Hard Drive Toast which way should I go.
Jul 20, 2018 06:59:25 #
Country's Mama wrote:
My 27in imac (2011) is very sick and needs it's hard drive replaced. I am thinking about buying a mac mini to replace it and then using the 27 in monitor with it. The other option is to replace the whole machine. Does anyone use a mac mini and what are your thoughts? I could also replace the hard drive, but I would need to find one and get it replaced on my own. Apple does not support this computer anymore.
My 2011 27" is still running fine, but if the hard drive fails, I'll replace it. I never had any interest in the mini. I would look for a refurbished 27", which is what I bought in 2012. It's easy to add memory to that one. Replacing the drive seems like a bit of a job.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ivqKp79RCw
Jul 20, 2018 07:50:01 #
I run my 27" iMac (late 2011) off an external SSD via Thunderbolt, plenty fast. I made the external by taking the spinny drive out of a LaCie rugged external portable and putting a 1TB SSD in it.
The only issue I have is that when restarting, I need to hold the option key and select the SSD as boot.
The only issue I have is that when restarting, I need to hold the option key and select the SSD as boot.
Jul 20, 2018 08:01:04 #
Mac Mini are good for basic/occasional computer use. I have one along with my 27" iMac. I'm always on the iMac and never on the mini. anyone want to buy a nice mini? hardly ever used.
Jul 20, 2018 08:02:19 #
Jul 20, 2018 08:04:00 #
Thank you for all of your help. I have found a wonderful PC repair shop nearby that put me in touch with a Mac guy that will replace my harddrive and get my files off my crashed drive for a reasonable amount. I know with the age of my computer a new computer is in my future but for now I can keep going on this computer which I LOVE.
Thank you all again.
Thank you all again.
Jul 20, 2018 08:45:34 #
>I run my 27" iMac (late 2011) off an external SSD via Thunderbolt
I run my mid 2011 Mac mini the same way. You can go into System Preferences > Startup Disk and set the external SSD as your boot drive. Then you won't need to use the Option key.
I run my mid 2011 Mac mini the same way. You can go into System Preferences > Startup Disk and set the external SSD as your boot drive. Then you won't need to use the Option key.
Jul 20, 2018 08:47:12 #
hawleyrw
Loc: Dayton, OH
Question: do you need to recover files from the dead drive? If so, take to a tech, they might be able to resolve. If not, recovery is expensive to the order of 2-3K. If you’re just looking for another solution what I do is use a hard drive, replace the old with new - should be able to do yourself. If not,call a tech to do, BUT I also back all my photos up to the cloud. This is just in case someone steals my equipment or the HD goes bad with critical data on it.
Jul 20, 2018 08:48:19 #
Country's Mama wrote:
Thank you for all of your help. I have found a wonderful PC repair shop nearby that put me in touch with a Mac guy that will replace my harddrive and get my files off my crashed drive for a reasonable amount. I know with the age of my computer a new computer is in my future but for now I can keep going on this computer which I LOVE.
Thank you all again.
Thank you all again.
Glad to hear it. Unless you need a large internal drive for photo storage, I’d seriously consider installing an SSD rather than a conventional HD - you’ll be amazed at the performance increase, and you can always use an external drive for photos if you find the SSD too small for that.
Jul 20, 2018 09:05:12 #
jbk224
Loc: Long Island, NY
Ok.
You've got lots of different answers.
In order to determine what you can do; go to OWC.net Look up your iMac model. You will now find many options:
1. Upgrade only your Hard Drive. IMO, go with a SSD drive. No matter what drive you go with, you will need a thermal sensor installed.
2. You may also upgrade your RAM. This is probably the most important optional upgrade once you have an operating computer.
And, OWC can do this all for you as well.
All of this boils down to your final cost to do this work. If the cost of a new iMac is too much, then go for this. If, the cost difference is not that significant, then buy a new iMac.
I have both iMac and Mac Mini. I also replaced the HD in my iMac with an SSD and increased the RAM. It was worth it.
Last consideration is the operating system. You can check with OWC if your upgraded iMac will accommodate the latest OS X (if this is important to you).
Here are some links to OWC that may be helpful.
https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz/internal-drives
https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/
You've got lots of different answers.
In order to determine what you can do; go to OWC.net Look up your iMac model. You will now find many options:
1. Upgrade only your Hard Drive. IMO, go with a SSD drive. No matter what drive you go with, you will need a thermal sensor installed.
2. You may also upgrade your RAM. This is probably the most important optional upgrade once you have an operating computer.
And, OWC can do this all for you as well.
All of this boils down to your final cost to do this work. If the cost of a new iMac is too much, then go for this. If, the cost difference is not that significant, then buy a new iMac.
I have both iMac and Mac Mini. I also replaced the HD in my iMac with an SSD and increased the RAM. It was worth it.
Last consideration is the operating system. You can check with OWC if your upgraded iMac will accommodate the latest OS X (if this is important to you).
