Swapping a hard drive from my mini

I upgraded my mini to a 320 gig hard drive, and I'm selling it to buy a macbook pro. I'm going to swap the 250 with the 320. Will that just work or will I have to reload the OS? I've made a time machine back up. I've seen the option after you install OSX to retrieve data from a time machine back up. How well does that work. Are there any concerns I should have with loosing data in this process?

You'll probably have to reload OSX as the MBP has new drivers (like GPU) that the mini never needed to have.
Of course you can just hook it and see what hits the fan but I'd probably play it safe and reload the OS

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Can I swap the hard drive from MacBook Pro 17 (2009) to MacBook Pro 15 (2006)?

My MacBook Pro 17 (2009) died. Pushing the power button gets no response. I had had problems with it for some time turning it on, it usually taking many many tries. Plus when I'd try to do a restart after updating software, instead of doing so it'd shut off super quick with a *pop* sound. There was never any of the typical hard drive going bad sounds I've read about and seen in videos. Since it has refused to turn on I've gone through every suggestion I can find to get it to turn back on. Unhook the battery and try starting from just the power cord; the shorting the power pads move; some thing undoing the battery, counting to 10, and then the next steps now escape my memory, but doing more counting to 10 inbetween; unplugging the battery and leaving it sit for 2 days with no power cord plugged in either, then hook it to a power cord and turn it back on; and so many more.
Also the symptoms just before this fiasco were as follows: I had a CD in the internal drive and was browsing through the images on it via the handy previewer using the space bar. Then I decided to quite, tried ejecting the CD by dragging the icon to the trash, and nothing. I tried again. The same. Then I pushed on the eject key, with the ejct icon popping up on the screen momentarily, but still nothing. Then it appreared as though some things worked and other things were not working. In my frustration I went to the Apple menu and clicked restart with a wince knowing it was going to take forever to turn back on. It did the usual quickly off with a *pop* and made super short lame attempts to turn back on when using the power button. Of course the CD kept trying to spin for a split second and then the little indicator light on the front would go out, then no noise at all.
Since I do not believe it is the hard drive (of course I could be wrong not being a Mac nerd at all), I was wondering if I can switch the hard drive to my Macbook Pro 15 (2006)?
I tried this, but it would not read the hard drive. Just a blank grey screen. If it is possible to do this swap, what are the exact steps to do? Please answer like I'm completely illiterate on this, because I really am. I'm super scared of losing everything on the dead MacBook's hard drive. Yeah yeah, I know: then why have I not been backing things up? I had the week prior. Believe me I WILL be doing it daily from now on if I get this mess straightened out!
Here are the specs for each MacBook Pro:
Name: MacBook Pro 17 (info gained from the serial on the bottom and then looked up online)
Model: A1297
Model Code: mbp_17_early_09
CPU Type: Intel Core 2 Duo
CPU Speed: 2.8GHz
RAM Type: DDR3 PC8500 SODIMM 1066MHz
RAM Slots: 2
Max RAM by Slot: 2 x 4GB
Maximum RAM: 8GB
RAM Pairing: Modules may be installed individually
Hard Drive Connection: SATA 300
Hard Drive Platter Size: 2.5"
Device Connectivity: USB 2.0, FireWire 800
Video Output (base graphics option): Mini DisplayPort
Expansion Slots: ExpressCard/34
Max Operating System Version: 10.6.8 (I believe that is what was last on the computer)
Name:    MacBook Pro 15" (retrieved from the System Profiler on this Mac)
Model Identifier:    MacBookPro2,2
Processor Name:    Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed:    2.33 GHz
Number Of Processors:    1
Total Number Of Cores:    2
L2 Cache:    4 MB
Memory:    3 GB
Bus Speed:    667 MHz
Boot ROM Version:    MBP22.00A5.B07
SMC Version (system):    1.12f5

