Moving HD from MacBook to MacBook Pro

I have a MacBook using 10.4.11 and have been given a MacBook Pro that's running 10.5.6. The HD in the MBP is about half the size of the one in the MB. Can I take the HD out of the MB and put it in the MBP so all my files and settings transfer over as they wouldn't fit on the small MBP HD.

The answer to your original question is "NO" you cannot do that (as you have learned). The problem is that the OS installed for a MacBook is not the same as the OS installed for a MacBook Pro, because the hardware is different (simply upgrading the OS will not help, either).
With the larger drive in the MBP, you can boot from the OS X Install DVDs _that came with the MacBook Pro_ (hopefully, you were given these with the MBP; if not, you should call Apple to order a replacement set). Insert disc and boot with the c key pressed to boot, and perform an Archive & Install - that will preserve your home folder, etc. I'd really recommend having a backup of your data before trying that!
Alternatively, perform an Erase & Install on the larger drive using the install DVD for the MBP, then use Migration Assistant to transfer the files from wherever you backed them up.
One possible scenario would be to get an external drive large enough for all your files (you really should consider that anyway, for regular backups - hard drive do fail!).

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Moving photos from iPhoto in macbook pro to new iMac

We recently got a new iMac. Pumped to move photos from 13" Macbook Pro to huge iMac, right? Well this has been quite a crazy effort! So far, here is what I have tried unsuccessfully:
1) Moving iPhoto library (from the icon) to external hard drive and then moving that file onto the computer. I cannot get it to move from the hard drive into my photo folder on the iMac. I tried to just click it and upload the pictures but then only about half of a size of each photo shows up and is really screwed up.
2) Tried by bluetooth (93gb). Just froze up the Macbook Pro program trying to do that.
3) Tried sharing wireless connection
4) Tried hooking up an ethernet cord between the two.
What I run into over and over is that I cannot click and drag the iPhoto Library icon over to my iMac.
So any ideas? Initially did all photo files over but it made two and three copies of each of them and my research of this has said to use the iPhoto Library icon.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

I may have just figured out part of the problem. I was having trouble dragging files and discovered others were having the same problems through these forums. Restarted the computer and bam...I can drag the file now! Thought I was going to go crazy. We'll see if this works ultimately.
Thanks Larry

Moving data from iMac to Macbook pro

Hi
I have to bring in my iMac 27" for maintenance.
i wanted to know if it was possible to move easely everything from my iMac to my macBook Pro
So I can continue working on my macbook while my iMac is going for repair.
Thanks in advance

If you applications are free, you can simply transfer the work files.
If your applications are paid, the situation is more complicated. Some software manufacturers allow you to transfer certain applications free of extra charge, or contend that fair use sharing is admissible. However, for self protection, many software manufacturers charge you for each unique user.
If you need additional help, you'll need to be more specific.

Switching/Moving Data from Powerbook to MacBook

Hey All,
I just received a new MacBook, and I need to go about moving my information from one to the other. I have a LaCie external with most of my applications and documents on it, but I'm wondering about moving things like my mail accounts (with its "on my mac" mailboxes), address book contacts, etc.
Also, if I have programs like MS Word, which I had to supply a code in order to install on my Powerbook, will I need to supply a new code to put it on the MacBook, even if I'm transferring it through my external hardrive from the G4?
Thanks,
Drayton

A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs
If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.
Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3 or G4 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:
Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries
See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.
In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.
If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.
If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.
The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.
Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior (does not work), TechTool Pro (pre-4.5.1 versions do not work), SuperDuper (newest release works), and Drive Genius (untested) may not work properly on Intel-Macs. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries.
Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.
Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:
Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ
Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode or copying the critical contents to CD and DVD or an external hard drive will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs.
Basically the instructions you should follow are:
1. Backup your data first. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.
2. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.
3. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.
4. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.
4. Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:
In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.
In your /Home/Library/ folder:
/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)
Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)
/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/com.apple.mail.plist (* This is a very important file which contains all email account settings and general mail preferences.)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ copy any preferences needed for third-party applications
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
If you want cookies:
/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist
For Entourage users:
Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft
Credit goes to another forum user for this information.
If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.
5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.
Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.

