Install Mavericks on New SSD Through SATA to USB

[aciccone]

I've searched around, but couldn't find this thread on MacRumors.

I have a new SSD and a sata-usb cable. Is it possible to download Mavericks onto my SSD via the SATA-USB cable? Then, I could just install my new SSD, and download and transfer over only what I need. Does that make sense?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bruno09]

You can download the Mavericks installer onto your internal hard drive, then launch the installer and choose to install Mavericks onto the external SSD.

But you should let us know more infos :

- wich model of Mac ? (no all can accept Mavericks)
- wich OS are you currently running ?
- do you wish to install the SSD into the Mac ?
- do you wish to do a "clean install" of Mavericks ?
(you could also clone your hard drive to the SSD, then install Mavericks over your current OS…)

 

[aciccone]

You can download the Mavericks installer onto your internal hard drive, then launch the installer and choose to install Mavericks onto the external SSD.

But you should let us know more infos :

- wich model of Mac ? (no all can accept Mavericks)
- wich OS are you currently running ?
- do you wish to install the SSD into the Mac ?
- do you wish to do a "clean install" of Mavericks ?
(you could also clone your hard drive to the SSD, then install Mavericks over your current OS…)

Mac: macbook pro, before retina display. It's currently running Mavericks, it's ~10 months old

I do wish to install the SSD and use it in the mac

I want to do a clean install of Mavericks on the new SSD and then manually bring files over

 

[Bruno09]

For me, the "safest" and best way is :

- download Mavericks (will go into your Applications folder)
- copy the installer to another folder to keep a copy
- option : create a USB bootable stick if you wish to have one
- connect the SSD via the USB-SATA cable
- format the SSD via Disk Utility : Mac OS extended (journaled), GUID.
- launch the Mavericks installer and choose the SSD as the destination

Then, boot up from the SSD (option key-boot) and transfer your data from the HD to the SSD.

Use Mavericks on the SSD for a while (say a few days), in order to check that all is working fine.

When you are sure that all is ok, open the Macbook and install the SSD.

Go to System Preferences / Startup Disk to select the SSD.

(sorry for my poor English, hope this helps though).

 

[hwojtek]

Why not go the simple route and clone the original hard disk containing Mavericks to the SSD using the sata-USB thingy and then just swap the hard disk for a SSD?
But if you want to, you can re-download Mavericks from the App Store and then run the installer pointing it to the SSD on the USB.