OGELTHORPE really sorry to keep bugging you, but it's obvious you know what you are talking about and I'm stuck on thin ice here getting this fixed, because there are no authorized Apple reps here. I would rather shoot myself for messing up, then to trust someone who "says" they can fix my Mac down here.
I checked out a company owned by ebay that is the same down here, called MercadoLibre. There are quite a few adapters listed there. I'd like to give you links for some and was wondering if you minded taking a look to tell me if any seem to fit the bill. Some have specs in English, others don't. (Google translater is my friend!)
#1. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-415826915-adaptador-usb-a-ide-y-sata-con -cables-y-fuente-envio-gratis-_JM
#2. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-416270876-usb-20-to-ide-sata-25-35-hard- drive-_JM#D[S:HOME,L:HISTORY,V:1]
#3. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-416384859-adaptador-usb-20-a-sataide-_JM
#4. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-415596152-adaptador-usb-20-para-sata-e-i de-manhattan-_JM
#5. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-416061182-adaptador-de-usb-a-sata-o-ide- 3525-con-fuente-externa-_JM
#6. http://articulo.mercadolibre.com.uy/MLU-416061069-convertidor-usb-20-a-sata-hdd- 25-soporta-hasta-1tb-_JM
These are all cost effective enough that I don't care the price - cheap, expensive - whichever will work the BEST!
I've also looked for the 7200 rpm HDD, and although I found some, I'll be danged if they are not 3.0, instead of the 2.5 that I have. Grrrr! I was willing to spend the $90 for 1tb... or being the non-techie that I am, can this 3.0 go into my 2006 MBP??
Just so you can see what all is listed right now:
http://listado.mercadolibre.com.uy/7200-rpm-hdd-2.5-macbook-pro
Another newbie question: How do I check what the amount if RAM is presently installed in it? (I might be a greenhorn, but I take pride in not being a dumbie and I learn when taught)
Right now, I'm willing to spend almost anything. I want a few files that are on the HDD at the moment that I was stupid and did not backup on my external. One file I worked on all day due to the dimensions I had to design it at and each effect took a long time to render. I really don't want to do that one again!.. I'm also willing to spend anything that won't cost me the price of a new iMac. Figure that should be the next one I buy that is affordable, but won't be overworked like the MBP was.
Once again, thanks much for all of your help!

Can I swap hard drive from my Macbook (10.5.8) into Macbook Pro (10.6)?

I have a white Macbook from 2007 (model A1181, 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo, OSX 10.5.8 installed) which I upgraded with a 500GB hard drive. I now have Macbook Pro (model A1278, 2.53GHz, 10.6 fresh install from disc, 250GB hdd).
I would like to swap the 500GB drive from the Macbook into the MBP so I can transfer over all my settings and apps. Will that upgrade work? If not, what's the best method to perform this upgrade so I can restore my system on the MBP? I use TimeMachine and SuperDuper to backup my Macbook if that matters. Thank for any input!

No, once you put the older MacBook drive in, if it even fits, you can't transfer to the new one because it's not physically in the MacBookPro anymore.
And the MacBookPro may not be able to read a 10.5 boot disk if it shipped with 10.6.
They are not backwards compatible when trying to boot from an older machines drive that probably doesn't have the correct drivers to run on a MacPro.
First,
Try using Disk Utility to do a Disk Repair, as shown in this link, while booted up on your install disk in case you have some directory corruption.
Let us know what errors Disk Utility reports and if DU was able to repair them. Disk Utility's Disk Repair is not perfect and may not find or repair all directory issues. A stronger utility may be required to finish the job. Better, run DiskWarrior if you have it.
After that Repair Permissions.
No need to report Permissions errors....we all get them.
Then use Target Disk Mode and Migration Assistant to move settings and data.
Make sure all your apps. are 10.6 compatible. I would trash any plug ins also.
I followed this routine and had no troubles.
DALE

Swapping hard drive from one MacBook to another

I'll spare you the gory details, but my daughter broke the screen on her 2.0 Core Duo MacBook, one of the original ones. It has a 250 gb hard drive that I put in to replace the small stock drive. We are replacing this MacBook with a new one, a 2.0 Core 2 Duo. What I would like to do is simply swap out the hard drive from the old and out it in the new one. The old one does have Leopard. Is there any reason this would not work? Thanks.
(Also, is there any market anywhere for a MacBook that works fine except for the broken screen?)

twincities1 wrote:
I'll spare you the gory details, but my daughter broke the screen on her 2.0 Core Duo MacBook, one of the original ones. It has a 250 gb hard drive that I put in to replace the small stock drive. We are replacing this MacBook with a new one, a 2.0 Core 2 Duo. What I would like to do is simply swap out the hard drive from the old and out it in the new one. The old one does have Leopard. Is there any reason this would not work? Thanks.
You may need to run Leopard install again on the drive when it's in the new MacBook. There will be some drivers and stuff that won't be on there that the new one needs. You could probably just do an upgrade to do this.
(Also, is there any market anywhere for a MacBook that works fine except for the broken screen?)
You could consider keeping it and hooking it to an external monitor and use it that way as a spare computer.
You could also look online at some of the MacBook repir shops and see if they buy broken MacBooks for parts.