Moving HD from old white Macbook to new white Macbook

Hi all
I've hunted around Google but haven't found a conclusive answer to my problem.
I have a previous generation white Macbook. I put in a new hard disk (320g) sometime ago, and all works like a charm.
My wife finally wants to move from a pc to a mac. She is happy to have my current macbook, and for me to get a new white macbook. All good stuff.
So what I want to do is get a new white Macbook with the standard 160g HD because that is more than enough for her needs. All I'd need to do then is swap the HDs around.
BUT as I understand it, my HD's version of Leopard won't have all the drivers for the graphics card in the new white macbooks.
Can anyone help with a simple step by step guide to how I can put my HD into a new white macbook and get it working seamlessly? Is it even possible?
I've read something about swapping HDs and doing an 'archive and install', but I'm not totally clear on what I would be left with at the end of it.
I hope I've been clear. Happy to explain further if not, and would GREATLY appreciate any help.
Ev2

All the options I can think of, while they could be accomplished with two drives, would be a great deal safer with a third drive used as an intermediate. This can be any external Firewire drive (desktop size is fine), with at least as much space as you have files on your current HD.
First, clone your current system to this third HD using Carbon Copy Cloner. Boot from it and make sure it's complete.
Then, swap the two Macbook drives. The new Macbook will now have the 320GB drive. Boot the new Macbook from its installation disk, run Disk Utility to wipe the drive, and install its system from scratch. When you first boot from this system, it'll ask you if you want to transfer information from a previous Mac. Attach the external HD through Firewire, and transfer your old files back.
Now, you'll need to wipe and reinstall the old Macbook's system on the 160GB drive.
Matt

Moving files from pc to macbook (no extrenal HD)

what is the best way to move my files (music, videos, etc.) from my old PC to my new BlackBook?
theres about 30 GB worth of stuff, so there is NO way I'm going to sit and burn them all to cd's
im not really willing to buy an external hard drive... could i send them wirelessly? i have a wireless router.
if im just being computer illiterate and there is no other way, then tell me... then feel free to punch me in the neck, lol

haha... actually, the 100's dont exist... they were theoretical, at least for about a month or so.
Sadly though, in about a month or so, the answer is still no
but i'm sure a pat on the back is satisfying enough!

Moving drives from G4 to Mac Pro

I'm buying a Mac Pro as an early Christmas present to myself. My G4 is "long in the tooth" and seems slow and buggy with Leopard (5.1) installed on a WD Raptor 150 GB drive. I also have Tiger on a WD 500 GB drive (10.4.11).
Can I simply remove these drives from the G4 and plug them in as is into the Mac Pro without any problems? I've been reading about Tiger installation disc problems with Intel Macs and I would like to avoid having to re-install and re-format everything.
Any comments would be appreciated!

If they are Serial ATA (the thin, small cable- not the long flat one), then you can plug them into your Mac Pro and read/write to them. That G4 doesn't support SATA unless you installed a card specifically to let you use SATA drives, so I'm guessing they are IDE drives instead.
If they are SATA drives, then you can plug them into the Mac Pro- but you can't boot from the disk. You'll need to boot from the Mac Pro's stock hard drive, and then drag and drop your data off the G4's disks onto your Mac Pro's boot volume.
Since they are likely not SATA disks, you won't be able to plug them into your Mac Pro... At least on the inside.
Your best bet in this case is to buy a ~$50 external drive case (most computer stores carry these)- which will let you stick that IDE drive in a case that lets you connect it via USB 2.0. That will let you read/write to the disks as usual (but again, you won't be able to boot from the OS drive).
So either way- it isn't as simple as just plugging them into the Mac Pro. You'll need a new OS installation regardless, and you'll need to move your data over somehow.
-SC

How can I access files that I moved from an older MacBook Pro to a newer one via Firewire and Migration assistant. The files show up on the new MacBook but cannot be opened. Thanks!

