This is probably the most thorough video explaining this procedure on RUclips. I have a 2007 iMac and I was researching how to install an SSD for it. Nice workshop, too!
For my 2010 27" iMac, I just bought an optical drive temperature sensor cable instead. It's less than ten bucks online and doesn't require a SATA splitter cable. You just plug the cable into the same socket on the logic board, and then stick the temp sensor end on the drive. Works fine, and fans run at normal speed.
I replaced the HDD with a Samsung SSD, the memory I had already expanded to 12G a few years ago, my 2009 iMac now runs much faster. Since I did not find the temperature sensor in Europe I just connected a 1K resistor instead (I read this somewhere on a site) and it works perfectly
I’m pretty sure you don’t even need the resistor. Just short circuit the two wires. The temperature of the ssd doesn’t need to be monitored anyway. (did this for the 27“ late 2009, but I’m pretty sure the smaller screen size isn’t any different)
i had the 2010 model and your video did help me to get the screen out to swap in a ssd but there is a slight difference in the hdd temp sensors the 2010 model has the temp sensor plugged into the hard drive instead of glued to it so i just left the old sensor plugged into the motherboard and not plug into the drive... that will trick the fans into thinking there is a hdd installed and the fans wont go nuts... so any one that wants to do this upgrade on a 2010 model just leave the hdd temp sensor pluged into the motherboard but no actually plugged into a drive...
Awesome video good detail only thing I will question is why you didn’t leave the old Ram in and with the new and built it up make it 10gb you have 4 slots
G6 Technology Services thank you! :) I have most of the stuff getting delivered this Saturday. I am a little worried about the cleaning as I suspect it to be really dusty after 10 years and worried compressed air might lodge dirt in the wrong places. Do you have any advice/warnings/tips and recommended products for cleaning the inside and fans etc...?
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Blow out the fans and any other loose dust you see. The regular canned air should work fine. That's what I use. Be careful not to hold the can at an angle because it will spray liquid into the computer. It is helpful to have multiple cans if the computer is very dirty because they get very cold and stop working after a while until they settle and warm up, so you might need to alternate between them. If it is very dirty, you might want to spray out the bulk of the dust outdoors because it can make a mess inside. Don't try to vacuum the inside of the computer because it can cause static electricity to build up and damage the components. Save some of the canned air to blow off the LCD panel before putting the glass back on. Be careful not to get fingerprints on the LCD. When you take the LCD out, set it screen side up on a completely flat surface somewhere it won't get dirty or damaged. That's all I can think of right now. Good luck!
G6 Technology Services thanks for responding! Ok I might do the cleaning outside then :) just to confirm about holding can at an angle, should it be held upright at all times? Thanks again for your help
You're welcome; it's no problem! Yes, hold it upright at all times. You can test it out by spraying it outside and tilting it until the mist/liquid comes out so you can tell where the safe angles are. You can usually angle it slightly and be fine. You'll be able to get a better feel for it when you test it outside.
This adds one or two bits of info. to the other youtube videos on this topic, but not being able to read the screen is a great drawback. The others I have seen do it better in this respect.
This video was focused on the hardware aspect of the upgrade. I was trying not to get too much of the screen on camera to avoid accidentally showing any of the customer's private information.
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video. I used Techtool Pro, which you can purchase and download here: www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/ . I used the included Protogo utility to create a bootable USB drive.
Outstanding video! I have the same model but I was wondering if you think upgrading the iMac is still worth it? I noticed that my late 2009 iMac 21.5" is kinda struggling streaming 1080p videos in RUclips (kinda choppy playback) and response time on some websites are a bit choppy. If it helps, my iMac has 16GB of RAM.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I can't say for sure if an SSD will improve web browsing and streaming performance since there can be a few different factors that contribute to that, but I can say that in most cases an SSD upgrade will noticeably improve overall performance. If it is only web browsing and streaming that seem slow, I would suggest checking your network connection and Internet package to make sure they are providing a fast enough connection. A quick test on fast.com would be a good first step. In any case, if you don't mind putting in the time to install it and you can find an SSD in your price range, I would say go for it.
Hello, thank you for your video, I followed your instructions to the letter after buying all the items through your links, everything is perfect, the mac boots with High Sierra but the fan noise is still present. What do you think ? Thanks very much !
It could be a few things. I would double check your connections. Make sure the sensor is plugged in all the way and stuck to the SSD and not somewhere that will get too hot. If that doesn’t work, it could possibly be a bad temperature sensor.
This is the most thorough video I've seen, it's really helpful, thank you! My ultimate goal is to make my iMac faster and less laggy. An SSD and new RAM will help in achieving this, right?
Thanks for watching. You're welcome! Yes, replacing the hard drive with an SSD and increasing the amount of RAM will definitely make the computer more responsive and able to handle more tasks at once!
Although I'm not afraid to tinker with something I've never tried before, however, I worried that I may not buy the compatible upgrades that may be too much or too little. Are the recommended upgrades in the best for my iMac late 2009 or are they the middle of the road upgrades? Meaning instead of the 500GB can I go to 1TB.
That iMac can support up to 16 GB of RAM and there isn't really a limit on storage size. It all depends on how you will be using the computer. The SSD size doesn't really affect the computer's performance. The smallest SSD you should choose should be large enough to fit all of your files and then still have 50% free. That is the general rule I try to follow. Once the SSD starts to get very full, the performance and lifespan can decrease. You can increase the lifespan of the drive by choosing one that is much larger than you need if you have the budget for it. I would recommend no less than 8 GB of RAM, but you can put in 16 GB to allow for more open browser tabs and programs at once if it is in your budget. I hope this was helpful.
Thank you very much for the excellent video. I would like to change the old hard drive in my early 2009 24 inch Imac for a Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (MZ-76Q1T0) and was wondering if you were able to tell me whether I would be able use the same additions used in your video (ie the OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor and the Sabrent 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit) when installing the new ssd? Thanks ever so much. Liam
Hi, I'm glad you liked the video. Yes, the temperature sensor should work with any 2009 or 2010 iMac and the other components are universal, so they will work as well. Good luck with your project!
Hi. Great video. I have the same model - Late 2009 iMac, 21.5” A1311, with 8GB RAM. I am running El Capitan 10.11.6 and on boot-up, it takes ages before the progress bar shows up and after that, is not too bad. I have just ordered a 250GB SSD for mine. Where did you get that Temperature Sensor from? I have looked on eBay but can only see leads for my model but only having connectors on both ends. There is one for the Optical DVD Drive, with the actual sensor that gets taped to the drive. Would that work, even if I had to splice the wires to the existing connector? Regards, Rob.
The SSD should definitely speed up that boot time as well as improve general system performance! I ordered all the parts for this project from Amazon. This is the temperature sensor I used: OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor - amzn.to/2HnRmIE . The other parts are linked in the description, but here they are again for your convenience. Good luck on your project! Samsung 860 EVO - amzn.to/2Wc1OuM OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor - amzn.to/2HnRmIE Sabrent 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit - amzn.to/2EeAbY5 Crucial 8 GB RAM Kit - amzn.to/2TVuRS8 StarTech SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter - amzn.to/2TT3HL9
@@G6TechnologyServices Thanks for your reply. Can be a bit pricey for me though, coming from the USA, by time you add hefty postage charges and customs duties What I have got is a Crucial MX500 250GB SATA III SSD for £32 sterling inc post and an OWC In-Line Digital Thermal Sensor HHD Upgrade Cable. Both off eBay. I've already got a 3.25"/2.5" mounting kit from a previous project. Regards, Robert.
