Installing OSX on external SSD and running Logic PRO from it

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Installing OSX on external SSD and running Logic PRO from it

I own an imac, 21 inch screen, late 2012 model. I plan to install OSX Sierra on an external SSD I recently purchased(it's a samsung T3 that I'll be connecting using USB 3). I would like to use the new SSD as my start up drive, and use my old HD for storage.

So, having watched many tutorials, I'm very clear on the process of doing the install, and changing the start up to my new SSD. What I'm not clear on is how to get all my apps that aren't automatically installed in sierra migrated over to the new SSD, as well as if there's anything I need to do to my old HD to continue using it as storage.

Here are my questions -

1) Once I've started up my computer for the first time with new new SSD as the startup drive, can I simply go to my app that are still sitting in my old HD and drag them over to the new drive? Specifically, Logic PRO X, Adobe Illustrator?

2) Is there anything I need to do to my old HD to make it function properly as a storage drive? My plan is to have audio plugins I use for Logic installed and stored on that drive, but I'm worried that if Logic is no longer stored there, it will create in issue with finding said plug ins.

Logic Pro X

Posted on Nov 11, 2017 11:02 AM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Nov 11, 2017 11:19 AM in response to kenanguitar

I recommend that you reinstall your third-party software from scratch using the original media on which they came. This should provide a problem free installation on the SSD. I, too, use an external SSD on the Thunderbolt port as my iMac's startup drive.

Given your setup you may find this useful:

How to use an SSD with your HDD

If you are going to use an SSD as a boot drive together with your existing HDD as the "data" drive, here's what you can do.

After installing the SSD you will need to partition and format the SSD using Disk Utility. Then, install OS X on the SSD. After OS X has been installed boot from the SSD. Use Startup Disk preferences to set the SSD as the startup volume.

Open Users & Groups preferences. Click on the lock icon and authenticate. CTRL- or RIGHT-click on your user account listing in the sidebar and select Advanced Options from the context menu. You will see a field labeled "Home dir:" At the right end you will see a Change button. Click on it. In the file dialog locate the Home folder now located on the HDD (HDD/Users/account_name/.) Select the folder, click on Open button. Restart the computer as directed. When the computer boots up it will now be using the Home folder located on the HDD.

Another more technical method involving the Terminal and aliases is discussed in depth here: Using OS X with an SSD plus HDD setup - Matt Gemmell. This is my preferred approach because I can select which of the Home's folders I want on the HDD and which I don't want. For example, I like to keep the Documents and Library folders on the SSD because I access their content frequently.

Be sure you retain the fully bootable system on your HDD in case you ever need it.

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