How do i reformat my hard drive on mac mini late 2011 with yosemite before selling my mac

how do i reformat my hard drive on mac mini late 2011 with yosemite before selling my mac

You can't legally sell or give away that computer with Yosemite installed.
Before you sell or give away your computer, in addition to the steps listed in this support article, take these steps:
1. Run Apple Diagnostics or the Apple Hardware Test. The buyer will do this (or he should), and you don't want to be surprised by the results.
2. Reset the PRAM and the SMC, which might contain personal information.
3. If you set a firmware password, remove it by running Firmware Password Utility in Recovery mode.
4. If you activated FileVault in OS X 10.7 or later, turn it off.
5. If you use Boot Camp, the partition must be deleted.
6. If you created any other data partitions on the internal drive, remove them in Disk Utility.
7. If the machine has an internal hard drive, erase the one remaining data partition with the option to zero out data. An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.
You can't legally or practically transfer any software downloaded from the Mac App Store to the new owner of the machine, even if it was free. That includes OS X, so if you upgraded to OS X 10.7 or later, you must reinstall an older OS, either from the installation media, if applicable, or by starting up in Internet Recovery mode (option-command-R at the startup chime.) If you installed from physical media, deliver those to the new owner.
If you're selling the machine, or donating it in working order, and it originally shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, then you have the option of installing either from the discs that came with it or from a retail Snow Leopard disc (which you must then transfer to the buyer.) The buyer should understand that if he doesn't get the original discs from you, he won't get the bundled iLife applications or the Apple Hardware Test. Replacements for the original discs can be ordered from Apple.
The new owner will have to redownload any software that came from the App Store, including OS X upgrades, under his or her Apple ID. If you ever updated the bundled iLife applications (Garage Band, iMovie, and iPhoto) through the App Store, you can't transfer those either. The buyer will have to purchase them.
Remove the machine from your list of registered products. If it's still covered by an AppleCare Protection Plan, transfer the coverage to the new owner by following the instructions in the AppleCare Terms and Conditions (under the heading "Transfer of Plan.")

Can I take the hard drive from a late 2008 MacBook Pro and put it in an Early 2011 MacBook Pro?

I just got a new 15" MBP and I want to give my older one to my son. The "older" one is an Early 2011. My son has the Late 2008 model. My brother will take the 2008 MBP once I've moved all my son's stuff to the 2011. Here's the question. My son has a 750GB hard drive on the 2008. He has partitions on it for Boot Camp and for his games. The 2011 only has a 500GB hard drive. Rather than erasing the 2011, restoring it from Time Capsule, then setting up Boot Camp and the other partitions all over again, or even using Winclone or something like that, can I just swap the hard drives? It would certainly faster and easier. I just wonder if there is a technical reason why I shouldn't do that.

You could always give it a shot - the only problem that you might run into is that the the early 2011 might not boot when the hard drive is swapped from the 2008 hard drive. Some versions of OS X are simply not compatible between different models.
But it's worth a try...
Clinton

Restore Hard Drive from Backup DVD's

Own 4 HP G7 Windows 7 system
one computer was showing the fan was overheating and requested to be turned off soon
turned it off
Took hard drive out of the unit A with the fan problems and swapped with the hardrive from
unit B (another G7)
Computer A or B would not boot properly
So I ran a HP backup of the Hard drive from A which is now in unit B requested 10 DVD's seems to have backuped with out problems but could only boot in safe mode
Took the unit A in for repair-Fan was dirty, they cleaned it, and it worked fine-exchanged hard drives back to origiinal state A with A and B with B
B started without a problem and was normal
A had problems and the tech said they need to reinstall opeating system to boot but would not damage data.
Opened B but it had no data. Used the DVD to restore but hung up on 2nd DVD at 4 % and said could not find hard drive (1st DVD was OK)
All 10 DVD have swm files so I took it to a data recovery repair shop. They said they can read and retrieve most files but when un zipped they were corrupted and could not be read.
Need the data for my son's college work stored.
DVD's seem to have data but can not retrieve or reload. Original haed drive in A seems to have been over written and data is no longer there but have DVD's the backup was with HP software onto DVD but can not retrive the files. Can HP retrieve the compressed files from the DVD's for a restore?
Seems that the units both G7's had different proceessors one was dual he other not and the backup was made while the hard drives were swapped out. Please advise as what can be done.

