According to the Genius Bar, my HD is dying. I need help with such things as making a boot disk, making sure back up is complete, etc. I have a White early 2008 MacBook running 10.7.3. It is backed up regularly with Time Machine to an external drive.

I am not a real tech type person. MAcBook white early 2008 running 10.7.3. I know I will need a boot disk to restart the computer after I have installed the new drive. I have purchased a Hitachi 500 G, 7200 RPM to install. The computer is backed up regularly using Time Machine to an external hard drive. I nned to know all the steps I need to do before physically changing the hardware.

Do you have your original drive backed up? Is it still working? If so I'd buy an external enclosure and boot from that. Then format your new drive and use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your old drive to the new one.
If you don't have a backup, I'd buy an external drive, use carbon copy cloner to do a backup, then install the new drive and clone back to it.

Similar Messages

Early 2008 MacBook running latest Lion. FaceTime opens but offers no window or opportunity to select a contact. Worked until yesterday 04/04/2012. Any suggestions

Early 2008 MacBook running latest Lion. FaceTime opens but offers no window or opportunity to select a contact. Worked until yesterday 04/04/2012. Any suggestions

While we all have MacBooks in this forum not all of us use FaceTime. There's a FaceTime Support Community where everybody uses FaceTime. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer. https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_app_store/facetime_for_mac

Early 2008 MacBook running latest Lion. FaceTime opens but offers no window or opportunity to select a contact. Worked until today 04/02/2012. Any suggestions

Early 2008 MacBook running latest Lion. FaceTime opens but offers no window or opportunity to select a contact. Worked until today 04/02/2012. Any suggestions

While we all have MacBooks in this forum not all of us use FaceTime. There's a FaceTime Support Community where everybody uses FaceTime. You should also post this question there to increase your chances of getting an answer. https://discussions.apple.com/community/mac_app_store/facetime_for_mac

Can my early 2008 Macbook running OS X 10.6.8 and Bootcamp 3.0.4 run Windows 8?

I need to use Windows for my business but I have an older Macbook (early 2008) with Snow Leopard and Bootcamp 3.0.4. I purchased a copy of Windows 8 today and the Best Buy salesman assured me that it would work on my computer. However, I cannot seem to figure it out and I'm getting a lot of conflicting information. If Windows 8 will not work on my computer, can someone tell me the latest version that I can run on my computer? Thanks!

Boot Camp Support Software 4.0.4033
System Requirements
MacBook (13-in, Late 2006 & Mid 2007)
MacBook (13-in, Late 2007)
MacBook (13-in, Early 2008)
MacBook (13-in, Late 2008)
MacBook (13-in, Early 2009 & Mid 2009)
MacBook (13-in, Late 2009)
MacBook (13-in, Mid 2010)
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1630
These are the Windows Support Software for your MacBook according to Apple.
You can download them here:
http://support.apple.com/downloads/DL1630/en_US/BootCamp4.0.4033.zip
As I already had Windows 7 x32 installed on my MacBook and just upgraded to Windows 8 x32 it is difficult to say whether you can directly install Windows 8 x32 or have to do the upgrade Windows 7 x32 route.
I would read this thread that applies to the installation of Windows 8 on non supported Macs.
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4897066
This is for getting Windows 8 x64 installed but it may work for Win 8 x32 using the switching of the CD's from Windows 7 to Windows 8.
I initially used my Windows BootCamp 3.0 drivers on the my Snow Leopard disc after using BootCamp 3.0 to install Windows 7 x32 so I would try using those 3.0 Windows drivers first and then upgrading to the Bootcamp 4.0.4033 drivers after you have booted into Windows 8.
Also you might want to read this thread as well...
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4904594?start=0&tstart=0

I have a Macbook which is running Snow Leopard. I back up using time machine to an external drive. If I purchase a new Apple Macbook pro running Lion if I use the backup to this will I be able to use Leopard on the new computer

I have a Macbook running Snow Leopard which I back up to an external drive using time machine. If I purchase a new MacBook pro and transfer backup from time maching to MacBook Pro will it also transfer Snow Leopard as its is my preferred O.S.

Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
If the new computer did not originally ship with Snow Leopard installed, no, you will not be able to go back from Lion. Snow Leopard lacks the necessary drivers required for newer hardware.

HT201250 I have 2 Lacie external drives connected to a Windows PC. What is the best scenario for backing up files on both computers? I would like to save all my files on one backup drive and have Time Machine backup that external drive to the other.

I don't know if this is a good idea, because the external drive is going to be slower than using my local hard drive to open files from. My IMac has 1tb and the 2 external drives have 1tb each. The IMac is my computer and my Wife uses the Windows PC, so I have to make sure both of our files are backed up. Thanks in advance for any advice regarding this issue.

I'm in a similar situation including movies I've purchased from iTunes...
Here's my setup:
I have all my iTunes data (music, movies, etc.) as well as about 10 GB of photos stored on a nework storage device that uses RAID-5 with SATA disks. This is basically a little toaster-sized NAS machine with four hard drives in it (www.infrant.com). If one of these drives dies, I get alerted and can insert a new one without missing a beat since the data is stored redundantly across all drives. I can also just yank out any one of the four drives while the thing is running and my data is still safe (I tried this after I bought it as a test).
That's how I prevent problems with a single disk... Redundancy
Now onto "backups"...
Nightly, my little RAID toaster automatically backs itself up to an attached 250GB USB drive. However, these backups are only of my critical data... documents, photos and home movies... I don't bother backing up my "Hollywood" movies since I can live without them in a disaster.
... I actually don't permanently store anything I care about on a laptop or a desktop. It all goes on the NAS box (Network Sttached Storage) and then my other computers use it as a network drive. It's attached via Gigbait to my main computer and via wireless to most everything else.
My achilles heel is that I don't store anything outside of my house yet. If I was smart, I'd alternate two USB drives attached to my NAS box and always keep one of them somewhere else (Safe Deposit Box?).
...and that's just one way to do it.
-Brian

Early 2008 MacBook Pro - no chime, no video, sleep light solid

Have here an Early 2008 MacBook Pro, 15", 2.5GHz. It's in good physical shape... shows no signs of spillage, being dropped or mishandled, etc. I know virtually nothing of its history.
The machine will charge the battery. When I attempt to turn it on, I hear the fans and drives do their thing - but I get no video (internal or external, not even the backlight) and no chimes or tones. The sleep indicator light turns on and stays on, solid white.
Tried the SMC reset proceedure outlined here (remove battery, hold power key 5secs, reinstall battery and try again) - no effect.
My gut reaction is bad logic board, but wanted to check here before giving up on it. Anything I might be missing?

I've worked extensively with the older PPC (and, dare I go back so far, 68K) machines, just not up on all the common issues and techniques for the Intel-based Macs. This seems hardware-y to me, just want to make sure I'm not missing something relatively simple.
Pressing D (or any other key/s) doesn't have any effect, as the machine isn't making it that far into the boot process.
EDIT: the message above was posted as I was typing.
I was afraid it could be that... heard it to be a common thing, but never seen one do it in person. Too bad the warranty extension just ended a month ago, else I would have had more motivation to make the trek to the Genius Bar.
My strong suspicion that it's a logic board issue, and that I've got myself a fancy aluminum paperweight, is getting stronger.

