new hard drive

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Level 1

8 points

new hard drive

Late 2009 iMac. 10.13.6 I need to replace my failing internal hard drive. I have all my files backed up on EHD's or in clouds. I have bootable 10.6.8 and 10.10 on ehd's that work. I also run Time Machine for everything that is on the internal (failing) drive, and i have a Disk Warrior stick which is bootable. I have purchased a new SSD and before I remove the old one, I need to know what I will need to do to restore the existing OS. A linkable reference with step by step instructions would be great. TIA.

Posted on Jun 9, 2020 2:57 PM

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Answer 1

jgieske Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 10, 2020 5:39 AM in response to BDAqua

Thanks for that! I have a "cloner" and the other bootables I mentioned. My question is simpler (dumber!). How do I run the Mac with the new blank drive. How do you boot it with nothing on it. Can I just hold down the option key at startup and select one of my others and then go to the disk utility, format, and then begin the transfer process? Thanks

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Answer 2

dwb

Level 7

32,911 points

Jun 10, 2020 6:42 AM in response to jgieske

i like to prepare the new drive - install my OS or clone my boot drive to it before I install it. Nothing worse than opening an iMac, closing it up, and only then discover the drive is defective.

Anyway, connect one of your bootable externals and hold alt key to select the boot drive. If you decide to install first you can then run Disk Utility to format the SSD and move forward. If you decide to prepare the SSD first, same deal.

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Answer 3

dwb

Level 7

32,911 points

Jun 10, 2020 8:36 AM in response to jgieske

You’ll need a way to connect the new drive to the computer. This could be an external enclosure, a drive dock, or just an SATA<>USB cable. Each has its advantage and disadvantage but you can’t beat a drive dock for its multiple abilities.

Plug the new drive into the device you’ve chosen and plug it into the computer. From there you simply boot the computer with your internal drive (if it still functions) or a bootable drive or even a CD. Use Disk Utility to format the SSD and then move on. You can now download your OS to the new drive and install it or use cloning software to move your system drive onto the SSD.

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