Procedure for replacing hard drive and transfering data?

I am replacing my original hard drive with a much bigger one. All of my data is backed up using Time Machine. Is there some way for me to transfer data from my old hard drive to my new one using a quick simple method like Migration Assistant rather than doing a restore to my new drive once it is installed?
I have used Migration Assistant many times when buying a new computer and it always works perfectly. I have never done a full computer restore so I am a little worried about that process (needlessly?).

I ALWAYS build my own drive (takes 5 mins). More storage and less money.
Use FireWire not USB.
USB is packet oriented and data transfer is managed by the CPU, Firewire is a streaming protocol and data transfer is managed by the CPU only to initiate transfer, after that, Firewire handles the rest dropping CPU load to nearly 0%.
 http://www.cooldrives.com/ox93saiihadr.html
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Intellipower-Desktop-WD20EADS/dp/B001RB1TI S/ref=sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1258862242&sr=8-1

Similar Messages

Help with installing new hard drive and transferring data?

I have a MacBook Pro 13-inch mid 2009 that is running OS X version 10.6.8. The hard drive is full and I have a new one I'd like to install, but I am awfly intimidated. I'm hoping that someone could shed some light on kindergarten-style step-by-step instructions on how to make the switch. I'm mostly concerned about the data transfer part. I've found a handy video about physically installing the drive, so I think I'll be ok there.
Here are the items I have in preperation for the switch:
• 1.0 TB Hitachi Travelstar 7200RPM Hard Drive
• Portable bus-powered USB 3.0 storage solution (to turn my old hard drive into an external hard drive)
• Tools including a small phillips screwdriver and some Torx Screwdrivers
• Time Machine Extermal Hard Drive with all of my backups
Here are some things I have read that I find to be confusing
• Some suggest I should transfer my data from the old hard drive to new new one BEFORE I install the new one. (I'm not sure how that works.)
• Some suggest upgrading to the latest OS X before transferring any data. (Would that be Mavericks? I haven't upgraded to that yet. Is that necissary?)
• Some suggest that I will need the MacBook Pro's installation disk to make the switch. (I don't know where that disk is. Do I really need it?)
If anyone can clarify any of the above issues that I've listed as confusing, that would be great. Also, if anyone can help me figure out what steps to do first, second, third, etc., that would be great.
Thanks!

Also,
Will I need the install disks for the Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft office when I put in the new hard drive?

How do I reinstall CS6 Extended 64-bit after replacing hard drive and OS?

How do I reinstall CS6 Extended 64-bit after replacing hard drive and Windows 7 64-bit OS?

You can download the trial installer directly. Find the appropriate link below.
You must be on a trial download page to use the links, otherwise you get an error message.
For example, load the following page: http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/tdrc/index.cfm?product=photoshop_elements&loc=us
before pasting the link into the address bar.
http://trials2.adobe.com/AdobeProducts/PHSP/13/win32/Photoshop_13_LS16.7z
http://trials2.adobe.com/AdobeProducts/PHSP/13/win32/Photoshop_13_LS16.exe
You need to kepp both files downloaded into same folder and after download click on .exe file to extract .7z

Has anyone else had a problem with obtaining funds for replacement hard drive?, Has anyone else had a problem with obtaining funds for replacement hard drive?

Has anyone else had a problem with obtaining funds for replacement hard drive?, I have had difficulties obtaining replies as the funds appear to have gone astray and Apple aren't prepared to give me their bank details so my bank can try and locate them?

Might thry this if you are in N. America. It is a escalated level of support:
Apple Customer Relations 1-800-767-2775

On my Macbook pro 15 2011, System Profiler is suggesting that it uses SATA III for the hard drive and SATA II for the Optical Drive. Is that true?

On my Macbook pro 15, 2011, System Profiler is suggesting that it uses SATA III for the hard drive and SATA II for the Optical Drive. Is that true?