Average Maximum Cycle Count for Early 2008 MacBook (Black)

I have a black early 2008 MacBook that now in its fourth year, and I have noticed that battery health have started to diminish.
I am wondering what is the maximum battery cycle count for the early 2008 black MacBooks, and if its time to replace it? (I have 250 cycle count, with 78% health remaining)

You can get a new third party battery fairly cheap on eBay. Every MacBook from 2006 through Mid 2009 except the Late 2008 Aluminum Unibody and the Late 2009 and 2010 White Unibodies use the same A1185 battery.
Black Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+black+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+white+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
White Batteries http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=macbook+white+battery&_sacat=0&LH_BIN=1&_sop=12 &_dmpt=Laptop_Batteries&_odkw=macbook+black+battery&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0. m 270.l1313
Or for $129 from The Apple Store http://store.apple.com/us/product/MA566LL/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

Wi-Fi Problems on my Early 2008 MacBook runnning OS X 10.7.5

Hello. I have a Early 2008 MacBook running OS X 10.7.5. When I first got my Macbook for Christmas, it had OS X 10.5.x, and the Wi-Fi connection was running fine, even when I was two rooms away from the router. Then I bought and installed OS X 10.6.3, and then later 10.6.8, and the Wi-Fi was not as god, but it still worked (I could now only be one room away from the router). Then I bought and installed OS X 10.7.5, and the Wi-Fi got a little bit worse, but it still worked one way away from the router. Then one day, after dowloading a lot of stuff from Downloads.com, I check and find out that my Wi-Fi is not working for some reason. I have tried some tricks and tips that people have put out, and have read the major Lion Wi-Fi Issue forum post, but still nothing works. I am wondering if I should downgrade to Snow Leopard (though then I can't download a lot of apps from the App Store, and I won't be able to publish iOS games to the App Store using GameSalad). Can anyone give me advice or help me? Thanks:)

Hello IAmMasterOtenko,
Thank you for using Apple Support Communities.
For more information, take a look at:
Wi-Fi: How to troubleshoot Wi-Fi connectivity
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4628?viewlocale=en_US
Have a nice day,
Mario

Mavericks on a an early 2008 MacBook

I have an early 2008 MacBook running 10.7.5. I received an update to load Mavericks?? I thought a late 2008 MacBook Pro was as far back as Mavericks would go. Normally you don't receive an update request unless it applies to your platform.
Will Mavericks work on my early 2008?

No, it won't. Updating other software to versions compatible with Mavericks isn't the same as installing Mavericks.
(98230)

Early 2008 MacBook SSD and RAM Upgrade Compatability

I have an early 2008 macbook running OS X 10.5.8. It has a 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo, 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2, and a 120GB 5400 RPM drive. It’s model MacBook 4,1. Obviously, it could use some upgrades. It still works fine, but is just slow. I can’t afford a new one, and think I can still get some life out of this one. I am thinking about the following upgrades:
Samsung 840 EVO 120GB SSD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147247
OWC 4GB (2x2) Memory Upgrade - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S4GP/
Transcend USB 2.0 Enclosure for the old hard drive currently in it - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817349001
I also plan on putting OS X 10.7 (lion) on the new SSD, unless anybody thinks keeping it at Leopard or Snow Leopard would be a better choice, performance wise.
Does anybody see any compatibility issue with any of these upgrades, or have any suggestions as to better upgrades? I realize the MacBook can only support SATA I, so it won’t get the full SATA III benefit of the SSD, but it should still be a huge performance upgrade. Thank you for any help!

have you completed the upgrade yet? I also wanted to know. Someone is trying to trade me their 2008 MB Pro as well (for my Canon L lens), I think it's the 4GB already one and I also have a crucial SSD from my Dell that I can put in. I need to have the MB to run smoothly on PS CS6 & LR5 Please let us know what the results are. What do you guys thinkg? is it enough to run those smoothly?
Thank you

Trying to update from 10.4.11 to snow leopard, the genius bar said I should be able to do this I only need 1 GB of RAM and I have 2 GB. I put in the SL disc and my Macbook pro spits it out. What do I do without needlessly spending more money to upgrade?

