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How to install an SSD to MacBook Pro (Early 2011)

WRXiceman

WRXiceman

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 6, 2012
793
1,499
England, UK
Hello,

I need some help.
I'm thinking of purchasing a 128Gb SSD Crucial M4 seeing as the price has dropped enough now.
But I need to know how to copy EVERYTHING on my HDD to the new SSD.

What would be my best option of doing that?

Also, is it a difficult process to physically switch the HDD with the SSD?

Any risks in doing it? Any disadvantages to having an SSD?

Any info provided with be greatly appreciated :)

Thanks in advance
 
I have googled and followed several guides on this and there is an issue with every single one. People post `'google it`' etc but you do and there is a lot of discrepancy. I intend on doing a clean install to a 256gb gb M4 once I get some free time but thus far haven't been able to without having issues.
 
simsaladimbamba said:
MacBook, MacBook Pro: Replacing the Hard Disk Drive, transferring data to the new HDD or SSD

the guide includes:
  • 0. Identify your MacBook or MacBook Pro
  • 1. Getting a new HDD
  • 2. Guides to replace the internal HDD with a newer one
  • 3. Transferring data from the old HDD to the new HDD
  • 4. Using the optical disk drive (ODD) slot for placing an SSD or HDD inside the MB/P (OPTIBAY)
​

Click to expand...

That guide is really handy. Thanks :)
 
Would this be possible:

Buy an SSD
Buy a 2.5" HDD enclosure
Hook it up via USB and do a carbon copy of internal HDD to SSD.
Switch the SSD with HDD.

After doing that, would I need to change any settings or would my MacBook boot up and work straight away?

Thanks in advance
 
WRXiceman said:
Would this be possible:

Buy an SSD
Buy a 2.5" HDD enclosure
Hook it up via USB and do a carbon copy of internal HDD to SSD.
Switch the SSD with HDD.

After doing that, would I need to change any settings or would my MacBook boot up and work straight away?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

That would work, you can check System Preferences > Startup Disk to make sure though.
2012_01_14_pD1_SysPref-StartupDisk.png
 
WRXiceman said:
Would this be possible:

Buy an SSD
Buy a 2.5" HDD enclosure
Hook it up via USB and do a carbon copy of internal HDD to SSD.
Switch the SSD with HDD.

After doing that, would I need to change any settings or would my MacBook boot up and work straight away?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Yes, that would work.
 
I did a CCC clone over to my OWC last year and it hasn't had a single problem, and benchmarks at the right speeds too. So go for it, if there are problems then do a clean install.
 
Cool. I'm too impatient and ordered the Crucial M4 today. Will be delivered on Monday. But after I ordered it, I noticed that there was another Crucial M4 but it came with a mounting bracket for an extra 50p. Do I need a mounting bracket or not?
 
WRXiceman said:
Cool. I'm too impatient and ordered the Crucial M4 today. Will be delivered on Monday. But after I ordered it, I noticed that there was another Crucial M4 but it came with a mounting bracket for an extra 50p. Do I need a mounting bracket or not?
Click to expand...

You do not. The bare drive will fit right in your Macbook. Just move the four mounting screws from the old drive to your M4. They use a Torx T6 driver.
 
Weaselboy said:
You do not. The bare drive will fit right in your Macbook. Just move the four mounting screws from the old drive to your M4. They use a Torx T6 driver.
Click to expand...

Is the Torx t6 screwdriver the one I need for the screws inside the MacBook or the ones on the bottom plate?
 
WRXiceman said:
Is the Torx t6 screwdriver the one I need for the screws inside the MacBook or the ones on the bottom plate?
Click to expand...

The Torx is for the four little nub things on the side of the drive itself. You need a #00 Phillips for the exterior case screws. There are ten screws total on the case. Be careful because a couple (I believe it is the three along the back) are longer than the others. I just lay the MBP on its back on a big towel and put the screws on the towel beside each hole so they don't get mixed up. It is pretty easy.
 
Weaselboy said:
The Torx is for the four little nub things on the side of the drive itself. You need a #00 Phillips for the exterior case screws. There are ten screws total on the case. Be careful because a couple (I believe it is the three along the back) are longer than the others. I just lay the MBP on its back on a big towel and put the screws on the towel beside each hole so they don't get mixed up. It is pretty easy.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much
 
Lowes sells a T6 (along with a few other sizes) driver for a little under 6 dollars. I just swapped mine out yesterday with the Crucial M4 128 gig, its like night and day difference :)
 
Just received my SSD and HDD Enclosure. I've connected it to my macbook but before I do a carbon copy, do I need to format the SSD first?
 
Just formatted the SSD. Now I'm cloning my HDD to it. So far so good. Once that's finished I can finally switch the SSD with the HDD. Can't wait! :)
 
WRXiceman said:
Just received my SSD and HDD Enclosure. I've connected it to my macbook but before I do a carbon copy, do I need to format the SSD first?
Click to expand...

Yes, use Disk Utility and format it as "Macintosh Extended (Journaled)."

Then use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy your main drive into the SSD. Afterwards, swap the drives over and boot to confirm it works.

The first time after you clone the drive and try to boot from the new SSD, you may have to hold the "Option" key on your keyboard to choose the boot device (as your computer may search for the old boot disk still). After you have booted up, I recommend running Disk Utility again and repair disk permissions. Finally go to the System Preferences—>Startup Disk and select your new drive as the default boot volume. Reboot to confirm.
 
alphaod said:
Yes, use Disk Utility and format it as "Macintosh Extended (Journaled)."

Then use Carbon Copy Cloner to copy your main drive into the SSD. Afterwards, swap the drives over and boot to confirm it works.

The first time after you clone the drive and try to boot from the new SSD, you may have to hold the "Option" key on your keyboard to choose the boot device (as your computer may search for the old boot disk still). After you have booted up, I recommend running Disk Utility again and repair disk permissions. Finally go to the System Preferences—>Startup Disk and select your new drive as the default boot volume. Reboot to confirm.
Click to expand...

Excellent piece of info. Thank you.
 
WRXiceman said:
Any way to unscrew Torx screws without the Torx screwdriver and without damaging them?
Click to expand...

Not really. Torx screwdrivers shouldn't be that expensive, I got a set with ten different sizes for less than 10 € at something like Home Depot or can get a single sized Torx screwdriver for less than 5 € at a good sorted home improvement store.
 
Last edited:
So, here I am. Sitting here with my new SSD and everything copied over to it. The old HDD has been removed and the SSD is ready to replace it, BUT I can't do that because I don't have one specific screwdriver. Now I have to wait until tomorrow to finish the job :(
So frustrating :(
 
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