iMac 27" SSD Upgrade - Important Tip!

[brogueboy]

Is everyone that does this SOL if they have screen issues?

1. The connection speed is the same in the imac - both are 3.0 SATA.
2. No there isn't because it is slot loading. You can get a slimline dvd burner of similar spec for like $30 at newegg.
3. Yes you can, you can also copy your current install from the internal hard disk to your SSD when installed using something like SuperDuper. That of course only works if your current install is less than the size of the SSD

All of this sounds great, but I am nervous that my iMac will develop some sort of screen issue within the first year or so and then I will be out of luck.

Has anyone replaced the optical drive and still been able to use AppleCare for other issues?

 

[Abs1nth3]

1. The connection speed is the same in the imac - both are 3.0 SATA.
2. No there isn't because it is slot loading. You can get a slimline dvd burner of similar spec for like $30 at newegg.
3. Yes you can, you can also copy your current install from the internal hard disk to your SSD when installed using something like SuperDuper. That of course only works if your current install is less than the size of the SSD

1. Perfect, thanks
2. Ok
3. So I can just image the drive to the SSD and it will boot fine? Coming from Windows environment here, and I know how to image an NTFS drive. Wasn't sure how it works with OSX.

 

[hogo]

for anyone having trouble with the hard drive fan i unplugged my fan and i couldn't be happier with the results, it is dead quite and honest to god the temps are the same as before probably because there are two other fans (they are all under 55 and that is under very heavy workload). I am very happy with the results, just incase anyone was wondering what would happen if they disconnected the hdd fan.

I'm thinking of unplugging my optical fan. ever since i replaced my superdrive with an SSD, my fan finds its way upwards of 3800 rpm after awhile. Do you think it will be ok like yours?

 

[bounty1342]

Hello,

I put mine in the optic bay, but the S.M.A.R.T(Attribute 194) data on temperature are false It's indicate 128 celcius, wich is the max value representation and not the actual one.

The optic fan gets hight level even with optic probe at 40 celcius !!! The other fan are affected too.

So what should i do ?

Plz, i dunnot wana get deaf ^^

 

[hogo]

Maybe the optical drive sensor can be shorted like the harddrive sensor? Does anyone know about this?

 

[bhagiratha]

I have a late 2009 27" core i7 imac and I want to upgrade it with an SSD.

Now I am looking to buy a 13" Macbook Pro and would pick one of those SSD options during the order process.
In anycase, this is what I want to do and would like to know if it is feasible.

I want to take the SSD from the macbook pro mc374LL/A and install it into the 27" imac, and just replace a standard 2.5" HD back in the macbook pro.

So, I need to know from you guys if there is a likelihood that this can work.

thanks.

 

[Cockroach]

It will work, but you can get a cheaper and better SSD from a third party.

 

[aliensporebomb]

Ah

Hello,

I put mine in the optic bay, but the S.M.A.R.T(Attribute 194) data on temperature are false It's indicate 128 celcius, wich is the max value representation and not the actual one.

The optic fan gets hight level even with optic probe at 40 celcius !!! The other fan are affected too.

So what should i do ?

Plz, i dunnot wana get deaf ^^

Read earlier in this thread, it is discussed what to do.

 

[bhagiratha]

It will work, but you can get a cheaper and better SSD from a third party.

But would it be possible to install that SSD in the optical bay slot?
I have been told by many persons that this cannot be done in the 2009 27" imac.

 

[Cockroach]

But would it be possible to install that SSD in the optical bay slot?
I have been told by many persons that this cannot be done in the 2009 27" imac.

Where are you getting this [mis]information? Look back at my posts in this thread and you will see a picture of it.

 

[bhagiratha]

It will work, but you can get a cheaper and better SSD from a third party.

Where are you getting this [mis]information? Look back at my posts in this thread and you will see a picture of it.

I wanted to put an ssd in place of my superdrive and was searching online for enclosure. I managed to contact a Matt Barnes from iFixit.com, and he wrote me back in an email that there isn't any enclosure available on the market that would allow one to install a ssd in the place of the 27" imac disk drive.

I pretty much got discourage and gave no thought to doing this anymore, until I came across this post.
But I still can't locate your post where you have a guide on how to do this and the parts that I would need.