How can I access files that I moved from an older MacBook Pro to a newer one via Firewire and Migration assistant? The files show up on the new MacBook but cannot be opened. Thanks!

Get info then check permissions then add your curent user name (it was probably different on old Mac) and give your username full read/write permissions.

I just bought a MBA and I need to move my photos and itunes to an external hard drive (from my old MacBook Pro) because they won't fit on the Air. I got the photos moved fine and I followed an online tutorial to move the necessary files for itunes, but i

I just bought a MBA and I need to move my photos and itunes to an external hard drive (from my old MacBook Pro) because they won't fit on the Air. I got the photos moved fine and I followed an online tutorial to move the necessary files for itunes, but it didn't work. The files copied fine, but when I tell iTunes on the Air to look at the external drive for the library, it doesn't find anything. What I copied was the entire iTunes Media folder. So, how do I move the necessary iTunes files from my old Pro to a external drive so I can access them from my new Air? Whew!

iTunes- How to move the library to an EHD
After you move the library you need to open iTunes by first depressing the OPTION key then launching iTunes. You will be given a choice of which library to use. This can then be made a permanent change, if you wish, in the Advanced section of iTunes preferences.

Moving files from PowerMac G3 to MacBook Pro

I have a new MacBook Pro and am moving files from all my old macs onto it. I found an old beige desktop PowerPC hard drive but don't have a monitor for it. Also, I have ancient 3.5 floppies that I need to read and the old beige computer has a slot for that. So, the question is: How do I get my files off the beige G3 and onto the new computer when the beige PowerPC has NO firewire?

One solution is to find any old crappy monitor and hook it up to the beige G3. Then you can configure it to use Ethernet, and set up a small Ethernet network with your new MacBook Pro. It is a little complicated, but not difficult.
This article helps explain the concepts:
106658- Creating a small Ethernet network
Then this illustrated step-by-step can walk you through it:
Car1sons OS 9 to OS X.3 File Sharing Setup

HT204350 Started the transfer process from my old MacBook to a new MacBook pro using Migration assistant 12 hours ago. The screen says transferring your information. Moving about 270 GB using an Ethernet cable directly connected. Is this normal?

Started the transfer process from my old MacBook to a new MacBook pro using Migration assistant 12 hours ago. The screen says transferring your information. Moving about 270 GB using an Ethernet cable directly connected. Is this normal?

You can get a thunderbolt to firewire adapter. You can then get a firewire 400 to 800 cable and put the old computer in target mode. Then you can follow these instructions.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889
Choose migrate from other disk or volume.

HT1296 I just bought a new MacBook Pro and moved data over from my old MacBook Pro. Everything seemed fine at first but Outlook 2011 for Mac will not run. It just flashes the Outlook logo briefly and then closes. Help!

Everything seemed to work fine after moving everything over from my old MacBook Pro at first but I cannot run Outlook 2011 for Mac. The logo displays briefly and then the app closes. It never really even gets anything loaded other than the little logo.

Try removing and reinstalling Outlook
Next try posting in a more appropriate forum. this is the iPod touch forum

I have moved everything from my macbook pro onto my iMac. For some reason I cant see any of my music in iTunes even though I have logged in with my normal apple ID.

I have moved everything from my macbook pro onto my iMac. For some reason I cant see any of my music in iTunes even though I have logged in with my normal apple ID. Please help me before I kill something!!

How did you go about transferring your library onto the iMac? There are specific instructions one must follow to do this correctly without causing loss of data. Simply signing in via your Apple ID won't do much of anything unless you are an iTunes Match subscriber.
Did you just copy the entire iTunes folder over? If so, Quit iTunes then hold down option and click the iTunes icon in the Dock. Don't release option until the popup appears asking if you want to create a new library. Simply navigate to the library in the folder you copied over.
If you didn't go about transferring your library in that way, and you still have the MacBook Pro, follow these instructions to transfer your library properly to avoid data loss.
Hope that helps!

