New SSD not working

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New SSD not working

Hi,

I purchased a OWC SSD for my 13" Macbook Pro mid 2010, and followed what I thought were all of the actions prior to installing the new SSD. However, I am unable to boot-up the Mac with the new SSD, which I believe is due to me not formatting the SSD prior to installation. I did take a full backup to an external drive, but I cannot boot the Mac, and keep getting a ? on the grey screen. I have tried to boot in recovery mode cmd+R, but that doesn't work; is my only solution to rreinstall the hard drive, and format the SSD from Disk Utility, or is there a better way to resolve this problem.

Thanks for help.

N

Mac Book Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Sep 1, 2015 11:29 AM

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Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 1, 2015 11:46 AM in response to NozzaL

Use the Snow Leopard installation disks to format the SSD and then install an OSX. Then run the Snow Leopard combo update:

https://support.apple.com/kb/DL1399?locale=en_US

Then you can install a newer OSX.

Ciao.

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Answer 2

NozzaL Author

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Sep 1, 2015 11:50 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks...do I need to do anything with the SSD?

Ciao

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Answer 3

NozzaL Author

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Sep 1, 2015 11:51 AM in response to NozzaL

Also, as I can't boot up, not sure how I can download Snow Leopard.

Thanks

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Answer 4

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 1, 2015 12:00 PM in response to NozzaL

You will have to format the SSD in Disk Utility to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) Only then can you install the OSX.

Snow Leopard OSX is NOT a download. Use the original Snow Leopard installation disks that came with your MBP.

Only the Snow Leopard combo update is a download, but does NOT install the OSX.

Ciao.

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Answer 5

NozzaL Author

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Sep 1, 2015 12:12 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

I can't boot the MBP, so can't access Disk Utility, which is why I am asking if I need to uninstall the SSD and reinstall the original HD, and then perform the actions you mention?

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Answer 6

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Sep 15, 2015 4:22 AM in response to NozzaL

If the original HDD is functional with an OSX and will boot the MBP, install it in place of the SSD.

Connect the SSD to the MBP via USB

Boot the MBP and open Disk Utility. Select the SSD and format it to Mac Os Extended (Journaled) in Disk Utility>Erase.

Then open Disk Utility>Restore and select the HDD as the SOURCE and the SSD as the DESTINATION. Click on RESTORE.

Depending upon how much data you have, this may take a lot of time.

When finished, boot the MBP with the OPTION key and select the SSD. If it will boot the MBP, swap it for the HDD.

Ciao.

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Answer 7

NozzaL Author

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Sep 15, 2015 4:22 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks - Great help

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