11-05-2010, 02:13 PM

So, I'm looking to swap my hdd, I'm pretty sure it's going so that's why I'm replacing it. I just wanna make sure it's nothing special or proprietary? Any SATA hdd will work?

I'm looking at this one:
Western Digital WD10EALS HDD Caviar Blue 3.5in 1TB SATA 3Gb/s WD Internal Hard Drive 7200RPM 32MB Cache-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

Will that swap right in?

Also, is there any formatting I need to do before reinstalling OSX, or do I just pop in the disc and let it work it's magic?

Thanks in advance,
Whitey

11-05-2010, 03:00 PM

That drive will certainly work. As for preparing the drive, you have several choices:

1. Use cloning software = SuperDuper, Carbon Copy Cloner. Makes a clone of your internal to the new 1 TB drive which can then be swapped with the old one. You will however, need an external carrier or adapter to make the clone.

2. Make a Time Machine backup to an external drive. Use your original install DVD to boot the iMac and then format the new drive. Install the operating system during which time you can use the TM backup to restore everything.

Note that swapping out the hard drive in an iMac is a fairly involved task that requires some special tools. The entire display panel must first be removed. Follow the directions given at iFixit: The free repair manual. They also sell the tools you will need. (suction cups, torx drivers.)

11-08-2010, 06:29 PM

Using either of those options would preserve settings and such, right?

I have all my files and installers backed up now. That would be a more convenient way to set everything back up. But I'm thinking I should start with a fresh install.
I have some drivers problems and such that I never really addressed, so would either of those preserve those problems?

11-08-2010, 09:20 PM

The fresh install is always a good idea. Use option 2 above - the Time Machine backup. That will restore your data, documents, music, videos, etc. If there isn't anything that you desire to keep from the old installation, just do the reinstall and go from there.

11-09-2010, 12:01 PM

There's plenty I desire to keep lol. Everything really, I can restore it all manually (copying, reinstalling, reconfig etc), but it would take a while and be a pita.

I was under the impression that Time Machine kept settings as well. The problem is I'm not sure if saving all these will preserve any of the other problems I've had but haven't fixed. Otherwise it would be very convenient though lol

For example, would it restore my iTunes settings (as well as library), and bookmarks in Safari, dock settings etc?

Does Time Machine backup only the user folder? Or would it save all my apps and such? Like Adobe, Little Snitch, games etc.

11-09-2010, 01:18 PM

Time Machine will back everything up unless you specifically exclude items you don't want. It's best to back everything up because you can always selectively restore only those items you wish, or everything in the event of a hard drive crash.

If you're worried about some settings that may be giving you problems, just do a complete TM backup before doing a clean reinstall. Afterward, you can restore those items you wish such as your iTunes library, apps, documents, and so forth.

11-09-2010, 01:31 PM

Awesome, I'll try that out later today. Thanks for all the help chscag. I'll post back with results as I further the process.