DIY Fusion Drive Question

[tutty]

Hi all,

I just got my 2.6 Mac Mini together with 16GB of Crucial RAM, 256 Samsung 840 Pro SSD and the OWC Data Doubler Kit. I'm currently using a late 2007 Macbook running Snow Leopard and would like at least some of the apps and data to be migrated.

I'm resisting ripping up all the boxes tonight and getting to work on a DIY Fusion Drive until i get the installation plan right before i mess up my new system and void any warranties (will I?).

What is the best way to set up the Fusion drive?

1) Start up the Mac Mini, use the Setup Assistant to migrate the stuff I want, clone the 1tb stock HDD then install the SSD and go through the OWC instruction steps for a fusion drive, boot from the clone then restore the data? (Problem is I do not have access to a backup HDD for the clone so I'll need to wait to resolve this)

or

2) Test that the stock Mac Mini is working fine without migrating any of my existing stuff, install the SSD, run Disk Utility which now sees the set-up as a broken Fusion Drive to set-up the Fusion Drive and lastly use Migration Assistant to move my stuff from the MacBook. Question, without any Mountain Lion clones, will I have any problems getting the system up and running again?

or is there a better way given that i'm starting from scratch on the Mac Mini and don't have any data to lose on it.

I am quite clear on the hardware installation part but just can't get my head around how to work the software installation yet.

Thanks.

 

[niteflyr]

2 sounds good. After the fusion drive is created, use internet recovery to install ML OSX. During ML setup assistant, retrieve data, settings, etc. from MBP.

 

[ndmx52]

Number 2. Sounds like we have a similar set up.

2.3GHz i7, 16GB Crucial RAM, 250GB Samsung 840 (non-pro) DYI fused to stock 1TB HDD.

I tested it all fist, then did my changes and started fresh. Used migration assistant to tansfer files and setting from my Late 2007 MacBook running Lion.

For some reason, the migration from my MacBook brought over some bad files and would not allow me to connect my bluetooth keyboard and magic mouse. Had to take it to the Apple Store. They gave me a free wired Keyboard to get into recovery mode and do a clean install of Mountain Lion.

Skipped Migration Assistant on the next setup and just transfered files via an external HDD.

Everything is working normal now and I'm in love with the machine. SUPER fast!

 

[philipma1957]

I did number 2 worked well. I have 16gb a 500gb ssd with a 1tb stock in the quad 2.3 very fast .


Also video works better then the dual.



this review agrees that the hd4000 is better in an i7 quad cpu


http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-HD-Graphics-4000-Benchmarked.73567.0.html

all I can say is I can see the difference on my 46 inch sony tv.


I can have 1 mini on hdmi 1 and the other mini on hdmi 2.


same cables same screen and the difference can be picked with ease.


you can switch cables and or hdmi plugs and still see the difference .

 

[tutty]

2 sounds good. After the fusion drive is created, use internet recovery to install ML OSX. During ML setup assistant, retrieve data, settings, etc. from MBP.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Just to clear up some doubts on creating the fusion drive this way. After all the hardware is installed, do I just boot up as per normal and then access Disk Utility using the Terminal command lines or can I just run Disk Utility the normal way to "repair" the drives and fuse them.

I assume after this repair is then, the disks can only be boot up using the Recovery Partition and thus the need to use Internet Recovery to install ML OSX?

 

[ndmx52]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Just to clear up some doubts on creating the fusion drive this way. After all the hardware is installed, do I just boot up as per normal and then access Disk Utility using the Terminal command lines or can I just run Disk Utility the normal way to "repair" the drives and fuse them.

I assume after this repair is then, the disks can only be boot up using the Recovery Partition and thus the need to use Internet Recovery to install ML OSX?

Boot into recovery mode and access terminal from there. Then you can go into disk utility after you complete the fusion process to make sure only one drive is detected, then install OSX.

 

[niteflyr]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

Just to clear up some doubts on creating the fusion drive this way. After all the hardware is installed, do I just boot up as per normal and then access Disk Utility using the Terminal command lines or can I just run Disk Utility the normal way to "repair" the drives and fuse them.

I assume after this repair is then, the disks can only be boot up using the Recovery Partition and thus the need to use Internet Recovery to install ML OSX?

After SSD install, boot to Internet Recovery (command+r), run disk utility. It will see this as a broken fusion drive and ask to repair, click yes and it will create the fusion drive. Then go back to osx utilites and pick reinstall OSX and you are on your way.