New SSD for MacBook Pro Early 2011. Best way to install OSX Yosemite?

Hi All,

As the title states, I just purchased an OWC Extreme Pro 6G for my sister's early 2011 MBP (currently running Yosemite). I just have a few questions before I begin the installation:

1. I want to have the recovery partition installed on the SSD just like how it is installed on the stock HDD. Here is how I think I do this...
- Attach SSD to MBP with USB. Clone HDD onto SSD. Format SSD with Disk Utility. Clone HDD image onto SSD. Which cloning program do you guys use for this usually? Also are the above steps in the correct order? Am I missing something key?

2. Must I enable TRIM with OWC's SSD? I don't think I do since OWC claims they have their own garbage collector, and TRIM does not need to be enabled. Please correct me if I am wrong.

3. Once I have the HDD cloned on to my SSD, should I then install the SSD (taking out the HDD)?

***I want to perform a reformat on the new SSD. All of her files will be backed up onto a big USB drive. I want perform a fresh install of Yosemite on the SSD. Do I now (after the SSD is installed and booted up) perform a reformat? How do I go about performing this reformat? I am a PC guy and just need some direction hah! Command + R on boot? I would like the recovery partition installed as well on the SSD. This is where I am most confused.***

What do I do for the main Apple apps? iLife?

TL DR:
New SSD. Want a recovery partition installed with Yosemite, then I will bring back all files with a USB.

Thank you all in advance.
Best,
996

996 said:

1. I want to have the recovery partition installed on the SSD just like how it is installed on the stock HDD.

Click to expand...

There's nothing special about the Recovery Partition. It's a generic partition. To install the Mac OS on your SSD (and have a Recovery Partition automatically installed)...just do Internet Recovery:

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

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

There's nothing special about the Recovery Partition. It's a generic partition. To install the Mac OS on your SSD (and have a Recovery Partition automatically installed)...just do Internet Recovery:

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

- Nick

Click to expand...

Nick,

Thank you for the reply. I will go about the recovery partition using Internet Recovery. One question for you. Were my above mentioned steps the way you would install a new SSD and reformat it? Is there anything you would add?

Thanks!
996

996 said:

Nick,

Thank you for the reply. I will go about the recovery partition using Internet Recovery. One question for you. Were my above mentioned steps the way you would install a new SSD and reformat it? Is there anything you would add?

Thanks!
996

Click to expand...

If you need SSD install instructions...either follow the SSD install video at OWC...or use the install procedure at ifixit.com.

As far as the formatting. You do this after the OS is installed (via Internet Recovery). After the OS is installed...the SSD may already be formatted. But of it isn't...then

- boot into the Recovery Parition (command + r)
- then launch Disk Utility
- do the formatting

Finally. Then you do the cloning from your old HD.

- Nick

pigoo3 said:

If you need SSD install instructions...either follow the SSD install video at OWC...or use the install procedure at ifixit.com.

As far as the formatting. You do this after the OS is installed (via Internet Recovery). After the OS is installed...the SSD may already be formatted. But of it isn't...then

- boot into the Recovery Parition (command + r)
- then launch Disk Utility
- do the formatting

Finally. Then you do the cloning from your old HD.

- Nick

Click to expand...

Cool! So let me get this straight. I can do the formatting while the SSD is plugged in via USB correct? Once it is formatted, then I will clone the OS from the HDD.

Which cloning program would you recommend? Will disk utility clone as well?

Thanks!

I don't think Disk Utility has a cloning feature.

Two very popular cloning apps are:

- SuperDuper
- Carbon Copy Cloner

* Nick

pigoo3 said:

I don't think Disk Utility has a cloning feature.

Two very popular cloning apps are:

- SuperDuper
- Carbon Copy Cloner

* Nick

Click to expand...

Got it understood. So will I be able to clone while my SSD is plugged in via USB?

Once I have my stuff cloned, THEN do I physically install the SSD into the MBP and boot up?

Thanks for all of the help.

996 said:

Got it understood. So will I be able to clone while my SSD is plugged in via USB?

Once I have my stuff cloned, THEN do I physically install the SSD into the MBP and boot up?

Thanks for all of the help.

Click to expand...

That should work fine.

Slydude said:

That should work fine.

Click to expand...

Thank you all for the help. I will update this thread once I perform this task.
Thanks!

996 said:

Got it understood. So will I be able to clone while my SSD is plugged in via USB?

Click to expand...

Sorry I forgot to answer this one...but Slydude got it!

- Nick