User profile for user: kadargo65
kadargo65 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

installing a new SSD; without cloning

Hello!

I want to upgrade my wife's mid-2010 13" Macbook Pro (7,1) with a new SSD; making it my son's new computer. I don't want to carry over any baggage my wife had on the computer, so my thought is that I'd start totally over. I'm hoping that I can:


1) download a compatible version of Mac OSX (I run Yosemite on my laptop, so maybe I'll just use this version)

2) make a memory stick a bootable drive with that OS (I tried this tonight, but the instructions I found on the internet... I thought everything was true on the internet! ;-) didn't work... help here would be greatly appreciate too)

2) Install the new drive

3) boot from the memory stick (sounds like, from other posts, this is done by holding down a combination of keys when the chime sounds - but I've read different accounts).

4) Not sure from this point... other than follow the prompts provided?


I don't want to boot from a clone or a time machine backup, I want a totally refreshed computer. I think I've also read that one should de-authorize the current computer/hard-drive from itunes prior to making the leap.


If someone could help me with this, I and my son, would greatly appreciate it.


Dan

VIN, MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Mar 6, 2017 1:41 AM

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12 replies
User profile for user: S.U.
S.U.
User level: Level 6
9,601 points

Mar 6, 2017 2:45 PM in response to kadargo65

Here's a place to start:


What to do before selling or giving away your Mac - Apple Support


Do you have the original gray system discs? If so, you can install the OS from the disc (Snow Leopard), set up the Mac for your son with Setup Assistant, and then use Software Update to get to the latest version which will give you access to the Mac App Store and you (and he) can update the OS from there. If you do it this way, then the Mac will be 100% freshly set up for your son. It will also include any bundled software that originally came with it.


It looks like this Mac can take 16 GB of RAM, which would be a good upgrade. Sierra will run on this Mac, but will run much better with the RAM maxed out.


The thing you want to do is to be sure everything is set up with your son's Apple ID and not yours or your wife's, so he can just sign into the Mac App Store and have everything in his name.


Good luck!

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User profile for user: babowa
babowa
User level: Level 9
78,562 points

Dec 30, 2017 10:08 PM in response to kadargo65

Well, at least you've got it formatted. Unfortunately, you are now coming up with a problem I've read about several times here.


Has this MBP ever had its firmware updated? And, which OS version was on it before you tried all of this?


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201518


The problem with the age of these machines is that it was right around the time when Apple changed its OS delivery system. Some older machines can no longer boot from the original install disks if they were updated. Some others won't be able to boot unless you use the install CD.


A different idea: where is the hard drive that was originally in the machine? Why not get a temporary external enclosure, clone whatever OS is on the old internal to the now formatted new drive and then install that?

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User profile for user: kadargo65
kadargo65 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Dec 30, 2017 9:11 PM in response to babowa

Hi babowa


during one of my attempts, I noticed that I had access to the Disk Utility menu (ironically, or intentionally, I'm not sure). So, I was able to hit erase and then reformat per the specifications that you listed (i.e., OS X Extended (Journaled) and GUID partition). It then asked me which drive I wanted and I picked the new SSD as the drive for OS X to be installed on... '13 minutes' remaining quickly appeared - then I was met with the following:


OS X could not be installed on your computer.

An error occurred while extracting files from the package "Essentials.pkg."

Quit and restart to try again.


  • I rebooted, and was presented with the OS X utilities screen
  • I selected Upgrade or install a new copy of OS X
  • A continue screen followed that to set up the installation of OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)
  • A verification/licensing notice came up... clicked agree
  • A screen to select the disk to install OS X appeared, I selected the new SSD (my USB and a Recovery HD also appeared)
  • When I hit install a pop-up window appears that wants to me to signin to the Apple App Store.
  • I sign in, but as it is trying to access itunes, I get another informational pop-up that says that "This item is temporarily unavailable" Try again later. I've tried a dozen times, same results (I must be crazy).
  • I somehow backed out/restarted and it seems to be installing, or so the status bar that's displayed seems to be suggesting. However, it has been at this point for over an hour with the progress bar, seemingly, complete - but still also, seemingly, stuck.


other than letting it sit her overnight, I'm not sure what my next move is. maybe I should reboot and hold some key combination down? I don't receive any errors, just seem to be stalled out.


any suggestions based on this new information would be appreciated.


Dan

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User profile for user: babowa
babowa
User level: Level 9
78,562 points

Mar 6, 2017 3:06 PM in response to kadargo65

Don't forget to format the new drive properly, preferably before you install it - do it while you are booted from your system and the new drive is in an external enclosure plugged in via USB. It must be OS X Extended (Journaled) and GUID partition scheme.


