Question: 2011 MBP installing SSD with no PORTS

[wiliti]

Macbook Pro 13" Early 2011 A1278

Goal: I want to put an SSD (1TB) to replace my original hard drive 500gb.
Problem: my 2 usb ports do not work (only provide power but do no recognize anything -iphone, ssd, anything). I can't find a thunderbolt to sata, or firewire to sata connection.

Question & What I think may work and my main question:
Can I physically install the SSD into the optical bay, and then after that, once they are both physically installed inside, clone my hard drive to the ssd thru disk utility?

Bonus questions: After that is done, is that it? After that Is it better to put the ssd into the original hard drive location and hard drive to optical bay (better speeds or not)?

Thanks!

 

[wiliti]

help/bump

 

[pshifrin]

help/bump

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MSTG800U3K/

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't know what your financial situation is, but if I had an old MBP with non-working ports, I'd start shopping for a replacement before I'd "upgrade" it.

Have you tried an "SMC reset"?

 

[Audit13]

You have access to another Macbook that can be used to install the os? This may work too.