Install OSX on SDD, Win7 on Optibay

PaulyD

PaulyD

PaulyD

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Took the plunge and finally ordered a 120gb Vertex Plus and a cheap optibay to put in my mid 2010 13" :D

What I would like to do is use the SSD for OSX only and install windows 7 on the stock 250gb. I only use windows for gaming so speed is not needed there. Just wondered of the best way about this or if anyone has done this before?

Sure it will be possible but not finding too much information at the moment from a quick look.

EDIT: Found this which didn't seem to pop up before, sounds easy enough or is there an easier way?

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1167906
 
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For some reason the 2010 (I don't know about the 2011) MBPs won't allow Windows (x64 at least, but I think x32 too) to boot from an external DVD drive (i.e. an external superdrive).

The best way to do this is as follows:

1. Wipe the HD, partition to 50/50 (Don't use the whole disk for windows because you will find yourself wanting space on this in OS X and then you have a problem) Windows/OSX using disk utility off the SL/Lion DVD/USB stick/whatever.

2. Install windows and get it all setup with bootcamp drivers etc.

3. Remove HD and install into optibay & into MBP and install SSD.
4. Install OS X on the SSD.

Easiest way.
 
Cheers mate.

That way is better and not so much of a headache with swapping drives. Didn't think about just installing window first!

Can't wait to get ssd in the MacBook now!
 
Quick question.

Would it be better to keep the stock HDD in the standard place and use the SSD in the optibay? Read reports of people having issues with vibrations etc when used in the optibay and currently don't have any issues like that with it in there. Obviously this won't be an issue with the SSD in the optibay

Would this make any difference to boot order etc? Just a reminder its a 2010 and not 2011 so no problem with SATA 3 on the 2nd port etc.

Got my stock 250gb hdd partitioned 50/50 with windows 7 installed last night and other half for OSX file storage, Vertex 2 has just arrived now so want to be 100% ready for when I get home :D
 
On my 2010 pro I initially put the SSD in the normal bay, and the physical drive in the optibay. I ended up swapping them around so the physical drive was in the proper place.

Essentially I could 'feel' the drive on the right hand side of the machine and it used to get on my nerves.

No difference at all to booting.
 
Just to note I did exactly as above and after installing lion everything was picked up automatically and working great :)

Though I had one hairy moment, after testing the MacBook it couldn't detect the camera. After opening up again I hadn't fully pushed in the connector and all was fine after doing so.
 
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