I just installed a new ssd on my iMac 2007 24". I did not format it before as I under the impression that you can format it once installed via disk utility. Can someone tell me how to get to disk utility on this iMac? I'm able to boot from a usb drive with the OS X installer on it but the new ssd doesn't show up when I go to choose the start up disk (cmmd+u). Internet recovery mode isn't an option for the 2007's. Can this be done or do I need to remove the ssd and format it by connecting it with an adapter to another mac and use it's disk utility then reinstalling it in the iMac?
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formatting new ssd on iMac 2007
- Thread starter rheaney
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Thanks for your reply. I do have a bootable USB with El Capitan on, but I get why you're saying Lion, as it probably came with Lion installed when I purchased it. It is letting me go through the install process from my USB but when I get to choosing which drive to install it on, the new ssd doesn't show up, it also doesn't show up when I boot to choose a start up drive. The new ssd is straight out of the box and has been installed into iMac, is there any way to get to disk utility and format the drive while installed? or do I have to remove it and connect it to my MBP to format it with its disk utility?
2007 iMac should allow restore over network. Restart and immediately hold down command-option-R keys using a wired (preferably APPLE brand) keyboard. Machine will show a globe at some point and start to boot. You may need to run an ethernet cable from your network to the Mac for best results (or, for any success, to be honest, on this unit).
This will allow you to install the latest OS compatible with that Mac (which is, likely, 10.11.x El Capitan). When the Restore window/menu comes up, choose Disk Utility. Click Continue.
Select the new SSD (you may need to go to View menu and check Show All Devices). Click on the SSD, and partition it if possible into one partition. Name it Macintosh HD or similar. Format it. It should now show up in the list ready to go. Command-Q to quit Disk Utility. Now, you should be back to the main restore window. Choose (Re)Install Mac OS and go forward.
NOTE: If the SSD does not show up in Disk Utility, then it is either (a) defective, (b) installed improperly, or (c) incompatible with your iMac. On such an old Mac as this, you might find the older OWC 3G SSDs (https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac/2007) work best; most SSDs are 6G and can adjust as needed, but on those old Macs, some cannot, or do a terrible job of it, because of chip issues. Instead of dropping to 3G, they go to 1.5, or just do not work. I am not saying OWC SSDs are the best, but I am saying on old machines, these OWC 3Gs have worked best for me. And I have done a LOT of upgrades on these old units.
Best of luck! I have one of the 2007 iMacs behind me as I type this; it is running El Capitan, and with Brave and Opera browsers, is actually still usable.
This will allow you to install the latest OS compatible with that Mac (which is, likely, 10.11.x El Capitan). When the Restore window/menu comes up, choose Disk Utility. Click Continue.
Select the new SSD (you may need to go to View menu and check Show All Devices). Click on the SSD, and partition it if possible into one partition. Name it Macintosh HD or similar. Format it. It should now show up in the list ready to go. Command-Q to quit Disk Utility. Now, you should be back to the main restore window. Choose (Re)Install Mac OS and go forward.
NOTE: If the SSD does not show up in Disk Utility, then it is either (a) defective, (b) installed improperly, or (c) incompatible with your iMac. On such an old Mac as this, you might find the older OWC 3G SSDs (https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac/2007) work best; most SSDs are 6G and can adjust as needed, but on those old Macs, some cannot, or do a terrible job of it, because of chip issues. Instead of dropping to 3G, they go to 1.5, or just do not work. I am not saying OWC SSDs are the best, but I am saying on old machines, these OWC 3Gs have worked best for me. And I have done a LOT of upgrades on these old units.
Best of luck! I have one of the 2007 iMacs behind me as I type this; it is running El Capitan, and with Brave and Opera browsers, is actually still usable.
Tech graphics is incorrect about a 2007 iMac being able to boot via internet recovery.
Internet recovery (command-option-R) DID NOT BEGIN until 2010.
Macs earlier than 2010 CANNOT use it.
OP:
Try this with your El Cap bootable flashdrive:
1. Boot from the flashdrive
2. When you get to the OS installer, DO NOT RUN IT.
3. (it's been a long time)... I think you can go to a utilities menu, and then open disk utility
4. On the left, you need to click on the line item that represents the physical disk inside the Mac (to which you want to install)
5. Now click the erase button, and choose "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format"
6. Then "click through" to erase.
7. When the erase is done, QUIT disk utility and RE-OPEN the OS installer
8. Begin clicking through. Does it see the drive now...?
Internet recovery (command-option-R) DID NOT BEGIN until 2010.
Macs earlier than 2010 CANNOT use it.
OP:
Try this with your El Cap bootable flashdrive:
1. Boot from the flashdrive
2. When you get to the OS installer, DO NOT RUN IT.
3. (it's been a long time)... I think you can go to a utilities menu, and then open disk utility
4. On the left, you need to click on the line item that represents the physical disk inside the Mac (to which you want to install)
5. Now click the erase button, and choose "Mac OS extended with journaling enabled, GUID partition format"
6. Then "click through" to erase.
7. When the erase is done, QUIT disk utility and RE-OPEN the OS installer
8. Begin clicking through. Does it see the drive now...?
Thank you both for the help I really appreciate it. Yes, I'm unable to boot in internet recovery because it's a 2007. When I get to the screen to install it gives me no option for Utility, it's only install or go back. The screen before says 'to set up installation click continue' and then under that it says to recover, time machine backup or other tasks to 'choose an option from the Utilities menu', yet no option for Utilities menu. (see photos)
I do believe I have installed the drive correctly, I don't know how else it could have been installed. My only idea is it's because it's not formatted, but as you said, if I can get to the utilities menu I can do it from there within this iMac. I'm a bit of a noob with this stuff though.
