iMac (20-Inch, Early 2009) SSD Upgrade

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

Up to 23 mins so far on my mod and I’m having a blast. found three of these old Macs and wanted a challenge. It’s like an adults Lego set. You do a great job explaining yourself and I’m glad to have found this video. Thanks!

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I’m glad you liked the video and that you’re having fun with the project! Upgrading or repairing things yourself can be very fun and rewarding!

[@scotianovan1]

I had the same problem as the commenter "Made With Junk" - the power cable would not reach to the SSD after installing the SSD in the bracket shown in the video and the parts list, so the bracket was unfortunately a waste. I then used aluminized tape to fasten the SSD to the back of the cavity where the hard drive was. I would recommend that you replace the battery in this iMac when you do this upgrade, as you've got the case open anyway and it's easy to replace (and the one in there is likely very old). It's a BR2032, which is NOT the same as CR2032 - different temperature range. You may not be able to find this battery locally so you may want to order it when you order the other parts. Finally, I didn't bother removing the LCD panel completely, I just opened it up from the left side as in the video, and propped it up carefully with a wooden ruler. There was still plenty of room to do the work under the panel, and I didn't need to bother with the cables connecting the panel to the computer (other than the temperature sensor cable). Thank you for this video - very helpful!

[@msas6020]

This is one of the best instruction videos. Love how you zoom in to show exactly where things are. Most other videos can leave you guessing.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I’m glad you liked the video!

[@NicVandEmZ]

@@G6TechnologyServices I took one of these apart ones and it was built differently it didn’t have temperature wire at all

[@samuel_ford04]

:)

[@samsowden]

something so very pleasing about seeing that things on the inside of these sleek overdesigned apple devices are just held together using sellotape

[@cobra02411]

Awesome video, very helpful I tried two different brackets for my SSD, one corsair CSSD-BRKT2 and one parts bin one and neither had the cables line up. The power cable was the problem and I didn't want to pull too hard on it. In the end I used some packing tape to tape the drive in. I also taped the heat sensor to the drive with packing tape because the adhesive was no good. When pulling the glass make sure to pull it straight up. I angled it from the top as I only had one suction cup. It worked, but it broke the very center, bottom alignment pin. The glass went on ok, looks fine and the magnets hold it. Lastly, the white connectors behind the screen are keyed. The pins are offset and there are subtle differences that make them one way. Great idea about the sharpie, but as long as you are gentle putting them back together they only go one way. It will go half way in the wrong way, but if you spin it around it will easily slide in. Now off to install xubuntu... :)

[@vladichilibeck416]

I couldn’t get past the part where you remove the hard drive because all the hard drives in the iMacs from the tutorials I watched were able to just pop out. But your hard drive was like mine was. I can’t believe all I had to do was lift the black bar. Thank you!

[@G6TechnologyServices]

You’re welcome, I’m glad the video helped you! Enjoy your new SSD!

[@stephenhall3515]

The best tutorial for these models I have seen -- without exception.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Thanks! I’m glad you liked the video!

[@JustinBrownGuitar]

Bravo this is awesome to follow used this twice already to follow and now on my 3rd and 4th!

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Great! I'm glad you liked the video! :)

[@SuperJoey73]

Great video! Best explanation ever!

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I'm glad you liked the video!

[@stephenfromfing4430]

Excellent tutorial

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video!

[@courtneyb6787]

Ok. Welp. It loads up to and apple and shuts off now. Have exhausted every avenue and am going to give this a go. 😅 idk whats gonna happen but thank you for this video and your other one! Idk about this!!

[@Nockspielt]

Do you have a video for a imac late 2012 modell? 27 inch?

[@andysimpson5481]

Great explanation.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I'm glad you liked the video!

[@fiddy112]

Great video! I was curious though how do you clone the original hard drive on to the ssd? I want to keep all my files and settings from the factory hard drive onto this one

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I use a program called Clonezilla. If your new drive is larger or the same size as the old drive, you can make an exact copy. If you’re going to a smaller new drive, that program won’t work.

[@mariai.morales6538]

Love the way you zoom on the parts,but I need help with the Led screen cables,I bought a used led screen and don't know which one go where... By the way,nobody said before you look like the good doctor?....😅😅😅😅

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Unfortunately, I don’t know where the cables go. I marked mine before taking the screen off but I wouldn’t know how to find where they go otherwise. No, nobody has ever told me that before. Haha thanks I guess.