That is correct. The tech specs indicate:
Hard Drive Interface
6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA)
Optical Drive Interface
3.0 or 6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA)

Replacing hard drive and system recovery

I have a HDX 16 1155CA laptop running Windows 7 ultimate (upgraded from the pre-installed Vista). I recently dicovered a bad sector or several bad sectors on my hard drive using many diagnistics tools. SMART info indicates 3 pending sectors. Also,the hard drive failed the self test under BIOS self diagnostics. As my computer may be facing imminent hard drive failure, I'd like to replace the hard drive. Are there any HHDs with larger storage space and higer RPM compatable with this laptop? Also, i can't create a second set of recovery disks containg my current system and settings, how would I be able to recover my system/data and how should I back up all my current files?
Thanks.
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi:
You can use the Windows 7 backup and recovery system to make a ghost image of your current hard drive contents onto a portable hard drive. You will also have to make a boot CD which it will give you the option of doing, to access the recovery files, and reinstall your current configuration.
However, if I were you, I would back up any files, music and photos separately that I didn't want to lose, just in case the reinstallation fails.
While HP doesn't show any upgrades for your hard drive, I would imagine you would be safe installing up to a 640 GB 7200 RPM SATA drive. It is a modern enough PC.
You may also want to be on the safe side, and order a set of recovery disks for your notebook. They will be for Vista, but you can then go ahead and install W7 again. A set of recovery disks normally costs around $16.00.
Here is the link to your notebook's support page. Under the "Alerts for this Product" section, you can click on the blue link that states "How to Order Recovery Disks"
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/product?product=3860262&lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&lang=en&cc=us
Paul

How to replace hard drive and transfer everything over?

I've looked everywhere but am unable to find a definitive guide on how to do this.
Currently I have an early 2011 MBP that came with Snow Leopard and upgraded to Lion later. It has an HDD and I want to replace it with an SSD and transfer everything over to the SSD. Considering Lion created a Recovery partition (and there is also an EFI partition), I'm confused on how to do this the best way to basically copy my current hard drive to the new SSD.
The best I've figured out is to connect the SSD with a SATA-USB cable, use the Lion Recovery Disk Assistant ( http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1433 ) to create a Recovery partition on the new SSD, then, booting into Recovery, install Lion on the new SSD, and then use Migration Assistant to transfer all my files over.
Is there a simpler or better-explained way to basically copy my current hard drive over to a new SSD and then remove the HDD and use the SSD?

How to replace or upgrade a drive in a laptop
Step One: Repair the Hard Drive and Permissions
Boot from your OS X Installer disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger, Leopard or Snow Leopard.) After DU loads select your hard drive entry (mfgr.'s ID and drive size) from the the left side list. In the DU status area you will see an entry for the S.M.A.R.T. status of the hard drive. If it does not say "Verified" then the hard drive is failing or failed. (SMART status is not reported on external Firewire or USB drives.) If the drive is "Verified" then select your OS X volume from the list on the left (sub-entry below the drive entry,) click on the First Aid tab, then click on the Repair Disk button. If DU reports any errors that have been fixed, then re-run Repair Disk until no errors are reported. If no errors are reported click on the Repair Permissions button. Wait until the operation completes, then quit DU and return to the installer.
If DU reports errors it cannot fix, then you will need Disk Warrior and/or Tech Tool Pro to repair the drive. If you don't have either of them or if neither of them can fix the drive, then you will need to reformat the drive and reinstall OS X.
Step Two: Remove the old drive and install the new drive. Place the old drive in an external USB enclosure. You can buy one at OWC who is also a good vendor for drives.
Step Three: Boot from the external drive. Restart the computer and after the chime press and hold down the OPTION key until the boot manager appears. Select the icon for the external drive then click on the downward pointing arrow button.
Step Four: New Hard Drive Preparation
1. Open Disk Utility in your Utilities folder.
2. After DU loads select your new hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
3. Under the Volume Scheme heading set the number of partitions from the drop down menu to one. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (for Intel Macs) or APM (for PPC Macs) then click on the OK button. Click on the Partition button and wait until the process has completed.
4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
Step Five: Clone the old drive to the new drive
1. Open Disk Utility from the Utilities folder.
2. Select the destination volume from the left side list.
3. Click on the Restore tab in the DU main window.
4. Check the box labeled Erase destination.
5. Select the destination volume from the left side list and drag it to the Destination entry field.
6. Select the source volume from the left side list and drag it to the Source entry field.
7. Double-check you got it right, then click on the Restore button.
Destination means the new internal drive. Source means the old external drive.
Step Six: Open the Startup Disk preferences and select the new internal volume. Click on the Restart button. You should boot from the new drive. Eject the external drive and disconnect it from the computer.