Moving Account from Old MacBook to Newly-Acquired MacBook Pro

Received a new MacBook Pro and want to migrate from my old MacBook. However:
1) the Snow Leopard disk I have seems to hang when I click on the Utilities button (lower left corner of Installation screen). On clicking on the button, it asks for a Restart. I click on the Restart button and it hangs on the restart. Do I need to press "C" while restarting?
2)if I use Migration Assistant, because I have the same account name on both computers, it wants to rename one of them. Questions:

It worked - mostly.......
I lost my Aperture registration and had to re-enter both my Aperture serial number and my Aperture 3 upgrade serial number. Aperture is also having trouble finding my images that I put into various projects and albums. Some come in, and others don't.
I backed up my old MacBook using Time Machine and restored from that backup, just as you suggested. Why won't Aperture find the images for ALL y albums, only some, and what can I do to force it to look for all the images?
Last, re: Snow Leopard install disc. I have my Snow Leopard package and install disc in hand. The package (which I bought at the Apple store on University Ave. in Palo Alto) says "OS X Snow Leopard The world's most advance operating system. Finely tuned." and has a picture of a snow leopard on the front of the box. The box has the part number MC223Z/A. The disc also has a picture of the same snow leopard, and says Mac OS X Snow Leopard in large type across the top just below the Apple logo, Install DVD Version 10.6 22691-6558-A in small print on the left side.
And it does have a Utilities button in the lower left corner of the opening screen, not an Options button. No menu bar across the top. So if that's not a Snow Leopard install disc, the Apple store sold me a fake and I want a new, REAL install disc.

Moving iPhotos from Old MacBook Pro to my New MacBook Pro!

How do I move my entire iPhotos Application from my old MacBook Pro to my new MacBook Pro? I want to keep all my albums and slideshows intact. Is this possible? I'm going from a MacBook Pro OS 10.5.8, iPhoto 7.5.1 to MacBook Pro OS 10.9.1 iPhoto 9.5.1

Migration Assistant has a poor record with iPhoto Libraries, unfortunately.
To move an iPhoto Library to a new machine:
Link the two Macs together: there are several ways to do this: Wireless Network,Firewire Target Disk Mode, Ethernet, or even just copy the Library to an external HD and then on to the new machine...
But however you do choose to link the two machines...
Simply copy the iPhoto Library from the Pictures Folder on the old Machine to the Pictures Folder on the new Machine.
Then launch iPhoto. That's it.
This moves photos, events, albums, books, keywords, slideshows and everything else.

I moved from an old macbook to a new one. I copied all my files onto a hard drive. On trying to setup my mail, i went into documents, microsoft user identities, office 2011 and it shows the database but wont let me select it. Urgent help pls

I moved from an old macbook to a new one. I have installed Office for Mac 2011. I copied all my files from my old notebook onto a hard drive. On trying to setup my mail, i went into my hard drive and accessed microsoft user identities, office 2011 and it shows the database but wont let me select it. Its almost as if the file is there but not accessable. I desperately need to access my old mail. How do I do this? I am fairly confident that I copied all files off my old notebook. Is there a way for me to search for the Database file? Maybe I copied it to a different location? Urgent help please.

Hello mafrerichs and welcome to Apple Support Communities,
Simplest way is to use Target Disk mode:
How to use and troubleshoot FireWire target disk mode - Apple Support
and hook to another Mac and use CCC or SuperDuper and clone your HD to another drive.
You could also pull the drive out of your MBP and use an external USB case or SATA - USB dongle to hook it to another Mac.
"MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011),... have a 15" 2012 Macbook pro with 2gb of ram, i7 processor"
That's a little confusing?

Moving HD from MacBook to MacBook Pro

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