[@mariai.morales6538]

@@G6TechnologyServices Thank you!,I guess I Will wait for the logic board,it looks like is not sending the electricity to the Led screen... take care!....😉😉😉

[@harootpashayan]

COol my Tech LLC has the Same Soldering Iron lol

[@G6TechnologyServices]

It gets the job done! :)

[@astechcreative7546]

I UPGTADE SSD BUT NOT GO TO RECOVERY MODE WHAT TO DO ? HELP PLS

[@haramgomez6120]

anyone got problems with the display cables, i didn't mark them? 😅

[@shaneweightman]

Have you done a video of how to clone the data required to run the iMac , thanks shane uk 🇬🇧

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I don't think I've ever gone into detail in a video, but I usually use Carbon Copy Cloner and a SATA to USB adapter.

[@mcintyrevxq]

Looking at the internals of this it's clear Apple throw so many unnecessary steps in the way and awkward placements to ensure they can prevent you from getting a warranty claim if you decide to upgrade it yourself. So many pointless steps for something as simple as upgrading to SSD.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Yes.

[@morecowbell11]

Thanks for this. Going to try. Questions: Same HD and case for 27" IMAC? and I have a timecapsule backup, would I be able to just load it onto new drive from that? Thank you.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I’m not sure, but it is probably the same HDD. It will need the same bracket. I’m not sure about the temperature sensor. Yes, you can restore the Time Machine backup to the new SSD. You will need either an installation USB drive or Internet Recovery to do that. I don’t think this model supports Internet Recovery.

[@Raafat]

Hello, I have 20-inch, Early 2009 imac Intel Core 2 Duo - Ram 8Gb - NVIDIA 256 MB Without ssd I can't upgraded to ssd. What's the best MacOS for my iMac? Thanks.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

It looks like 10.11 El Capitan is the latest supported version of macOS for that model. There are some tools you can use to put more recent versions on unsupported hardware, but do that at your own risk.

[@Raafat]

@@G6TechnologyServices Yeah, I know my MacOS now is catalina

[@apersonwhoknows]

If one gets the same hd as the original. What's the one to get?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I don't remember what was originally in this one. The Apple Tech Specs page for this model [ support.apple.com/kb/sp507?locale=en_US ] shows it would have been either a 320 GB, 640 GB, or 1 TB 7200 RPM SATA drive. It doesn't specify the brand, but I've seen a lot of Western Digital/HGST drives used in Apple products. Hope that helps.

[@apersonwhoknows]

@@G6TechnologyServices Yeah I suppose. The one I happen to have in there was the Hitachi brand and had the apple logo along with some writing on the sticker.

[@397coney7]

If I can ask another question; currently, Amazon only has the 1TB drive, can I use that one instead?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Yes! You can use any capacity 2.5" SATA SSD you would like.

[@397coney7]

I have an early 2009 with a 24” monitor. EMC; 2267. Would the components be the same?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Here's the guide for that model: [ www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+24-Inch+EMC+2267+Hard+Drive+Replacement/9028 ]. It looks like the same process and would use the same components.

[@tonycordero955]

Does this allow you to have a better OS....more up-to-date? What would be the benefit of doing this ?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

No, it won’t unlock anything special like that. The main reason to replace the hard drive with an SSD is to make the system faster. An SSD is several times faster than a hard drive and will improve overall system performance.

[@Pfirtzer]

@@G6TechnologyServices I bought a year ago a Mac 2008, with 2 slots of ddr2 memory, and it has 4, can I update memory to 8 or will that not work, I am new with Mac.

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

Which os runs best with this mod

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

What is the best os for this upgraded iMac ?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

You have a few options. The latest macOS that it will run is too old for me to want to use it, but you can put that on there if you want. There are ways to get the most current version or a more current version to work, but I don't like to do that because it can cause poor performance in some cases and can get messed up during software updates, but you're welcome to try it. There is always some Linux-based OS, like Ubuntu if you want to try that. If you can get Bootcamp to work or find the drivers, Windows 10 would be my choice since it is up-to-date and fully supported still.

[@bakedoffdembeatz4926]

Would this fix an imac that wont boot cuz of a bad startup disk??

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Yes. If your startup disk died, replacing it should fix the issue. You will need to have a macOS install USB drive prepared ahead of time if your Mac doesn't support Internet Recovery.

