03-01-2011, 06:06 PM

I haven't powered up my Macbook in years and decided it's finally time to refurbish everything. I have a new battery, new inverter board and I'll be replacing these the same time that I install an SSD and RAM. Couple of questions that I've searched for but haven't received a concrete answer on. Mods, if this is an inappropriate area for this thread, feel free to move it.

1. What is the largest amount of RAM my first gen 2.0ghz CD can support, and what is the highest speed? I currently have 2GB installed (upgraded from the original 1GB) and would like 4GB. I heard of the unibody Macbooks having issues with specific mfgs of RAM- any compatibility issues for my specific model?

2. I've decided on the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD in 120GB, as I've read good things about the compatibility with Macs. I want to confirm that all I have to do is get the 2.5" version and swap it with the original drive. At that point all I have to do is power it up and put in the OS CD, correct?

3. Am I able to take the original drive and put it into an external enclosure to grab information off of it? Better yet, can I slap it into my PC via SATA and read info off it as a slave? Will I only be able to read using a Mac system, or can I connect via my PC? I do not wish to clone the drive.

As you can probably tell, I'm very new to modifying anything Mac related. Any help or comments are appreciated. Thanks!

03-01-2011, 06:31 PM

Originally Posted by PhoenixIgnition

I haven't powered up my Macbook in years and decided it's finally time to refurbish everything. I have a new battery, new inverter board and I'll be replacing these the same time that I install an SSD and RAM. Couple of questions that I've searched for but haven't received a concrete answer on. Mods, if this is an inappropriate area for this thread, feel free to move it.

1. What is the largest amount of RAM my first gen 2.0ghz CD can support, and what is the highest speed? I currently have 2GB installed (upgraded from the original 1GB) and would like 4GB. I heard of the unibody Macbooks having issues with specific mfgs of RAM- any compatibility issues for my specific model?

2GB is the max for the 1st gen.

2. I've decided on the OWC Mercury Extreme Pro SSD in 120GB, as I've read good things about the compatibility with Macs. I want to confirm that all I have to do is get the 2.5" version and swap it with the original drive. At that point all I have to do is power it up and put in the OS CD, correct?

You would boot off the install disc holding C, select the language, and continue with the installation.

3. Am I able to take the original drive and put it into an external enclosure to grab information off of it? Better yet, can I slap it into my PC via SATA and read info off it as a slave? Will I only be able to read using a Mac system, or can I connect via my PC? I do not wish to clone the drive.

You can put the original drive in an enclosure and use the cloning method.
I would prefer to use another external HD and make a time machine backup and let the install migrate the files via time machine, or use migration assistant after the install.
I don't know why you would connect the drive to your PC when an enclosure can be had for a few $ from OWC.

03-01-2011, 07:02 PM

Ah, 2GB is the max? I suppose that isn't so bad. Thanks for the tips on installing the OS as well- I've never actually done it on a Mac. I'll probably be picking up the latest OS release. I do still have the Leopard install discs from the OEM packaging, though.

A few notes on why I want to throw the drive into my PC: The primary reason for pepping up my Macbook is so that my buddy can use it in school. I'd like to give it to him with a fresh install of OSX and a few apps he may need. I want to retain the information on the 80GB drive in there right now, though, and would like to know if it's possible to access the information via my PC? I would only need it to read, writing isn't a concern. I couldn't imagine there being a difference between using an enclosure and just bolting it into a bay with my PC and hooking it up. I just don't know if the drive can be recognized or read by my Win7 machine.

Thanks again for the help!

03-01-2011, 07:11 PM

Catacombae - HFSExplorer

03-01-2011, 07:15 PM

Exactly what I was looking for! I just hope it can read the internal drive, and that my PC doesn't freak out with the Mac formatted drive plugged in at startup.

Outstanding help guys. Thanks!

If anybody else wants to add to the thread, feel free. Any help is appreciated.

03-01-2011, 07:19 PM

Pleasure, hope it works.... this is the popular choice, but it will cost you.
MacDrive |

03-01-2011, 07:32 PM

50 dollars, not a bad price at all for a better looking interface. Probably easier to use, as well. I think I'll give that one a shot.

03-01-2011, 07:35 PM

Can't hurt.... 30 day money back guarantee.
They offer a free trial, but I don't know what you get with the free trial.
All I know as that this is the software that people swear by.

03-01-2011, 10:19 PM

I'm planning the same for my 2006 C2D. I think I read somewhere that SSD performance will be hindered by the speed of the type of connection to the logic board used in these early MBPs. Know anything about that?

03-01-2011, 10:41 PM

Both the Macbook and Macbook pro early models have the same 1.5Gbps SATA HD Bus.

YouTube - Macbook Pro SSD