Question iMac Late 2009 model with macOS High Sierra v10.13.6

[natkin]

Hi - My Seagate 'Barracuda' 1TB SSD recently failed on my iMac but I am hopeful of recovering some of the data stored thereon.
I was under the impression that because of the age of my iMac (late 2009 model) I could not upgrade the MacOS from High Sierra to later versions.
I will install a Brand New SSD but before doing so can I install a later MacOS onto the new SSD ( something like Big Sur or Monterey or Ventura) and would it be worthwhile doing so?
My failed SSD obviously had the macOS High Sierra v.10.13.6 installed on it and assuming I can recover some or all of the data that was stored on it, would I be able to recover that data, onto the newly installed SSD which would (if possible) have a later version of a MacOS installed. In other words would the newer MacOS be backward compatible with the High Sierra version of data stored on the failed SSD?

The full specs of my Apple iMac are:- 21.5" LED 16:9 Widescreen. EMC 2308. Model A1311. Late 2009 with Intel 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo Processor, 8GB DDR 3 1067MHz RAM with ATI Radeon HD4670 256MB Graphics card.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[Ed7789]

Hello there

Replacing the system’s hard drive, whether it’s solid state or spinning, will not allow you a more recent version of macOS. The Late 2009 iMac is limited to High Sierra as the most recent version. There are other components in the system that don’t have drivers in more recent version of the operating system.

On using your hard drive with a more recent version of macOS. Assuming it is still functioning, it should work. I wouldn’t trust the drive to hold any information however.

 

[natkin]

Hi Edwin G.
Thank you very much for your advice and comments.
I will obviously have to think again about installing a more recent software version.
I suspected that it would be a 'no no' but had heard that other iMac users had managed to install and use more recent versions onto late 2009 iMac's.
Like you I don't hold much hope of being able to recover data from the old SSD but will give it a try.
Kind regards and thanks again.
Tony (natkin)

 

[Annie_M]

Hello and welcome to iMore

 

[Ed7789]

Hi Edwin G.
Thank you very much for your advice and comments.
I will obviously have to think again about installing a more recent software version.
I suspected that it would be a 'no no' but had heard that other iMac users had managed to install and use more recent versions onto late 2009 iMac's.
Like you I don't hold much hope of being able to recover data from the old SSD but will give it a try.
Kind regards and thanks again.
Tony (natkin)

Hi,

It is true that it might be possible to install more recent versions, but I advise against it because it involves modifying the system kernel which means that you won’t get the embedded security features of macOS.

 

[natkin]

Thanks again Edwin G.
Some good news, I managed to hook up the SSD from my iMac as an external drive to my MacBook Pro and lo and behold it recognised it and virtually all my data appears accessible. Am now busy copying everything to DVD's/CD's etc .
It now confirms what I thought from the outset that the problem wasn't with the SSD but was in fact with the Graphics Card.
Now looking to upgrade the graphics card ATI Radeon HD4670 which hopefully will resolve the problem.
Kind regards,
Tony (natkin)

 

[natkin]

Hello and welcome to iMore

Hi Annie_M
Many thanks for your welcome.
I have a 2009 iMac, a newish MacBook Pro M1, iPhone 7 and a dated iPad 2 or 3 (can't remember which)
I have always been a Windows User and finding the switch over to MacOS a little daunting and frustrating at times.
I liken it to learning a new language but trying to the best of my abilities.
Kind regards,
Tony ( natkin)

 

[Ed7789]

Glad to hear @natkin that you did not lose any information.