Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

0 points

How to install OSX onto a blank SSD

I have a MacBook Pro late 2009 model and my HDD broke so I brought an SSD to replace it.

I have a Samsung EVO 800 250GB SSD

I have just installed the SSD and am now trying to install OSX Snow Leopard from the disk that came from the laptop.

I have tried holding down the "Alt" button at the start and selecting the disk to start from but I just get the apple loading screen for a few minutes and then the screen goes off but the computer is still on. It seems to be trying to load the disk but nothing happens.

I have also tried holding down the "c" key whilst starting up and I had the same outcome, apart from the fact it doesn't allow me to choose the disk but it still sounds like it's trying to load from it.

And I have also tried holding down the "d" key as well and it just does the same as holding down "c".

I would also like to know if there is a force eject button combination as it will not respond to the eject button.

Any responses will be appreciated, thanks.

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.5)

Posted on Apr 12, 2014 10:50 AM

Best reply

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Posted on Apr 12, 2014 10:55 AM

You may have a bad optical drive or a defective DVD.

Five ways to eject a stuck CD or DVD from the optical drive

Ejecting the stuck disc can usually be done in one of the following ways:

1. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the

left mouse button until the disc ejects.

2. Press the Eject button on your keyboard.

3. Click on the Eject button in the menubar.

4. Press COMMAND-E.

5. If none of the above work try this: Open the Terminal application in

your Utilities folder. At the prompt enter or paste the following:

/usr/bin/drutil eject

If this fails then try this:

Boot the computer into Single-user Mode. At the prompt enter the same command as used above. To restart the computer enter "reboot" at the prompt without quotes.

View in context

19 replies

Apr 13, 2014 4:08 AM in response to Mr Brea

Usually student accounts allow you to use Disk Utility. They did at my school, at least. I hope the Genius Bar gets everything worked out for you!

Austin

Oct 13, 2014 1:40 AM in response to Mr Brea

go to terminal and then type date

press return key

type : date mmddhhmmyyyy
press return key

try and restart and install from disk again

Oct 24, 2014 10:14 AM in response to Mr Brea

I just did this for my mac Pro.

The new SSD needs to be formatted. The easiest way for me was to install a bootable copy of Mavericks on a thumb drive. Google how to do this. MacWorld has a good tutorial.

Once you have done that, just plug in the thumb drive into your computer, reboot, and you should be able to format the drive (in the menu when the Mavericks boots up to install, you just select disc utility). Then format it "mac os extended journaled".

Then you should be able to install a new version of Mavericks or your backup files which you should have created from your current SSD installation....

Oct 24, 2014 11:36 AM in response to Mr Brea

Is your SSD already placed inside your MBP? If so, and supposing you hooked it properly on the logic board, you should be able to run the installer, use its Disk Utility to wipe the drive clean (I know it's brand new, but you must format it anyway), create a new startup volume that's usually called MacintoshHD, using the "HFS+, journaled" file system.

If you can manage that, you're in business...

Also note that SSDs need trimming every once in a while, which Apple doesn't readily supports on drives it doesn't sell, but there are ways to enable trimming on such third-party drives...

How to install OSX onto a blank SSD