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iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement

Prerequisite Only
This guide is only intended to be used as a prerequisite for other guides. It's incomplete by itself.

What you need

  1. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement, Replace the hard drive with an SSD: step 1, image 1 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement, Replace the hard drive with an SSD: step 1, image 2 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement, Replace the hard drive with an SSD: step 1, image 3 of 3
    • Follow the next steps if you are replacing your hard drive with an SSD kit.

    • If your SSD enclosure looks like the first image, follow this guide instead.

    • Line up the SSD connectors with the metal enclosure's sockets.

    • Press the drive against the enclosure sockets until the SSD is firmly seated.

    • The SSD connects with the enclosure in only one direction. If the connectors don't line up, rotate the SSD and try again.

  2. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3
    • Use a Phillips screwdriver to install the four silver screws (two on each side) along the edges of the SSD to secure it to the enclosure.

  3. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2
    • Plug the included sensor-enabled SATA power cable into the enclosure's port.

    • The cable is keyed to connect in only one orientation. If you can't connect the cable, rotate it 180° and try again.

  4. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 4, image 3 of 3
    • Peel the white liner off the back of the small temperature sensor board in order to expose the adhesive.

    • Adhere the temperature sensor board to an exposed, metal surface of the SSD, close to the SATA connector.

    • Fold the excess temperature sensor wires so that they are out of the way while you install the enclosure.

  5. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2
    • Use a T8 driver to install the mounting pins from the old hard drive onto the sides of the enclosure.

  6. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2
    • Attach any mounting brackets removed from the old hard drive onto the enclosure.

  7. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 2 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 7, image 2 of 2
    • Connect the iMac's SATA power cable to the other end of the new sensor-enabled SATA cable.

  8. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2
    • Connect the iMac's SATA data cable to the enclosure's socket.

  9. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 9, image 3 of 3
    • The images used in this step come from a 2017 iMac. Your cables may look slightly different, but the procedure remains the same.

    • Slide the SSD enclosure into the space previously occupied by the hard drive.

    • Route the SATA cables so that they will not interfere with any other components.

    • Try to keep the cables free from any sharp bends, and route them such that they are not pinched.

  10. iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 10, image 2 of 3 iMac 2009-2010 SSD Replacement: step 10, image 3 of 3
    • If your motherboard has a socket for a hard drive temperature sensor, follow this step to plug the sensor wires in.

    • Find the connector on the motherboard labeled HD TMP or HDD TEMP.

    • If you have trouble locating it, trace the two-wire temperature cable you disconnected from the old hard drive.

    • If the previous temperature cable is still connected to the board here, disconnect and remove it. You will no longer need it.

    • Connect the temperature sensor's two-wire red-black cable to the motherboard plug labeled HD TMP or HDD TEMP.

    • The connector is keyed to fit in only one orientation. If it doesn't fit one way, rotate it 180° and try again.

    • Route the excess wire so it does not interfere with any other components.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

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