over my old account tried put didn't work cant get updates for my apps says disabled

Contact AppleCare and explain your situation to them...
Apple Contact USA
http://www.apple.com/contact/
Contacting Apple World Wide for Support and Service
http://support.apple.com/kb/HE57

Best way to clean install mountain lion on a new ssd

Am in the process of upgrading my late 2008 MacBook Pro (15"). Have had 8 GB RAM installed for over a year now, as well as Lion, and it's doing fine but want to upgrade it some more to get another couple years out of it. Have ordered a 120 GB SSD and will be installing it in place of the optical drive to speed up boot and programs access. Also would like to upgrade to Mountain Lion IF it'll upgrade performance and add worthwhile features. Assuming that's the case, is it best to do a clean install of Mountain Lion on the new SSD or just clone the existing hard drive? What's the best technique for doing a clean install and for cloning?

Go to the App Store. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. Purchase and download Mountain Lion. It's over 4 GBs so it will take some time to download.
When it finishes the installer will launch automatically and present you with a window for installing. I suggest you quit the installer at this point. Follow these instructions:
Make Your Own Mountain/Lion Installer
1. After downloading Mountain/Lion you must first save the Install Mac OS X Mountain/
    Lion application. After Mountain/Lion downloads DO NOT click on the Install button.
    Go to your Applications folder and make a copy of the Mountain/Lion installer. Move
    the copy into your Downloads folder. Now you can click on the Install button. You
    must do this because the installer deletes itself automatically when it finishes
    installing.
2. Get a USB flash drive that is at least 8 GBs. Prep this flash drive as follows:
a. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
b. After DU loads select your flash drive (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.
c. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one.
      Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the
      partition scheme to GUID then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until
      the process has completed.
d. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side
      list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
e. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the
      button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
f. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to an hour depending upon the flash
     drive size.
3. Use Lion DiskMaker 2.0 to put your installer clone onto the USB flash drive.
Note: The term Mountain/Lion used above means Lion or Mountain Lion.
You can then install your SSD. Boot the computer from the Mountain Lion USB flash drive to install onto the SSD after you partition and format the SSD:
Drive Partition and Format
1. Boot from Mountain Lion USB flash drive installer. When the main menu appears select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
Boot Using OPTION key:
a. Restart the computer.
b. Immediately after the chime press and hold down the
      "OPTION" key.
c. Release the key when the boot manager appears.
d. Select the USB Flash Drive Installer.
e. Click on the arrow button below the icon.
2. After DU loads select your hard drive (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.
3. 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 Apply button and wait until the process has completed.
4. When formatting is complete quit DU and return to the main menu. Select Install/Reinstall Mountain Lion and click on the Continue/Install button.

Buying a new iMac - can you use an external SSD drive as boot drive?

Here is the question: Can you attach an external SSD and use that as your boot drive accompanying an iMac? This way all the Apple warranties stay valid but I am not saddled with the expense of the Apple installed SSD price?
Now for some background ...
I am looking to buy a new iMac replacing my loved but woefully underpowered Mac Mini. In a perfect world I would like the following set-up based on how today's iMacs can be configured:
Processor: 3.4GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7
Memory: 16GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x4GB
Hard Drive: 1TB Serial ATA Drive + 256GB Solid State Drive
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6970M 2GB GDDR5
Optical Drive: 8x double-layer SuperDrive
The problem is I'd rather not spend $3200+. I would imagine most people plug something similar in and then begin to ID must vs. nice to haves. So, here are my must haves:
Memory: Minimum 16GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 4x4GB (I was thinking of starting with minimum and then purchase the right RAM and installing myself)
Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 1GB
Hard Drive: 256GB Solid State Drive
I like to work the graphics side and have a media library of almost 1TB (uploading, downloading, converting, editing, etc.). With my existing setup I have 3+TB of external storage but again, am suffering massively in the horsepower department as it takes hours for me to do what I believe a new iMac can help me accomplish in a fraction of that time. This is not my profession so while I looked at the towers I still need this computer to serve as a family computer as well. Appreciate your thoughts and feedback.
Cheers,
-Jim

Ok this is great as we are progressing through.
So yes it can be done but there's the caveat of the "pipes" once you go external. The only option for an external SSD Drive with thunderbolt that I know of is LaCie's 240 GB version ... Priced at $800.
I think what I will need to do is suck it up. The new MacBooks have the core technology I'd like but we really want the larger screen.
Last question - should I wait/when might we expect an updated line of iMacs? In a few months or not for a while? That answer may provide some direction if it is anticipated to be sooner vs later.
Thank you!

