HDD to SSD

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Level 1

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HDD to SSD

I want to replace my 500gb Hard drive in a late 2012 Mac Mini (running Mountain Lion OS X) with a 256gb SSD. The HDD only has about 50gb of data on currently. I understand how to manually swap them over but I'm uncertain what software etc needs to be on the SSD to make it work. I've read many threads but just got more and more confused. As I understand it, there are two methods of doing the job, one is to make a carbon copy using a program like Norton Ghost and then swap the HDD for the SSD. People also talk about a Clean install of Mountain Lion. I don't have an installation disc as my computer didn't ship with one so I'm not sure if I can do this. What I'd be very grateful if someone could tell me is, have I understood correctly that these are the two methods? Is the first one easier and if so, are there any reasons why you would want to do the second one? If you do need to do the second one, how do you go about it? Thank you for your time to anyone who's read and answered this.

Mac mini, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 20, 2013 7:42 AM

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Answer 1

Mar 20, 2013 8:01 AM in response to ToastMonk

I would do a fresh install and then move over your stuff from the old HD to the new one.

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4718

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Answer 2

Mar 20, 2013 10:03 AM in response to ToastMonk

If you do a fresh install you will either have to re-enter all your user information (email, settings, bookmarks, mail, etc. etc.) or you will have to import it from the previous drive.

Seems to me you cannot avoid some level of information transfer from the old to the new. This is why I much prefer the first method. i.e. Clone your old drive to the new drive, then replace one with the other.

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Answer 3

tbirdvet

Level 6

13,617 points

Mar 20, 2013 12:25 PM in response to ToastMonk

I just did this. Use Carbon Copy Cloner to make a duplicate of your hard drive to the SSD then swap. Works like a champ.

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Answer 4

Mar 21, 2013 4:08 AM in response to ToastMonk

Get yourself a USB->SATA adapter and use Carbon Copy Cloner

to clone the internal to the SSD. After completion, reboot to the

SSD while still external to insure all is well (it will be somewhat

slower since it is USB). When satisified that all is well, swap the

drives.

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Answer 5

ToastMonk Author

Level 1

0 points

Mar 22, 2013 1:42 PM in response to ToastMonk

Thanks everyone. I've done a copy with Carbon Copy Cloner and everything seems to be working fine. Good idea, woodmeister50 to test it before going through fiddle of installing it on mac mini.

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Answer 6

Mar 23, 2013 3:48 AM in response to ToastMonk

ToastMonk wrote:

Thanks everyone. I've done a copy with Carbon Copy Cloner and everything seems to be working fine. Good idea, woodmeister50 to test it before going through fiddle of installing it on mac mini.

Thanks ToastMonk. I just went through that process

although I was using Seagate's Thunderbolt adapter.

I was actually testing for many weeks as I had not

seen many reviews with Macs on the drive I

had purchased and wanted to make very sure all

was well.

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