2010 Mac Mini OS Installation Problems after Hard Drive Replacement

[sjc1204]

Mac mini (mid 2010 - 8 GB RAM) was running High Sierra with the factory platter drive which began making a lot of noise.

Replaced drive with SSD (Samsung 870 EVO) 250 GB.

First step: Installed El Capitan from USB (set up successful) but after shut down and restart, it booted to the prohibited icon.

Second step: Internet recovery install (Option-Command-R) which installed High Sierra (set up successful) but after restart booted to the prohibited icon.

Third step: Internet recovery install (Shift-Option-Command-R) which installed Lion (set up successful) - running perfectly after numerous shutdowns, restarts, updates, bluetooth connections.

Problem: Like most, I have software that requires El Capitan or higher so I feel like I'm out of options unless anyone has suggestions.

 

[Kaida]

cmd option p r to reset the pram first.
during next boot, hold option key for boot menu.
at the boot menu, hold ctrl and select the ssd that you installed el capitan, this will lock the boot device. Also remove all usb and sd cards etc.

 

[sjc1204]

cmd option p r to reset the pram first.
during next boot, hold option key for boot menu.
at the boot menu, hold ctrl and select the ssd that you installed el capitan, this will lock the boot device. Also remove all usb and sd cards etc.

Wow, thanks for the solution. El Cap is now working perfectly.

 

[Kaida]

Wow, thanks for the solution. El Cap is now working perfectly.

✌️