Very helpful video. Thank you. I recommend you move the camera to right over the computer, as we don't need to see such a wide shot, and it would help to be overhead or up close.
Thank you alot for your video. I have iMac mid 2010, 21.5'', 12GB Ram and replaced my old not working HD. Tried reinstaling macOS using bootable usb drive made with TransMac and Mac_OS_X_Snow_Leopard_10.6_10a432.dmg image file. My usb flash drive regognized but when I selected, iMac freeze at Apple logo. Finally I made bootable usb using vmware macOS system and manage to boot and reinstall the operating system.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I used Techtool Pro, which comes with a utility to make bootable USB drives. www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/
We usually get it from Amazon. Here is the link to Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1066 MT/s, which will be compatible with the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009). amzn.to/2A14xe2
Still pretty crazy that a 2009 iMac is still completely functional and usable in 2020 with a few small inexpensive upgrades. My old c2d windows based system was feeling slugish even with 8gb ram and ssd
My old 2007 vaio laptop with 4gb, ssd and Windows still runs amazing. I had more problems with freezing apple apps in a new computer with a m1 chip. If your windows pc is slow is not a problem with the OS.
Not to bash you as your video is very informative and thank you. However why did not you reinstall the old ram in the the other 2 spare slots giving them a total of 12GB ? Also would it not have been quicker to migrate to the SSD before fitting it in the iMac or use a dock and migrate from the 3.5" to the SSD?
Thanks for watching! Regarding the RAM, there wasn't a reason; it didn't occur to me to do that at the time. You can definitely clone the drive entirely to save time if your current install is functioning properly. In this case, the customer reported some issues and the OS was several major versions behind, so I thought it would be better to do a clean install and copy the customer's data back to eliminate issues.
Hey there, How is it going? I have an Imac 21.5" Late 2009 as well, and it keeps restarting and shutting down on its own. Most searches I've done says that I need to replace the power supply, is that true? And I should add that GREAT VIDEO AS WELL, very thorough!
Hi, thanks for watching the video, I'm glad you liked it! There could be several reasons why the computer would shut down or restart on its own. It could be the power supply, or it could be a different hardware component or a software issue. I would start by trying to determine if it is a software issue first. Do you have an external hard drive you can install macOS onto? Let it run on the clean install of macOS from the external drive for a while. If it still shuts down or reboots, it is likely a hardware issue. If it runs fine for a long time, try re-installing macOS on the primary internal drive. Here is some more information: support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553 .
Is there any chance to find out what software you used to install High Sierra? I tried everything, I am not able to install the operation system. I have downloaded the image from apple but I could not install it in any way from USB. It is also not possible to install it with an internet connection. Is there a tutorial too, anywhere? I am a Windows user but I got an old iMac 2009 as present, installed a clean SSD, upgraded RAM to 16 GB, not Time Machine backup and I tried so many ways to install the OS, no chance :(
You need a working Mac to make an install USB drive. I use the included createinstallmedia tool as described in this Apple support article. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
Sure, if you don't want to clone the old hard drive and want to start fresh, you can clean install macOS if you create an install USB drive first, or just use Internet Recovery if that model supports it. You can use Migration Assistant to copy your user profile and apps over afterwards if you want, or just start from scratch with a blank system.
I'm don't remember this one specifically. That was a while ago. I usually go with Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for older systems with a hard drive. If it is a newer system with an SSD and it is running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or newer, I would go with APFS.
I don't know why they are calling them small and large. They are both the same part, but the "small" is only the temperature sensor and the "large" is the exact same temperature sensor but it comes with some tools as well. Either one will work. You just choose small if you only want the temperature sensor or large if you want the sensor and the kit with the tools.
@@G6TechnologyServices Hi, Sorry to bother you again. I did change the hard drive for an ssd drive, and also change the Thermal Sensor. But is very loud, fan runs all the time even with the sensor. Any help is appreciated 😣😣😣😫
I need your help, I've an old iMac 2007 20' which has a DDR2 RAM, I unscrewed it, removed it's original HDD and replaced it with new SSD, after that a white screen with Question ❓ Drive appears blinking. I just want to know how can I install a fresh macOS in it ? I've a Windows Keyboard and a Laptop with windows installed. Please help. A little help would be appreciated. Thank you.
The flashing folder with a question mark means the system can't find an OS to boot. That is normal. You will need to install macOS onto the new SSD with a bootable install USB drive using this procedure [ support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372 ] or clone the old HDD to the new SSD. You will need a working Mac to create the bootable install USB drive. I don't believe there is an easy way to do it from Windows. If you don't have access to a working Mac, you have a few options. 1) Put the old HDD back, create the USB drive, re-install the SSD 2) Use a SATA to USB adapter [ amzn.to/2TT3HL9 ] to plug in the old HDD, boot from it, then create the USB drive 3) Use the original disc that came with the computer and then upgrade to a current version. Good luck.
I'm not sure. I've never tried to replace the graphics card for an iMac. If they are socketed and not soldered, it should be possible, assuming there is driver support and the power requirements are within the computer's capabilities.
These late 2009 EMC 2308 iMacs have an Nvidia MCP79 SATA controller which has been known to limit the SATA 2 speed to SATA 1 on certain SSD drives. Did you confirm the negotiated speed in the about this Mac section using an EVO 860?
Thanks you share the full tutorial. I have this same Late 2009 model but 27 inch version, and my original hardisk is spoil and i replace with a 250gb crucial ssd. Can i know how to create the macOS Sierra bootable USB drive? Because the original macOS Snow Leopard installer CD is not working on my cd rom.
If you were not able to create a USB installer before the original hard drive stopped working, you will need to use another Mac to create a High Sierra bootable USB installer. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
I upgraded a late 2009 iMac with a new Superdrive and a SSD. All worked good except the fans run full speed all the time. Wondering if I plugged in the temp sensors incorrectly. When connecting the thermal two pin connectors, does the metal connector face toward the circuit board or away from it when inserting? Any help appreciated.
Hi! Congrats on the new SSD! Sorry you're having trouble with the thermal sensor. I don't remember which way around the connector goes. This upgrade was for a customer, so I don't have the iMac to look inside and check. I believe the connector only goes in one way, so if it plugged in all the way, it should be right. I would just make sure the power and data connectors are fully seated. They shouldn't need much force to plug in. If it doesn't want to easily plug in, try the other way. If it still doesn't work, see if you can take some high res photos and maybe I can spot the problem. Hope this helps. Good luck.
My 2009 iMac Won't turn on. It stays on the apple logo and spinning wheel. Do you think it has something to do with RAM or Hard drive? I tried entering Recovery mode and it just stays there. Hope you can help
When you turn the iMac on, does it eventually end up on a screen with a flashing folder or circle with a slash through it? It should move from the spinning wheel to another icon eventually. Let it run for a while to see what happens.
Hi, I put in an unformatted SSD in my 2010 imac and internet recovery is not progressing. Do I have to use bootable usb stick to get into disk utility? Much appreciated!
