Replacing HDD for SSD iMac 2010/11 27"

[talksr]

Hi there,

 

Looking for some advice..

I started a thread around Nov/December 17 on this forum re swapping out the HHD for an SSD on some of my 2010/11 iMacs. Some of the guys on here were so helpful in explaining what needed to be done and I converted several with no issues after some initial formatting related problems.

 

Today, I decided to change the HDD out for an SSD on a same aged iMac but this time a 27inch rather than 21inch and found something different.

 

These are the components I am replacing the HDD with:

The separate temperature sensor has adhesive so you can stick it onto the ssd.

 

But, when I took out the HDD, I came across this additional lead...

Do I leave it unplugged? Is there something else I should be doing with it? Unfortunately, on the conversion kit I have, there is nowhere to plug this additional cable into.

 

Any help would be great.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

This should help

 

https://superuser.com/questions/441817/what-is-the-purpose-of-this-4-pin-interface-on-sata-hdds-and-why-doesnt-it-exis

 

Its legacy stuff and you should be able to leave it disconnected with no problems

[talksr]

This should help

 

https://superuser.com/questions/441817/what-is-the-purpose-of-this-4-pin-interface-on-sata-hdds-and-why-doesnt-it-exis

 

Its legacy stuff and you should be able to leave it disconnected with no problems

 

Thanks very much, that was very helpful.

 

Next problem.... it was on Bootcamp before the last drive died. When I turn it on, after a while of showing a blank white screen, comes up with a dos style screen saying "No bootable device - - Insert boot disk and press any key

 

I have tried pressing command, option, r at start up, also command, r as well as just option, but it doesn't seem to be helping.

 

Any ideas?

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Are you installing from a USB?

 

If so, hold down alt(option) on startup it will give you a boot menu option.

 

I've never had much luck with internet recovery mode on 2010/2011 era macs.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

Damn, sorry just reread your post!

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Maybe reset the PRAM?

 

CMD, OPT, P, R. Wait for it to chime twice and them release.

 

Could also try resetting the SMC, that usually fixes most boot issues.

[talksr]

Maybe reset the PRAM?

 

CMD, OPT, P, R. Wait for it to chime twice and them release.

 

Could also try resetting the SMC, that usually fixes most boot issues.

 

Thanks Dave. Very helpful. Did your first suggestion and after the chime, I got the folder with question mark which I believe is what I got almost a year ago when doing my first 21inch model.

 

I then reset the SMC and then booted with cmd + option + r, but after quite a while of a white screen, the flashing question mark folder is back again.

[talksr]

Any other ideas?

It is still showing the flashing question mark folder. Not sure what else I could try with it.

[ICTDirect_Dave]

Honestly at this point I'm rather out of ideas. You would expect it to pick up the usb easily enough or boot into internet recovery no problem.

 

You're sure you connected everything up okay when you put it back together?

[tg12]

The question mark folder is saying that it can't find the OS, which obviously it won't as it has a new drive in it! Odd though that it doesn't seem to be able to find Internet Recovery though. Does it prompt you to connect to a network at all?

 

If not, have you got a bootable USB installer of macOS? If so, worth checking that it comes up if you hold Option (alt).

[ICTDirect_Dave]

I'd double-check your installer usb also. Make sure it's not failed or corrupted in some way.

 

It should come up as a boot option if you boot holding down alt.

[Brimstone]

The question mark folder is saying that it can't find the OS, which obviously it won't as it has a new drive in it! Odd though that it doesn't seem to be able to find Internet Recovery though. Does it prompt you to connect to a network at all?

 

If not, have you got a bootable USB installer of macOS? If so, worth checking that it comes up if you hold Option (alt).

Try here...

 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201314