iMac to Boot from External SSD Setup

99altezza on 19/02/2018 - 10:58

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone can provide some advice or share their own experience in setting up an external SSD boot drive for IMAC.

I'm planning to purchase the Samsung 850 EVO (250GB) or Crucial MX300 (275GB) as the SSD, but not sure on what connection to house the SSD. I have read from google about getting a Thunderbolt connection but these seem to be costly.

Appreciate if anyone can share their experience.

Computing

Comments

  • domokun on 19/02/2018 - 11:28

    which iMac model do you have?

    • o53djz7qTPY4der on 19/02/2018 - 11:38

      Yes, this is the first question. It may be a relatively simple job putting a new SSD inside the machine. Happy to help (for free) if it is an older model - I am based in Melb.

      • 99altezza on 19/02/2018 - 12:02

        I bought it in early 2015, its the slim aluminium rage. I have read opening it up is a bit of a hassle, altho it's the better option to run the ssd internally.

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 19/02/2018 - 12:20
          +1

          Hmm.. It is a challenging model to open up.

          Despite the challenges I'd suggest that opening up may be better than using usb/tb full-time.

          Check this out: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Di…

        • 99altezza on 19/02/2018 - 12:52

          @Xiongmao:
          Seems a bit too much hassle, I think I will run the external option and keep the internal drive for storage.

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 19/02/2018 - 13:01

          @99altezza: I think the mac may require you to hold OPTION every time you boot if you put the OS on the external. I'm not sure if it can be set as the default boot device in start up disk.

          On another note, I don't think it looks that bad. Get the correct tools and it should be pretty easy.

          I have done some older macs and it was fine. Hardest part was getting the screen off.

        • SimpleRoger on 19/02/2018 - 13:29

          @99altezza: Yeah if i had the correcttools, i could do it in probs 20 mins max.

        • SimpleRoger on 19/02/2018 - 13:30

          @Xiongmao:Yeah i had to use a kitchen knife, but with the correct tools, it's as easy as 1 2 3.

  • xeion on 19/02/2018 - 14:21
    +1

    Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Startup Disk

    As someone who has worked on that model many times. I would recommend extreme caution when opening them up.
    You will also need the VHB tape to put on after you open it up.

    • 99altezza on 19/02/2018 - 15:46

      I'm not gonna open it up myself, I will stick with the external boot option. But need to know best way to connect into IMAC for boot-up.

      • xeion on 19/02/2018 - 15:51

        2.5" thunderbolt enclosure, would be faster than USB.

        Edit: Had a look and doesn't look they are as easy to find.
        You'll have to stick with a USB enclosure.

        • 99altezza on 01/03/2018 - 12:10

          I have purchased the Samsung T3 on a recent ozbargain deal, I'm wondering after cloning the HDD to SDD and boot up from SSD. How do I change the the HDD to be just a storage HDD. Will it just show up from my SSD O/S?

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