You should be able to use Internet Recovery to access Disk Utility to format and install macOS on an unformatted drive. If the iMac won't start up into Internet Recovery, try to plug it into the router directly instead of using Wi-Fi. That might help. If it still doesn't work, a bootable macOS install USB drive would be needed.
I spliced the sata cable on my mid 2011 iMac bypassing the hard drive temp sensor .Im not sure if u can do it on 2009 . its firmware on the hard drive .see my video. Fans run normal and passes any apple hardware text
Here's the link. www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/ You'll have to double check that the latest version is backward compatible with this model. If not, you might have to buy an older version. If you contact them, they will help you. www.micromat.com/getting-an-older-version-of-techtool-pro/
This is where I got it: www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel I don't have that computer anymore and I don't have the front page of the guide, so I'm not sure exactly which one it was. You would have to get the EMC number from the base of your iMac to find the correct guide. I'll include a link to the guide in future videos. Thanks for the suggestion.
MY IMAC IS 2009 20INCH 2.26GHZ INTEL CORE 2 DUO, 2G MEMORY. EVERYTIME WHEN I OPEN FEW WEBSIDE , IT WILL VERY SLOW... JUST WANT TO KNOW IF I CHANGE 2G MEMORY TO 8G,ITS THAT GONNA TO HELP TO SPEED UP?
Yes, increasing the amount of memory (RAM) from 2 GB to 8 GB should help with the issues you are describing. Web browsers use a lot of memory when multiple tabs are open, so increasing the amount of RAM should allow you to have more tabs open before the system starts to slow down again.
I followed this guide but there was no mention of having a bootable usb drive prepared. I have replaced the hdd with an unprepared ssd and cannot boot from the ssd. Edit: to add that in the end I could not boot up with the new SSD. Kept on getting a question mark. Could not even use the wireless keyboard and mouse (I do not own a wired keyboard or wired mouse). Had to take everything apart, put the old harddrive back in and then clone the SSD using a cable and disk utility. Cloning 1tb took amost 20 hours. I would therefore recommend that everyone clones their new SSD or installs an OS before carrying out the SSD swap. I thought I would be able to clone/install an OS after putting in the new SSD into the Imac without any other tools but just internet connection. After replacing the harddrive and the RAM I encountered constant random shut downs and kernal panics. Thought this was due to the new SSD but after another 24 hours I traced the issue to be the 4x 4gb Crucial RAM I installed at the same time as the SSD. Put the original 4x 2GB RAM back and everything is running smoothly. I did not use the OWC heat sensor but instead unscrewed the heat sensor logic board from the old HD (6 screws) and stuck it onto the new SSD meaning I could still connect the connector. I also used a fan control software to keep the SSD fan spinning at low RRPMs ensuring silent action. Everything is nice and quiet even at boot up. Thanks for the video.
If you already replaced the drive and closed the computer back up, you can make an install USB drive from another working Mac or use a SATA to USB adapter [ amzn.to/2TT3HL9 ] to plug the old drive in and clone it to the SSD with something like Carbon Copy Cloner, or make an install USB drive, or just use the install app to install right onto the SSD.
Nice video, my sister as given me the same iMac with exactly same problem! If I replace the same parts that you have, will I be able to load a new operating system on but set as new user rather than having to use my sisters apple details? New to iMac so just weary! Thanks Steve
Glad you liked the video! If you remove the current hard drive and install a new SSD and temperature sensor, the SSD will be completely blank and the computer will be unusable until you install macOS. You will need to use Internet Recovery if your model supports it, or create an installation flash drive before replacing the hard drive. After you get macOS installed, the computer will be ready to set up like it was just bought from the store. You would go through the setup process and create an account for yourself. None of the previous data will be there. support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
Hi, thanks for the reply, so what's the latest OS that will work on this iMac? And will I have to purchase it as I'm not the original owner of the imac! Cheers Steve
Hi Steve, you'll first need to identify the exact model of the iMac to determine the latest compatible OS. You can get the model by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and then clicking About This Mac. It should say something like iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009). If it doesn't, put the serial number into this website: checkcoverage.apple.com/. Once you have the model, check this website to see the latest compatible OS: eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility. If it is a Late 2009 iMac, the latest compatible OS is 10.13 High Sierra. You do not need to purchase the OS. Apple stopped charging for the OS years ago. Any modern version of macOS is free and allowed to be installed on any compatible Mac. macOS is available to download only and is not available to purchase at the store on a CD/DVD or flash drive. You should create a bootable install flash drive before replacing the hard drive. To do that, download the installer for the OS you will be installing from the Mac App Store. If you will be installing High Sierra, here is the Mac App Store link for it: itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?ls=1&mt=12. Get a 16 GB or larger flash drive that is empty or that can be erased. Follow the instructions on this website: support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372. Once you replace the hard drive with the SSD, put the flash drive in and the iMac should boot from it. Follow the instructions here to format the SSD: support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496. Then you should be ready to install macOS! Maybe I should make a video on this next time I get a Mac in the shop. Good luck!
Hi Philip, thanks for the great reply, is it possible to contact you through fb messenger if I have a question, as I dont like bombarding your RUclips page with personal questions! And yes my model is 21.5 inch late 2009 model Cheers Steve
Hi Steve, if you need additional help, you can email tech@g6inc.us. You can then ask to open a paid support ticket to get dedicated time on the phone or through screen sharing, otherwise if you don't want to open a paid support ticket, I will do my best to answer your questions via email when I have free time.
I think the 2009 model is too old to support internet recovery, so you would have to use an install USB flash drive or clone the drive before replacing it. If you've already replaced it, you can use a SATA to USB adapter to connect the old hard drive back to the computer to boot from it temporarily. amzn.to/2TT3HL9
We used the OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for iMac Late 2009 - Mid 2010 part number OWCDIDIMACHDD09 available from the manufacturer at eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD09/ or from Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017OEQKV2/.
I've done an SSD upgrade on a few iMacs with the magnetic front glass before this one, but I don't remember what year they were. We skipped the temp sensor and the fan ran at full speed all the time. You can try leaving it out to see what happens. As far as I have heard, they all need it. Is there somewhere that says otherwise?
G6 Technology Services . I have purchased the Application and created eDrive; however, when I boot from eDrive it starts entire OS, and does not give me a nice selection just to run TechTool Pro to diagnose the system. How were you able to create a bootable USB with Selection to run only the diagnostic tool? Thanks for your help. Info is for my personal use only, I’m not a shop or tech.
If you want to create a bootable USB flash drive, you would use TechTool Protogo. That should be in the same menu where eDrive is. snipboard.io/akRfAH.jpg
High Sierra (macOS 10.13) is the latest compatible version. I use this website to easily look that information up if you need to know about other models. eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
I get the manuals from iFixit. If you go to this link www.ifixit.com/Guide it will walk you through selecting which type of product you are working with all the way down to the specific model and then the part you want to change. Here is the link to the hard drive replacement guide for the iMac in this video. Printable PDF: www.ifixit.com/GuidePDF/link/1766/en Interactive: www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2308+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1766
Hi interesting video I am also looking for the thermal cable has an interesting price ... Because 40 € for a piece of cable of 24 cm and a thermal probe is theft ... So if anyone has a plan to find this cheap cable I'm a taker lol Or install SSD fan Control is free and it controls the temperature of the SSD HDD and all the mac Salut vidéo intéressante je cherche également le câble thermique a un prix intéressant ...car 40€ pour un bout de câble de 24 cm et une sonde thermiques c'est du vol ...alors si quelqu'un a un plan pour trouver ce câble pas cher je suis preneur lol Ou alors autant installer SSD fan Control c'est gratuit et ça contrôle la température du HDD SSD et de tout le mac
Chris Vita - FFKS, is there no limit as to what subject people are prepared to criticize 🙄. Great video, and just what I was looking for as I have the same. Very good computer if you look after it.
