spinning beach ball!

I have the files for EntreCheck and Drive DX, but I don't see a way of attaching them. Is there a way so you can take a look?

It's pretty clear I need a new hard drive. I was shopping them at MacPartsDepot.com. I narrowed it down to either 1TB or 2 TB for SATA and SSDS. The 2 TB SATA is under $100 while the SSDS 1 TB and 2 TB costs about $190 and $380.

BTW, is there another parts source you recommend? I got pretty good online chat service with MacPartsDepot and the prices seem reasonable.

The laptop is already almost 10 years old, but with a new HD, it should keep going, right? Any red flags regarding planned obsolescence? Do you have a recommendation on whether to purchase the mechanical or digital hard drive?

Thanks, again

🙏

Hi BDAqua,

I received my 1 TB SSD from OWC, and a 2 TB external drive for backup. I need to make a good, clean, final backup in Time Machine, or Carbon Copy Cloner, as the previous backups I deferred backing up some folders due to a free space shortage. I would like to include these folders in the new backup.

With CCC, I can create a clone which may make transferring data easier. Then I can update from Mojave to the latest OS. Does that make sense? If I use Time Machine, is it somewhat tricky to install the new OS, then install the data from Time Machine? Do you recommend Time Machine or CCC for my final backup, or both?

Can you point to articles that will guide me to install the latest OS after the new internal hard drive is installed?

Thank you so much 🙏

My old hard drive may be too far gone. Trying to download CCC5 to run the clone. I can't seem to download it nor transfer it from a flash drive. Everytime I click on a folder or download, I get incessent spinning beach balls. And then there is installing it. More uncertainty with spinning beach balls. Any suggestions on how to proceed?

Gulp is right. I tried starting in Safe Mode 👎. Screen went black after white screen was booting. I kept holding the Shift key hoping the sign-in field would pop up.

I think I have most, if not all of my files backed up on Time Machine. I also have most some folders backed up outside of Time Machine, and I have most of my work in the cloud, so I think I'm basically OK. I would like to see if I can get one more pass at transferring data in folders onto the new 2 GB external hard drive, just to make sure, but that may not be viable. If not, it's on to installing the new internal SSD.

Let me ask you a question. If I manage to transfer all of my data in folders on my external HD, after installing the internal HD and installing the latest OSX, could I just transfer those folders onto the new HD resulting in seemlessly restoring my computer?

Any suggestions greatly appreciated! 🙏

I want the easiest restoration, so it seems reinstalling Mojave would be the way to go. Then I can update after it's back and running.

Are the permissions/fixes anything more than just entering my computer password when prompted?

I am prepared to have to reinstall software, but it would be great if some of it worked upon restoring.

So just to nail it down, because Time Machine seems dicy even when it works, and it's possible, even likely, that my latest save may be corrupted, reinstalling Mojave and transferring the folders onto the new drive would be the best way for me to restore?

Much thanks 🙏

I think I'm ready to make the switch to the SSD. Before opening it up I will view the video on OWC.

I got lucky. My old hard was more cooperatable than it was earlier, and I was able to limp along and transfer all of the data to my new external hard drive. I don't have a CCC clone nor can I count on a Time Machine backup, so the plan is to transfer the data to the new hd.

After installing the hd, could you help me with the next steps configuring toward a successful installation? This sounds like a silly question, but how do I download and install Mojave? I'm a total greenhorn having never done this before 😅. Then after installing it, what is the procedure for transferring my data onto the SSD?

Are there any instructional pages you could point me to?

It's getting exciting. 🙏

I got very busy and had to put this project on hold until today. I ran into some issues.

The easy one, first. I didn't realize that i needed a Torx T6 tool, so I had to chase one of those down, which I located locally.

Then I checked out the link that you provided in your last message to download Mojave. Because my current HD is almost kaput, I was hoping to download it on my new external backup HD by connecting it to my aging Mac Pro, and then transfer Mojave to my SSD after formatting, and install it (Mac Pro running on High Sierra, as that is the latest OS that works with my older graphics card).

When I click on the iTunes link that you provided, I am brought to the Apple Store. When I click on "Open" it wants to install Mojave on my Mac Pro, which I cannot do.

So, how can I download Mojave to my external HD, so that I can transfer it to my new SSD? Or better yet, what is your recommendation on how should I proceed? Here is a little more info:

As I was not able to clone the failing hard drive nor backup with Time Machine, I was fortunate to be able to copy all the data in folders and files to the external HD. After installing and formatting the new SSD, my plan is to transfer the folders and files after installing Mojave. Will that work?

Do you anticipate problems with this method? Am naive to think after I install Mojave and transfer the folders everything will function properly, be hunky dory, and job done? Something tells me there is more to it.

I so appreciate your guidance 🙏 Thank you. 😅

<<I'd install BS to the New drive, …>>

Gee, I’m not understanding. BS? Is that a typo for BD (Boot Disk)?

How do I install it to the new (SSD) drive? From where do I download it? (the iTunes link?) And how do I download it without an OS unless I am using my Mac Pro?

I am actually feeling pretty discouraged right now. This isn’t making any sense to me. Is there an article with step-by-step instructions that you can point me to?

Awesome. Thank you. Will take care of that and get back to you. :)

I forgot, I was using Pastebin to transfer the report data to you.

Here is the link for my DriveDX scan:

https://pastebin.com/GBmC7Vt5