Mac mini (Early 2009) Hard Drive Upgrade

[shane8109]

I need to do this with mine. Looks like a big job

[xhellxkingx]

Apple made doing this much easier with Mac mini 2011 and 2010

[Peco250]

Watch video and skip music, go to 1:53

[Jpsweeney94]

what do you format the drive as? mac os extended journaled?

[leonardosalles2209]

Best tech video Thanks.

[brianarydata]

Awesome video! Thanks!!!

[ThDComputer]

SOOOOO MANY LONG COMMENTS!

[zimbop]

On reassembly one of the black case screws was very difficult to replace. I managed to get it in eventually by laying the mac mini on its side, placing the screw in the plastic half cylinder passage that surrounded the screw and pushing it into place supported by the cylinder and gravity! May be pretty obvious to some people but then again, might save some time for others.

[Gisburne2000]

Very easy to follow video, every possible step explained. Just added a 640GB drive and it's working perfectly. Thanks!

My experience: the four corner screws definitely need a magnetic screwdriver to go in and out. And when prising the lid off it helps if you have something to wedge the first edge open, otherwise I found that moving to the next side it just popped back in again, although perhaps I didn't prise it open far enough. But excellent video, will be back when I upgrade the RAM!

[tbyrne68]

Nice vid. I've used it a couple of times now. Thanks.

[Berthosss]

With that smoooth voice and relaxing music I nearly fell asleep. Maybe you could do relaxation CDs! Handy vid by the way. Thanks.

[xubuntu2]

Ok, I managed to install the new (500 Gb) drive, but MacOS doesnt recognize it. Do I need to format it before? And also I noticed that my new 2.5inch drive has a power connector that is different from the apple hard drive. Are all 2.5inch drives compatible for this upgrade? Do I have the wrong drive of do I need to format the drive?

[OWCmacsales]

@xubuntu2 Yes, the drive needs to be formatted in order to install OS X, or alternatively, you can transfer the data from your old drive to the new as noted at 0:50 in the video.

[asmodeus87]

Thank you very much for the video. Best instructional I have seen on YouTube. As for the previous poster. Don't worry at all. It is for the optical drive and only if the power is on. You will survive :-)

[JonasTatit]

Thanks for the video, man! I followed step by step and it works! But I realised that there was a warning on the CW-8124-C: "Class 1m laser radiation when open

Do not view directly with optical instrument". This warning was talking about opening the Combo Drive CW-8124-C, is not it? And not about open of the Mac Mini, is not it? Please, answer me because I've been worried with this subject of radiation... Thanks a lot!

[SpliffyDLicious]

How would I know if I have all the necessary parts? I recently bought an old mini, sans a few parts (basically everything removable/re-sellable on ebay, sigh) as a first build project for myself.

I was all set to plop in my old iBook drive but It doesn't look like it will seat properly.

I'm wondering if I need a particular module for the drive and a mini? Should there be one in my device and the original owner just hosed me? Just need to put this drive in and I'll be set.

- cheers.

[OWCmacsales]

@SpliffyDLicious Mac mini models since the Early 2006 models when Apple moved to the Intel chipsets utilize a 2.5" SATA drive. The iBook models all used a 2.5" IDE/ATA drive. They are not interchangeable. While adapters can sometimes be found to convert an IDE connection to a SATA connection, there simply isn't room in the Mac mini's small form factor to allow the usage of such adapters. Your best bet is to purchase a 2.5" SATA hard drive to install in your new Mac mini.

[SpliffyDLicious]

@OWCmacsales ahHA! that explains it. (this must be why I buy all my stuff from you guys. Always been on the ball when I call with questions. Good to see youtube comments are also a solid source of info.)

Cheers! Off to macsales.com to follow up on your response.

And thanks again. Just saved me a bunch of interweb searches.

[MYK1200LT]

job done, thanks guys for the tech support and video.

[MYK1200LT]

Guys, I'm hoping to upgrade my MacMini HDD next week to 750GB which seems the biggest 9.5mm HDD I can source, but would a 12.5mm HDD fit in? I've read comments by XBOX users who managed to shoe horn the physically larger drive in, but would a MacMini take the larger drive thus allowing me to fit a 1TB? Thanks

[OWCmacsales]

@MYK1200LT The Mac mini is designed to take a drive with a maximum physical thickness of 9.5mm. We do not recommend exceeding this requirement as damage can occur to the drive, the machine or both.

[WTFDanger]

@MYK1200LT Been using a WD 12mm 1TB HDD in my Mac Mini for a while. No issues at all (usually runs all day). There are 4 clips you need to remove. But I recommend steady hands as the SATA connector for the DVD/HDD would be a PITA to replace. (remove it completely before going at it). I used a warmed (not smokin hot) box cutter (sharp w/new blade) and SLOWLY cut the 4 raised brackets. I cut around the screw hole retainer and the antennae install like the video above after.

Take your time.

