MacBook Pro - Reset and Upgrade

[Josh528]

Long story short, my father's MacBook Pro is really slow, on top of that we've found keyloggers and stuff like that on it, he never complains, it just saddens me looking at him wait for that beachball / frozen screen to begone when he's working or editing photos (his hobby, which he can't do anymore because this MacBook slowed down a ton and Photoshop is a nightmare to work on).

Said that, I wanted to give him a gift because he deserves it, I thought I'd try to fix and improve / upgrade his macbook a bit so he can go back to do his stuff, but here's the thing, I don't know how to do such thing so I politely ask for help.

This is the MacBook Pro information, please ask me for any other information you may need.
(I'm sorry it's on Spanish)
https://imgur.com/a/juJSx0x

Here's the things I want to do:

1.- Backup everything on an external HDD, then completely reset / wipe / install from zero the iOS.
(could someone please link me a guide for dummies or something on how to do this? I'm really dumb)

2.- Upgrade his 4 GB RAM to 8 GB RAM.
(how do I remove the old RAM and install the new one? how do I know which RAM is compatible with this MacBook? where do I buy it?)

3.- Remove the internal HDD and replace it with an SSD (if possible).
(how do I remove the HDD and install the SSD? how do I know which SSD is compatible? where do I buy it?)


Thanks so much in advance, it really means a lot, if this forum is not a place for this kind of questions please forgive me and I'll post it on another website.

 

[negativzero]

4 - Replace the DVD drive with your HDD for additional space.

Yours is a 2011 Macbook Pro, the instructoinf for upgrading the parts can all be found on iFixit.com

 

[Schranke]

Really nice that you want to do this for your father. Here is all the guides you need https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13"_Unibody_Late_2011
While you are in there doing the changes, make sure you have a can of air so that you can blow all dust out of the system, especially make sure the heatsinks and fans are clean.

For instaling a new OS you will need an extra 8GB USB to make an bootable installer on
https://www.macworld.com/article/32...otable-macos-high-sierra-installer-drive.html

For the reinstall it is fairly simple, you replace the HHD with the SSD. Then you plug your USB stick in, as soon as you start the system you press and hold the "Option" key, you will then get into selecting boot drive, select your usb installer and continue on ahead.

Since you mentioned key logger on your fathers machine I would recommend that you manually back up files to an external HHD so that you only get what is needed, ie photos, documents and so on

The SSD need to be 2.5 inch and SATA-600. you can find tons of reviews comparing price, speed and so on, but any SSD will be a huge improvement to a HHD.
Keep in mind that a few users have seen problems when upgrading the HHD to and SSD on some Mac models, the have typical been related to a bad SATA cable, but a new one should fix it. It is not likely to happen, just wanted to let you know as it can save some time troubleshooting if the system is misbehaving.

 

[Fishrrman]

SSD will help the most -- follow advice of others above.

RAM... I'd suggest you buy ONE 8gb DIMM and replace just the "topmost DIMM" when you have the back off to do the SSD. This will give you 10gb of RAM, and will run just fine.

IF you suspect things like "keyloggers" and such, then I would NOT restore by using setup assistant or migration assistant or time machine.

Instead, I'd install a brand-new copy of the OS onto it.
Then, I'd "manually migrate" stuff over from a backup drive.

Best way to create the backup is to use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.
Then you'll have a backup drive that can be mounted in the finder, making it easy to pick and choose what to bring over.

 

[Josh528]

The SSD need to be 2.5 inch and SATA-600. you can find tons of reviews comparing price, speed and so on, but any SSD will be a huge improvement to a HHD.

Thank you very much for the help

Regarding what I quoted, would the following SSD fit this MacBook? (for the sake of an example)
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-2-5-Inch-Z-Height-Solid-ST240HM000/dp/B00CKAOJA0

And which brand would you suggest me?

Another thing, any DDR3 RAM would fit the MacBook? or does it have to be specifically 1333 Mhz DDR3? or does it have to be an specific size?

