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Installed SSD - Now what?

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bleumax

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 25, 2009
27
1
So, I installed the 256GB MX100 SSD and 16GB of RAM into my recently purchased refurb late 2012 i7. I have not installed any applications yet and I would like to set-up my machine to run the OS and apps on my SSD and use the original hard drive for storage for pics, music, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction to set this up? Thanks!

The mac currently has Mavericks on it. I plan to update to Yosemite once I move the apps and OSX to the SSD.
 
Last edited:
bleumax said:
So, I installed the SSD and 16GB of RAM into my recently purchased refurb late 2012 i7. I have not installed any applications yet and I would like to set-up my machine to run the OS and apps on my SSD and use the original hard drive for storage for pics, music, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction to set this up? Thanks!
Click to expand...

make a usb install of maverick or yosemite (Diskmaker X) then boot while holding the option key, select usb installer, go through the motions of installing on the SSD once finished decide what to do with old drive...

if u have external you can copy all the relevant data from old to external then erase external then copy data back to hdd.

if you don't have external but have enough space on SSD do same procedure then erase data from SSD.

if SSD is not big enough but you have access to another mac with a HDD that is big enough to hold data you can connect the two with an ethernet cable and use target disk mode (google on how to use it)

i would use migration assistant for OS X and apps (i'd reinstall everything fresh (would be much better)

good luck it may seem like long but it won't be that bad installing OS X and app from scratch should take no more than 4-5h it may take longer to copy date but you can let this process run overnight or go about your other business while it's copying...
:D
 
Download Yosemite to your Applications folder but DO NOT install it. Load the "Install Yosemite" program onto a USB flash drive (8 Gb). Follow the instructions to do this on another thread in the Yosemite forum (do a search for it). Boot with the USB drive (AFAIK press option key at startup to choose USB boot) and open Disk Utility. Format the SSD boot drive according to the instructions in the above thread (eg partition, journaled etc). Now install "Install Yosemite" app (on the USB) onto SSD drive. You may have to erase the Mavericks drive so there is no boot conflict (SSD with Yosemite and HDD with Mavericks). Migrate your programs onto the HDD. That's the basic process. The folks in the Yosemite forum can guide you further.
 
thanks for the replies. so, there's nothing that I really need to save on this new mac mini and i don't plan to transfer any files. is it best to just go ahead with a clean install of yosemite?
 
bleumax said:
...is it best to just go ahead with a clean install of yosemite?
Click to expand...
Yes a clean install is better. Sometimes there are weird things that carry over that can conflict (eg Wifi preferences etc). I've always clean installed and have never had any problems that I see on the forums (Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion, Yosemite etc).
 
cinealta said:
Yes a clean install is better. Sometimes there are weird things that carry over that can conflict (eg Wifi preferences etc). I've always clean installed and have never had any problems that I see on the forums (Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion, Yosemite etc).
Click to expand...

Thanks. I performed a clean install of Yosemite and then wiped the original hard drive. Looks like I'm all set. Thanks again.
 
bleumax said:
So, I installed the 256GB MX100 SSD and 16GB of RAM into my recently purchased refurb late 2012 i7. I have not installed any applications yet and I would like to set-up my machine to run the OS and apps on my SSD and use the original hard drive for storage for pics, music, etc. Can someone point me in the right direction to set this up? Thanks!

The mac currently has Mavericks on it. I plan to update to Yosemite once I move the apps and OSX to the SSD.
Click to expand...

I moved my home directory to the original HDD. This is a great way to ensure all pics, videos, movies, music, documents are stored on the HDD and not the SSD.
 
dhmoore74 said:
I moved my home directory to the original HDD. This is a great way to ensure all pics, videos, movies, music, documents are stored on the HDD and not the SSD.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that tonight.
 
dhmoore74 said:
I moved my home directory to the original HDD. This is a great way to ensure all pics, videos, movies, music, documents are stored on the HDD and not the SSD.
Click to expand...
DO NOT move your Home directory! You can get locked out of your Mac and be forced to wipe the boot drive. It happened to me. Apple hides this option and it is only intended for developers not end-users. Keep your Home directory on the boot drive (AFAIK it contains password, login data). Move your iTunes and media (photos) libraries but DO NOT move your Home directory!
 
cinealta said:
DO NOT move your Home directory! You can get locked out of your Mac and be forced to wipe the boot drive. It happened to me. Apple hides this option and it is only intended for developers not end-users. Keep your Home directory on the boot drive (AFAIK it contains password, login data). Move your iTunes and media (photos) libraries but DO NOT move your Home directory!
Click to expand...

If done correctly you will not be locked out and forced to wipe. Copy your home directory to the HDD and then go to preferences and users and select advanced and point to the new home directory location. After this you will need to reboot. Do not delete the old home directory. You will notice the house icon changes to the new directory location.

I am an IT professional and you can move your home directory.

BTW... here is a link that describes as well

http://www.cnet.com/news/how-to-move-a-home-folder-in-os-x/
 
dhmoore74 said:
If done correctly you will not be locked out and forced to wipe..BTW... here is a link that describes as well

http://www.cnet.com/news/how-to-move-a-home-folder-in-os-x/
Click to expand...
That's exactly the guide I used to move my Home directory and followed the instructions you outlined exactly. There still was a problem with Login/Password and I was forced to completely wipe the Boot drive. That option is hidden for a reason. There's a reason it's under Advanced settings.
 
cinealta said:
That's exactly the guide I used to move my Home directory and followed the instructions you outlined exactly. There still was a problem with Login/Password and I was forced to completely wipe the Boot drive. That option is hidden for a reason. There's a reason it's under Advanced settings.
Click to expand...

hummm!!!! I just did this on Thursday evening and I had no problems at all. I did it directly after a fresh install with virtually nothing extra installed or much on the system.

Your solution of moving iTunes and media files will make good use of the SSD and HDD.
 
dhmoore74 said:
hummm!!!! I just did this on Thursday evening and I had no problems at all. I did it directly after a fresh install with virtually nothing extra installed or much on the system.
Click to expand...
Wait for one month until a software update. You will brick it. Apple recommends keeping Home directory on boot drive and moving media libraries only (search for the paper). Apple states the hidden option to move Home directory is for developers software testing, not recommended for end-users and unecessary risk for home users.
 
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