Just put a new Crucial MX300 525GB SSD into the listed computer. Prior to installing it I erased it and formatted it for OS X Journaled (extended) in an external USB enclosure that has its own power supply. Could not get the Mac to see the new SSD to get to Disk Utility on start-up. Thought I messed up the install, so I put the old drive back in and it started fine. Put the SSD back in and still could not get to it from start up. So, I used the enclosure with the old drive via USB and pressed option while starting up. I can see the old drive and Recovery. I click on recovery and after 15 minutes, nothing but a blank grey screen. I re-started and booted into the old drive and I can see the new drive listed as an internal drive. I erased it again and formatted it, but I cannot boot into disc utility when I re-start. I also have an install USB disc of El Capitan and it will not find it on start-up. So, I have a Time Machine back-up that I need to get onto the new internal SSD, but I cannot get the Mac to see it on Start-up. Any ideas...
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Early 2008 MacBook Pro 4,1 and new internal SSD fail...
- Thread starter sboychuck
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Well, after fighting with it, El Capitan is on it and I am migrating over an old time machine back-up. This one is solved.
You're not going to see much if any improvement with this Mac and an SSD as not only does it not have the bus speed to recognize it but it does not have native trim support. You'll have to find a trim solution in order for it to maintain the disk. It will build up and stop after a while otherwise. You'll see consistent similar startup issues as you use it as well. In the end, you'll likely default to a different standard HDD for that machine. When it was made, it knew nothing of SSD. Just keep in mind, it's not a bad SSD when you see this. Trying it twice will only add to the frustration.
Trim:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim_(computing)
As far as a solution for TRIM, I downloaded TRIM Enabler (free version) and turned TRIM on with it. Once it was on, I deleted the software. If I need to turn it back on after software updates, I just do the same thing. So, that was an easy fix.
As far as speeds go, I knew it was not going to have super fast speeds, that is the reason I chose Crucial instead of another more expensive and faster brand. I got them for a very good price. I have not run an official speed test, but I can say the loading time is much improved over the old spinner. So, may not be the fastest machine around, but it certainly woke it up. It has 4GB of RAM, and can go to 6GB, but that is another $95 and I do not think that is worth it at this time. Maybe I will be able to find a 4GB stick that someone has laying around and put it?
As far as the problems getting El Capitan onto the new drive, I finally just booted the computer using the old drive in an enclosure. That went fine. My USB jump drive, with El Capitan installer on it, was finally recognized and I went about the long process of doing a clean install of OS X on the new SSD. Once that was done, all is great. I was also advised that the SATA cables can cause a problem and need to be replaced, but mine turned out to be ok.
I have taken this Mac apart four times over the years, mainly to blow it out and do some repairs. Both fans have gotten noisy and replaced them, as well as a new heat sink and thermal paste a few years ago as it was running pretty hot. That was an adventure, but it was a good learning experience. Spending a few hundred dollars on this old notebook so my 3rd grader can have a computer is a lot cheaper that buying a new one. I also have a 2009 24 inch iMac that I did the same thing to. So, she basically has a notebook and a desktop for a minimal amount of money. If one finally dies, she has a backup, and I will pull out the SSD for another use. At the end of the day, she is super happy and I am not out a lot of money. Happy dad!
As far as speeds go, I knew it was not going to have super fast speeds, that is the reason I chose Crucial instead of another more expensive and faster brand. I got them for a very good price. I have not run an official speed test, but I can say the loading time is much improved over the old spinner. So, may not be the fastest machine around, but it certainly woke it up. It has 4GB of RAM, and can go to 6GB, but that is another $95 and I do not think that is worth it at this time. Maybe I will be able to find a 4GB stick that someone has laying around and put it?
As far as the problems getting El Capitan onto the new drive, I finally just booted the computer using the old drive in an enclosure. That went fine. My USB jump drive, with El Capitan installer on it, was finally recognized and I went about the long process of doing a clean install of OS X on the new SSD. Once that was done, all is great. I was also advised that the SATA cables can cause a problem and need to be replaced, but mine turned out to be ok.
I have taken this Mac apart four times over the years, mainly to blow it out and do some repairs. Both fans have gotten noisy and replaced them, as well as a new heat sink and thermal paste a few years ago as it was running pretty hot. That was an adventure, but it was a good learning experience. Spending a few hundred dollars on this old notebook so my 3rd grader can have a computer is a lot cheaper that buying a new one. I also have a 2009 24 inch iMac that I did the same thing to. So, she basically has a notebook and a desktop for a minimal amount of money. If one finally dies, she has a backup, and I will pull out the SSD for another use. At the end of the day, she is super happy and I am not out a lot of money. Happy dad!