bjm31385
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: System Restore & Upgrade Specs

Hi all,

 

I have a two part question.

 

This first part is I have a MacBook Pro that has started to slow down and it's got a lot of unnecessary stuff slowing it down and taking up space.  I would like to do a system restore to return it to the factory settings.  I have a MacBook Pro, 13 inch, Mid 2010 running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 (I think it originally came with Snow Leopard).  Do I need the install CD to complete the restore since the MBP came with Snow Leopard and I don't believe it is supported with Apple's online downloads?  Or should I be okay to complete the restore downloading a current OS X from Apple because I am currently running Yosemite?  I'm pretty sure I have the install CD somewhere but can't seem to located it right now as I'm in the process of moving.

 

Second, I think I can help increase the performance of the MBP after the restore by installing increased RAM and an SSD hard drive.  Currently I have 2 chips of 2GB RAM for a total of 4GB 1067MHz DDR3, 250GB hard drive, 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256MB.  I think I want to install two 4GB chips for a total of 8GB RAM.  https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/PC3-8500-4-GB-RAM-Chip/IF111-036-1 Also install a SSD hard drive, https://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/500-GB-SSD-Hybrid-2-5-Inch-Hard-Drive/IF107-098 -3

Would upgrading the RAM and hard drive in this manner help increase performance?  I'd like to keep the MBP for a bit longer until I can get a new one.

 

Thanks in advance for your comments as this is the first time I'm attempting something like this.  Yes, I have current time machine backups as well.

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.2), null

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 6:57 PM

by babowa,Solvedanswer
babowa babowa
Level 7 (32,049 points)
iPad
A:

Yes, increasing RAM will help - any newer OS version needs a minimum of 4 GB - 8 would be much better. As for your reinstall, was your firmware updated to allow internet recovery? If so, you may (or may not) have a problem starting over with your install DVD - I had a 2010 iMac and tested various scenarios; the install DVD would only work once out of 5 tries; since the firmware had been updated, I tested internet recovery (Command + Option + R) and it installed Lion (10.7). You can update from there. Here is info on which machines could be updated - you can check yours:

 

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support

 

If you simply use recovery over the top of what you have, then you will not get rid of any unwanted installs, files, etc. as it simply installs the OS over your current OS - all the third party files are still there.

 

If you decide to erase/reinstall, make sure you have a backup first as you will lose everything when you erase.

Posted on Jan 14, 2016 7:10 PM

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bjm31385

Q: System Restore & Upgrade Specs

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  • Helpful answers

  • by babowa,Solvedanswer

    babowa babowa Jan 14, 2016 7:10 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Jan 14, 2016 7:10 PM in response to bjm31385

    Yes, increasing RAM will help - any newer OS version needs a minimum of 4 GB - 8 would be much better. As for your reinstall, was your firmware updated to allow internet recovery? If so, you may (or may not) have a problem starting over with your install DVD - I had a 2010 iMac and tested various scenarios; the install DVD would only work once out of 5 tries; since the firmware had been updated, I tested internet recovery (Command + Option + R) and it installed Lion (10.7). You can update from there. Here is info on which machines could be updated - you can check yours:

     

    About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support

     

    If you simply use recovery over the top of what you have, then you will not get rid of any unwanted installs, files, etc. as it simply installs the OS over your current OS - all the third party files are still there.

     

    If you decide to erase/reinstall, make sure you have a backup first as you will lose everything when you erase.

  • by bjm31385,

    bjm31385 bjm31385 Jan 14, 2016 7:40 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 7:40 PM in response to babowa

    Thanks for the insight.

     

    Yes, my goal is to do a complete erase and reinstall and my biggest concern was not being able to reinstall if I can't find the original install DVD.

     

    I'm not sure if my firmware was updated to allow internet recovery?  I know I've consistently updated OS X up until Yosemite.  I just checked my system information and I have Model Identifier: MacBookPro7,1; Boot ROM Version: MBP71.0039.B0E; and SMC Version 1.62f7.  Does this mean I should be set up to do internet recovery?

     

    Yes, all my information is backed up.  My most important thing is my photos and I double back those up.