[RTVereen]

Thanks for this. Got my hard drive replaced and RAM upgraded in about 20 minutes. Have it restoring from a Time Machine backup and I'll be up and running! :)

[MYK1200LT]

Thanks for the video which has given me the confidence to replace my own HDD in a few weeks, A burning question I have though, my iTunes library currently sits on an external iomega 1TB HDD next to the MacMini, will I need to de authorise my iTunes account before I remove the MacMini HDD then reauthorise it once I've put a 1TB HDD in the MacMini? I'm thinking not as the iTunes folder will remain oblivious on the iomega drive?

[OWCmacsales]

@MYK1200LT No, you are correct. Deauthorization/reauthorizatio­n of the iTunes account should not be necessary.

[zasrbijuzivotdacu]

I need to ask, if it is possible to put some ordinary hardware components to mac mini g4(or later), or components put there are specially made by apple?

I'll hope that I'll get an answer.

Regards,

[bery0602]

Never did this ever. Never thought I would do it then I watched this video and installed a Momentus XT 500Gb also

[GerentJackD]

Thanks for making this video. I used it to replace the HDD on my Mac and found this very helpful.

[amplivibe]

Thank you very much! This video encouraged me to upgrade too. I used the Momentus XT 500Gb, now my mac boots in under 30 seconds! One useful tip for those who want to upgrade too: press command-option-p-r when booting. This resets the PRAM and NVRAM on the computer, so the computer will redetect harddisks, etc. Before, it stayed at the grey screen a long time before showing the apple logo.

[bposmedia]

sweet vid. always thought about getting one of those

[OWCmacsales]

Hard drives aren't designated as PC or Mac or Linux or Ubuntu etc... The formatting and operating system are what makes the difference there.

If installing a drive that was previously formatted for Windows, you would need to re-format the drive and install a copy of Mac OS X on the drive. Instructional link is in the video at 0:54

[crumcon]

can i updrage using regular PC hard drive? or it should be specialised for Mac?

[TheLostTrain]

I would like to thank you for making this video it was easy as pie. it was simple and clear of your instructions on how to put it together. Thanks again.

[Rockmart120]

What size is the hard drive? 2.5"? like a laptop or 3.5"?

[OWCmacsales]

@Rockmart120 the Mac mini early 2009 uses a 2.5" SATA hard drive

[dnl5649]

where do i get a new hard drive? i dont have anything of value on my computer but i cant update the software because i dont know the password because it was a garbage picked computer. i just deleted a bunch of nasty stuff on here and restarted it many times, i'm using it right now. help me!!! i would like a new hard drive anyway (80 gb is a little small for me)

[OWCmacsales]

@dnl5649 You can find all the upgrades you need for your Mac mini on our website. The link is available in the video description section.

[dnl5649]

@OWCmacsales thanks, i'll take a look. about how much will all this cost??? i have a limited amount of money and don't wish to empty my wallet on a computer i found. the only thing i use this for is the internet (youtube, email, surfing) listening to music on itunes and uploading photos, nothing else. would i have to install 1 piece of software at a time, or can i do it all at once? i dont want to back the old disk to the new one, i want all new everything

[YourAppleBoy]

is this the same whith late 2009

[OWCmacsales]

@YourAppleBoy

Yes, the instructions for the late '09 models are exactly the same.

[NivagSwerdna]

Excellent Video. I have used it twice.

Unfortunately on the second time I seem to have one small black spring extra! This appeared when I inverted the hard disc part. I checked as I reassembled and all three antennae have springs so not sure where it came from. The mini seems to be working OK.

Any ideas where my fourth spring would have come from? Is it worth re-installing it?

Thanks for the video tutorial.

[OWCmacsales]

We've not seen any other springs than the ones holding the antennae upright. Further checking into actual take-aparts confirm that the only screws are for the antennas - one each for a total of 3.

Where your fourth spring came from, we can't tell, but we also can't see any harm in leaving it out if all antenna springs are accounted for, especially if all seems to be working ok.

[NivagSwerdna]

Thanks for that. It must have been left over from somewhere else. Must tidy up my desk one day. :)

Appreciate the reply. Thanks.

[simone37]

Very well done,

I was thinking to put an SSD SATA 2.5" and with this video I now know it is not difficult at all and I will have a nice guide to do it myself.

I just need an SSD for a reasonable price :)

[mastersirus1985]

I just need an SSD for a reasonable price :)

LOL

[daviy6]

what size hard drive do we use

[OWCmacsales]

@daviy6 You can install any capacity 2.5" SATA hard drive.

[snoman6363]

dude! what did u use to edit this?!?!?!!? ur editing is amazing!

[OWCmacsales]

@snoman6363 The final editing is done in Final Cut.

[snoman6363]

final cut express? pro? and i have express but its so damn confusing

[OWCmacsales]

@snoman6363 Its done in Final Cut Express.

[snoman6363]

ohh nice i fine that program very confusing maybe i just need help

[richlin71]

I tried this today. Note that the late '09 models have a 4th screw in the last corner. It's harder to get at than the other ones.

[benthemiester]

Heat is not an issue when upgrading to 7200 rpm. I've found that the mini is great for multi track audio recording. I have also found that it runs a few degrees cooler when placed on its side, just take care not to knock it over accidentally. Mine is sitting between two other pieces of hardware.

