iMac help please?

[pincher]

Hoping someone can suggest something sensible, other than 'buy a new one'

I have two iMacs (yeah, humble brag lol- both second had though) - one is a 21.5" late 2013 and the other is s 27" mid 2010. The HDDs on both are realllllyyyyyy slow, almost to the point of being unusable so I now have external Samsung T5 SSDs on both, running Catalina and High Sierra resepectively.

The 27" running HS is generally OK but I am having issues with the 21.5" running Catalina - even if I have the Startup Disk set as the SSD, every time it reboots, it starts up on the old HDD and the only way I can get it to boot to the SSD is if I disconnect the SSD, hook it up to the High Sierrra machine and attempt to boot on that (which of course it won't, because the SSD is Catalina and the machiine itself is stuck on High Sierra ) - when I plug the SSD back into the 21.5", I can boot from the SSD fine (using the Alt key).

I can kind of live with this, although it is a PITA but I'd love to know why the SSD won't boot automatically and will only do so manually after i have tried on another machine.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking I may just suck it up and get an on-board SSD for both (not sure I can for the 27' though?) and clone the external SSDs on to the internal ones.


Does any of that make sense when you read it? I know it does in my head but it may not translate so well

[AJB88]

Easiest fix would be to get proper internal SSD for both and do it properly, clone the existing drivers and swap them out.

That way its only got the option to boot from the SSD then.

[ATM]

Did you do a fresh install of the OS?

[Matt..]

I installed an SSD into my 2011 27inch iMac a few years ago. It has made it a completely different machine. The change is incredible as it's so much faster!

The process was a little fiddly, but really not that difficult. There are videos on YouTube that tell you exactly what to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfP9mRlwYFI <- 2010 27inch iMac SSD install guide

[pincher]

AJB88 said:

Easiest fix would be to get proper internal SSD for both and do it properly, clone the existing drivers and swap them out.

That way its only got the option to boot from the SSD then.

I’ve ordered an SSD for the smaller, more recent machine and will clone the external SSD on to the new internal one.

Well, that’s the plan anyway

[pincher]

ATM said:

Did you do a fresh install of the OS?

Only on to the external SSD.

I guess I could try doing that onto the HDD, given I have all the data on the external SSD.

Is that likely to achieve much?

[pincher]

Matt.. said:

I installed an SSD into my 2011 27inch iMac a few years ago. It has made it a completely different machine. The change is incredible as it's so much faster!

The process was a little fiddly, but really not that difficult. There are videos on YouTube that tell you exactly what to do.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfP9mRlwYFI <- 2010 27inch iMac SSD install guide

Thanks for that - looks more fiddly than than I imagined but not impossible.

[Magnum 475]

If you open it up yourself, make sure you go very slowly, carefully, and gently with removing the screen. Rush this part, or use too much force and you’re going to need a new screen too.

[camel_landy]

Do a 'Time Machine' backup, replace the internal HDDs with SSDs and then perform a fresh install. It will totally transform the iMacs and give them a new lease of life.

Depending on the age of your iMac, you might also need to fit a HDD temperature sensor (or to short the relevant pins), otherwise the internal fan will be running at full-chat.

HTH

M

[Jakeztx]

camel_landy said:

Do a 'Time Machine' backup, replace the internal HDDs with SSDs and then perform a fresh install. It will totally transform the iMacs and give them a new lease of life.

Depending on the age of your iMac, you might also need to fit a HDD temperature sensor (or to short the relevant pins), otherwise the internal fan will be running at full-chat.

HTH

M

"Macs Fan Control" sorted the temp sensor issue for me, by setting the HDD fan to use the CPU temp sensor instead.

[pincher]

camel_landy said:

Do a 'Time Machine' backup, replace the internal HDDs with SSDs and then perform a fresh install. It will totally transform the iMacs and give them a new lease of life.

Depending on the age of your iMac, you might also need to fit a HDD temperature sensor (or to short the relevant pins), otherwise the internal fan will be running at full-chat.

HTH

M

I don't need anything on the HDD - it's all transferred to the external SSD that it currently works off (most of the time! ), hence my plan to clone the external SSD on to the new internal one.


Edit- had heard about the fan issue. Will take a look at the suggestin in the previous reply

[pincher]

Magnum 475 said:

If you open it up yourself, make sure you go very slowly, carefully, and gently with removing the screen. Rush this part, or use too much force and you’re going to need a new screen too.

I'm expecting it take take considerably longer than the videos suggest

[megaphone]

I replaced a failing HDD in my 2009 iMac 27". It is one of the older 'fatter' designs (same as your 2010 27") , so the front screen cover is held on with magnets, makes it easier.

I installed a 2TB SHDD, hybrid drive, which has worked ok, not as fast as a proper SSD, but had the capacity for all my files..

I was a bit apprehensive but it was not too difficult, although I do quite a lot of tech type work so had all the tools etc.

Note I did not have any issues with fan speed, it just ran like normal, however I did instal mac fan control as a precaution.

Edited by megaphone on Monday 4th January 10:39

[Troubleatmill]

OP - Just buy SuperDuper!

It is £25.20 and does a full clone including making drive bootable.
https://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuper...

Life is much less stressful.

[pincher]

Troubleatmill said:

OP - Just buy SuperDuper!

It is £25.20 and does a full clone including making drive bootable.
https://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuper...

Life is much less stressful.

Not being obtuse but I’m sure how that helps me?

[pincher]

Well, I did the 21” Mac last night - took the screen off, swapping the HDD for the SSD, added the new sticky strips and Robert is your mother’s brother. Was much easier than I thought it would be.

Used Carbon Copy Clone to restore the new internal SSD from the external SSD and all is working as it should be.


27” machine next, once I have ordered another SSD.

Feeling quite pleased with myself for not making a complete Horlicks of it

[ATM]

And

What's the difference like before and after?

[megaphone]

Nice.

Did you do a direct clone? Or did you do a fresh OS install on the new SSD, and then move the files and reinstall apps ?

I would advise the later, it will then be like a new machine. You will need to set everything up again, accounts, email etc.

Edited by megaphone on Saturday 9th January 08:03

Edited by megaphone on Saturday 9th January 08:06

[pincher]

ATM said:

And

What's the difference like before and after?

Well, it boots up in a few seconds rather than several minutes and seems generally fine at the moment. Fingers crossed.

[pincher]

megaphone said:

Nice.

Did you do a direct clone? Or did you do a fresh OS install on the new SSD, and then move the files and reinstall apps ?

I would advise the later, it will then be like a new machine. You will need to set everything up again, accounts, email etc.

Did a direct clone and it does seem like a new machine already!

I hear what you are saying about a fresh install etc but I thought I would try a clone first and so far, it’s looking good.