20-Inch iMac (Early 2009) Hard Drive Installation Video

[@ghemp09]

Awesome video. I just upgraded to a SSD following this video on my 24" early 2009. Only a couple of the connectors behind the monitor were different, but same process nonetheless. I got my SSD and the adaptor fitting from you guys. Works great! The only thing the video should mention is to have an OS ready to go. Some people could be stuck with an unformatted Hard Drive if they don't know any better. Before taking the iMac apart: 1. Reformat an external hard drive you may have lying around to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" 2. With the external drive plugged into the iMac, powered down and upon booting up, push "command + R" to download your current version OS to the external drive. 3. Backup any/all files to the external drive which now has an OS on it. 4. Take apart the iMac and install the new Hard Drive (following this video!) 5. After installation the iMac will boot up using the OS on the external drive. Reformat the new hard drive to the "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)". 6. Power down again and upon reboot press "command + R" to load the current OS to your new hard drive. 7. Transfer files back over to the new hard drive and Bob's your uncle!

[@watsontcbc]

this external drive OS X install doesn't work - I've tried on 2 drives with no success

[@watsontcbc]

I didn't need to create an external boot drive, only connect to drive I was replacing via USB to boot, format the new SSD that is replacing the old HDD and load the OS and the backup to the new SSD

[@tylerdurden783]

1:19 This is a great way to shear off the bottom positioning pin on the glass panel. You should place a suction cup on one top corner and the other on the opposite bottom corner, and then pull it straight up.

[@nexxusty]

Or the side one like I just did. Thankfully it still holds well.

[@nokiahkfans]

I followed the video and sheared off the bottom pin. Should have read the comment section first :(

[@josiahkaufman6526]

Yeah... I partially sheared it... Still holding so far.

[@leejackson3980]

I just use one suction cup in the middle lol

[@johnkraus8941]

Why the ice skating music. Great video but music too loud trying to hear the instructions wife's yelling turn off that stupid song

[@billlangley106]

Needed to take out the HDD and followed the instructions. Worked a treat. Would not have been able to do this video. Brilliant. Thank you.

[@poweredbyowc]

We are happy to hear, we appreciate your feedback Bill :)

[@AppleiOSGenius]

Looks good, though i would refrain from technician to press on the hard drive, as this would cause internal hard drive issue at 5:31 the fingers are pressing quite firmly on drive. And hold the drive from the sides when removing hard drive, some people may think this is okay and then find out later there had drive does not last long. Like the music

[@philjancik4601]

this video was good. used it for my machine. repleaced the original drive with a new one and it works

[@Megachinima]

BIG THANKS! Just replaced an old HDD on my early 2009 imac with a SSD I had laying around (using a special 3.5" to 2.5" adapter bay) and it brought new life to it!

[@LadyDeath6666]

I have a mid 2009 9.1 iMac but they replacement thermal sensor cable made by OWC is only for late 2009 and I’ve been told I don’t need to replace the thermal sensor. Did you replace yours? I was told Mac fan control can take care of it and to just disconnect the thermal sensor from the new SSD I want to install.

[@yourencounter]

Absolutely awesome instructions - no issues at all - 35 minutes and everything worked ! Great Video

[@jaspersimkins1784]

did that include the delivery time of the new hard drive

[@bababoy11]

Good god. On mac there are like 20 steps on windows it is typically unscrew back panel, disconnect drive, connect new drive. put back panel

[@RetroDsk]

Ever change the hard drive in an all in one pc?

[@user-il1ko7do9x]

This video make my iMac get a new life :)

[@GabrielRN28]

Could u have your OS on Mojave? :)

[@AaronSpencer]

This is a perfectly made video. Thanks so much for the clear and complete instructions.

[@DBMassimo]

no ssd?

[@apersonwhoknows]

4:23 you didn't even mention the other screws that are on the sides of the hd.

[@poweredbyowc]

You are absolutely right and we apologize for that. Thank you for your feedback. We will certainly pass it on.

[@allanpoirier9759]

It doesnt show that you need to remove a screw at the botton of the bazel, kind of important.

[@poweredbyowc]

I am sorry about that Allan, I will make sure this gets reviewed see if I can get this updated!

[@abrahamyang9095]

When we used the AdaptaDrive do we still need to attach the temperature sensor on the new SDD drive?

[@Bismvth]

Recently had my Early 2009 iMac breakdown, pretty sure it was either a Graphics or Display issue. Does removing the hard drive basically do the same thing as a factory reset? I can't reset because of dead screen so

[@RobertoAngelFloresAngulo]

Love the song, it´s pretty cool. Besides, i did the process and then my display now has green pixels all over the screen!!! Any ideas on whats happening and posible fix? Thanks

[@poweredbyowc]

Sorry to hear of the trouble! Perhaps double check all of your internal cable connections...? The drive won't cause pixel glitches, so there must be something going wrong with the video cable.

[@darrankaminski1247]

any links to them suction cups? they look nice.