     

    Thanks again in advance.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 14, 2016 7:49 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Jan 14, 2016 7:49 PM in response to bjm31385

    There is an easy way to find out - it'll take a few minutes: simply try to boot into internet recovery (Command + Option + R) - press those keys until you see a progress bar which will take a while. It will then try to connect to Apple's servers. It'll tell you if it can't do it. If you get to the Utilities window, you are connected to their servers. Use Disk Utility to erase your hard drive; when finished, choose to install OS X. I cannot tell you what version will be installed as my tests were inconclusive with a 2010 machine.

  • by bjm31385,

    bjm31385 bjm31385 Jan 14, 2016 8:06 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 14, 2016 8:06 PM in response to babowa

    Just to confirm, I press Command + Option + R after the computer as restarted and is rebooting before it has reached the login screen?

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 14, 2016 8:26 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Jan 14, 2016 8:26 PM in response to bjm31385

    You have to press the keys absolutely immediately after the bong and hold them until you see a progress bar which will then say something like "connecting to servers".

  • by Eric Root,

    Eric Root Eric Root Jan 15, 2016 11:50 AM in response to bjm31385
    Level 9 (71,364 points)
    iTunes
    Jan 15, 2016 11:50 AM in response to bjm31385

    Vendors for RAM and SSD.

     

    Crucial

     

    Other World Computing

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jan 15, 2016 6:43 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 15, 2016 6:43 PM in response to bjm31385

    OS X Yosemite 10.10.2

     

    You do not have enough memory to run Yosemite.  Slowness could be entirely the result of not enough memory.  I seem to use at least six gig of memory when running a few apps.  Web browsers seem to take a gig of memory these days.

     

    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade

  • by bjm31385,

    bjm31385 bjm31385 Jan 19, 2016 9:22 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 19, 2016 9:22 PM in response to bjm31385

    Hi all,

     

    Thanks for all your contributions.  I have order the upgrade RAM and a 1TB hard drive and I was now wondering about the actual sequence of events to erase and reinstall.  My thoughts would be to do the erase and reinstall first and return my MBP to original factory settings.  Then install the upgrade RAM and 1TB hard drive and then reinstall OS X again.

     

    Or since I am replacing the hard drive is there any reason to do the first erase and reinstall?  Should I just upgrade the RAM and 1TB hard drive, and then just reinstall OS X?

     

    Thanks.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 19, 2016 9:29 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Jan 19, 2016 9:29 PM in response to bjm31385

    I you have (or order) an external enclosure, the easiest would be to temporarily install the new drive in that enclosure, plug that into your machine and make a bootable clone of your current system to the new hard drive. Once done, swap the two hard drives and you're done. Don't forget to format the new drive Mac OS Extended and, under the Partition tab >Options, choose GUID Partition Scheme.

     

    As for the RAM, you can install that before or after the new drive is installed. In my case, I did both at the same time.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jan 19, 2016 9:53 PM in response to bjm31385
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 19, 2016 9:53 PM in response to bjm31385

    usb harddrive adapter.  Connect your new or old drive as an external drive.  USB 2.0 will be a little slow.

     

    This are not meant for long term use.  Might put a fan on the hd.

     

    usb harddrive adapter

    https://jet.com/product/detail/ab0a114263cb4d2b97cb2217329a4c0e?jcmp=pla:ggl:ele ctronics_a3:electronics_accessories_cabl…

     

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/40900062?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227028516939&wl 0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=61188529929&wl4=&wl5=…

  • by bjm31385,

    bjm31385 bjm31385 Jan 26, 2016 10:52 AM in response to bjm31385
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 26, 2016 10:52 AM in response to bjm31385

    Hi everyone,

     

    I want to provide and update.  Over the weekend I was able to install the increased RAM and the new 1TB hard drive.  I installed the hard drive using a Time Machine back up as I didn't have a USB hard drive adapter.  Anyway, everything is working perfectly and the performance of my MBP has significantly improved.  I was able to update to OS X El Cap 10.11.3 and it works great.

     

    Thanks for everyone that contributed and helped me.  This is the first time I've done something like this and your help made it go very smooth.

  • by rccharles,

    rccharles rccharles Jan 26, 2016 11:00 AM in response to bjm31385
    Level 6 (8,486 points)
    Classic Mac OS
    Jan 26, 2016 11:00 AM in response to bjm31385

    Great. Enjoy.

     

    R

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jan 26, 2016 11:04 AM in response to bjm31385
    Level 7 (32,049 points)
    iPad
    Jan 26, 2016 11:04 AM in response to bjm31385

    Glad to hear everything is working!