Installing new SSD but keeping the original HDD

So we got new SSDs for our work MacBooks and I have done this with a PC but I wanted to know if there is something that I haven't read on Google that could go wrong.

I have a 500GB conventional drive in my Mac. I have already ordered this off of Amazon (mine is a unibody early 2011).

I want to keep the conventional and use it as a secondary in the ODD bay. However, the first time I start up my Mac with the SSD installed, the "secondary" will actually be the primary. I would need to format my SSD so it can take OS X (Lion). I was hoping that since I had the OS already on one drive, formatting would be very easy and then I could reinstall the OS on the SSD. However, how can I erase the OS that resides on the HDD? I would rather all the contents be erased from the HDD and I start off with two blank drives with only the OS installed on the SSD.

 

why not follow you pan and get everything set up like you want on the SSD... once its ready to go, reformat the HDD? its not like they use each-other in some way that there is any benefit to blanking them both at the same time. Once the SSD is fully set up and running, you can just run disk utility there and blank the HDD.

 

I would also suggest installing Lion on your SSD first before using Disk Utility to format your secondary drive. If something should go wrong, you will have your secondary drive to fall back on until you can successfully transfer and install everything. Also, I would highly recommend leaving your secondary drive disconnected until your absolutely sure you have your SSD drive the way you want it. This will help you avoid any accidental issues while installing Lion.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Thanks for your answers. Yes my plan was to first install the OS on the SSD. Then once it was all done, insert my old HDD into the ODD bay and format it. Have you guys heard anything about using Time Machine to back up onto the SSD wha originally resided on the HDD? I know that in PCs, there can be some problems if you back up from a HDD and copy that onto a SSD.

 

Time Machine backups work fine for me with the ssd and the hdd. One additional note for your upgrade. You may want to consider moving your User folder from the ssd to the secondary hdd and then creating a symbolic link back to the ssd so it looks like nothing changed to the OS. That way you don't have to be worried about space issues and your apps still run fast but your user data lives elsewhere.

Here is a link to an article to show you how to do it. The article has a bunch of other good tips too.

Happy Modding!

 

I wouldn't restore the Time Machine backup on the SSD. What you can do is do a fresh OS install on the SSD, then then use Migration Assistant (which will run during setup anyways) and choose that you want to migrate from a Time Machine backup, and it will get all your programs, documents and settings and stuff from Time Machine without doing an actual restore.

 

ren3g7de, I know this is OT, but I have been trying to figure out how you have gotten 12 GB RAM in your G71gx!? I have a G72GX and I have heard rumors I can do it, but nothing verified... Did you really do it? Will it work in my G72gx as well? Did you use 800 or 667? Thanks in advance...

 

+1 Your getting some good advise on this thread...should save you time and aggravation. Good luck!

 

It does not say it is supported but it is supported fine. I installed 12GB RAM in my G71Gx from day 1, no problem.