Upgrade macbook to ssd in dvd drive

[tinkerbotsict]

I need some advise about upgrading my MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012). Its running a little slow so i have decide to buy an ssd but i dont want to spend a high amount or start again with data. So i want to install an ssd in the DVD drive and i have ordered a caddy so i can have 2 harddrive. The SSD to run the operating system and speed up the macbook. But my current hard drive to keep my data on get files and photos etc.

 

So is it possible to transfer my operating system and programmes to the new ssd and remove it from the current hard drive and make the ssd the bootable device? If so how do i get ride of the operating system of the old hdrive. I dont want to lose my data or programmes or start again so how can i go about doing it. Just remember im not a massive geek lol im average lol.

 

Its taken me 6 months to purchase the ssd next step install and get it working im so worried about losing my everything and having to start as a new mac lol

 

Thanks in advance

[markwilfan]

I need some advise about upgrading my MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012). Its running a little slow so i have decide to buy an ssd but i dont want to spend a high amount or start again with data. So i want to install an ssd in the DVD drive and i have ordered a caddy so i can have 2 harddrive. The SSD to run the operating system and speed up the macbook. But my current hard drive to keep my data on get files and photos etc.

 

So is it possible to transfer my operating system and programmes to the new ssd and remove it from the current hard drive and make the ssd the bootable device? If so how do i get ride of the operating system of the old hdrive. I dont want to lose my data or programmes or start again so how can i go about doing it. Just remember im not a massive geek lol im average lol.

 

Its taken me 6 months to purchase the ssd next step install and get it working im so worried about losing my everything and having to start as a new mac lol

 

Thanks in advance

I've used https://bombich.com carbon copy cloner to clone our mac mini to an ssd a while back. Trial version worked fine

[tinkerbotsict]

But then what would you do with the documents etc that you don’t want to be on the ssd as I purely want that for the operating system and the programmes. Storing stuff on the current SAT drive

[newpersn]

Can you replace the dvd drive with ssd on the MacBook Pro?

 

I know you can in the iMac but not sure the laptop

[3s-gtech]

Use CCC, then wipe the HDD with Disk Utility and copy the files you want on it back over.

[spacebar]

I did exactly this.

 

I,

 

Used Time Machine to backup the existing HDD (containing the OS) to an external USB HDD drive. Replaced the original internal HDD with the new SSD, restored the time machine backup to the new internal SSD using internet recovery. Once complete, the mac OS was running from the SSD and I had the original drive spare.

 

Once I confirmed the SSD was working find and my data was fine, I fitted the HDD in the DVD dock, wiped it and installed windows (Windows OS didn't like that) . But for your purposes, you can just delete the user data you don't want anymore.

 

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201250

Edited December 2, 2017 by spacebar

[tinkerbotsict]

The ssd I’ve got is 120gb but my current hard drive like 500gb and I’ve used over 120gb hence why I went the operating and programmes to be just on the ssd.

 

I guess I can take all the photos, videos and file off on external drive and the make a backup and restore it to the new ssd you think that would be a suitable way of doing it ?

[tinkerbotsict]

Then out all the files on my old hard drive but how do I get my Mac to understand they are on the hard drive and not ssd?

 

Just want to do it the right and stuff simple lol

[markwilfan]

The ssd I’ve got is 120gb but my current hard drive like 500gb and I’ve used over 120gb hence why I went the operating and programmes to be just on the ssd.

 

I guess I can take all the photos, videos and file off on external drive and the make a backup and restore it to the new ssd you think that would be a suitable way of doing it ?

Sounds like a plan stan

[SamanthaD]

Sounds like you want to keep everything in the same place but physically move files across 2 drives?

 

If so have a look at symbolic links - this way you can have your Documents folder on the non SSD drive while maintaining the file structure you're used to.

[tinkerbotsict]

So how do I do that then sam?

[SamanthaD]

https://www.howtogeek.com/297721/how-to-create-and-use-symbolic-links-aka-symlinks-on-a-mac/

[Koldov]

Just out of interest, is there any benefits from using one method over the other (CCC vs. Time Machine Backup)?

 

Also, as SSD prices haven't really come back down to a level I'd be happy paying out for top quality, are there any other slightly less than premium that people are happy to go with?

 

Presuming SAMSUNG EVO/PRO to be about 9 or 10/10 and PNY, ADATA, SANDISK 5/10, down to some unheard of manufacturer at 0-2/10.

[3s-gtech]

Despite some dodgy bait-and-switch tactics back in the V300 days, I'd consider Kingston again. The batch of 'slow' V300s we bought have been rock-solid, and quick enough as they've only been paired up to machines with SATA 2 interfaces. Crucial used to be our go-to with the old M4, but haven't bought any in years (we got some M500s free after they tried to pull a fast one on warranty support).

[Koldov]

paired up to machines with SATA 2 interfaces..

 

Yeah, this is going to be where I'm at. The Macbook Pro in question is pretty old (not even sure it's SATA II actually)...

Edited December 8, 2017 by Koldov

[tinkerbotsict]

Well I have done it I just now need to redirect the folders when I put the second hard drive instead of optical drive