Replacing Mac HD with OWC SSD for a MBP mid 2012 i5 9,2 now running on yosemite

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Level 1

23 points

Replacing Mac HD with OWC SSD for a MBP mid 2012 i5 9,2 now running on yosemite

The SSD is yet to be delivered but I have already created a bootable USB install of OS X (yosemite) and have done a time machine back up.

The question that is haunting me is -

Do I need the bootable USB install or is time machine enough ?

The steps as per a youtube video.

Do a time machine backup
Swap the hard drive with SSD
Re-install the Mac OS X (using bootable usb os x installable)
Restore all data to SSD using time machine backup (migration assistant)

Now, do I need to do the step #3. the video says for doing step #4, you need to do step #3. But what I understood elsewhere is that if I have a time machine backup, I can just use the time machine back (since it also backs up the OS) and do not need the OS X installable. I am confused here.

May be I am missing something here. Please help

MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012), OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on Jul 1, 2015 11:32 AM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jul 1, 2015 12:30 PM in response to Windowbeat

If you use Time machine,it will install what ever OSX is on the Time Machine disk.

Connect the Time Machine disk to the MBP.

Install the SSD in the MBP.

Boot the MBP COMMAND + R keys.

From the 4 option menu select Disk Utility.

Run Disk utility>Erase and format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled).

Exit Disk Utility and from the 4 option menu select restore from Time Machine.

When finished, you should be in business.

Save the USB installer when you need it.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

Windowbeat Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 1, 2015 2:31 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks OGELTHORPE for this quick response!! It was helpful.

I am also slightly nervous though and do you think the better way is to do a fresh install.

(New SSD -- Fresh OS X Install.. ? this way ..avoid unnecessary files that might have crept in with the OS X in time machine)

Steps below

1. Take a time machine back up of current HD

2. Replace current HD with new SSD

3. Start Mac using Command + R -> OS X Utilities Window

4. Erase Partition SSD - Mac OS Extended (Journaled) . [GUID option needs to be enabled ?]

5. Go back to OS X Utilities Window

6. Install OS X from the Internet (I kind of trust this more than my bootable thumb drive that I created)

7. Once Installed , go back to OS X Utilities Window

8. Restore from the time machine back up

(Or I am getting the crept-in files anyways using time machine which I was trying to avoid by doing a fresh install?)

Thanks again.

Regards.

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Answer 3

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,329 points

Jul 1, 2015 3:12 PM in response to Windowbeat

Time Machine will install anything that it has backed up. If it has backed up garbage, it will reinstall garbage.

If you want to do a 'clean' installation, format the SSD and install the OSX. Do it what ever way you are comfortable with. Then attach the old HDD to the MBP via USB (or Firewire), then select what you want on the new SSD and drag and drop in the appropriate places. What you do not select will be 'trashed'.

Then run a Time machine update on the SSD.

Ciao.

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Answer 4

Windowbeat Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 3, 2015 7:44 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Hi,

So, probably I am just writing this down so this can be useful to someone who is not aware. (As I also was not. See #2 below)

This Mac has now the new OWC SSD. Running really fine.

Everything went well... except for two things.. one (#1 below) of which did not matter.

1. I failed to start Mac with the new SSD in it with Cmd + R. So it started in Internet Recovery Mode.

So, probably there is no difference with this .. but Apple asks to connect to wifi and does some hardware checks and then shows the OS X Utility window with the four options. So.. this was fine.. but I just thought I messed something up when it went into Internet Recovery intially

2. This one did matter. I just assumed that Microsoft applications will work without a hitch one the new SSD simply because I thought I transferred everything over. But as soon as I opened Word app, it asked for Product Key (which I have lost long time back).

I spent the whole day calling Microsoft .. Apple, OWC Customer Care for ideas.. but nothing helped. This is because Microsoft can only track Product Keys if you bought Microsoft Product online or from their store. I bought mine from the Apple Store.

So this really sets me back my $139.00 which I have been ****** about the whole day.

I searched all the forums.. but there is no work around to this. I also transferred the Microsoft plist and license files from Library->Preferences again to be extra sure ...but to no avail.

Well.. other than that.. things went smooth. But this has really soured things for me. :-(

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Answer 5

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jul 3, 2015 8:03 PM in response to Windowbeat

So I found this:

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/office-2011-requires-activation-after-time-m achine-restore.1161982/

Klover says at the bottom:

"No need to buy a new license. During the activation process (i.e., when you are entering the unique activation code), there is an option to activate by telephone. Select your country and dial that number.

DO NOT try doing this using the automated process (it won't work); instead, select the option to speak to a CSR.

You can simply explain that you are having difficulty activating after a restore/upgrade/whatever and they will ask you to:

a) read the product code on the screen (it is not the same as the activation code you are trying to use).

b) enter a one-time activation code that they will read to you over the phone."

BTW I don't recall ever having this problem making exact clones with SuperDuper and probably Carbon Copy Cloner because the OS can't tell that it isn't using the original drive the product was activated on

Also I blame Microsoft, I administered 88 PCs for 4 years until 2014. I had yearly licenses called Microsoft EES Agreement (annual subscription) for Windows 7 and Office 2011. About once or twice a week the "This product is not activated" warning would pop up on at least 4 of the computers. I kept multiple flash drives of all the product codes so I could reactivate those computers.

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Answer 6

Windowbeat Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 3, 2015 9:46 PM in response to spudnuty

Thanks spudnuty.

I did not understand what klover is referring to though.

Below is the screenshot of the pop up which asks for a product key when I open 'Word' on my Mac.

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Answer 7

spudnuty

Level 5

7,128 points

Jul 3, 2015 10:24 PM in response to Windowbeat

If you still have your original HD, I'd be tempted to use SuperDuper or CCC to clone your old drive to your new SSD. Actually that's what I did when I put this new SSD in my early 2011 13" MBP. I put the old drive in an external and booted from it then SuperDupered the external to my new SSD.

Otherwise you might try this:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2279109?wa=wsignin1.0

"

How to replace a lost product key

You can obtain a new product key by contacting North America Customer Service (NACS) at (800) 936-5700. A new key can be generated only if you have retail copy of the software (DVD) or downloaded version through Digital River or Microsoft Store.

Note There may be a charge to obtain a new product key from Microsoft ACS. When you contact ACS for a new product key, make sure that you have the following items available:

The product CD or DVD, if the product came on disc
The computer on which you want to install the product
The readable parts of your original product key, if this information is available
The "inner circle" number on the product disc, as shown in the following graphic"

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Answer 8

Windowbeat Author

Level 1

23 points

Jul 4, 2015 8:11 AM in response to spudnuty

Hi Spudnuty,

Thanks for the info.

Yeah, looks like CCC or Super Duper is the right way to do it if you have Microsoft products.

I am not sure though I am ready to take that on yet...

And as far as the box goes which had the product key... no, I do not have that at all.

I must have discarded it when I bought it in 2012.

Appreciate all this information.

I will probably do a CCC in the near future .. but not immediately.

Windowbeat

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