Also, according to the licensing agreement and restrictions, any OS or app license downloaded from the app store is NOT transferable and tied to the Apple ID used to obtain it. Therefore, you can't use a USB stick and need to erase the MBP and turn over the device to your son with the original OS installed. He can then set it up with his own ID - follow the instructions in the link S. U. linked to.

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User profile for user: kadargo65
kadargo65 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Dec 30, 2017 5:17 PM in response to Oceanis34

Hi Oceanis34...


thanks for the advice on deauthorizing this mac. good pointer and I did that prior to installing the new SSD (yes, my original post and my actual attempt at installation are 9 months apart... kids...). I created my bootdrive from the instructions at the link you provided.


Today is the day I actually tried all this and I'm stuck pretty early in the process. After bootup, I was able to select (I believe) the thumbdrive with the bootable OSX. However, I get this error message; OS X could not be installed on your computer Volume contains OS X Installed Media.

I did see, from the replies to this post or others that I've been reading, that reformating the new SSD, prior to trying to install the new SSD, would have been preferable, but I don't think I have the ability to do that without additional equipment. Is not starting with a reformatted drive my issue? I was hoping reformatting could be part of this process (someone said to hold ctrl and the 'r' key to reformat. I tried that as well with no luck).


any additional help would be appreciated.


Dan

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User profile for user: babowa
babowa
User level: Level 9
78,562 points

Dec 30, 2017 5:35 PM in response to kadargo65

You need to format any hard drive and/or SSD before you can install the OS. Most drives are pre-formatted for Windows, so they are not usable out of the box. The easiest is to


a) either install the new drive and boot from another Mac/clone and use its' Disk Utility to format, or

b) install the new drive and try to get to recovery (command + R or command + Option + R at bootup) - but that may not work because there is absolutely nothing on that new drive that will allow to get to the recovery, or

c) install the new drive into a temporary external enclosure, use Disk Utility on the old drive to format the new one (my personal preference), or

d) if you are able to boot into the original install CD, you can use that Disk Utility to format the drive.

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User profile for user: kadargo65
kadargo65 Author
User level: Level 1
14 points

Dec 30, 2017 5:41 PM in response to babowa

Hi babowa,


I don't have an external enclosure for the drive. Is there no way to include the reformatting as part of this setup? You may have seen my issues above (OS X could not be installed on your computer Volume contains OS X Installed Media). I'm finally trying this and I've gotten that message. I looked at the link that S.U. sent, which was helpful. However, it didn't help me with installing a new drive (beyond logging out of current accounts...). Also, I'm not sure I understood your comment about not being able the USB stick. What is the MBP?

Right now, if I hold the command and R key down, it seems to hang at the apple logo with a status bar about 5%. If I boot and hold the option key down I get the 'volume contains OS X installed media' message.


I'm not sure what to do. Perhaps my bootable USB isn't right.

any additional help would be appreciated.


Dan

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User profile for user: babowa
babowa
User level: Level 9
78,562 points

Dec 30, 2017 5:59 PM in response to kadargo65

You can't format later. You need to format first, especially if you will use it as your startup disk and it needs to be bootable (GUID partition scheme). I mentioned all the possible ways I can think of on how to do that. Here is a step by step (a little older, but still valid from what I can see):


https://www.macworld.com/article/2055589/storage/how-to-format-a-startup-drive-f or-a-mac.html#slide2


Or you can google for it with many results to read:


https://www.google.com/search?q=format+hard+drive+for+mac+os&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&c lient=firefox-b-1-ab


Frankly, I have never seen the error message you got - that is new to me.


If you are trying to get to recovery and can't, it is quite obvious that whatever is there is preventing it and/or it simply does not work because you do not have a properly formatted drive.


The only easy way I can think of out of this would be to be able to boot from another Mac or a bootable clone to be able to access the new drive and erase/format it and then try to install.


As for my comment re. the USB drive, if you download it, it is tied to your Apple ID. If you use it to install and then sell/give away the Mac, the recipient will encounter problems reinstalling the OS or updating apps since the app store will want to verify using your Apple ID, not theirs.

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User profile for user: S.U.
S.U.
User level: Level 6
9,601 points

Dec 30, 2017 7:31 PM in response to kadargo65

If you can find the original gray system discs and boot from the install disc, you can then use Disk Utility to format the new drive after it has been installed.


Boot from the install disc. After choosing your language, you will get to the installer. If you then look on the menu bar, you will see "Utilities". From the drop down menu, select "Disk Utility". That will enable you to format your new SSD.


I believe your Mac originally shipped with some version of Snow Leopard. You can go ahead and install the OS from the original discs and put in all the new owner's information. Then update to get to the latest version of Snow Leopard to give you access to the Mac App Store. From there you can install High Sierra and anything else you want.


If the original discs cannot be found, another alternative would be to get an Apple Store to help you. They should be able to run Disk Utility from their store feed, format the drive, and install the OS for you.


Good luck!

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installing a new SSD; without cloning

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