MacOS – Upgrade to Yosemite question

macbook promacos

I'm planning on upgrading to Yosemite from Mavericks on a Mid-2010 MBP 15" with a Samsung 840 PRO drive as the primary drive. I have TRIM disabled! The process I want to use is as follows so I'm just looking for a validation please!

  1. Make sure Time Machine backup is current and good. I'll restore a single file to verify.

  2. Verify TRIM disabled via System Report. Shows "TRIM Support: No"

  3. Download installer from App Store and run upgrade in place.

  4. Once done, reboot.

If all is well:

  1. disable signed kernel extensions.

  2. Install TRIM Enabler

  3. Reboot

Should be done.

Are there any problems with this methodology that I should be aware of?

Is there a significant advantage to a clean install versus upgrade in place? I know there is for Windows, but I've upgraded this system twice now with no problems.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Best Answer

I never do upgrades any more - I made this from several times from Snow Leopard to MountainLion and my MacBook Pro 15" Dec 2010 got sloppier and sloppier in performance. Instead, I would recommend the following procedure which gets you a real fast Yosemite installation with a fresh and clean system:

  • Make a full backup with Time Machine
  • VERIFY the Backup of your most important data, not your applications! That means also a separate Backup of your Library folder!
  • Copy the most valued data onto another USB Drive for faster access.
  • Look for all the Yosemite updated drivers for your peripheral devices, like mice, headsets, special keyboards, USB video- and soundcards etc. Save the installers on the second USB Drive where you copied your most valued data on to. Do this also with your favourite OpenSource Software like Firefox, Chrome and your application installers etc.
  • Download the Yosemite installer.
  • Create an installation USB stick.
  • When booting from the USB stick running the installer, delete and format and re-partition your harddisk you want to install on.
  • Install Yosemite
  • After installation, configure your new system as you like it, play around with it to get acquainted.
  • Start installing drivers and tools and applications.
  • Start copying back your most valued data and your backed up
  • Have fun. :)

You will get a system exactly for your needs, without any old drivers/kext and you cleaned up in great detail. :)

My MBP Pro is now flying at high speed below radar... :)

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