I want to install a new hard drive in my 4 yr old Mac Mini. It is out of warranty. The hard drive has failed.The install looks pretty easy, but once I change out the old hard drive with the new one, how do I get to the internet recovery of the OS system. I do not have a recovery disk.
Mac mini, null
Assuming your model never came with a recovery DVD:
Clean Install of El Capitan on a New Disk
- Restart the computer. Immediately after the chime hold down the Command-Option-R keys until a globe appears.
- The Utility Menu will appear in from 5-20 minutes. Be patient.
- Select Disk Utility and click on the Continue button.
- When Disk Utility loads select the drive (usually, the out-dented entry) from the side list.
- Click on the Partition tab in Disk Utility's main window. A panel will drop down.
- Set the partition scheme to GUID.
- Set the Format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
- Click on the Apply button, then click on the Done button when it activates.
- Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
- Select Reinstall OS X and click on the Continue button.
This should install the version of OS X that was pre-installed when the computer was new.
[Permission to use part or all of the above has been granted by Kappy, exclusively, to theratter.]
Thank You! I will try it! It will give me great satisfaction to fix it myself! Genius Bar wants $140 to replace the hard drive. But not sure I wanted to pay that when a new Mac Mini is only $500. I appreciate your help. š
It all depends which Mini exactly you have from 2012. The 2.5 and especially the 2.6 are more than worth it, having lots of upgrade potential which were highly sought after.
Leo
You forgot the X in the format š
Give my greetings to Kappy, glad he is still there !!
Lex
HI Leo,
Where do I look to find this info (2.5 or 2.6) on my Mac Mini?
And do you mean worth having them fix it? or
Doing an upgrade myself?
Thanks!
It is the 2.5 GHz dual core Intel Core i5 processor. with a 500GB hard drive
Look at OWC(MacSales) for your replacement and how to
Do you have any type of backup?
If you look at https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini_Late_2012 and use the procedures to max out the RAM to 16GB, as big a SSD that you can afford, attach all the storage that you need as time goes by, you can have another year or two to save up for your next new purchase. Meanwhile this one will motor along quite fast, you will think it is a new Mini with the SSD. Even if you wait with the RAM a bit at first.
Your Mini
HTH
Leo
Wow! Thanks Leo!
Seems like I have quite the adventure a head of me!
I'll let you know how it all goes.
Thanks again!
TSDorn
Thanks! and no, I don't have any backup. The Mac Mini was hooked up to our kitchen tv. No files had been saved on it. Mostly just used for music, videos (cooking videos) and looking things up. So the hard drive mostly only had the OS X system on it.
š Pleasure is all mine.
Leo
Hi Theratter. I have replaced my hard drive. After step one of your directions... Instead of a globe appearing I am getting a flashing file folder.
What do I do now, or did I do something wrong?
TIA, Tammi
Try again and make sure you are holding down the command - option/alt - R keys.
Thank you everyone that helped me! I was successful in installing a 1TB hard drive. It is running so quiet and FAST! One thing on directions though. After installing the new hard drive, the first directions were hold down Command + option +R keys after the chime. All I got from doing that was a blinking file folder. So just because I can... I only held down the option key after the chime. Then I got a "choose your internet" Then the recovery came up! I was able to format the hard drive a load OS Lion 10.7. I will update that... tomorrow! Anyways, thanks for all of your help! Tammi
So glad you got sorted Tammi. We wish you many happy hours of computing and fun! š
Leo
failed hard drive out of warranty