Rude. If this is in reference to the suction cups, I had never needed suction cups before. I have since purchased some in case I need them again. I'm surprised nobody pointed that out before. I thought I'd get roasted for that right away.
@@G6TechnologyServices I certainly don't want to be rude, sorry if it sounds like that but I'm just basing myself on facts. Why do you buy your equipment like a Pro from Amazon and not from a distributor or directly from the manufacturer. That’s what Pro’s do … not?
I get tools and parts from different places. I usually get unusual or small precision tools from iFixit, which is where I got the suction cups. Larger tools usually come from Home Depot or a similar type of store. Sometimes if I can’t find what I need from either of those, I’ll order from Amazon. I get a lot of common parts like SSDs and RAM from Amazon because it is cheaper than getting them locally and they ship next day. I get Mac parts and Mac batteries from iFixit because Apple won’t sell parts directly because I’m not an authorized service center. I do order Dell parts direct from the manufacturer. Distributors usually have minimum order requirements and won’t let you just get one or two of something. If I need a small quantity, I order from Amazon. Hope that answers your question.
The late 2009 iMac can take 16GB of ram. You installed 2 x 4GB and had 2 old ram cards. Why not leave them in the machine? My iMac has 2 x 2GB installed. I am waiting on 2 x 4GB sticks. Useing the old ram would give the client 12GB of ram. Also there is some discussion going on about the sensor wire. Is it REALLY necessary. It is said the sensor wire is a placebo and does nothing.. If readers/viewers are not confident about opening their iMac then they can clone the OS to a external USB SSD useing Disk Utility and set the external drive as the boot drive. Dramatic improvement in boot time but not as fast as you would get with replaceing the HD with a SSD. My hands shake from chemo in 2003 and 2012 so no operateing for me.
Oh yeah, I guess I could have left them in. Didn't think of it. I know the HDD thermal sensor has been a controversial topic for a long time. As far as it being a placebo, I don't think that's the case. The system can tell if the sensor is present or not and it does react to the temperature reading. I've done SSD upgrades on some iMacs in the past without the thermal sensor, and the fan ran constantly at full speed. Now I always put them in and it isn't a problem. As I've seen in some other videos, people have found ways to keep the fan from running at full speed like shorting the sensor connection to trick the system into thinking it is reading a low temperature. If people are doing their own upgrades, they can certainly try to bypass the sensor to save some money, but I don't like adding bodge wires, damaging factory wires and connectors, or using software fan control for customers. I try to keep things as factory as possible. Sorry I don't have a more definitive answer. Just going by my past experience.
That's true. Unlike Windows, macOS can easily be cloned and booted from an external drive. I wouldn't recommend doing that unless the computer has USB 3.0 or higher or Thunderbolt. I believe the late 2009 iMac only has USB 2.0, so it would likely be slower than the integrated hard drive.
@@G6TechnologyServices I think he meant repasting the CPU, which on such an old iMac would totally make sense as the old paste will probably be dust by now. I'm planning to do this upgrade, and if the CPU is not extremely hard to access I will for sure repaste it.
It couldn't hurt. iMacs aren't known for their thermal performance. I think everything in an iMac is extremely hard to access lol. Good luck with your project!
why would you not just leave in the 2x2 gig and then add in the 2 4 gigs to give the customer a total of 12 gigs of ram there are 4 slots in the late 2009 you just ripped of your customer of 4 gigs of ram extra ...these computers are supported for 16 gigs of ram total thats a total of 4x4 gig for 16 or 2x2 gig and 2x4 gig is 12 gigs of ram etc. i have been a certified apple tech for over 30 years now and never have i ripped off a customer.. what you have just done is totally wrong
This is probably the most thorough video explaining this procedure on RUclips. I have a 2007 iMac and I was researching how to install an SSD for it. Nice workshop, too!
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video! I try to make videos as complete as possible, including everything from start to finish.
For my 2010 27" iMac, I just bought an optical drive temperature sensor cable instead. It's less than ten bucks online and doesn't require a SATA splitter cable. You just plug the cable into the same socket on the logic board, and then stick the temp sensor end on the drive. Works fine, and fans run at normal speed.
Do you have a link or something?
I snipped the temperature sensor cable on my iMac 2009 and connected them together. No fan problem. Running well.
Great video, shows very clearly all the steps required, even data migration! Thanks
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked the video!
I replaced the HDD with a Samsung SSD, the memory I had already expanded to 12G a few years ago, my 2009 iMac now runs much faster.
Since I did not find the temperature sensor in Europe I just connected a 1K resistor instead (I read this somewhere on a site) and it works perfectly
I'm glad it worked out for you!
I’m pretty sure you don’t even need the resistor. Just short circuit the two wires. The temperature of the ssd doesn’t need to be monitored anyway.
(did this for the 27“ late 2009, but I’m pretty sure the smaller screen size isn’t any different)
side note. on early 2009 and newer iMacs with an intel chipset, you can reuse the temp sensor in the SSD. just be careful it's fragile.
Good to know
i had the 2010 model and your video did help me to get the screen out to swap in a ssd but there is a slight difference in the hdd temp sensors the 2010 model has the temp sensor plugged into the hard drive instead of glued to it so i just left the old sensor plugged into the motherboard and not plug into the drive... that will trick the fans into thinking there is a hdd installed and the fans wont go nuts... so any one that wants to do this upgrade on a 2010 model just leave the hdd temp sensor pluged into the motherboard but no actually plugged into a drive...
I’m glad the video was still able to help you and you got your project done!
Awesome video good detail only thing I will question is why you didn’t leave the old Ram in and with the new and built it up make it 10gb you have 4 slots
Thanks! Yeah, didn't think of it at the time.
Great video, very informative 👏 would love to get my late 2009 mac desktop up and running again..
Very clear n concise especially explaining y I need a thermal sensor if I replace the SSD!🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video!
Exactly my model 🤗🤗🤗 so excited, I’m going to start buying the bits now and get to work. Wish me luck!
Good luck on your project! Be sure to let me know how it goes! :)
G6 Technology Services thank you! :) I have most of the stuff getting delivered this Saturday. I am a little worried about the cleaning as I suspect it to be really dusty after 10 years and worried compressed air might lodge dirt in the wrong places. Do you have any advice/warnings/tips and recommended products for cleaning the inside and fans etc...?
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Blow out the fans and any other loose dust you see. The regular canned air should work fine. That's what I use. Be careful not to hold the can at an angle because it will spray liquid into the computer. It is helpful to have multiple cans if the computer is very dirty because they get very cold and stop working after a while until they settle and warm up, so you might need to alternate between them. If it is very dirty, you might want to spray out the bulk of the dust outdoors because it can make a mess inside. Don't try to vacuum the inside of the computer because it can cause static electricity to build up and damage the components. Save some of the canned air to blow off the LCD panel before putting the glass back on. Be careful not to get fingerprints on the LCD. When you take the LCD out, set it screen side up on a completely flat surface somewhere it won't get dirty or damaged. That's all I can think of right now. Good luck!