[@poweredbyowc]

Absolutely! eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOL225SCUP/

[@charlottearena]

Hi I am a complete newbie can I ask if you can upgrade to a 2 T in this mac and which hard drive to buy or are they all the same? Thank you. Great Videos, you make it look easy

[@tribalisnt]

Do you know exactly which brand and model HDD to install without any fan issues (firmware on the hdd)? This model comes with a fan issue on some hard drive replacements, i have been looking for which brand of hard drive this model originally came with but can only find the spec and not the brand, as far as i can see it's a Seagate Barracuda with a 4 pin sensor connector but i'm still unsure.

[@dizaraa]

Thank you, this vid helped me repair my Mac.

[@QlippothDeejay]

how much space can handle this model? would support 1 TB HDD or 2 TB?

[@ricardoruiz9652]

Im confused, in some places they suggest to buy a 2.5" HDD but here your link suggest 3.5" HDD size, i would like to buy 3.5" cuz is lots cheaper than 2.5", but i don't want to buy an HDD that simply dont fit... :(

[@kokoro9369]

MacSales. com thanks 4 your support ;)

[@supremeonly]

i have the iMac (20-inch, Mid 2009), do i need the 2.5, cos i bought the 3.5 with was big

[@markromain404]

'Lift up on bezel to remove'. This person has hands of steel. I wedged a flathead screwdriver under top of bezel with no damage done. The LCD cable removal is brutal. Thank God I don't have to reassemble.

[@daveninjaneuro7089]

Have to recycle an imac and I'm going to take out the hd first to wipe it. Good God, there's too many steps involved with doing this on a mac!

[@adambialecki2696]

Very Helpful++++ Just installed an SSD in a 2009 Imac

[@poweredbyowc]

🙃👍

[@Ryanahyde]

Hi does it matter if the inverter cable gets switched?

[@eduard1337]

and what if you didn't ? and you're now putting it back together ?

[@GabrielRN28]

@@eduard1337 i guess its time to buy a new imac

[@pieterjdw]

@@GabrielRN28 I did not mark them. Is there a visual to pair them?

[@TheLFCFAN2010]

How do I replace the sata cable?

[@DeltaGamer777]

Is possible to remove the glass panel in any other way?

[@bwest6275]

DeltaGamer777 why would you try differently? This is easy 🤔

[@kauhoketoli.5104]

Does ssd have to be formatted or is it simply buy and install?

[@jaspersimkins1784]

if its used then yes check theres nout on it

[@nicholasgrieco6634]

can you use a 2.5 ssd with a 3.0 bracket instead of another hard drive for an upgrade to this model

[@poweredbyowc]

Thanks for asking! Yes you can. Here is everything you would need: eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac/early-2009

[@nicholasgrieco6634]

@@poweredbyowc I was messaging apple and they said to be careful about upgrading the ram and ssd both because the cpu and the computer might not be able to handle all the upgrades well long term

[@poweredbyowc]

We would have to disagree with that statement. We have been upgrading machines for over 30 years to max out the performance. More RAM and moving from HDD to SSD makes your machine faster, run more efficient and causes less stain on the machine as a whole. We would never provide solutions that would potentially cause damage or a shorter life span in your machine! 😃

[@nicholasgrieco6634]

@@poweredbyowc I recently purchased a ssd for the 2009 iMac from owc would I have to format it or is it fine as is

[@poweredbyowc]

You can find the instructions on installing a fresh copy of the OS, and migrating your data to the new drive, here: eshop.macsales.com/articles/how-to-transfer-your-data-from-your-old-drive-to-a-new-drive

[@thomasm2107]

thank you, Your video helped me all the way! :)

[@toajames1]

My LCD temperature sensor cable looks completely different.

[@poweredbyowc]

Hi toajames1! Sorry to hear that your temperature sensor cable looks completely different. This is the video for 20" E2009 iMac; please make sure that your iMac is an iMac9,1. Please feel free to email us at [e-mail] or call us at [phone] (International: 1-815-338-8685) for personalized customer service. The Call Center is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (tech 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM temporarily due to staffing issues) Central (Chicago) time Monday through Friday.

[@toajames1]

@@poweredbyowc I used the other Early iMac 2009 video you uploaded and that worked!

[@poweredbyowc]

Glad to hear it had worked out for you, if you need help with anything else please let us know!

[@tantran1995]

Thank you thank you thank you!!!

[@DamianzRojas]

can i to put it a SSD?

[@DamianzRojas]

MacSales. com I want, but i live on Perú

[@WantBadtime]

Yes, but you will need a adapter for it

[@ignaciomanuelpernilmarcos3929]

CONOCIMIENTO, PATRIMONIO UNIVERSAL

[@jaspersimkins1784]

was i the only person who noticed that he put the old hard drive back in the imac after removing, instead of putting the new one in

[@garybrown5686]

Loose the music... very hard to hear your instructions

[@markromain404]

Oops, didn't watch that part. Ignore LCD cable comment.

[@nekeishar123]

nope i will not be doing this upgrade this is wayy to much

[@lewiegordon8502]

it is. but with the right tools, and no interruptions, it takes about 30 minutes.

[@bwest6275]

nekeisha robinson are you kidding? This is pretty easy to follow.

[@accipiteroccisor5555]

Apple sure is user friendly for changing out hard drives, NOT.

[@liammcgrath8076]

evil music