So this disc won't load. I recently bought a new ipod nano, but am unable to put songs on it without the latest version of itunes.
My Macbook Pro is 2008 and has 10.4.11 the guys at the genius bar said to upgrade to snow leopard to upgrade to lion and I shouldn't have a problem. I was told I need 1GB of RAM and I have 2GBs of RAM but the disc spits out every time after about 3 minutes.
This is my computer info, please please please help me install this disc so I can use this ipod I bought from you that I've been super psyched about using.
Hardware Overview:
Model Name:          MacBook Pro
Model Identifier:          MacBookPro3,1
Processor Name:          Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:          2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors:          1
Total Number Of Cores:          2
L2 Cache (per processor):          4 MB
Memory:          2 GB
Bus Speed:          800 MHz
Boot ROM Version:          MBP31.0070.B07
SMC Version:          1.16f11
Serial Number:          W8******X92
Sudden Motion Sensor:
State:          Enabled
I don't want to be frustrated with apple anymore, please help me so I can be happy with apple again.

MAshmen wrote:
disc so I can use this ipod I bought from you that I've been super psyched about using.
I don't want to be frustrated with apple anymore, please help me so I can be happy with apple again.
You didn't buy anything from us.
These forums are user-to-user; no Apple staff are involved other than to moderate.
Meanwhile, I refer to you to X423424X's post.

What should I do; My Macbook Pro Retina 13" performing worse after a visit to the Genius Bar.

To give a little background; my MacBook is my baby. I keep it as safe and clean as I possibly can. The only damage that has come to it is a tiny dent in the left corner of the screen, when my little sister took it, ran, and dropped it on a wooden floor. It's my pride and joy, and I would never mistreat my computer. I don't loan it to friends, I always know where it is, and I do my best to keep it from dying. The only thing I do which is problematic is not shutting it down often enough; I usually keep it on for days at a time, I don't sleep much and spend a lot of time on my computer, but for such a high price, I was expecting that it could handle it. Onto the problem.
My computer was having minor problems with the trackpad and keyboard and had been since I'd bought it, but I hadn't been noticing it much until recently. I remember my mom pointed it out when I first got it and I told her she was crazy. I suspected a little hardware problem that my AppleCare would cover. When I went in to the Genius Bar, they opened up my computer and told me I had serious water damage. I was shocked as I'd never brought my computer close to water; I don't bring it in the bathroom, so no condensation, I have never spilled on it, I don't usually eat or drink around it, etc. I was given very minimal detail or explanation, simply told over and over that it was water damage, and they told me my AppleCare had been deactivated, which made me even MORE upset. The store told me it would cost almost $1000 to fix, at which point I was about to cry since that's almost the cost of my computer. I was going to wait until I got home to get an opinion from my hometown Apple Store, as they've known me for a long time and I was upset with the unhelpful service at the Genius Bar around my college.
My current problem is that I don't think I can wait until May. My computer has been acting up ever since the Genius Bar visit earlier this month, my screen is shaking and the color is going in and out, sound is acting strangely, and I'm really, really upset since none of these problems existed before my visit. I didn't feel it was a problem until recently, since it was pretty scattered and I felt like if I ignored it until I got home in mid-May, I could get it fixed then. Now, I feel as though something was jostled or screwed with while they were checking my computer and it's causing me a lot of problems, problems that are interfering with my use of this otherwise awesome device. I really love my MacBook, it's the best computer I've had, but I am at my wits end.
AppleCare is insurance, and I don't understand how they could take it away for something that I have no control over. When I bought AppleCare, I was told it would cover any damage that happened to the hardware or software of my computer, which is the whole reason I bought it! I wouldn't have wasted money on it if I knew this was a way to take the responsibility of fixing my computer away from Apple! I am beyond angry with the service I received, the "rules" of AppleCare, and the performance of my computer after the visit. I can barely type this since my screen refuses to stay still or one color! I was having absolutely no screen problems before this visit!!!
This is my last resort; I may return to the Genius Bar sometime next week for a reassessment. I am extremely upset with the service I have received and the new problems arising. This computer is barely seven/eight months old. It should NOT be having these problems. I can't help but think it was a manufacturing error and I was given an incorrect diagnosis. As a final, desperate cry for help, I thought I'd turn to the support forum for advice; is there anything you guys think I should be doing or any way I can possibly fix this problem myself/without Apple since apparently I have no insurance even though I paid $250 for problems like this to be covered?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
Hold the Power button until your Mac turns off, and turn it on again. As you tried to install a firmware update, plug the MacBook to its charger before turning it on.
Note that firmware updates are installed in the next startup, so don't worry about this, as the update hasn't been installed yet.
Respecting to other freezes, it may indicate a hardware problem. Check if the same freezes happen in the future

I dropped my Macbook Pro and now the battery is swollen, should I bring it to the genius bar?