Sorry for bothering you!

Best way to create the backup is to use either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.

Tyvm I have a question, since I'll be replacing the HDD with an SSD, I was wondering, besides doing a backup should I just buy a case for the HDD so my father could use it as an external HDD to access his files?

 

[Schranke]

Regarding what I quoted, would the following SSD fit this MacBook? (for the sake of an example)
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-2-5-Inch-Z-Height-Solid-ST240HM000/dp/B00CKAOJA0

Yes this would fit. As for recommendations I have heard good things about samsung evo SSD's, but I am not following SSD so my knowledge is limited.
Techradar mentions Samsung evo 860 as the current best sata-600 SSD
https://www.techradar.com/news/best-solid-state-drives-ssds

Another thing, any DDR3 RAM would fit the MacBook? or does it have to be specifically 1333 Mhz DDR3? or does it have to be an specific size?

The RAM you need is PC3-10600 DDR3 1333Mhz 204-pin SODIMM
As @Fishrrman said, get 1 8GB stick and replace it with one of the current.

should I just buy a case for the HDD so my father could use it as an external HDD to access his files?

Yes, it is a cheap solution for performing backups and an external case have helped me a lot when supporting other machines where I needed access to the HHD while the machine it was in had troubles.

Sorry for bothering you!

No problem at all, lets hear how the update goes and what you father think when you are done

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"Regarding what I quoted, would the following SSD fit this MacBook? (for the sake of an example)
https://www.amazon.com/Seagate-2-5-Inch-Z-Height-Solid-ST240HM000/dp/B00CKAOJA0"

You DON'T want that drive, it's too expensive.
Get something cheaper.
I'd recommend either a Crucial or Sandisk drive.

Yes, get an external USB3 enclosure for the old drive.
The original HDD can go into it after you're done.

Actually, buy the enclosure when you buy the new SSD.
Then use the enclosure to prepare and test the SSD -BEFORE- you open the MacBook to install it.
This way, if you run into problems, the MacBook is still usable (even if it's slow).

Note:
Edited to correct a mis-reading of the amazon item in the link above.

 

[Josh528]

No problem at all, lets hear how the update goes and what you father think when you are done

Thank you very much! will do, won't be too soon, maybe around a week or two since I'm a bit busy at work

You DON'T want that, or any other "SATA 6" drive.
SATA 6 will do nothing for you and it's not worth paying extra for it.

Get a SATA 3 2.5" SSD -- just about any one will do, you DON'T need to spend much.
I'd recommend either a Crucial or Sandisk drive.

Thank you for the recommendation! just one question, why shouldn't I buy a SATA 6 drive? I don't really know what it is, but since the user above, Schranke, suggested it I just thought it meant only a SATA 6 would be compatible, so I'm just curious

 

[Schranke]

Thank you for the recommendation! just one question, why shouldn't I buy a SATA 6 drive? I don't really know what it is, but since the user above, Schranke, suggested it I just thought it meant only a SATA 6 would be compatible, so I'm just curious

I just look into it... there is no such thing as SATA 6.
Sata 3 supports 6Gb/s with a throughput of 600MB/s which was why I called it SATA-600
https://kb.sandisk.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8142/~/difference-between-sata-i,-sata-ii-and-sata-iii
We talked about the same, I just used an incorrect therm

 

[bopajuice]

That hard drive you listed seems expensive to me. You can get a Samsung with more storage for less money.