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

What’s the best os to run on these?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

10.11 El Capitan is the latest version of macOS to be supported on the Early 2009 20-Inch iMac. I wouldn't really want to run that though because it is so old. You could always put Windows 10 on there or try out some Linux-based OS like Ubuntu. There are ways to get newer versions of macOS on unsupported hardware, but it is usually a pain.

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

Any thoughts on replacing the 2032 battery?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

You might as well replace it while you have the computer open. I usually change them when I refurbish computers.

[@Publicspeaking-xk4xx]

@@G6TechnologyServices thanks I figured that, almost 15 year old battery is old enough

[@Pfirtzer]

How far can you go with the volume of the SSD, I mean can it take 2 TB or only up to 1 TB?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

It will work with any size.

[@Pfirtzer]

@@G6TechnologyServices Thx, great to know,becasue you can't have too much space on harddisk.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Very true, the more the better!

[@Pfirtzer]

While I watch it, would the temp sensor be of any help in case of SSD, I know regular HDD can get warm some even up to 50+ degree C, mine does it on laptop and still working, for years though I need to replace it soon.

[@G6TechnologyServices]

SSDs don’t get as hot, but the fan will run at full speed if you don’t have a working temperature sensor. There is fan control software you can use to manually turn it down, or so I’ve heard. I’ve never tried that myself.

[@ewaldradavich7307]

Will this allow the ability to upload current software

[@G6TechnologyServices]

No, it won't change the latest supported software version. It will only make the computer run faster.

[@ewaldradavich7307]

@@G6TechnologyServices. I can't get into things I used to be able but not supported. Not worth making it faster if I'm on a leash. Debating imac or mac mini. Other laptops have a shorter life expectancy I'm told compared to a mac?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I’d say the life expectancy depends on the cost of the laptop. If you get a really cheap Windows laptop, it will be slow and won’t have a very long useful service life. If you get a nice Windows laptop, it can last longer than a Mac. Apple restricts the latest OS version that can be installed on their products. For example, I have a 2013 MacBook that still runs very well and is fast, but I’m stuck on an old version of macOS because Apple decided not to allow that laptop to run the newest version. Microsoft doesn’t really do that. I have the latest version of Windows 10 running on a PC from 2009 and it’s running great. As long as the PC’s specs are good, it will last a long time.

[@ewaldradavich7307]

@@G6TechnologyServices. Does this also apply to desk tops

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Yes. I’d say desktops last even longer than laptops since it is much easier to upgrade components over time to help make them faster.

[@ContinentDZ]

Things I hate about Apple products & ethos 1) Greed 2) Very primitive look like OS and apps. 3) Extremely expensive for no real reason. 4) They can't even be bothered to put colour-coded wires, they want to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to try and repair or upgrade his $10K Apple, and the same thing with their stupid phones. But they understood human psychology, they know the more expensive you put something on the market the more valued it would be by the consumer's mindset, even if it's a piece of junk. They don't want you to fix, repair or upgrade your machine, they want you to keep on buying more of their garbage.

[@TrendingSnippets]

MY imac make the sound but doesnt turn on what could it be?

[@G6TechnologyServices]

I would suggest making sure all the connectors got plugged back in. It could be that the display cable or backlight power cables aren’t connected.

[@TrendingSnippets]

@@G6TechnologyServices I've check plug etc no joy?!

[@G6TechnologyServices]

If it is making the chime sound, it is working. It’s just an issue with the display. You can try attaching an external monitor to confirm. If that works, triple check that you plugged in the display data cable and backlight cables all the way and in the right position. Also check the brightness and make sure it isn’t just off. Hold the brightness up button on the keyboard and see if it comes on.

[@TrendingSnippets]

@@G6TechnologyServices Sorry I meant fan sounds no chime sounds

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Oh, that's different. Try unplugging it, holding the power button in for 10 seconds with the power cord unplugged, plug it back in and follow the instructions attached to reset the NVRAM. See if that helps. support.apple.com/en-us/HT204063

[@davidsantilli3763]

Curious why the gloves?????

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Two main reasons. It keeps the customer's grime off of my hands; other people's cell phones and computers are some of the nastiest things I've seen. It also keeps my fingerprints off of the LCD panel and cover glass so I don't have to worry about having fingerprints and smudges to clean off.

[@karim_1995]

Yours is the best tutorial on the subject I've found on Yt. Thanx 🍝 🟢⚪🔴 😉

[@G6TechnologyServices]

Thanks, I’m glad you liked the video!