Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

vitsila

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 27, 2016
2
0
hello

my hard drive is failing and i would like to replace it and upgrade it.
Is it possible to replace it with an ssd ?

thank you for your replies
 
hello

my hard drive is failing and i would like to replace it and upgrade it.
Is it possible to replace it with an ssd ?

thank you for your replies

Yep. Instructions to remove the HDD are here. It's a bit of a fiddle, though: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Hard+Drive+Replacement/16729

Just replace with any SATA SSD. However some people have mentioned issues with the fans going crazy due to temperature issues, so they recommend Angelbird: http://www.angelbird.com/en/prod/ssd-wrk-for-mac-929/

Hopefully somebody here can confirm if any SATA SSD will work without this problem, or if there's a way you can fix the issues with the temp sensors.

After doing the repair, if you get a black screen on startup but hear the Apple chime, try reset the PRAM.
 
from OWC: "The initial production of the base model for the 21.5" iMac didn't come with a slot for the SSD. Later production models included the SSD slot, but there's no way to determine if the 2012 21.5" iMac with a 2.7GHz processor has the SSD slot without opening it up to see if it's available. If you have already opened the iMac up and it does have an SSD slot, this SSD is compatible."

but your upgrade is about pulling a failing hard drive. you can still replace that hard drive with a regular 2.5" SSD.
 
Can you not just fit an adpator like fitting a SSD into a standard desktop?

My gaming custom build has a 120GB SSD in a 3.5" adaptor which is actually a caddy to look like a 3.5".

In that it looks like a 3.5" but it is just a case with a 2.5" SSD inside.

Would this work?
One of these:
http://www.ebuyer.com/620203-starte...so9HE6P_kky5i6z5-V78dAlA_wCrqaIvoYaAq6I8P8HAQ

I do not know about the temp sensor, if one is fitted how it would react.
 
Replace your hard drive with an SSD.

I recommend the Crucial MX300.

Instruction:
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Hard+Drive+Replacement/16729

Just replace with any SATA SSD. However some people have mentioned issues with the fans going crazy due to temperature issues, so they recommend Angelbird: http://www.angelbird.com/en/prod/ssd-wrk-for-mac-929/

Hopefully somebody here can confirm if any SATA SSD will work without this problem, or if there's a way you can fix the issues with the temp sensors.

The 21.5" iMac does NOT have a temperature sensor on the hard drive, so there shouldn't be a problem with the fan.

Can you not just fit an adpator like fitting a SSD into a standard desktop?

My gaming custom build has a 120GB SSD in a 3.5" adaptor which is actually a caddy to look like a 3.5".

In that it looks like a 3.5" but it is just a case with a 2.5" SSD inside.

21.5" iMac uses 2.5" hard drive, not 3.5".
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: leminhhien
Sorry did not watch video.

Should not be much of issue fitting an SSD then surly?

My imac, much older 2007 has 3.5"
But OP is the real slim one so yeah make sense now.
 
Sorry did not watch video.

Should not be much of issue fitting an SSD then surly?

My imac, much older 2007 has 3.5"
But OP is the real slim one so yeah make sense now.

27" iMac has 3.5" HDD.

21.5" iMac has 2.5" HDD.

Most standard SSDs are 2.5" and would fit either.
 
hello

my hard drive is failing and i would like to replace it and upgrade it.
Is it possible to replace it with an ssd ?

thank you for your replies

If you're interested in upgrading/replacing the hard drive, but do not want to open up your iMac, I can 100% recommend an external enclosure setup. I think my iMac is a 2011 model and, while I consider myself pretty "techie," I just didn't want to deal with taking the iMac apart. At the time, I think I also had some of my AppleCare left too, so didn't want to jeopardize that.

I did some reading and found several posts showing that the Inateck enclosure was a good choice. I added my own Samsung EVO SSD to it and plugged it in. I set it to the boot drive, installed a fresh copy of Yosemite (I think it was at the time...) and then formatted the internal 1TB drive and made that my 'data' drive.

Speeds were not 'as fast' as if it was internal, but it's no slouch. The enclosure doesn't need any external power, and I actually used tie-wraps and attached it to the back 'arm' of the iMac so you can't even see it from the front, super clean looking.


Inateck 2.5 Inch USB 3.0 Hard Drive Enclosure External SATA HDD and SSD Case - Optimized for 9.5mm 7mm 2.5 SSD, Tool Free (FE2002)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FCLG65U/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
  • Like
Reactions: elf69
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.