Hard Disk Upgrade on my 27-inch Late 2009 iMac 11,1

Question

Level 1

4 points

Hard Disk Upgrade on my 27-inch Late 2009 iMac 11,1

Hello Everyone,

I would like to upgrade the harddisk in my iMac from a Seagate 1TB model to a Seagate 2TB model.

I have read in the forums that for this particular model of the iMac, i have to ensure that i buy the same model of the hard disk as what came in my machine originally. So i have figured that part out. I am thinking of getting a 2.0TB Seagate Barracuda XT.

Am i expected to run into any problems post upgrade?

I read somewhere that Apple has done some firmware upgrade which pretty much limits user options for disk upgrades. Result being, your FAN goes mad and runs at rull speed and etc etc..

Any and every feedback is useful.

Thank you.

Regards,

iMac 27 Inch Core i5, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Jun 11, 2011 1:54 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 4, 2017 9:21 PM in response to titansking

I upgraded my late 2009 iMac this Way. I bought A Samsung 500 GB 850 EVO ssd and A thermal sensor from OWC. With the thermal sensor you Can use any hard drive. It worked perfectly and still does 1 year later.

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Answer 2

Eric Ross

Level 6

11,807 points

Jun 11, 2011 5:00 AM in response to titansking

You have done your home work, and you are correct. The best full proof hard drive upgrade is to get a Apple Seagate drive.

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Answer 3

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2011 6:18 AM in response to Eric Ross

Eric, I agree with your answer. But getting an upgrade thru Apple would probably be my last option.

Lets see what the community had to recommend. 🙂

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Answer 4

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jun 11, 2011 6:38 AM in response to titansking

I would recommend contacting OWC (www.macsales.com) and see what they recommend. They specialize in Mac's and help steer you to any drives that will work. Most Apple Stores would not do this upgrade anyway so your best bet is contacting an AASP and asking them to do it.

Roger

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Answer 5

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2011 7:35 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Roger, I did contact OWC and they recommend using the seagate barracuda xt.

Any one else here had success with hdd upgrade on late 2009 iMacs ?

Thanks in advance.

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Answer 6

rkaufmann87

Level 10

148,494 points

Jun 11, 2011 8:24 PM in response to titansking

OK cool!

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Answer 7

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2011 10:28 PM in response to titansking

I had a long discussion with OWC Technical rep about the upgrade and he believes that the upgrade should be smooth and that they have done tons of it without any issues.

Community - Has someone had any success with the HDD upgrade? Appreciate if someone can share their experience post upgrade.

Thanks in advance.

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Answer 8

Aug 1, 2011 7:03 PM in response to titansking

I just upgraded my Late 2009 27" i7 iMac with the Seagate 2TB ST32000641AS HDD and my fans spun around 4500 rpms with this drive. I was completely caught off guard by this as I thought only the new 2011 model iMac's had the temp sensor deal. The drive was only 103F but the fans spun like a jet plane the entire time. I am swapping back to my original 1TB drive until I can figure out what to do.

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Answer 9

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 1, 2011 7:10 PM in response to Eric Barger

I am assuming that you followed the steps as mentioned in this video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e42u0IPv30E

And that you have swapped the hard drive with the one made by the same manufacturer.

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Answer 10

Aug 1, 2011 8:04 PM in response to titansking

Yes. I had a Seagate 1TB in the iMac. It is a 7200.12 as I just put it back in and everything is fine again.

I am researching compatible drives. I may have to take this to the Apple store and get the swap done just to get a compatible HDD.

Btw, the iFixIt guides are much better than the YouTube video you posted. Be very careful on the display adapter cable.

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Answer 11

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 2, 2011 8:18 AM in response to Eric Barger

Eric, Do let us know if you are able to get this fixed. Either through the Apple Store or by yourself. We all are curious to know the final solution to this pesky problem.

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Answer 12

Aug 2, 2011 8:38 AM in response to titansking

No problem. I am not happy with this situation. This is an easy swap minus the Fan issues and I don't want to mess with the software solution.

I did call Mac Sales and their ACT was to order Part Number 922-8827 and attach it to the outside of the HDD and plug that into the logic board. This was said to be the most consistent method to getting a successful HDD swap without fan issues.

I am looking for that part. I will keep everyone up to date.

Btw, my iMac is the 11,3 2.93 GHz i7 27" (Mid-2010). It shipped with a Seagate HDD 7200.12.

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Answer 13

titansking Author

Level 1

4 points

Aug 27, 2011 8:40 AM in response to Eric Barger

Any updates here anyone?

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Answer 14

Aug 27, 2011 3:23 PM in response to titansking

I can't find the part to order so I am going to do the swap and try the software solution. At this point I don't know what to do but I need a larger HDD and I am not going to drag my iMac 30 miles and carry it 500' into the store for this simple swap.

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Answer 15

Aug 27, 2011 3:25 PM in response to Eric Barger

Correction: MacPartsOnline is back up. Found the cable. It is $37. I am going to give it a shot first.

http://www.macpartsonline.com/922-8827-optical-temp-sensor-cable-20inch-2ghz-mid 2009-2-66ghz-imac-early-2009.html

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