G6 Technology Services thanks for responding! Ok I might do the cleaning outside then :) just to confirm about holding can at an angle, should it be held upright at all times? Thanks again for your help
You're welcome; it's no problem! Yes, hold it upright at all times. You can test it out by spraying it outside and tilting it until the mist/liquid comes out so you can tell where the safe angles are. You can usually angle it slightly and be fine. You'll be able to get a better feel for it when you test it outside.
This adds one or two bits of info. to the other youtube videos on this topic, but not being able to read the screen is a great drawback. The others I have seen do it better in this respect.
This video was focused on the hardware aspect of the upgrade. I was trying not to get too much of the screen on camera to avoid accidentally showing any of the customer's private information.
Awesome! AWESOME!! Thanks man this is just what I was looking for, thanks for sharing.. God bless you!
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was useful!
Awesome video! Where can I download the diagnostic tool that you used here?
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video. I used Techtool Pro, which you can purchase and download here: www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/ . I used the included Protogo utility to create a bootable USB drive.
Outstanding video! I have the same model but I was wondering if you think upgrading the iMac is still worth it? I noticed that my late 2009 iMac 21.5" is kinda struggling streaming 1080p videos in RUclips (kinda choppy playback) and response time on some websites are a bit choppy. If it helps, my iMac has 16GB of RAM.
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I can't say for sure if an SSD will improve web browsing and streaming performance since there can be a few different factors that contribute to that, but I can say that in most cases an SSD upgrade will noticeably improve overall performance. If it is only web browsing and streaming that seem slow, I would suggest checking your network connection and Internet package to make sure they are providing a fast enough connection. A quick test on fast.com would be a good first step. In any case, if you don't mind putting in the time to install it and you can find an SSD in your price range, I would say go for it.
Hello, thank you for your video, I followed your instructions to the letter after buying all the items through your links, everything is perfect, the mac boots with High Sierra but the fan noise is still present. What do you think ? Thanks very much !
It could be a few things. I would double check your connections. Make sure the sensor is plugged in all the way and stuck to the SSD and not somewhere that will get too hot. If that doesn’t work, it could possibly be a bad temperature sensor.
@@G6TechnologyServices Yes, I checked and the cable was not plugged in the right way. Thanks a lot !
You’re welcome! I’m glad you were able to get it working.
This is the most thorough video I've seen, it's really helpful, thank you! My ultimate goal is to make my iMac faster and less laggy. An SSD and new RAM will help in achieving this, right?
Thanks for watching. You're welcome! Yes, replacing the hard drive with an SSD and increasing the amount of RAM will definitely make the computer more responsive and able to handle more tasks at once!
G6 Technology Services thanks for your quick response!!
You're welcome! Good luck on the upgrade!
Although I'm not afraid to tinker with something I've never tried before, however, I worried that I may not buy the compatible upgrades that may be too much or too little. Are the recommended upgrades in the best for my iMac late 2009 or are they the middle of the road upgrades? Meaning instead of the 500GB can I go to 1TB.
That iMac can support up to 16 GB of RAM and there isn't really a limit on storage size. It all depends on how you will be using the computer. The SSD size doesn't really affect the computer's performance. The smallest SSD you should choose should be large enough to fit all of your files and then still have 50% free. That is the general rule I try to follow. Once the SSD starts to get very full, the performance and lifespan can decrease. You can increase the lifespan of the drive by choosing one that is much larger than you need if you have the budget for it. I would recommend no less than 8 GB of RAM, but you can put in 16 GB to allow for more open browser tabs and programs at once if it is in your budget. I hope this was helpful.
Thank you very much for the excellent video. I would like to change the old hard drive in my early 2009 24 inch Imac for a Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (MZ-76Q1T0) and was wondering if you were able to tell me whether I would be able use the same additions used in your video (ie the OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor and the Sabrent 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit) when installing the new ssd?
Thanks ever so much. Liam
Hi, I'm glad you liked the video. Yes, the temperature sensor should work with any 2009 or 2010 iMac and the other components are universal, so they will work as well. Good luck with your project!
Hi. Great video. I have the same model - Late 2009 iMac, 21.5” A1311, with 8GB RAM. I am running El Capitan 10.11.6 and on boot-up, it takes ages before the progress bar shows up and after that, is not too bad.
I have just ordered a 250GB SSD for mine.
Where did you get that Temperature Sensor from? I have looked on eBay but can only see leads for my model but only having connectors on both ends.
There is one for the Optical DVD Drive, with the actual sensor that gets taped to the drive. Would that work, even if I had to splice the wires to the existing connector?
Regards, Rob.
The SSD should definitely speed up that boot time as well as improve general system performance! I ordered all the parts for this project from Amazon. This is the temperature sensor I used: OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor - amzn.to/2HnRmIE . The other parts are linked in the description, but here they are again for your convenience. Good luck on your project!
Samsung 860 EVO - amzn.to/2Wc1OuM
OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor - amzn.to/2HnRmIE
Sabrent 2.5 Inch to 3.5 Inch Internal Hard Disk Drive Mounting Kit - amzn.to/2EeAbY5
Crucial 8 GB RAM Kit - amzn.to/2TVuRS8
StarTech SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter - amzn.to/2TT3HL9
@@G6TechnologyServices Thanks for your reply. Can be a bit pricey for me though, coming from the USA, by time you add hefty postage charges and customs duties What I have got is a Crucial MX500 250GB SATA III SSD for £32 sterling inc post and an OWC In-Line Digital Thermal Sensor HHD Upgrade Cable. Both off eBay. I've already got a 3.25"/2.5" mounting kit from a previous project.
Regards, Robert.
This is the best video on this subject that I have seen. I can't get the display data cable back into its slot. Any tips on that?
Thanks! I had trouble with that part too. It just takes patience and you’ll get it eventually.
Very helpful video. Thank you. I recommend you move the camera to right over the computer, as we don't need to see such a wide shot, and it would help to be overhead or up close.
I'm glad you liked the video! Thanks for the feedback.
incredibly helpful !!
I’m glad you liked the video!
Thank you alot for your video. I have iMac mid 2010, 21.5'', 12GB Ram and replaced my old not working HD. Tried reinstaling macOS using bootable usb drive made with TransMac and Mac_OS_X_Snow_Leopard_10.6_10a432.dmg image file. My usb flash drive regognized but when I selected, iMac freeze at Apple logo. Finally I made bootable usb using vmware macOS system and manage to boot and reinstall the operating system.
Hi, really nice tutorial ! wich diagnostic program did you use ?
Thanks, I'm glad you liked the video! I used Techtool Pro, which comes with a utility to make bootable USB drives. www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/
Great video,Where can buy the crucial memory 8GB Kit - 2X 4GB Thanks
We usually get it from Amazon. Here is the link to Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1066 MT/s, which will be compatible with the iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009). amzn.to/2A14xe2
I know it's my fault, but the most difficult part that you fast forward cost me the LVDS connector :( I wonder how much the replacement will cost.
Still pretty crazy that a 2009 iMac is still completely functional and usable in 2020 with a few small inexpensive upgrades. My old c2d windows based system was feeling slugish even with 8gb ram and ssd
Yeah, that's great!
