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Replacing one of the two HDs on Mac Mini 2011 server with SSD?

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ejosepha

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 12, 2009
283
0
I am thinking of getting the Mac Mini Server and would like to know if it is fairly simple to replace one of the two internal drives with a SSD. I've seen the OWC installation video when one is replacing both HDs, and also the video on replacing the single HD in the mid-level Mac Mini (which looks quite simple and something I would be confident doing, as opposed to the real tear down involved in replacing both HDs in the server). Is it pretty much similar if I am just replacing the one HD closest to the RAM..that is the bottom of the Mini?
I would be using the SSD for OS and the other disk for storage.
Also, can I run the OS from this bottom SSD or does the firmware require that the OS be run from the top HD?
Thanks
 
S

shortcut3d

macrumors 65816
Aug 24, 2011
1,112
15
Very easy. Running two 2011 Mac Mini Servers with 240GB OCZ Vertex 3 MIs as boot drives with 750GB WD Scorpio Blacks as data drives.
 
M

mdgm

macrumors 68000
Nov 2, 2010
1,665
406
You can choose either disk to be your boot drive. It's your choice.
 
S

shortcut3d

macrumors 65816
Aug 24, 2011
1,112
15
You may be able to do the swap by only removing the bottom drive. It will take a spludger to remove the tape connecting the SATA cable and a little jiggling. However, I recommend a full tear down to ensure the SATA cables are connected and seated.
 
R

RealEvil

macrumors 6502
Aug 5, 2007
333
23
I have done this too - a Crucial M4 256GB (fw 009). It was *quite* easy to do but the Mini is a tricker to work with than a MBP. I just replaced the top drive (which was the boot drive) and then did a Internet restore. Note - make sure you have a USB keyboard handy... I did not and had to buy a £5 windows keyboard.
 
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