Replacing Hard Driver and RAM

Is it okay to replace the Internal Hard Drive and RAM at the same time? Also, once I replace the hardware how do I restore my last Time Capsule Backup to the new hard drive?

Hello Jason Castellani -Usually best to do one major change at a time in case something goes wrong. That said I can see where you are going here once you got your MBP apart. If you are a gambling man go for both, esp if you have done the procedures before and comfortable with the operation.
See this knowledge base article for your migration question.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1177
Hope this helps
Message was edited by: leroydouglas

G5 Tower, replaced hard drive and now can not get it to work- HELP

My G5 (tower) crashed hard & after a trip to the Genius Bar at my local Mac Store I found out the hard drive was dieing.
The Mac person fixed some problem files & told that I could replace the hard drive. I bought a 350 GB SATA 3.5in hard drive and placed it in the second slot in the tower. I then used time machine & backed up the hard drive to the second slot (after I backed up on an external hard drive- just to be safe).
I removed the hard drives & placed the new one in the A slot. When I turned on the computer I had the ? folder. I turned off & restarted holding the option key and got two folders, one with a turn back arrow & a rt facing arrow. Clicked either did nothing. Does any1 know what I am doing wrong?? If so please let me know. Much appreciated.

Did you reset your PRAM?
command-option- p-r
Hold down all four keys as the mac starts up and wait for the chimes to ring twice. Then let the machine start up as usual.
If it works be sure to check your date and time settings (the system will tell you)
You can also start up from your system disk holding down the c key as it starts-- go past the language screen and open disk utilities from the menu bar run disk repair and then repair permissions. Set your startup disk to your new drive.
Hopefully that will take care of the problem.

Just Replaced Hard Drive and Time Capsule Suddenly Almost Full

I just replaced my 200GB hard drive (with approx. 165GB used) with a 500GB hard drive. My Time Capsule now shows about 330GB in storage...about my original 165GB x 2. So, I'm thinking that I now have my 165GB from my old hard drive in storage, and the 165GB from my new hard drive.
My question is...how do I correct this?

Was this an internal drive that was replaced? If so, my guess would be that the Time Capsule sees this as a new computer and will backup the contents of the entire drive.
Open your Hard Drive and look for the SHARED heading on the left. Click the Time Capsule icon and a Time Capsule folder will appear in the window on the right. Double click this folder.
You should now see a xxxxx.sparesbundle file for each computer that has been backing up. The sparsebundle file contains the name of your Mac and MAC address. If you see the same listing twice, you will know that the TC has made a new complete backup of your computer.
I haven't experienced your situation first hand, so I'm not clear on whether you will be able to access the "old" backups from your "new" computer. That might be the subject of a new post if that is the case.

Replaced hard drive and getting error

start up failed hard disk smart 0301
and quick scan 0303
i have everything backed up on my external.... this is the 2nd time i replaced the hdd... the 1st time it was under warenty
i have a hp pavillion dv5 -1251nr
i also have the op cd.... it was running vista.... help because i made the mistake of getting a sony netbook and its done for... my only chance to have a working pc is this hp.... and i am going insane without one

Contact the vendor of the new hard drive and request an RMA. Sometimes hard disks are received and the fail right out of the box. The manufacturers and vendors are aware of that. That is always a great reason to keep a receipt.
****Please click on Accept As Solution if a suggestion solves your problem. It helps others facing the same problem to find a solution easily****
2015 Microsoft MVP - Windows Experience Consumer