My Macbook Pro fell off my bed (approx. 3ft) and dented the left side of the front left corner on the battery meter. Besides the damage everything seemed okay for a little while until I kept getting a erratic curser track pad. I kept cleaning it thinking some dirty or oil may of got on it or in the edges, but long story short I found out my battery is swollen and thats the reason for the erratic curser. The drop and dent impacted the battery causing it to swell. I feel that I just need a new battery. I purchased my macbook from the apple store and still have applecare. However I've researched online a bit and saw some people posted that if you drop your macbook, Apple will void my coverage. I also read that when people have had a swollen battery and applecare, they just brought it into the Genius bar and they went to the back and brought them a new battery. I've been super nervous to go see them as I've spent the extra bucks on Applecare and did not get any use of it. If anyone has had this issue or knows about it, please let me know!!
MacBook Pro 13" 2012, Mac OS X (10.9.3)

I dropped my Macbook Pro and now the battery is swollen, should I bring it to the genius bar?
Yes !
I would take it in before it gets worse and breaks something.
Genius reservation http://www.apple.com/retail/geniusbar/
on-line https://getsupport.apple.com/GetproductgroupList.action
check warranty https://selfsolve.apple.com/agreementWarrantyDynamic.do

Can I get my Macbook Pro just checked out and tuned up at the genius bar?

I'm having a hard time getting my questions answered. Basically I've had my Macbook Pro for four and a half years, but it's still doing mostly fine. It's just showing it's age slightly I think, with more spinning wheels than usual and odd things like the date is usually set to 1999 when I turn the computer on, but it rights itself in a few minutes. Also most the time when I plug it in it says it's not charging and I have to try multiple times. None of this is a huge deal, it's just that I really need the computer to last me preferably at least another year, so I worry about it a bit. I do take good care of it though. I'm about to move out of the country for a year, so I'd like to get it just checked out and perhaps tuned up a bit so that any problems are taken care of and it's in the best shape before I move away. I'd like to make a genius bar appointment, but the closest Apple store is a two hour drive from my home, so I don't want to go into it not having any idea how much it will cost or if they'll even be able to do what I'm hoping in the span of a single workday. I really don't want to have to drive back later to pick it up or have it sent off somewhere to be repaired, although if it does have serious problems I'd be willing to do that. I'd just like to know going in to it what the price range is likely to be like. I don't want to make the drive to the Apple store and have them tell me it's going to be a few hundred dollars just to have my computer looked over. And I don't even know if they offer that service, let alone if they can do it in a single afternoon. I've tried calling the store and conversations with the automated person really are not helpful. He just tells me to go online and make a reservation, and I can't figure out how to get my questions about cost and service answered.
Also, am I being foolish hoping my four and a half year old Macbook will last at least another year or two? I have no idea what the "life expectancy" is for these things. I know nothing really about computers at all, so forgive my ignorance.
Any help and insight is very much appreciated.

The genius bar technicians can check your MBP for possible hardware problems and specific software issues that you may have. The diagnosis will be free. Any extensive repairs will not be free.
If you have minor software problems, you essentially will have to deal with them yourself. Examine these two comprehensive documents for possible problem definition and solutions. If you encounter problems that you are unable to cope with, start a new discussion and there will be persons willing to assist you in solving them.
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3521
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3353
Ciao.

According to the Genius Bar, my HD is dying. I need help with such things as making a boot disk, making sure back up is complete, etc. I have a White early 2008 MacBook running 10.7.3. It is backed up regularly with Time Machine to an external drive.

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