[culhand]

What side did you lay it on?

[benthemiester]

Left or right is fine. I notice companies that use them as servers also put them on side.

[teastick]

Very useful tutorial!!! Thank you!

[evikzzz]

Super Good Tutorial!!! Tanx m8!!!

[themountainviewguy]

Excellent video!  You might put the new drive next to the old drive and move the pads and temperature sensor in the same places. You might also mention that the drive is the smaller laptop type drive. Really nice, well done, thank you ... I am going to be doing this tomorrow.

[jadetraveler]

I've also upgraded the RAM in my Mac Mini, thanks to this video. Thanks again! :)

[jadetraveler]

Thanks for the video. I upgraded the hard drive in my Mac Mini today and am installing OS X on it now. :)

[DannyHere2009]

Thanks for the video, interesting watch. I upgraded my Core2 Mini to 2GB's RAM today, next will be my HDD, I fancy a 500GB if I can get one. Would go for a 7200 RPM drive, but I think the heat would be too much.

[jadetraveler]

Other people have put in a 7200rpm hard drive, so in general I have a feeling there shouldn't be a problem. It sounds like the extra heat is minimal and doesn't matter.

[DannyHere2009]

Thanks man, I put in a 250GB 5400 drive in the end, just love the extra storage space. Will consider a 7200 drive in the future for sure. I have some more upgrades planed out anyways :-)

[boredkid32]

yup

[chromeronin]

How much memory can be crammed into the new Mini? The macbooks can take 8GB, so I was wondering if the mini can too. The largest Apple sell it with is 4GB.

My plan, buy the 2.25GHz mini, max out the memory and add 500GB drive 8)

[rocktheworld2k6]

my guess us that apple includes 2 2gb ram sticks. so if you can find 2 4 gb ram sticks im sure you can make it 8 gb of ram.

[jadetraveler]

It probably depends on the chipset used in the Mac Mini's motherboard. Even if you can find 2 4GB RAM modules to put in there (for 8GB total), the motherboard might not support that much RAM.

[jadetraveler]

From what I've heard, 4GB is the practical upper limit. You can put 8GB in, but when the Mini tries to use more than 4GB, it will become unstable.. or so I've read.

[deluxedookie]

@jadetraveler

well everything is 64-bit dont see how it can be unstable.

[jadetraveler]

@deluxedookie

Well, that's what I read.. Other people say they have experienced instability with more than 4GB of RAM in use in their Mac Mini. I don't understand it either though.

[happyhopper]

From the research I've done, it seems that Apple allows you to open your mac and do any upgrades you want, so long as you don't break any hardware. They offer information on how to open the mac but they specifically say that damage done by you opening your mac is not covered in the warranty

[xXwhygodwhyXx]

that looks like a laptop drive, darn too bad, I was hoping I can place a 1tb drive on.

[ShaunTec]

I know I probably sound like the biggest, desperate goon at the moment but can you please check out my videos and comment on what I need to improve and maybe consider subscribing?

[jpvissers]

Very nice tutorial. I replaced the hdd with a ssd an it's running great.

[moggieblot]

Helpful tutorial. I'd just recommend doing a quick boot to check that the machine still works before snapping the cover back on to save the hassle of opening up again and risking more marks on the case etc.

[TechBlake08]

omg 40 mins it took me 10 when i did my mini

[muk546]

not that hard

[dreamer145]

hi man great video, but how about the heat? i want to upgrade to a 7200 rpm hard drive.

[OWCmacsales]

We haven't found upgrading from a 5400 RPM to a 7200 RPM drive to cause any issues with heat whatsoever.

[cavf88]

what about the leopard OS when you change the Hard Drive? you lose it?

[OWCmacsales]

It is recommended that you transfer your data from the existing hard drive to the new hard drive prior to installation, that way all your files, programs and OS X are transferred to the new drive. Otherwise, to start from scratch, you would need to re-install OS X from disk before using.

[bjornborg]

You'll need an enclosure to put your new replacement hard drive into, so you can make a copy of your existing Mac OS with all your documents. Use a program like 'SuperDuper' to make a perfect bootable backup. When you do put in your new hard drive in (with old stuff on it) in you immediately have everything you need. Then put the old hard drive in the enclosure, reformat it when you are sure you are good and use it as a backup. You can get a 2.5" USB enclosure from OWC (bought mine last nite).

[buzzabit]

For a better deal, by the replacement hard drive already IN an enclosure to begin with. Then you are just swapping in/out from that enclosure. :) (some places have good deals where they throw the enclosure in with the drive so you don't have to take it out of the enclosure initially.)

[ephdel]

no offense, but if you really need to ask this question, you should consider doing some research into basic computer design, construction, and maintenance before you even consider attempting a project like this.

[unlokia]

aargh STOP SAYING "awesome" - you don't know the real meaning of the word!!

[jalabi99]

AWESOME! :)

But seriously: OWC, I'm loving what you guys are doing for Mac owners. Thank you very much!

[Longstuff]

yeah i know its great

[tijoeg]

That was awsome and good quality