Question on SSD Install in an iMac

[SteelblueTJ]

I am planning on swapping out the tired HDD in my mid-2007 20" iMac. Do I have to format the new SSD before installing it in the machine? I've watched a bunch of youtube videos on how to do this and no one mentions it or shows it. So if I need to format it first, I guess I'll need an external enclosure as well?

 

[BrianLachoreVPI]

What OS are you running - out of curiosity? It doesn't have to be formatted prior to installation - but obviously - you'll need something to boot into - which means you'll either need to boot off your install disc or other bootable media - perhaps a Lion thumb drive - if you have one. You can then get to Disk Utility and format the SSD. You also may be able to buy it pre formatted - not certain since I still don't have one.

 

[harryb2448]

You do have to format an SSD mac OS Extended (Journalled) the same as normal. If you get the external, hook things up, format and do a clean install of your operating system and then transfer everything over using Migration Assistant.

SSD manufacturers do not recommend cloning from a platter hard drive.

 

[SteelblueTJ]

Thanks for the info. Just to be sure, are all SSD drives the same? I am asking because I was looking on Crucial's website and noticed that their 256GB drive part number CT256M4SSD2 says it isn't compatible with my iMac - 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo 20-inch 667mhz. Instead, it lists Part Number: CT2239561 for my iMac model, which comes with the adapter bracket. Now I am guessing that the actual SSD itself is the same in both, but Crucial also offers it packaged with the brackets or transfer cable hence the different part number's, but the actual drive itself is the same, correct?

CT256M4SSD2 - 256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive , from Crucial.com

256GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive, upgrades for Apple iMac 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (20-inch - 667MHz) Desktop/PC, CT2239561 from Crucial.com

 

[SteelblueTJ]

anyone know?

 

[Head_Unit]

I don't know what you mean by "are all SSD drives the same?"-no, there are different makes and models. In Crucial's case, just call them and ask would be best. Anyway, don't you need the bracket and such anyway? So the other part is irrelevant.

SSD drives can have some compatibility issue with Macs, very technical, but sorry I forget what exactly. Search "solid state drive" in the forums ("SSD" is only 3 characters and so is too short for the search function)

Eventually they die from too many read/write cycles. This seems to be vastly improved and I decided to gamble on it. I'm offloading my music to external due to size, so that should reduce some of the read/write.

In another thread and a few other places, this
OWC Mercury Extreme Pro Solid State Drive (SSD) Solutions - High Performance, Reliability, and Endurance
was recommended over the Crucial etc.

I had my OWC installed but haven't picked it up. I read many places that from 2006 on it's quite difficult to swap hard drives, so had pros do it. I bought the drive through them and the total price was quite reasonable. I actually encountered this when one I bought on eBay had a bad drive. The seller tried to swap the drive and couldn't get the case back together with everything working. So if you're going to do it yourself, be sure to find DETAILED instructions for your EXACT model.

 

[SteelblueTJ]

Thanks. I was curious to know if they were the same because I can get the drive and brackets cheaper elsewhere individually.

I'm starting to question the best size to get for my needs. I originally was thinking around 256gb. I actually don't have all that many files. My current HDD is 500GB with only 130GB of that is used up. I also have a 160GB external for random things not used often, and a 1TB external for time machine. I only power those drives up when I need them. It would be nice to install the SSD and put everything on it without having to always have an external running. If my SSD gets close to full someday then I can always dump files off (music, movies, photos) to the external. If I go that route, how long do you think it should last vs using an external for music, photos, videos? I keep hearing about read/write limits and I know the new Macbook Airs all come with SSD's as their one and only drive, so I would think it still should last as long as an HDD?

 

[SteelblueTJ]

If I were to install the SSD into the iMac right out the box and power up the machine, I assume I would get the flashing "?" as the system is searching for a bootable OS. If I then insert my snow leopard DVD would the OS automatically begin to install to the new SSD? Can I go this route or would I be better off to use something like this to connect the SSD to the iMac first? Then format/install the OS?
Apricorn - SATA-to-USB Hard Drive Adapter - ASW-USB-KIT

 

[harryb2448]

No Steelblue. You would have to format the drive Mac OS Extended and select GUID under partitioning and then proceed with the clean install. AFter using Falcon and Kingston SSD which failed, sticking with OWC personally. They are Mac specialists.

 

[Head_Unit]

If you install an SSD, it won't have Apple's proprietary temp sensor. You'll need
iMac Fan Noise Fix | iMac HDD Fan Control
unless smcfancontrol works on your machine (it didn't on mine)

 

[Ttaylor394]

If you install an SSD, it won't have Apple's proprietary temp sensor. You'll need
iMac Fan Noise Fix | iMac HDD Fan Control
unless smcfancontrol works on your machine (it didn't on mine)

I thought that was only necessary for 2010 and post 2010 iMacs. Am i mistaken?

Proprietary Cable can put the brakes on upgrading Late '09 iMacs. | Other World Computing Blog

That link states the fan issue as being present in the 2009 models. I don't think the OP situation applies to the fan issue. His is a 2006 iMac.