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-500G...-1-spons&keywords=samsung+evo+860+250gb&psc=1

 

[Josh528]

The RAM you need is PC3-10600 DDR3 1333Mhz 204-pin SODIMM

Regarding this part, upon a quick google search I found this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Module-DDR3-1333-PC3-10600-Laptops-Notebooks/dp/B00KFN63JE

Is it compatible? I'm completely open to suggestions so I can avoid mistakes

 

[MSastre]

I'm using several SSDs from Crucial in different machines. Very good "bang for the buck" and come in several sizes. I've used 500GB, 750GB, and 1TB drives over the years. They also make some of the best RAM. I always upgrade my Macs with Crucial Ram when possible. Using a Crucial 250GB SSD for back-up to my wife's MBA

 

[Schranke]

Regarding this part, upon a quick google search I found this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Module-DDR3-1333-PC3-10600-Laptops-Notebooks/dp/B00KFN63JE

Is it compatible? I'm completely open to suggestions so I can avoid mistakes

It is compatible, I have always used kingstone when upgrading ram, but I have heard good about crucial too.
One thing I notice is that the seller list the ram as could be a series of different manafactures, I would prefer knowing exactly who produced it, and not something which is 3rd party labeled

 

[MSastre]

Crucial has a RAM selector matched to your system.

 

[negativzero]

Regarding this part, upon a quick google search I found this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Module-DDR3-1333-PC3-10600-Laptops-Notebooks/dp/B00KFN63JE

Is it compatible? I'm completely open to suggestions so I can avoid mistakes

those are compatible but i wouldn't pick those as they're unbranded. the description even says the manufacturer is unknown.

pick up one from Crucial instead. Or if you want the same RAM as the ones in the MacBook to be doubly sure they're compatible, go for Hynix.

 

[Josh528]

Crucial has a RAM selector matched to your system.

That sounds great! I might just buy Crucial RAM and SSD, seems the way to go, thank you

 

[baypharm]

Long story short, my father's MacBook Pro is really slow, on top of that we've found keyloggers and stuff like that on it, he never complains, it just saddens me looking at him wait for that beachball / frozen screen to begone when he's working or editing photos (his hobby, which he can't do anymore because this MacBook slowed down a ton and Photoshop is a nightmare to work on).

Said that, I wanted to give him a gift because he deserves it, I thought I'd try to fix and improve / upgrade his macbook a bit so he can go back to do his stuff, but here's the thing, I don't know how to do such thing so I politely ask for help.

This is the MacBook Pro information, please ask me for any other information you may need.
(I'm sorry it's on Spanish)
https://imgur.com/a/juJSx0x

Here's the things I want to do:

1.- Backup everything on an external HDD, then completely reset / wipe / install from zero the iOS.
(could someone please link me a guide for dummies or something on how to do this? I'm really dumb)

2.- Upgrade his 4 GB RAM to 8 GB RAM.
(how do I remove the old RAM and install the new one? how do I know which RAM is compatible with this MacBook? where do I buy it?)

3.- Remove the internal HDD and replace it with an SSD (if possible).
(how do I remove the HDD and install the SSD? how do I know which SSD is compatible? where do I buy it?)


Thanks so much in advance, it really means a lot, if this forum is not a place for this kind of questions please forgive me and I'll post it on another website.

If you have evidence of keylogger intrusion then I would absolutely replace the HD.

 

[Josh528]

Sorry for being a week late!

I'm about to make the purchase from the Crucial's Website, I used the built-in compatibility thing (I don't know how else to call it), but just to be completely sure, could someone please verify those two components are compatible with this MacBook Pro?

1.- Information about this MacBook Pro is over here (MacBook Pro 13 inch Late 2011)
https://imgur.com/a/juJSx0x

2.- Here are the things I want to purchase from Crucial
https://imgur.com/a/Fuh9SB2

Thank you very much guys!

 

[Fishrrman]

I can't answer re the RAM, but the drive will run fine.

 

[Josh528]

I can't answer re the RAM, but the drive will run fine.

Doesn't look compatible?

 

[Fishrrman]

"Doesn't look compatible?"

I can't say, because I just don't know the answer.

 

[Schranke]

Doesn't look compatible?

The RAM's are fine

 

[MSastre]

If you used Crucial's RAM compatibility picker, it will be spot on. I have upgraded any Mac I have owned over the years with Crucial RAM. Very satisfied.