Setting up OSX on a completely empty SSD
Setting up OSX on a completely empty SSD
You can install an SSD into your old Mac Book and connect it via USB. After that, you can download the operating system from your PC just like with Windows. Booting will still happen through USB on the Mac, so no special Apple method is needed beyond standard installation steps.
It's simpler now. You can restart by pressing the option key while holding it, and there will be an option to reinstall the OS.
They typically duplicate information from the old hard drive to the new SSD and then start from the SSD. You can find detailed instructions online that explain which tools work best for cloning.
You can use a blank SSD for installation. If you leave partitions intact, they’ll remain on the drive. Removing partitions via macOS should clear them. An OSX hard drive will appear as a partition in your OS, allowing you to access photos, music, and documents if properly mounted.
I set up the VMware, fetched a Mac OS X image, downloaded the latest version, created a bootable USB from the virtual system, and installed it on an empty SSD in my HP 4540. After upgrading through versions 10.11.0 to 10.11.6, everything functioned smoothly. I didn’t upgrade to 10.12.3 yet—I’m thinking of moving Mac OS X to Linux permanently. My sister actually enjoys Linux and uses it daily.
Sure, I already have a functional Mac. Can I avoid setting up the VM entirely and just plug in a USB drive for installation?
Choose between using your current Mac with the old storage device or another Mac. Visit the App store and install the latest OSX version. The guide below assists with preparing the USB flash drive for installation: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202796. You might also consider cloning software like Macrium Reflect or Acronis TrueImage. Acronis works well, but if you're new to cloning, Macrium Reflect is a better option due to its simpler interface. The cloning process should occur on a separate machine. The clone will create an exact duplicate of the original drive. Once inserted, your system will recognize it as the original. Note that Macrium can clone any drive, though it may need installation on a Windows system. Be sure to verify availability for Mac versions on the site. I also strongly advise using an external drive and setting up a Time Machine backup—restoring from one is extremely straightforward.
I also owned a previous MacBook, the 2011 model. It came with Snow Leopard, probably.