My old 2007 vaio laptop with 4gb, ssd and Windows still runs amazing. I had more problems with freezing apple apps in a new computer with a m1 chip. If your windows pc is slow is not a problem with the OS.
Hello, its the same procedure with iMac 27 inch late 2009? thank you so much!
It’s probably similar. Check out iFixit.com for the manual.
Not to bash you as your video is very informative and thank you. However why did not you reinstall the old ram in the the other 2 spare slots giving them a total of 12GB ? Also would it not have been quicker to migrate to the SSD before fitting it in the iMac or use a dock and migrate from the 3.5" to the SSD?
Thanks for watching! Regarding the RAM, there wasn't a reason; it didn't occur to me to do that at the time. You can definitely clone the drive entirely to save time if your current install is functioning properly. In this case, the customer reported some issues and the OS was several major versions behind, so I thought it would be better to do a clean install and copy the customer's data back to eliminate issues.
Ok that makes sense, I didn’t know that last bit of information. So you make sense what you did
Hey there, How is it going?
I have an Imac 21.5" Late 2009 as well, and it keeps restarting and shutting down on its own.
Most searches I've done says that I need to replace the power supply, is that true?
And I should add that GREAT VIDEO AS WELL, very thorough!
Hi, thanks for watching the video, I'm glad you liked it! There could be several reasons why the computer would shut down or restart on its own. It could be the power supply, or it could be a different hardware component or a software issue. I would start by trying to determine if it is a software issue first. Do you have an external hard drive you can install macOS onto? Let it run on the clean install of macOS from the external drive for a while. If it still shuts down or reboots, it is likely a hardware issue. If it runs fine for a long time, try re-installing macOS on the primary internal drive. Here is some more information: support.apple.com/en-us/HT200553 .
Is there any chance to find out what software you used to install High Sierra? I tried everything, I am not able to install the operation system. I have downloaded the image from apple but I could not install it in any way from USB. It is also not possible to install it with an internet connection. Is there a tutorial too, anywhere? I am a Windows user but I got an old iMac 2009 as present, installed a clean SSD, upgraded RAM to 16 GB, not Time Machine backup and I tried so many ways to install the OS, no chance :(
You need a working Mac to make an install USB drive. I use the included createinstallmedia tool as described in this Apple support article. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
You deserve more subs, man. A damn shame
Thanks, glad you liked the video!
Thorough video: question I have is if I am upgrading my existing HD on my 2011 Imac to an ssd, can I do a clean install of the Mac OS?
Sure, if you don't want to clone the old hard drive and want to start fresh, you can clean install macOS if you create an install USB drive first, or just use Internet Recovery if that model supports it. You can use Migration Assistant to copy your user profile and apps over afterwards if you want, or just start from scratch with a blank system.
What did you format the new SSD to? MacOS Extended Journaled or APFS?
I'm don't remember this one specifically. That was a while ago. I usually go with Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for older systems with a hard drive. If it is a newer system with an SSD and it is running macOS 10.13 High Sierra or newer, I would go with APFS.
/HI, the OWC In-Line Thermal Sensor you use is the small one or large? PLEASE..
I don't know why they are calling them small and large. They are both the same part, but the "small" is only the temperature sensor and the "large" is the exact same temperature sensor but it comes with some tools as well. Either one will work. You just choose small if you only want the temperature sensor or large if you want the sensor and the kit with the tools.
@@G6TechnologyServices Thank you for answer me... I already bought the small ....
@@G6TechnologyServices Hi, Sorry to bother you again. I did change the hard drive for an ssd drive, and also change the Thermal Sensor. But is very loud, fan runs all the time even with the sensor. Any help is appreciated 😣😣😣😫
I need your help, I've an old iMac 2007 20' which has a DDR2 RAM, I unscrewed it, removed it's original HDD and replaced it with new SSD, after that a white screen with Question ❓ Drive appears blinking. I just want to know how can I install a fresh macOS in it ? I've a Windows Keyboard and a Laptop with windows installed. Please help. A little help would be appreciated. Thank you.
The flashing folder with a question mark means the system can't find an OS to boot. That is normal. You will need to install macOS onto the new SSD with a bootable install USB drive using this procedure [ support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372 ] or clone the old HDD to the new SSD. You will need a working Mac to create the bootable install USB drive. I don't believe there is an easy way to do it from Windows. If you don't have access to a working Mac, you have a few options. 1) Put the old HDD back, create the USB drive, re-install the SSD 2) Use a SATA to USB adapter [ amzn.to/2TT3HL9 ] to plug in the old HDD, boot from it, then create the USB drive 3) Use the original disc that came with the computer and then upgrade to a current version. Good luck.
Hi, thank for the video. However I want my iMac have better video quality and faster, Can I install ATI Radeon HD 6970 rather the ATI Radeon HD 4850?
I'm not sure. I've never tried to replace the graphics card for an iMac. If they are socketed and not soldered, it should be possible, assuming there is driver support and the power requirements are within the computer's capabilities.
These late 2009 EMC 2308 iMacs have an Nvidia MCP79 SATA controller which has been known to limit the SATA 2 speed to SATA 1 on certain SSD drives. Did you confirm the negotiated speed in the about this Mac section using an EVO 860?
No, I didn’t check. I’ve never heard of that problem. Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks you share the full tutorial. I have this same Late 2009 model but 27 inch version, and my original hardisk is spoil and i replace with a 250gb crucial ssd. Can i know how to create the macOS Sierra bootable USB drive? Because the original macOS Snow Leopard installer CD is not working on my cd rom.
If you were not able to create a USB installer before the original hard drive stopped working, you will need to use another Mac to create a High Sierra bootable USB installer. support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372
@@G6TechnologyServices Thanks You, will find a Mac to try it out. Thanks your help.
I upgraded a late 2009 iMac with a new Superdrive and a SSD. All worked good except the fans run full speed all the time. Wondering if I plugged in the temp sensors incorrectly. When connecting the thermal two pin connectors, does the metal connector face toward the circuit board or away from it when inserting? Any help appreciated.
Hi! Congrats on the new SSD! Sorry you're having trouble with the thermal sensor. I don't remember which way around the connector goes. This upgrade was for a customer, so I don't have the iMac to look inside and check. I believe the connector only goes in one way, so if it plugged in all the way, it should be right. I would just make sure the power and data connectors are fully seated. They shouldn't need much force to plug in. If it doesn't want to easily plug in, try the other way. If it still doesn't work, see if you can take some high res photos and maybe I can spot the problem. Hope this helps. Good luck.
My 2009 iMac Won't turn on. It stays on the apple logo and spinning wheel. Do you think it has something to do with RAM or Hard drive? I tried entering Recovery mode and it just stays there. Hope you can help
When you turn the iMac on, does it eventually end up on a screen with a flashing folder or circle with a slash through it? It should move from the spinning wheel to another icon eventually. Let it run for a while to see what happens.
top notch job very helpful
Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video!
Sorry but i no see something with the sensor , can you explain where i put the thermic sensor please
It varies by model. Is yours a 21.5" Late 2009 iMac or a different year or model?
Nice and neat! looks like a Dr's office! so many computer guys are slobs!!
Thanks. I try to keep things organized!
You do a fine job!! keep it up!