990FXA-GD65v2 and New SSD

I'm starting to pull my hair out over this because I'm not sure what's going on!
My system includes the 990FXA-GD65v2 on BIOS version 19.9, which it came with. I have two (2) x 2TB HDDs in a RAID 1 configuration for redundant data storage, and a single Samsung 840 Pro 250GB with the OS on it. I recently purchased a new Samsung 850 EVO 500GB to replace the 840 Pro that was constantly running low on space. With no requirement to retain the existing Windows 8.1 Pro operating system, I opted to load the operating system fresh. After installing the new SSD in place of the old one, I was able to see it in BIOS, as well as in the RAID controller (though it is set as a "Single Disk" like the previous SSD). However, I'm not able to see it in the Windows 8.1 Pro installation DVD.
Curious, I replaced my original SSD, and hooked the new SSD into another SATA port. Once booted into my original OS, I was unable to see the new SSD in device manager.
I also attempted to clone the old SSD to the new SSD using Acronis 2014 on a boot CD. The clone was successful, but on restart, the computer was not able to boot to the new SSD.
Both new and old SSDs are on the latest firmware. I attempted to provide the RAID driver for the board while trying to install Windows, even though the RAID 1 configuration shows up already, but the new SSD still does not show up.
Help me!
Thank you so much in advance for any replies.

Quote from: Funki on 05-June-15, 23:04:31
k.4 the version of the 990FXA-GD65 is compatible with the 990FXA-GD65V2?
the 990FXA-GD65 and 990FXA-GD65V2 are exactly the same the only difference is the V2 version shipped with a newer version of the VBIOS back when the FX CPU's first hit the market as the normal ones did not have a BIOS that supported them!
In essence they are the exact same product and use the exact same BIOS versions as each other the V2 just points out it will support a FX processor out the box!

New SSD on the way, want to install Snow Leopard. What disc do I need?

Hi,
I have a 2008 Mac Pro, currently running Leopard 10.5.8 but along with the Snow Leopard OS I have ordered a 128GB SSD that will be my primary boot drive from the moment it arrives.
Since the Mac Pro has 4 slots for hard drives I will just throw out an old 200GB SATA HD and put my current 1TB bootdrive in its place.
My SSD will be installed and I plan on installing snow leopard on it without prior erasing of my Leopard 1TB disk.
How can I even accomplish this?
It seems that (this is what I have taken from a few threads around here) I will need to have Leo installed to use the upgrade disc (which I qualify for, technically).
When I want to install Snow Leo on a fresh hard drive, is there a step in the installation that simple asks to put in our Leopard disc so the installer verifies we have it, then continues with the Snow Leopard install?
Thanks for reading,
I hope some of you can lift this confusion I am having here.
(never thought installing an OS could get this complicated)
M.

You can do what you want with either the $29 or the $9.99 upgrade disk. Leopard does not need to be installed.
To erase and install (see upgrade option below), start up to your DVD and stop after selecting your language. Use the menus to start Disk Utility and erase your drive. Quit Disk Utility and proceed with your installation. At the end, you will be able to choose to reclaim your settings, files, and apps from your original installation (on the external now) (plug in the external at the point of the last install restart).
Upgrading is a very sound process on a Mac. An upgrade is performed by installing over your existing installation from the desktop or having started from your SL DVD. All your programs, data, and settings will be present after an upgrade, but incompatible programs will be archived.
Message was edited by: donv (The Ghost)

Preparing a new SSD to take over as main boot drive

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for