Upgrading to SSD

[trevoclark]

Running a mid-2011 27" iMac and about to throw an 512GB SSD and a 4TB HDD in. I'd like to just install OS X on the SSD before I install it in the iMac. I have a thunderbolt rig to handle this, but I'm wondering if others have done this and experienced issues. Just want to be sure that moving a drive that had OS X installed on it externally over Thunderbolt to its place over SATA internally won't create a litany of issues. And if it does, its not like its a dramatic issue; I'll just reinstall with a USB image of OS X.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[MacUser2525]

No issues at all OS X does not care in the least where the OS has been. In fact I have not had a problem doing what you are about to attempt do it all the time. Not install but clone my install to new drive then put it in machine boot from it and change the computer name so I do not have duplicate name on the network and carry on with settings and installed programs just where I left off on old machine. Does not matter the type of machine either MP, iMac, mini all were done this way of course with the latter two it was external clone booted then restored onto new machine's internal drive then carry on.

 

[trevoclark]

No issues at all OS X does not care in the least where the OS has been. In fact I have not had a problem doing what you are about to attempt do it all the time. Not install but clone my install to new drive then put it in machine boot from it and change the computer name so I do not have duplicate name on the network and carry on with settings and installed programs just where I left off on old machine. Does not matter the type of machine either MP, iMac, mini all were done this way of course with the latter two it was external clone booted then restored onto new machine's internal drive then carry on.

Thanks!! Just to be clear: you've done this both with cloning an old drive and with a fresh install of OS X?

 

[MacUser2525]

Thanks!! Just to be clear: you've done this both with cloning an old drive and with a fresh install of OS X?

It is same thing have done it both ways to test a new OS, though do not remember if I have ever put the new OS drive in a machine. I am still on the same install I first did in early 2008 with Leopard with both machines on at the moment a MP and iMac looking at the dates in the home directory on them both are clones of that upgraded through the years install. Seriously there is no problem the way you want to do it like I said OS X will just work no matter the machine first installed on or the method of getting a bootable OS on it. Just make sure it boots from the TB if it does then it will work when installed in it.

 

[mikzn]

Running a mid-2011 27" iMac and about to throw an 512GB SSD and a 4TB HDD in. I'd like to just install OS X on the SSD before I install it in the iMac. Any insight would be appreciated.

Another option is to remove the old drive, put into an enclosure ( they are cheap) install the new SSD empty. then boot from your old drive via USB and install El Cap on the new empty SSD and then migrate your data and software after the install. Bonus is that the old drive is available as a back up.

 

[flowrider]

You should have no issues. I recommend activating TRIM after installing the SSD.

Lou

 

[trevoclark]

Update: as advised, worked like a charm. Amazing how an SSD can breathe life into an older but still extremely capable machine. Thanks again for the advice!

Cheers