Bootup Keyboard Shortcuts

[ag55]

Is the following possible, and if so which keys do i need to press at start up?

1) install SSD drive into mac
2) put the original HDD in my external USB drive dock
3) boot from the original HDD which is in the USB dock
4) go to disk utilities and format the SSD
5) Clone the HDD to SSD (carboncopycloner)
6) Reboot and d/c the HDD, leaving SSD in mac

I dont know if its possible to boot from the HDD if its in a USB dock
If it fails, i will hold C to boot from install DVD

 

[spinnerlys]

Intel Macintosh computers can boot from USB connected devices.

Just press and hold down the Option/Alt key when the start up sound chimes.
Wait till a selection screen appears, and you can select one of the two systems it recognizes.

Why don't you just put the SSD into the USB enclosure, format and clone the drive and then replace the HDD with the SSD?

One step less.

 

[ag55]

Intel Macintosh computers can boot from USB connected devices.

Just press and hold down the Option/Alt key when the start up sound chimes.
Wait till a selection screen appears, and you can select one of the two systems it recognizes.

Why don't you just put the SSD into the USB enclosure, format and clone the drive and then replace the HDD with the SSD?

One step less.

I have a normal pc keyboard, alt is the same as option i guess.
I think my method has one less step

Because i will switch the hdd and ssd first, then slotting the hdd into the usb dock is easy. after formatting the ssd i wont need to open up the mac again, just disconnect the hdd.

 

[spinnerlys]

My steps would save you one reboot. It doesn't matter really.

And yes, on a PC keyboard ALT is the same as OPTION.