Macbook Pro replacement hard drive and re-installation of OS X

My son's Macbook Pro (mid 2009) started crashing on boot up and gave a input output error. I have replaced the original 250gb hard drive with a 750gb drive and also upgraded the ram from 2 to 8. Finally I have also replaced the battery. I am using Leopard installation dvd to re-install the software but can only progress as far as the screen 'Install Mac OS X' but there is no disc offered to install it on. By using Disk Utility the only disc shown is the dvd. Pressing the 'New Image' tab I entered 'Save As' 750gb WD HD and 'custom size' as 750 gb. Utility Disk informs me that the disc is only .75mb? Any suggestions to solving my problem and completing the installation program?

Niel, I've checked the connection to the hard drive and all is good but as a check I have disconnected and re-connection the cable to the hard drive and the board. I have also 'listened' to the hard drive and it appears to be spinning. Unfortunately, the Snow Leopard installation disc gets no further with its installation. Are Macbook Pro's of this age prone to cable breaks, or am I using the wrong disc for a full OS X installation, if Snow Leopard is an just as update? Is there anyway to add the drive using Disk Utility and if so how do I do it?

Replaced hard drive and iTunes does not recognize my laptop

My 2011 MacBook Pro froze up and when I rebooted the folder error came up. Replaced hard drive with a SSD drive and my new OS has a new name. When I logged into ITunes I had to delete an account due to my limit being reached. My old Mac ID was showing and it was signed up for the cloud at a fee of $24.00. The same MacBook but with a new hard drive had a new ID and I can not restore any of my pics or ITunes music. Am I missing a step or can I rename my Mac so it will match my old ID? If I rename it can I download my old info off of ITunes?? Thanks

I'm not following much of the question and for me it would help to get some terms straight. You only "log into" the iTunes Store (online). What account was this and what limit??
Old Mac ID? Your AppleID is what you use to log into the store. It does not change with computers. You always use the same one, perhaps updating the email address from time to time.
By the cloud do you mean iTunes Match?
Sure, your computer hard drive has a new name (you can rename it -- my series of drives have kept the same name for 23 years now). That doesn't affect logging into the Store. Start up iTunes, log into the Store using your same Apple ID, download available past purchases, and if you have the Match service download your other music too. You may have to authorize the computer again. I don't know which part of the computer is used for authentication and if that got lost with the old drive.

Music on hard drive, replaced hard drive and now library won't match up

I put all my cd's on a hard drive (9000 or so songs) and had a hard drive failure, so I moved all the songs to a new hard drive and now I can't use the Itunes library to connect with that hard drive, except one song at at a time.
Is there any way to get these two to communicate?
David

Is the rest of your music located in a different folder? You'd need to know where those files are in order to add them to iTunes. If you're not sure of their location, try a Spotlight search. Are you not able to locate the files to add them to iTunes, or are you selecting them but they are not appearing in the iTunes library?
I have all the actual music files located on a external hard drive, but the itunes file name(s) are located on the computer. The problem started when I got a new computer and switched all the stuff over, and then got a new hard drive because the old one was making noises. I copied one hard drive directly over to the other and now am trying to connect the two so they talk together.
The fix you sent me semed to work great until I noticed that I did not have any music after the letter "a" (namely 1/36 of the music). I ried it again with another copy I had and lost that too. Now, I am working with the copy I had on the other computer, which doesn't have all the data, but does have most of it, and I can survive adding the other stuff later somehow by re-copying the music and getting the data over again, but I do want to somehow get the other 35 letters worth, if possible.
David Molony

Replace hard drive and windows 8 software

I want to order a new hard ddrive (640 GB) and replace software and drivers. I found a replcement order for $30+ to replace drivers and software for windows 8. Am I getting the new software to replace the information on a new hard drive, or do I have to order a new windows 8 package?
earl
This question was solved.
View Solution.

Hi,
Where do you get the replacement for $30+ ? Is it a Recovery set from HP ? A Recovery set from HP will have Windows and drivers for your machine which allows you to bring your machine back to factory settings.
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Procedure for replacing hard drive and transfering data?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for