IMac hard drive

[micino60]

Hello.

I have an IMac 20/2.6/2GB/320/SD purchased in 2009 and last night the hard drive has passed away.

When I go through the Utility Disk I have only a "media" rather than my HD.

I want to change it by myself by I don't know what kind of HD "exactly" I do have to buy in order to be sure that it will work.

Any hints pse?

Thank you

 

[techiesteve]

That model used a standard 3.5" SATA 7200 rpm drive.

 

[harryb2448]

Not for the faint hearted removing the iMac screen. Here is a how-to from ifixit:-

iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266 Hard Drive Replacement - iFixit

Also before you start be aware there is a heat sensor problem for the 2009 and onwards iMacs. Don't want it sounding like a 747:-

http://macs.about.com/od/faq1/f/upgrade-hard-drive-in-late-2009-imac.htm

 

[micino60]

IMac HD

Thank you guys, you have been really clear and crystal.

 

[dtravis7]

Is your iMac a 21.5" or 20"?? You said 20" in your first post.

 

[micino60]

IMac HD

The IMac is a 20" and I think to have to use suction caps to remove the screen

 

[harryb2448]

Yes suction caps is correct.

 

[micino60]

Thank you. I was almost sure but you made me feel better.
I think that it will be a big pain in the .......; however, it's the only way to save 200 bucks!!!

 

[dtravis7]

Thank you. I was almost sure but you made me feel better.
I think that it will be a big pain in the .......; however, it's the only way to save 200 bucks!!!

If you can do it without mishap, yes it's worth saving the labor cost. I have a late 2007/2008 iMac 20". Once the Glass came off with the suction cups the rest was baby food for me but I am an electronic and computer tech.

I will do farther checking but I am pretty sure the internal heat sensor in the hard drive was with the first 21.5" model. Will check and report back.

 

[micino60]

@dtravis7

You are right!!!

I'm use to work with Unix workstation and I really think it could be worst than quantum mechanics (I'm a physicist).

BTW, thanks very much for all the hints and if you had any further info.....please send me!!!

 

[dtravis7]

Is your iMac an 7.1, 8.1, 9.1? The URL Nick provided for sure says the 21.5" late 2009 model and not the 20". There is a earlier 2009 model and that still has the same drives with external sensor.

 

[dtravis7]

iMac Hard Drive (High Quality) Installation Video at OtherWorldComputing.com

This should be your exact machine. Last 20" they made and early 2009. This is exactly what I did the other day with my 20" 2008/

 

[micino60]

What does 7.1, 8.1 and 9.1 mean?
the only think I know is that my Imac is a 20" EMC 2210

 

[Slydude]

These numbers are what Apple refers to a "model identifiers". It is one way to identify small but potentially important changes within a line of computers. Not sure which version of the OS you are running but the way to find out your number should be something like this:

1. From the Apple at the top left of your menu bar choose "About This Mac"
2. When the Next choice appears choose :More Info".

The Mac will generate a detailed system report. The number you are looking for is Model ID. I think it will be about second in the list.

 

[micino60]

Well,

don't forget that my IMac doesn't go up any more because there's no way to make the HD working. Hence, I'm not able at all to see this info.
About the OS, I can use Mac Os 10.5.4 or Mac OS X Snow Leopard 10.6.3. Initially I had the first one than I upgraded to the second one.
I did the very same thing also on my MacBook Pro and it's working very well.

 

[Slydude]

Well,

don't forget that my IMac doesn't go up any more because there's no way to make the HD working.

LMAO That's my first Homer Simpson moment of the day. I had indeed forgotten that when I posted.

If I remember correctly that option is available even when booted from the 10.5 or 10.6 CD/DVD. In those versions I think the report is referred to as a System Profile but you get to it the same way.

If you can't get it post back and I will see if I can find my boot cd and duplicate the steps.

 

[codda]

Purchase the exact same HD... (likely Hitachi for that model) and the sensor will not be an issue. I would check OWC for exact specifics.

 

[micino60]

For anybody living in USA, who do you think could sell the exact drive that I need?

May I put in a 500GB rather than 250GB or am I going to make a big mess??

Amazon also sells this drives but what if it's no the right one??

Tks

 

[dtravis7]

Since yours is a 20" I still feel that is not a model with a special drive. Nicks URL shows a 21.5" as the first one to have the internal sensor.

If that be the case get any 7200 RPM SATA 3.5" drive. I go to New Egg, Amazon and read the reviews and comments on the drive I want to be sure it's not a problem drive. A WD or Seagate will work fine.

If you truly DID have a LATE 2009 21.5" then I would agree to get the exact drive.

The I video I posted in this tread is the last 20" iMac from 2009 and the heat sensor is external. If you are sure it's a 20" just get any good WD or Seagate with the specs I posted above.

 

[micino60]

@DTravis7

Tks. My only concern is the size: 250 or more? And, if more, how much more without making mess?

I think that also Best Buy should have it. I'd prefer buying it from amazon or new egg; the problem is to send it back if it didn't work PLUS the shipping method that they have with NO bubbles around the HD.
What do you think?