Thanks! :)
Hi, I put in an unformatted SSD in my 2010 imac and internet recovery is not progressing. Do I have to use bootable usb stick to get into disk utility? Much appreciated!
You should be able to use Internet Recovery to access Disk Utility to format and install macOS on an unformatted drive. If the iMac won't start up into Internet Recovery, try to plug it into the router directly instead of using Wi-Fi. That might help. If it still doesn't work, a bootable macOS install USB drive would be needed.
G6 Technology Services thank you. I used the alt option with the external backup drive and got into disk utility. It works fine now.
Glad you got it working!
Just wondering why you didn’t keep the extra 2x 2GB RAM so you have 12 GB RAM total. I did this on my iMac.
There wasn't a reason. I just didn't think to do that at the time.
How do keep the 2x2GB Ram if there is not extra memory slot?
I spliced the sata cable on my mid 2011 iMac bypassing the hard drive temp sensor .Im not sure if u can do it on 2009 . its firmware on the hard drive .see my video. Fans run normal and passes any apple hardware text
Glad it worked out for you.
Where can i get the diagnostic software?
Here's the link. www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro/ You'll have to double check that the latest version is backward compatible with this model. If not, you might have to buy an older version. If you contact them, they will help you. www.micromat.com/getting-an-older-version-of-techtool-pro/
I use Linux with MBPFAN on my old mac so I don't need the thermal sensor. Nice video.
Cool, glad you liked the video!
You should share the guide you printed out in video description.
This is where I got it: www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel
I don't have that computer anymore and I don't have the front page of the guide, so I'm not sure exactly which one it was. You would have to get the EMC number from the base of your iMac to find the correct guide. I'll include a link to the guide in future videos. Thanks for the suggestion.
MY IMAC IS 2009 20INCH 2.26GHZ INTEL CORE 2 DUO, 2G MEMORY. EVERYTIME WHEN I OPEN FEW WEBSIDE , IT WILL VERY SLOW... JUST WANT TO KNOW IF I CHANGE 2G MEMORY TO 8G,ITS THAT GONNA TO HELP TO SPEED UP?
Yes, increasing the amount of memory (RAM) from 2 GB to 8 GB should help with the issues you are describing. Web browsers use a lot of memory when multiple tabs are open, so increasing the amount of RAM should allow you to have more tabs open before the system starts to slow down again.
G6 Technology Services thank you so much
I followed this guide but there was no mention of having a bootable usb drive prepared. I have replaced the hdd with an unprepared ssd and cannot boot from the ssd.
Edit: to add that in the end I could not boot up with the new SSD. Kept on getting a question mark. Could not even use the wireless keyboard and mouse (I do not own a wired keyboard or wired mouse). Had to take everything apart, put the old harddrive back in and then clone the SSD using a cable and disk utility. Cloning 1tb took amost 20 hours.
I would therefore recommend that everyone clones their new SSD or installs an OS before carrying out the SSD swap. I thought I would be able to clone/install an OS after putting in the new SSD into the Imac without any other tools but just internet connection.
After replacing the harddrive and the RAM I encountered constant random shut downs and kernal panics. Thought this was due to the new SSD but after another 24 hours I traced the issue to be the 4x 4gb Crucial RAM I installed at the same time as the SSD. Put the original 4x 2GB RAM back and everything is running smoothly.
I did not use the OWC heat sensor but instead unscrewed the heat sensor logic board from the old HD (6 screws) and stuck it onto the new SSD meaning I could still connect the connector. I also used a fan control software to keep the SSD fan spinning at low RRPMs ensuring silent action. Everything is nice and quiet even at boot up.
Thanks for the video.
If you already replaced the drive and closed the computer back up, you can make an install USB drive from another working Mac or use a SATA to USB adapter [ amzn.to/2TT3HL9 ] to plug the old drive in and clone it to the SSD with something like Carbon Copy Cloner, or make an install USB drive, or just use the install app to install right onto the SSD.
Thank You very helpful.
You're welcome! I'm glad you liked the video!
Where to go for an iFixit Manual?
www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2308+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1766
Nice video, my sister as given me the same iMac with exactly same problem! If I replace the same parts that you have, will I be able to load a new operating system on but set as new user rather than having to use my sisters apple details?
New to iMac so just weary! Thanks Steve
Glad you liked the video! If you remove the current hard drive and install a new SSD and temperature sensor, the SSD will be completely blank and the computer will be unusable until you install macOS. You will need to use Internet Recovery if your model supports it, or create an installation flash drive before replacing the hard drive. After you get macOS installed, the computer will be ready to set up like it was just bought from the store. You would go through the setup process and create an account for yourself. None of the previous data will be there. support.apple.com/en-us/HT204904
Hi, thanks for the reply, so what's the latest OS that will work on this iMac? And will I have to purchase it as I'm not the original owner of the imac! Cheers Steve
Hi Steve, you'll first need to identify the exact model of the iMac to determine the latest compatible OS. You can get the model by clicking the Apple menu in the top left corner of the screen and then clicking About This Mac. It should say something like iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009). If it doesn't, put the serial number into this website: checkcoverage.apple.com/. Once you have the model, check this website to see the latest compatible OS: eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility. If it is a Late 2009 iMac, the latest compatible OS is 10.13 High Sierra. You do not need to purchase the OS. Apple stopped charging for the OS years ago. Any modern version of macOS is free and allowed to be installed on any compatible Mac. macOS is available to download only and is not available to purchase at the store on a CD/DVD or flash drive. You should create a bootable install flash drive before replacing the hard drive. To do that, download the installer for the OS you will be installing from the Mac App Store. If you will be installing High Sierra, here is the Mac App Store link for it: itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-high-sierra/id1246284741?ls=1&mt=12. Get a 16 GB or larger flash drive that is empty or that can be erased. Follow the instructions on this website: support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372. Once you replace the hard drive with the SSD, put the flash drive in and the iMac should boot from it. Follow the instructions here to format the SSD: support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496. Then you should be ready to install macOS! Maybe I should make a video on this next time I get a Mac in the shop. Good luck!
Hi Philip, thanks for the great reply, is it possible to contact you through fb messenger if I have a question, as I dont like bombarding your RUclips page with personal questions!
And yes my model is 21.5 inch late 2009 model
Cheers Steve
Hi Steve, if you need additional help, you can email tech@g6inc.us. You can then ask to open a paid support ticket to get dedicated time on the phone or through screen sharing, otherwise if you don't want to open a paid support ticket, I will do my best to answer your questions via email when I have free time.
Is there a problem with using the old ram with the new ram, 12 g ?
No, there's no problem doing that. You can safely leave your existing RAM installed and add more.
i cant get mine into recovery mode to clone my HDD, is there a way to do this?
I think the 2009 model is too old to support internet recovery, so you would have to use an install USB flash drive or clone the drive before replacing it. If you've already replaced it, you can use a SATA to USB adapter to connect the old hard drive back to the computer to boot from it temporarily. amzn.to/2TT3HL9
6:05 what were you using my imac is very clogged up with dist
It has several names: canned air, spray duster, etc. I get it from Office Depot. amzn.to/30xu3WB
Hi I have 2010 21.5 model where can I get temperature sensor please can you tell me
We used the OWC In-line Digital Thermal Sensor for iMac Late 2009 - Mid 2010 part number OWCDIDIMACHDD09 available from the manufacturer at eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD09/ or from Amazon at www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017OEQKV2/.
