Can I use Internet Recovery if the only HD is a blank new drive?

[Wozza2010]

Hi.

I have a Mac Mini from 2010. I have used internet recovery on the drive it came with. Now I would like to replace the drive with a brand new SSD. Can internet recovery work on a blank drive? Is the IR store in the BIOS and not on a partition on the original drive?

I am just worried to go through all the disassembly of the Mac Mini and then IR doesn't work on the new SSD.

Thanks.

 

[Weaselboy]

Internet recovery will work with a new, blank drive. The OS installer is downloaded over the Internet then installed on the drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You might consider buying a 2.5" USB3 enclosure along with the SSD.

Now... while the old drive IS STILL INSIDE the Mini, you can put the SSD into the enclosure, and get it all "set up and tested" that way BEFORE you open the Mini to swap drives.

The 2010 Mini is only USB2, but the enclosure will be backward-compatible.
Then, once the old drive is out, put that into the enclosure and use it for a backup or spare storage.