Best way to replace HD with SSD on late 2011 Mini Server?

[patent10021]

Any advice on methods and brands/stores?

Thanks

 

[GGJstudios]

Any advice on methods and brands/stores?

Thanks

There are many existing threads recommending brands, models and sources, so I won't get into that. As far as a simple method, you can buy the new drive in an enclosure, then clone your internal drive to the external using Carbon Copy Cloner, then swap the drives and boot up. Your old internal drive is now usable as an external drive, for backups or additional storage.

 

[Ccrew]

There are many existing threads recommending brands, models and sources, so I won't get into that. As far as a simple method, you can buy the new drive in an enclosure, then clone your internal drive to the external using Carbon Copy Cloner, then swap the drives and boot up. Your old internal drive is now usable as an external drive, for backups or additional storage.

Potentially made very complicated if the Mini's drives are in RAID. Given that it's a Mini server, it's a 2 drive unit would be the safe assumption, which also means paying close attention to drive heights on the SSD replacements.

 

[shortcut3d]

Brands:
Samsung 830 SSD or
OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G (Sandforce 2281)

Parts:
None required. Use Macpartsonline for replacement parts. iFixIt has dual drive kits for those without the dual drive server model.

Use 9.5mm 2.5" drives or thinner.

Installation:
iFixit again.

Configuration:
Disk Utilities from the recovery partition can "recover" to the new drive. If you are using RAID, the recovery partition is not available. However, you can boot to Internet recovery mode and access disk utilities there.

 

[tablatom]

Any advice on methods and brands/stores?

Thanks

I will do the same eventually.

I have seen some really great tutorials on Youtube on the procedure.

 

[patent10021]

I have a 2011 Mac Mini Server i7 for Logic Pro 9 work.

Will be buying 8GBx2 modules this week and am also interested in upgrading my HDD to SSD. Problem is all these SSDs are pretty small. I need at least 500GB on my main OS HD. I guess I should wait for another year or so to upgrade to SSD hey?

Model Name:	Mac mini
  Model Identifier:	Macmini5,3
  Processor Name:	Intel Core i7
  Processor Speed:	2 GHz
  Number of Processors:	1
  Total Number of Cores:	4
  L2 Cache (per Core):	256 KB
  L3 Cache:	6 MB
  Memory:	4 GB
  Boot ROM Version:	MM51.0077.B10

___________________________________________

Intel 6 Series Chipset:

  Vendor:	Intel
  Product:	6 Series Chipset
  Link Speed:	6 Gigabit
  Negotiated Link Speed:	3 Gigabit
  Description:	AHCI Version 1.30 Supported

ST9500420ASG:

  Capacity:	500.11 GB (500,107,862,016 bytes)
  Model:	ST9500420ASG                            
  Revision:	0009APM1
  Serial Number:	            5VJCRHGG
  Native Command Queuing:	Yes
  Queue Depth:	32
  Removable Media:	No
  Detachable Drive:	No
  BSD Name:	disk0
  Rotational Rate:	7200
  Medium Type:	Rotational
  Bay Name:	Lower
  Partition Map Type:	GPT (GUID Partition Table)
  S.M.A.R.T. status:	Verified
  Volumes:
disk0s1:
  Capacity:	209.7 MB (209,715,200 bytes)
  BSD Name:	disk0s1
  Content:	EFI
Server HD:
  Capacity:	499.25 GB (499,248,103,424 bytes)
  Available:	350.18 GB (350,183,505,920 bytes)
  Writable:	Yes
  File System:	Journaled HFS+
  BSD Name:	disk0s2
  Mount Point:	/
  Content:	Apple_HFS
Recovery HD:
  Capacity:	650 MB (650,002,432 bytes)
  BSD Name:	disk0s3
  Content:	Apple_Boot

 

[JohnnyComeLatly]

SuperDuper, OWC,e tc

I used MacSales dot com DIY kit (5 pc tools) and their tutorials online. Just take your time. Watch the video many, many times before you start. I used to install car stereos so I have a good "feel" for when a connector isn't happy with your fingers' efforts. That said, the kit comes with a little plastic prying tool. Very gently use that for connectors and gently go side to side. Re-watch the video 4-5 times for connectors direction of removal, paying attention to where they place the tool/their fingers, direction of prying, etc.

You'll do fine if you take your time.

I used their model, OWC 6G SSD 240gig model.

For software, I used SuperDuper and followed their directions for cloning a boot drive iwth the new SSD in a USB enclosure. Once cloning was done, turned it off, swapped the SSD into the Mini, the platter drive (OEM mini drive) into the USB enclosure, buttoned it up, and booted. Came up like a champ. A few applications were a little unhappy (Adobe PS, DW, etc) but 95% made the migration without any issue.

 

[philipma1957]

amazon has crucial m4 512gb ssd on sale for 399. as for doing the install i clone the internal osx drive to the spare internal drive. i use super duper or carbon copy cloner. i boot test both internal hdds . i format the ssd.

i have an external dock so i clone the internal to the ssd. i boot with the ssd while it is in the dock.
at this point in time i have 3 of the same drives data/osx wise.

i pull the easy access hdd. i drop in the ssd. I assemble somewhat fully. black round plate is not placed back. i boot with black circle missing and the inside facing up. this is the best way to see if fan works. if fan works i attach plate and run machine.
I test machine for an hour before any mods

Why?

I like to know I started with good gear in case the machine is no longer working after I did mods.