For reference, here is the SDD I installed: https://amzn.to/36WZYkV
Attachments
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See my signature. I got also an iMac 2007.
Since you are installing a new SSD, why not update your iMac as well to Catalina.
Download the DosDude1 Catalina Patcher.
Use it to download Catalina and prepare a 16GB USB flash drive.
It will have everything you need and serve a Recovery USB drive as well.
Use it to boot your iMac 2007.
At the first screen, choose the Disk Utility.
It should show your SSD.
Often new SSDs are formatted as exFAT or MBR in partition type.
Pull down the View menu at the Left Upper corner to show All Devices.
Ensure you selecting that whole disk at its top level instead of any volumes listed under and within it.
Then choose GUID partition and format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Alternatively you may format it as APFS since your SSD during the Catalina installation process will be converted to APFS partition anyway.
Then get back to the main screen and proceed to installation to enjoy the new OS.
Pretty responsive and working well for every components of the vintage iMac.
You may watch the video tutorial first on DosDude1 website to have an idea first before proceeding.
But that requires a CPU swapping to T9300 or T9500, which are cheap in AliExpress or eBay.
If not, EL Capitan would be the supported OS for the iMac 2007.
Since you are installing a new SSD, why not update your iMac as well to Catalina.
Download the DosDude1 Catalina Patcher.
Use it to download Catalina and prepare a 16GB USB flash drive.
It will have everything you need and serve a Recovery USB drive as well.
Use it to boot your iMac 2007.
At the first screen, choose the Disk Utility.
It should show your SSD.
Often new SSDs are formatted as exFAT or MBR in partition type.
Pull down the View menu at the Left Upper corner to show All Devices.
Ensure you selecting that whole disk at its top level instead of any volumes listed under and within it.
Then choose GUID partition and format it as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
Alternatively you may format it as APFS since your SSD during the Catalina installation process will be converted to APFS partition anyway.
Then get back to the main screen and proceed to installation to enjoy the new OS.
Pretty responsive and working well for every components of the vintage iMac.
You may watch the video tutorial first on DosDude1 website to have an idea first before proceeding.
But that requires a CPU swapping to T9300 or T9500, which are cheap in AliExpress or eBay.
If not, EL Capitan would be the supported OS for the iMac 2007.
Fair enough. I guess my 2007 unit booted from a recovery partition... however, it DID then allow me to get the latest OS from the Internet (El Capitan) that would work with it, and forced me to log into my iTunes account to do so (and sent a verification code to my phone). At that point, I was able to move forward, though that would not have worked in this situation. Sorry for the error!
Update on this. I ended up taking the ssd out and formatting it externally with my MBP, then reinstalled.
Now I’m having another issue. I was able to boot and install El Capitan with my USB boot drive. Now I can’t get it to boot the regular way, I can get in with Safe Mode and it works. When I boot normally it stalls on the apple load screen and then either goes to the black screen or the white screen. I had this issue before I replaced the HD but I wasn’t able to do anything, now that the HD was replaced I’m able to do more - ie. safe mode, etc.
here is the troubleshooting I have done:
- I have reset the pram, smac
- tried changing the date via terminal to both the current date and an older date
- wiped the ssd and reinstalled the OS
- used first aid on disk utility- no errors
- checked for errors via single user mode - none found
- contacted Apple via online chat support, didn’t give any new options to try.
pretty frustrated at this point, I may take it in somewhere to get it fixed but I’ve put so much time into it myself I feel like I’m so close. I’d also prefer not to spend any more money on it if I can do it myself.
could it be any of the following?:
- SSD is Sata III, this iMac is Sata II, could that cause it not to work? Is there a work around? Should I just return the ssd and get a hdd?
- could it be a different hardware issue than the hd/ssd?
Any other ideas, suggestions would be really appreciated. I have to get this resolved soon as it’s my son’s for remote learning.
Thanks!
Now I’m having another issue. I was able to boot and install El Capitan with my USB boot drive. Now I can’t get it to boot the regular way, I can get in with Safe Mode and it works. When I boot normally it stalls on the apple load screen and then either goes to the black screen or the white screen. I had this issue before I replaced the HD but I wasn’t able to do anything, now that the HD was replaced I’m able to do more - ie. safe mode, etc.
here is the troubleshooting I have done:
- I have reset the pram, smac
- tried changing the date via terminal to both the current date and an older date
- wiped the ssd and reinstalled the OS
- used first aid on disk utility- no errors
- checked for errors via single user mode - none found
- contacted Apple via online chat support, didn’t give any new options to try.
pretty frustrated at this point, I may take it in somewhere to get it fixed but I’ve put so much time into it myself I feel like I’m so close. I’d also prefer not to spend any more money on it if I can do it myself.
could it be any of the following?:
- SSD is Sata III, this iMac is Sata II, could that cause it not to work? Is there a work around? Should I just return the ssd and get a hdd?
- could it be a different hardware issue than the hd/ssd?
Any other ideas, suggestions would be really appreciated. I have to get this resolved soon as it’s my son’s for remote learning.
Thanks!