HuntsMan75

Q: Replace Hard Drive with SSD

System Info: MacBook Pro running OS X 10.9, mid 2009, 13", PN MB991LL/A (2.53 GHz), 8GB RAM

 

I started having some problems with my system, mainly slow downs, especially when using Safari. I got a copy of Scannerz (http://scsc-online.com/Scannerz.html) and it confirmed drive platter damage. I know some of these units are supposed to have cable problems but Scannerz tested that too and found no problems with the cable, so this is a bonafide drive problem (it's 6 years old, you know).

 

I'd like to go ahead and replace it with an SSD and have some questions:

 

  1. Maybe I'm getting models mixed up but I seem to remember something about a drive thermal sensor on Apples not being compatible with generic drives. I know I read that somewhere I just don't remember where?
  2. I assume, if #1 above isn't a problem, that I can basically use any SATA SSD. Now I know I should get the fastest interface possible, but are there any caveats or incompatibilities that some brands of SSDs may present?
  3. What about stuff like trim and wear leveling. WIll this be in a driver for the SSD or does the OS take care of it automatically?
  4. Are there any brands/models to stay away from?
  5. Should I replace the cable too? I've heard they can get bad.

 

Thanks in advance.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Apr 4, 2015 12:06 PM

Close

Q: Replace Hard Drive with SSD

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

first Previous Page 4 of 15 last Next
  • by ZV137,

    ZV137 ZV137 Apr 24, 2015 10:45 AM in response to HuntsMan75
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Apr 24, 2015 10:45 AM in response to HuntsMan75

    I used to think replacing the cable was nonsense until I started reading about all the failures. From what I can tell the insulation on some of them is too thin or defective and they start intermittently shorting against the case, which is electrical ground. One "solution," if you want to call it that, is to put electrical tape underneath the cable where it makes contact with the chassis. None of the problems I've read have been equated to anything being damaged, like the logic board blowing, just data loss, corruption, or inability to pass data between the logic board and the drive. I would hazard a guess that if the insulation is the real culprit then it might be possible that cables could intermittently short between themselves too. Since you have a copy of Scannerz you could test the cables in interface mode with the iteration level set high, like about 10,000 attempts.

     

    My personal opinion would be to replace the cables unless you're really fond of opening the unit up and working on it. I know it's not that difficult but it does take time  and I, personally, don't like opening laptops up.

     

    I remember seeing on iFixit.com that at least one of the SSDs used in MacBook Air's comes with it's own cable and you're supposed to replace the cable when a new SSD is installed in the unit.

  • by HuntsMan75,

    HuntsMan75 HuntsMan75 Apr 25, 2015 11:58 AM in response to HuntsMan75
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 11:58 AM in response to HuntsMan75

    One last (hopefully) set of questions:

     

    1. Does the cables need to be OEM or are there third party cables available.

    2. Any chance they can be found locally at a regular computer store?

    3. Sources and prices.

    4. Is there any difference between a 3Gb/s and 6Gb/sec.

     

    Since the cable in the Mac is sort of shaped to fit and includes the IR sensor I assume it's unique to my model, but I don't know that for a fact. For all I know a lot of systems or other Mac's may use the same type of setup. On Amazon the prices are all over the place. On iFixit they're about $50 (U.S.)

     

    Sorry for asking so many questions.

  • by R.K.Orion,

    R.K.Orion R.K.Orion Apr 25, 2015 5:35 PM in response to HuntsMan75
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Apr 25, 2015 5:35 PM in response to HuntsMan75

    At roughly $100 for a pair of them, I don't know if I'd replace them if there's nothing wrong with them. That's a fair amount of money on speculative risk, IMHO. Not all cables went bad, just some of them.

     

    As far as I know the cables are specific to the model. Possibly similar Mac models share similar if not identical cables, but it's not like you can pull a SATA cable out of a Dell and stick it into a MacBook Pro and expect it to work or even have the same connectors. To the best of my knowledge there isn't, or shouldn't be, theoretically, any difference between a 6G and 3G cable.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 26, 2015 4:41 AM in response to R.K.Orion
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 26, 2015 4:41 AM in response to R.K.Orion

    Nonsense, 6g cables have twice the bandwidth of 3g cables, almost enough bandwidth for a fast SSD if you use 6g, not enough for a fast SSD if they are 3g.

     

    Theoretically speaking, there is a lot of difference.

  • by MrJavaDeveloper,

    MrJavaDeveloper MrJavaDeveloper Apr 26, 2015 11:31 AM in response to R.K.Orion
    Level 1 (64 points)
    Apr 26, 2015 11:31 AM in response to R.K.Orion

    With data rates in the gigabits per second range, a cable isn't just a collection of wires any longer, it's an electrical transmission line. For example, a cable TV provider may give you 50 or 75 ohm cable but if you took an ohm meter and tested it for static resistance it's resistance would likely be near zero. At the frequencies used in transmission and reception, impedance develops based on frequency. Going into this in detail is beyond the scope of this thread.