 

[Cockroach]

I'm pretty sure we decided the one for a Mac mini would work from iFixit - it's just very expensive.

I just used a generic adaptor to change the SATA connectors, but it doesn't screw in, so it's not held securely. Doesn't matter to me as I never move the iMac.

Here are the two images again for your convenience.

P.S. The adaptor was about $12 shipped off eBay.

 

[bhagiratha]

I'm pretty sure we decided the one for a Mac mini would work from iFixit - it's just very expensive.

I just used a generic adaptor to change the SATA connectors, but it doesn't screw in, so it's not held securely. Doesn't matter to me as I never move the iMac.

Here are the two images again for your convenience.

P.S. The adaptor was about $12 shipped off eBay.

Thank you so much for that reassurance!
Would it be possible that you can provide me with the name of that adapter that I would need?
I also don't move my imac around, so I guess I would not be needing that caddy, but I would still like to block-off the cd slot on the side to prevent dust from entering.
Also, since this is the 2009 27" imac, would the system boot automatically from that ssd drive?

cheers !

 

[Cockroach]

Hi, I think this is the one I used:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sata-2nd-HDD-...392?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL

You can choose which disk your Mac boots from my choosing it in System Preferences » Startup Disk. If it doesn't boot the first time after you install it, hold down the 'option' key when starting up and select it there. Once booted, you will be able to set it permanently.

 

[bhagiratha]

Hi, I think this is the one I used:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Sata-2nd-HDD-...392?pt=UK_Collectables_HardDriveEnclosures_RL

You can choose which disk your Mac boots from my choosing it in System Preferences » Startup Disk. If it doesn't boot the first time after you install it, hold down the 'option' key when starting up and select it there. Once booted, you will be able to set it permanently.

I am assuming since it says for thinkpad machines ... it should matter?
Also, would I be needing a slim-sata to sata cable?
I am aiming for a 256GB SSD. You have any good recommendations?

 

[Cockroach]

No it doesn't matter it's for Thinkpad, the point of it is fro the SATA adaptor, so you don't need a cable.

I'm out of date on SSDs, I afraid.

 

[appleuser1991]

Hi i got a 120 gb SSD to my iMac 27 and i understand how i do with that hddtemp cable from the orginal harddrive? How i easy fix that?

 

[Cockroach]

It's very easy.

 

[appleuser1991]

It's very easy.

Need to have one of those plastic thing on the metal wire that you have on the image? Wondering how you fixed the era SSD in the iMac? For me, so did not fit my adapter that you got when you bought the SSD. You had to improvise a bit by bit like that felt pads that you have the furniture, rubber and so on it would fit. Do you have any better solution? And then I think the cable that was connected to the screen was a bit skadad.När so I checked some of the contacts was a bit injured but when you plug in and started the computer so come a bit if you can believe "war ants" So little pixligt black and gray in someone seconds and then seemed to be fully functional. I am afraid there is only one time before something with the screen stops to work. Do you think I need to worry about?

 

[symbology]

Why not plug this in (connect) instead?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230350370745&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[appleuser1991]

I wonder a new thing.

I got a SSD 2,5 OCY Vertex 120gb i wonder if this adapter http://images.webhallen.com/product/66429 should fit in iMac 27"?

 

[symbology]

I wonder a new thing.

I got a SSD 2,5 OCY Vertex 120gb i wonder if this adapter http://images.webhallen.com/product/66429 should fit in iMac 27"?

It is hard to say, but that looks like a 5.25 to 3.5 adapter. There is also no telling what the connectors are.

 

[i7QuadCoreMania]

Why not plug this in (connect) instead?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230350370745&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

that connector wont fit, the jumper connector on the mac is really small.

if you can get a hold if the Hdd sensor from the previous Gen 24" model it will work perfectly.

 

[symbology]

that connector wont fit, the jumper connector on the mac is really small.

if you can get a hold if the Hdd sensor from the previous Gen 24" model it will work perfectly.

I figured that it would not fit, that is why I said "plug this in (connect)". Because it would not be a direct plug in.

Good to know that the 24" would work. Where to find them though?

 

[Leon575]

I'm putting my SSD plans on ice for now. Now I want the new iPod Touch instead
Maybe it is for the better, because then I can wait for the 3rd gen Intel SSDs.