Hard drive upgrade

brtaus · brtaus #1 (**permalink**)

07-16-2011, 01:31 AM

Currently, I have a 20" iMac, OSX 10.6.8, 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with a 250 GB HD. I want to upgrade to a 3TB HD.

Is this an easy plug and play switch or will I encounter problems? If so, what do I need to do to make the switch successful?

chscag · chscag #2 (**permalink**)

07-16-2011, 02:37 AM

No, it's not an easy plug and play switch. Your iMac front panel display must first be removed before you can gain access to the inside of the machine. Take a look at the instructions for swapping out a hard drive in an iMac at iFixit: The free repair manual. There are also several good on line videos that describe the procedure.

brtaus · brtaus #3 (**permalink**)

07-16-2011, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chscag

No, it's not an easy plug and play switch. Your iMac front panel display must first be removed before you can gain access to the inside of the machine. Take a look at the instructions for swapping out a hard drive in an iMac at iFixit: The free repair manual. There are also several good on line videos that describe the procedure.

Thank you. I have those instructions. I meant driver wise and operating system wise. Will I be able to swap out the old drive for the new drive, format it, load the OS onto it and be done or are there other things I need to update, install, etc...

bobtomay · bobtomay #4 (**permalink**)

07-16-2011, 06:40 AM

Nope, nothing else to do. Install the drive - that's the only hard thing part with an iMac. Install the OS and you're basically done.

If you want to restore all your stuff from the existing drive, get an external case to put it in, connect it, and then use Migration Assistant to pull all your existing stuff over.

brtaus · brtaus #5 (**permalink**)

07-16-2011, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtomay

Nope, nothing else to do. Install the drive - that's the only hard thing part with an iMac. Install the OS and you're basically done.

If you want to restore all your stuff from the existing drive, get an external case to put it in, connect it, and then use Migration Assistant to pull all your existing stuff over.

Awesome, thank you.

chscag #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 23, 2008 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 32,017 Mac Specs: 21.5" iMac 2.5 GHz i5, iPad 3rd Gen., 3 iPods	07-16-2011, 02:37 AM No, it's not an easy plug and play switch. Your iMac front panel display must first be removed before you can gain access to the inside of the machine. Take a look at the instructions for swapping out a hard drive in an iMac at iFixit: The free repair manual. There are also several good on line videos that describe the procedure. Community Guidelines
	QUOTE Thanks

bobtomay #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 22, 2006 Location: Texas, where else? Posts: 21,819 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.33 C2D 256 4GB, MBA 13" i7 1.8, MB 2.0 2GB, Nano 4th, 3GS, iPad 1	07-16-2011, 06:40 AM Nope, nothing else to do. Install the drive - that's the only hard thing part with an iMac. Install the OS and you're basically done. If you want to restore all your stuff from the existing drive, get an external case to put it in, connect it, and then use Migration Assistant to pull all your existing stuff over. I cannot be held responsible for the things that come out of my mouth. In the Windows world, most everything folks don't understand is called a virus. Place your vote for our Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Another MacBook Hard Drive Replacement Experience	caribiner23	Apple Notebooks	29	11-24-2011 12:16 AM
iPod 3rd Gen Hard Drive Upgrade	Rat Skank	iPod Hardware and Accessories	2	04-15-2009 04:36 AM
How hard is it to upgrade hard drive in C2D MBP?	RickR	Apple Notebooks	4	05-26-2007 10:43 PM
Creating backups and bootable images...	2kx2	Switcher Hangout	4	05-26-2007 08:53 PM
DIY: Trick out your Intel Mini	kaidomac	Apple Desktops	53	02-17-2007 02:40 AM

Hard drive upgrade

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

brtaus #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 26, 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 8 Mac Specs: 20" iMac, 2.16 Intel Core 2 Duo; iPad 3; iPhone 4 waiting on my 5 to get here	07-16-2011, 01:31 AM Currently, I have a 20" iMac, OSX 10.6.8, 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with a 250 GB HD. I want to upgrade to a 3TB HD. Is this an easy plug and play switch or will I encounter problems? If so, what do I need to do to make the switch successful?
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)