     

    Suffice it to say, it's quite possible there may be a very significant difference from a cable that's specified to be used at 3 Gb/sec and one that's specified for 6 Gb/sec.

  • by ThomasB2010,

    ThomasB2010 ThomasB2010 Apr 27, 2015 11:15 AM in response to HuntsMan75
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Apr 27, 2015 11:15 AM in response to HuntsMan75

    The need to replace cables that by all accounts have nothing wrong with them is an opinion, not a fact. Just my opinion as well.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 27, 2015 11:21 AM in response to ThomasB2010
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 27, 2015 11:21 AM in response to ThomasB2010

    ThomasB2010 wrote:

     

    The need to replace cables that by all accounts have nothing wrong with them is an opinion, not a fact. Just my opinion as well.

    Who said it was, if you don't think it is sensible to change the cable while you have access to it don't You can always open the Mac again when and if it needs replacing.

  • by ThomasB2010,

    ThomasB2010 ThomasB2010 Apr 28, 2015 3:51 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (13 points)
    Apr 28, 2015 3:51 AM in response to Csound1

    From CSound1:

     

    Csound1 wrote:

    Put the fastest drive in the main bay, HDD in the optical slot. Replace both drive cables while you are there.

     

    I don't see the words "In my opinion it's best to replace the cables," rather more like a dictum.

     

    SOME systems have a problem with cables, not all of them. If the cables were such a problem Apple would have issued a recall.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2015 6:04 AM in response to ThomasB2010
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 6:04 AM in response to ThomasB2010

    What is your problem?

     

    I recommend replacing the cables. regardless of your opinion.

     

    Clear

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2015 6:21 AM in response to R.K.Orion
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 6:21 AM in response to R.K.Orion

    R.K.Orion wrote:

     

    At roughly $100 for a pair of them,

    Screen Shot 2015-04-28 at 08.21.44.png

     

    Not really

  • by R.K.Orion,

    R.K.Orion R.K.Orion Apr 28, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Csound1
    Level 1 (14 points)
    Apr 28, 2015 10:20 AM in response to Csound1

    The original poster has a 13" MacBook Pro, not a 15" MacBook Pro. I'm sure if he searches he can find a few prices, but in any case I don't see the job being done for less that $50 US if the price is new.

     

    I'm really not interested in arguing this because my position is neutral. I was simply stating that cost may be a consideration. I'm sure cables can be found at varying prices all over the place. I simply checked a source or two and posted the price i got.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2015 10:25 AM in response to R.K.Orion
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 10:25 AM in response to R.K.Orion

    I did the same, and found lower prices at Amazon (amongst others), prices for 13 vs 15 are within 3% of each other.

     

    It does not cost $100 to replace them.

     

    I checked for you and the price difference is more than 3%, the cables for the 13" models are cheaper

    Screen Shot 2015-04-28 at 12.23.49.png


    Less than $60 for a pair.

  • by dwb,

    dwb dwb Apr 28, 2015 10:34 AM in response to ThomasB2010
    Level 7 (24,226 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 28, 2015 10:34 AM in response to ThomasB2010

    ThomasB2010 wrote:

     

    Most HD's fail slowly giving the user time to pull their stuff off.

    Would you like to back this up with statistics? Do HHDs fail slowly? They can, sure. But they also die quickly and with no warning, especially when they are in a portable computer.

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2015 10:38 AM in response to dwb
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 10:38 AM in response to dwb

    dwb wrote:

     

    Would you like to back this up with statistics?

    This will be fun

  • by Csound1,

    Csound1 Csound1 Apr 28, 2015 10:42 AM in response to MrJavaDeveloper
    Level 9 (50,801 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 28, 2015 10:42 AM in response to MrJavaDeveloper

    MrJavaDeveloper wrote:

     

    With data rates in the gigabits per second range, a cable isn't just a collection of wires any longer, it's an electrical transmission line. For example, a cable TV provider may give you 50 or 75 ohm cable but if you took an ohm meter and tested it for static resistance it's resistance would likely be near zero. At the frequencies used in transmission and reception, impedance develops based on frequency. Going into this in detail is beyond the scope of this thread.

     

    Suffice it to say, it's quite possible there may be a very significant difference from a cable that's specified to be used at 3 Gb/sec and one that's specified for 6 Gb/sec.

    At these speeds skin effect becomes a factor, old cables tend to be slow and unreliable cables with fast SSD's (which already exceed the capacity of the SATA bus system)

first Previous Page 4 of 15 last Next