MBP Mid 2009 Help!

[jhawkin1]

Have: MBP Mid-2009.


Want: Factory Settings with the goal of simplifying everything and making the device faster.


Uploaded pics and a vid for more information on the current state of my device. Any help would be great! Not sure why I partitioned it, but want to merge it all and it won't let me do the option/command R when I boot my MBP to reset

Any help would be greatly appreciated maybe with a video/link.


Thanks!

 

[Fishrrman]

Is the drive inside the original platter-based hard drive that came with it?

If so, REPLACE IT WITH AN SSD.

This will GREATLY speed up the MacBook and it will "feel much faster".

I'd suggest a 500gb 2.5" SATA SSD -- many are available, you don't need the higher-priced ones, just buy one at a good price.

I'd also suggest spending $9 and getting one of these:

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)

tinyurl.com

You can use it to "prep and test" the SSD BEFORE you install it, so you know it works.
Then, put the old drive into the enclosure for extra storage space or a backup.

Go to ifixit.com to see what's involved in opening/replacing the drive.
BE SURE TO BUY AND USE THE RIGHT TOOLS for the job. I cannot overemphasize this.

 

[r6mile]

I echo what @Fishrrman says about the SSD (as usual).
Do you have a USB drive of at least 8GB capacity? If so, I would create a bootable USB installer with El Capitan on it (this post includes specific instructions for El Capitan https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201372), and erase your drive - and re-install the OS - from there.

 

[jhawkin1]

How about RAM ?Ram 8 GB Amazon
Does this Hard Drive work for Mac?

@Fishrrman @r6mile @MSastre

 

[brianmowrey]

Why can't you just resize your partition in Disk Utility? Or move your iTunes Media folder to the other partition. But yes, get yourself an SSD.

There's lots of user reports saying 8GB will sail on your model, just google "use 8gb ram 2009 13" macbook pro." You want to get two matching cards in there either way.

I don't understand what you mean about not being able to "do" opt-command-R. What happens when you try? Does regular recovery mode work?

Opt-command-R is for newest compatible OS. If you want to roll back as far as Apple will let you, that's Shift-opt-command-R. But the last time I tried Mountain Lion on mine it was going to take two days to download. Fewer/slower servers for the old ones.

 

[Fishrrman]

Upgrade the drive first.
That will make the greatest improvement.

RAM... maybe later.

 

[jhawkin1]

I bought a SSD 2.5 500GB as well as 2- 4GB RAM (same brand) as well as a Mac 90-piece tool-kit to help with installation. I also purchased the bootable USB Driver you suggested as well.

Looking forward to upgrading my system hardware without having to buy a brand new computer