I've done an SSD upgrade on a few iMacs with the magnetic front glass before this one, but I don't remember what year they were. We skipped the temp sensor and the fan ran at full speed all the time. You can try leaving it out to see what happens. As far as I have heard, they all need it. Is there somewhere that says otherwise?
Masz lajka zią
Thanks sir.Nice vid very helpfull
Thank you! I'm glad you liked the video!
What application for diagnostic are you using?
It is called TechTool Pro. www.micromat.com/products/techtool-pro
@@G6TechnologyServices Thank you
G6 Technology Services . I have purchased the Application and created eDrive; however, when I boot from eDrive it starts entire OS, and does not give me a nice selection just to run TechTool Pro to diagnose the system. How were you able to create a bootable USB with Selection to run only the diagnostic tool? Thanks for your help. Info is for my personal use only, I’m not a shop or tech.
If you want to create a bootable USB flash drive, you would use TechTool Protogo. That should be in the same menu where eDrive is. snipboard.io/akRfAH.jpg
Eventually, My 27" imac will be upgraded to an ssd drive 2tb.
Nice! I just installed a 2 TB SSD for someone recently. I'm sure you will be happy with it!
It has to be night and day regarding speed and smoothness!
Yes, moving from a traditional hard drive to an SSD makes a very noticeable difference. In many cases, it feels like a new computer!
Sorry bu your camera placement left everything to my imagination. However, your verbals were excellent.
I know it wasn't the best angle. I'm looking into an overhead mounting option. That way I can get a better angle without having a tripod in the way.
A year and a half later, what would be the highest OS upgrade for this model?
High Sierra (macOS 10.13) is the latest compatible version. I use this website to easily look that information up if you need to know about other models. eshop.macsales.com/guides/Mac_OS_X_Compatibility
Where can I get that paper manual you referenced throughout the swap?
I get the manuals from iFixit. If you go to this link www.ifixit.com/Guide it will walk you through selecting which type of product you are working with all the way down to the specific model and then the part you want to change. Here is the link to the hard drive replacement guide for the iMac in this video.
Printable PDF: www.ifixit.com/GuidePDF/link/1766/en
Interactive: www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2308+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1766
The OWC thermal sensor is completely unnecessary and overpriced. If u chop of the thermal sensor it will still act normal
Hi interesting video I am also looking for the thermal cable has an interesting price ... Because 40 € for a piece of cable of 24 cm and a thermal probe is theft ... So if anyone has a plan to find this cheap cable I'm a taker lol Or install SSD fan Control is free and it controls the temperature of the SSD HDD and all the mac
Salut vidéo intéressante je cherche également le câble thermique a un prix intéressant ...car 40€ pour un bout de câble de 24 cm et une sonde thermiques c'est du vol ...alors si quelqu'un a un plan pour trouver ce câble pas cher je suis preneur lol Ou alors autant installer SSD fan Control c'est gratuit et ça contrôle la température du HDD SSD et de tout le mac
Dude! Terrible camera angle!
Thanks for the feedback.We'll work on that.
Get a taller table or sit down when you work. Leaning over like that all the time is not good for you.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Chris Vita - FFKS, is there no limit as to what subject people are prepared to criticize 🙄.
Great video, and just what I was looking for as I have the same. Very good computer if you look after it.
Glad you liked the video! Very true.
That unboxing noise is so cringy. lol.
Haha sorry.
Mmm … a pro IT service that doesn’t have the correct tools …
Rude. If this is in reference to the suction cups, I had never needed suction cups before. I have since purchased some in case I need them again. I'm surprised nobody pointed that out before. I thought I'd get roasted for that right away.
@@G6TechnologyServices I certainly don't want to be rude, sorry if it sounds like that but I'm just basing myself on facts. Why do you buy your equipment like a Pro from Amazon and not from a distributor or directly from the manufacturer. That’s what Pro’s do … not?
I get tools and parts from different places. I usually get unusual or small precision tools from iFixit, which is where I got the suction cups. Larger tools usually come from Home Depot or a similar type of store. Sometimes if I can’t find what I need from either of those, I’ll order from Amazon.
I get a lot of common parts like SSDs and RAM from Amazon because it is cheaper than getting them locally and they ship next day. I get Mac parts and Mac batteries from iFixit because Apple won’t sell parts directly because I’m not an authorized service center. I do order Dell parts direct from the manufacturer. Distributors usually have minimum order requirements and won’t let you just get one or two of something. If I need a small quantity, I order from Amazon. Hope that answers your question.
@@G6TechnologyServices Ok .. now I understand it. Keep up the good work!
The late 2009 iMac can take 16GB of ram. You installed 2 x 4GB and had 2 old ram cards. Why not leave them in the machine? My iMac has 2 x 2GB installed. I am waiting on 2 x 4GB sticks. Useing the old ram would give the client 12GB of ram. Also there is some discussion going on about the sensor wire. Is it REALLY necessary. It is said the sensor wire is a placebo and does nothing.. If readers/viewers are not confident about opening their iMac then they can clone the OS to a external USB SSD useing Disk Utility and set the external drive as the boot drive. Dramatic improvement in boot time but not as fast as you would get with replaceing the HD with a SSD. My hands shake from chemo in 2003 and 2012 so no operateing for me.
Oh yeah, I guess I could have left them in. Didn't think of it. I know the HDD thermal sensor has been a controversial topic for a long time. As far as it being a placebo, I don't think that's the case. The system can tell if the sensor is present or not and it does react to the temperature reading. I've done SSD upgrades on some iMacs in the past without the thermal sensor, and the fan ran constantly at full speed. Now I always put them in and it isn't a problem. As I've seen in some other videos, people have found ways to keep the fan from running at full speed like shorting the sensor connection to trick the system into thinking it is reading a low temperature. If people are doing their own upgrades, they can certainly try to bypass the sensor to save some money, but I don't like adding bodge wires, damaging factory wires and connectors, or using software fan control for customers. I try to keep things as factory as possible. Sorry I don't have a more definitive answer. Just going by my past experience.
That's true. Unlike Windows, macOS can easily be cloned and booted from an external drive. I wouldn't recommend doing that unless the computer has USB 3.0 or higher or Thunderbolt. I believe the late 2009 iMac only has USB 2.0, so it would likely be slower than the integrated hard drive.
Thermal paste dude!
The hard drive temperature sensor doesn't need thermal paste.
@@G6TechnologyServices I think he meant repasting the CPU, which on such an old iMac would totally make sense as the old paste will probably be dust by now. I'm planning to do this upgrade, and if the CPU is not extremely hard to access I will for sure repaste it.
It couldn't hurt. iMacs aren't known for their thermal performance. I think everything in an iMac is extremely hard to access lol. Good luck with your project!
why would you not just leave in the 2x2 gig and then add in the 2 4 gigs to give the customer a total of 12 gigs of ram there are 4 slots in the late 2009 you just ripped of your customer of 4 gigs of ram extra ...these computers are supported for 16 gigs of ram total thats a total of 4x4 gig for 16 or 2x2 gig and 2x4 gig is 12 gigs of ram etc. i have been a certified apple tech for over 30 years now and never have i ripped off a customer.. what you have just done is totally wrong