Here are some links to OWC that may be helpful.
https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz/internal-drives
https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/imac-27-inch-mid-2011-2.7-ghz
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/
Jul 20, 2018 09:27:34 #
mflowe
Loc: Port Deposit, MD
Country's Mama wrote:
My 27in imac (2011) is very sick and needs it's hard drive replaced. I am thinking about buying a mac mini to replace it and then using the 27 in monitor with it. The other option is to replace the whole machine. Does anyone use a mac mini and what are your thoughts? I could also replace the hard drive, but I would need to find one and get it replaced on my own. Apple does not support this computer anymore.
You've already had plenty of good suggestions, but if you wanted to go with the mini or any other desktop, I was always under the impression the Imac could not be used as a external monitor.
Jul 20, 2018 09:43:18 #
peterg
Loc: Santa Rosa, CA
jbk224 wrote:
Ok. You've got lots of different answers. In order to determine what you can do; go to OWC.net Look up your iMac model. You will now find many options:
OWC (Other World Computing), AKA "MacSales" is my go-to place to fix/upgrade my old Macs. One example of needed tools for your iMac's drive replacement is at: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/imacdiy/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=imacdiykits&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItNLsk-at3AIVhV9-Ch3RDAADEAAYASAAEgLyyfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds .Jul 20, 2018 10:06:52 #
bpulv
Loc: Buena Park, CA
Country's Mama wrote:
My 27in imac (2011) is very sick and needs it's hard drive replaced. I am thinking about buying a mac mini to replace it and then using the 27 in monitor with it. The other option is to replace the whole machine. Does anyone use a mac mini and what are your thoughts? I could also replace the hard drive, but I would need to find one and get it replaced on my own. Apple does not support this computer anymore.
Cost is obviously an issue for you or you would just buy a new iMac. Have you considered getting an external USB hard drive or SSD (an external SSD on that computer will not noticeably increase speed, but an SSD is more reliable than a hard drive)? You can set it up as a boot disk and copy everything from your flaky internal drive to it. It will be slower, but should be reliable. I am not sure, but you may be able to use Boot Camp to do the transfer, but if not, there are other methods.
Jul 20, 2018 10:26:25 #
TriX wrote:
Glad to hear it. Unless you need a large internal drive for photo storage, I’d seriously consider installing an SSD rather than a conventional HD - you’ll be amazed at the performance increase, and you can always use an external drive for photos if you find the SSD too small for that.
I wholeheartedly second this advise. I had an SSD installed on a MacBook Pro and the difference is very very apparent.
Jul 20, 2018 10:28:05 #
I had a similar problem with my late 2012 iMac-27. The 1TB hdd was getting wonky, but I wasn't ready to get a new computer because I'm still happy with my 2012 model. I did some research and discovered that I had two main options: replace the hdd, or boot and run my iMac from an external drive. Bear in mind that my iMac has the faster 3.0 usb ports, while the 2011 models have slower 2.0. I used macsales.com (OWC's website) as a reference regarding the upgrade options - they have nice instructional videos. I was squeamish about opening up my iMac, so I bought a 1TB ssd (solid state drive is much faster than hdd), installed it in an external usb 3.0 enclosure, installed a fresh copy of Mac OS High Sierra, followed all the basic directions for running an iMac from an external drive (tons of info on the web) and then re-installed all my apps and settings from Time Machine backup. Of course, I did a backup before doing all the above. Once I ascertained that everything was working fine after one week, I re-formatted the original hdd and used it for extra storage. After about four weeks, I finally got brave and installed the ssd inside the iMac, using OWC's kit and following the step-by-step video guide that I had running on my living room PC. Everything went without a hitch and my iMac has been working well and much cooler, since the ssd has no moving parts.
In your case, you might want to consider an external drive that connects to one of your Thunderbolt ports. If there aren't any available, an external ssd drive will work fine with your older usb 2.0 port.
Having said all that, you could do one last Time Machine backup, follow directions for reverting your iMac to factory condition, sell it and use the cash toward a later model iMac or Mac mini. Don't overlook Apple's refurbs - they're usually a nice deal. My own iMac is a refurb and still going strong.
In your case, you might want to consider an external drive that connects to one of your Thunderbolt ports. If there aren't any available, an external ssd drive will work fine with your older usb 2.0 port.
Having said all that, you could do one last Time Machine backup, follow directions for reverting your iMac to factory condition, sell it and use the cash toward a later model iMac or Mac mini. Don't overlook Apple's refurbs - they're usually a nice deal. My own iMac is a refurb and still going strong.
Jul 20, 2018 10:30:17 #
bpulv wrote:
Cost is obviously an issue for you or you would just buy a new iMac. Have you considered getting an external USB hard drive or SSD (an external SSD on that computer will not noticeably increase speed, but an SSD is more reliable than a hard drive)? You can set it up as a boot disk and copy everything from your flaky internal drive to it. It will be slower, but should be reliable. I am not sure, but you may be able to use Boot Camp to do the transfer, but if not, there are other methods.
If you connect an external SSD via Thunderbolt (rather than USB-2), it will be (noticably) faster, not slower. BTW, the OP’s machine will accommodate both a large HD AND a smaller SSD (for the OS and aps) internally - the combination was an option that year, so the space and cabling should be available internally.
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