Hi @TonyBlair1 ,
Thank you for your inquiry, I will do my best to assist you!
Please remember when posting to include your exact model of G7 you have.
How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?
I grasp that you have 4, G7 notebooks running Windows 7. Computer A had a overheating issue and you removed the hard drive and swapped it with computer B.
Neither computer would boot properly.
So you ran a backup from A which is in computer B from safe mode.
You took unit A in and had it repaired.
You replaced drive A into computer A and drive B back in computer B.
B worked normally.
Now Drive A Computer A
The tech advised you that you need to reinstall Windows to boot but it would not affect your files. You attempted to use your DVDs to do a restore but on 2nd DVD you get an error no hard drive found.
First I would like to clarify, did you do a Microsoft backup and restore or did you do a HP recovery and backup?
As you did stated you used HP software I am providng links on recovery.
Using System Recovery, Factory Reset and Minimized Image Recovery Options
Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7)
Troubleshooting HP System Recovery Problems (Windows 7)
Restoring Files that were Backed Up Using HP Recovery Manager (Windows 7)
I hope this helps.
Sparkles1
I work on behalf of HP
Please click “Accept as Solution ” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Can i connect thunderbolt duo hard drive to the mini display port of a late 2008 macbook pro which do not have thunderbolt port, but have mini display port.

hi, i have a late 2008 15 inch macbook pro, which have a mini display port.
I noticed that thunderbolt and mini display port looks a like. So, my question is :
can i connect thunderbolt duo hard drive to the mini display port of a late 2008 macbook pro which do not have thunderbolt port, but have mini display port.
thank you

ken94538,
no, you’d need a Thunderbolt-to-FireWire adapter or Thunderbolt-to-USB adapter to be able to access your Thunderbolt hard drive from your 2008 MacBook Pro.

Replacment Hard Drive from third party vendor for old 3rd gen Ipod

I have a 3 generation 20gb ipod, and after it`s 10,000 drop the hard drive dies. For several months I seach the net for a company to buy a replacment Hard Drive from. I settle upon "Ipodmechanic.com" for my replacement part becuase, they have a one year warrenty, apple certified, and have slightly cheaper prices than there competitors, plus the website looks nice. Anyway I order a 10gb instead of a 20 because I want to save some money and I don`t need all that space.
I get the Hard Drive a couple of days later and install it. Oviously something is wrong from the start and I figure It can be fixed with a restore from the ipod updater. Instead of a fix I get the words can not initilize restore please restore again. The situation continues to repeat itself with not solution. I can not fix my Ipod and I am stuck with a $140 Hard Drive. Also the packege the Hard Drive came in had in permenet marker, the words and symblo (Bad ?). I am not angary at what they sent me wether used or new, as long as it works. But what makes me angry is after I bought the Hard Drive Ipodmechanic stopped answering my emails. I had to ask for there phone number because it wasn`t posted on there site. I can not get in contact with them and if so I must request my bank to sees the fund they have of mine. I don`t believe they are doing this on purpose, maybe they are on vacation or had an emergancy but, it would be nice if they would inform there customers they are away, but, still with no respones what choice is there when they have my $140 and a warrenty they can not make good on.
Third Generation Ipod Mac OS X (10.4.3)

You can get a HD like this. It uses wifi to and an app to access the HD
http://www.seagate.com/external-hard-drives/portable-hard-drives/wireless/wirele ss-plus/?cmpid=ppc-_-wireless-_-g-_-us-_-hdd%20%2Bwifi-_-b

How do I remove one failing hard drive from raid set and replace with new one

Last Friday apparently one of my raid drives started failing.
As I mentioned on this forum I started getting continous beeping.
I was finally able to get the raid working at a degraded level. I ordered a replacement hard drive which is arriving today.
(In the meantime I made twice daily backups of my work.....)
Below was the message I got from the browser based raid software:
Blahblah 09    1000.2GB   RaidSet Member SamSung HD103SJ
Blahblah 10    1000.2GB     Free                 SamSung HD103SJ
Blahblah 11    1000.2GB   RaidSet Member SamSung HD103SJ
Blahblah 12    1000.2GB   RaidSet Member SamSung HD103SJ
(See this earlier thread if you wish!)
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/727867?tstart=0
At one point when I did the checked the browser interface I saw the message Failed and Degraded
As I said, I was able to work over the weekend on the degraded system.
This morning I got the beeping again and did the rescue and now I am running a "full raid" without the notice that one raid was "Free".
In any case, the new hard drive is arriving today.
What steps should I take to incorporate the new drive into the raid system.
I have one OS drive
and 4 tb raid drives.   One needs to be replaced with the new one that I am getting today.
Thanks
Rowby

Harm,
Regarding your comment:
Re: How do I remove one failing hard drive from raid set and replace with new one
Please tell me how to read the serial number from an individual drive rather easily, without un-installing them:
If you select the proper drive to change out, you only need to remove one drive and look at its serial number...
Step 1: Identify bad drive serial number using Areca's tools
Step 2: Turn off the computer
Step 3: Remove what you think is the bad drive based on following your numbered cable method, marked hot-swap bays, whatever
Step 4: Verify that the serial number matches the "bad drive" serial number from step 1; if it does great, proceed; if it does not match, go back to step 3
Step 5: Change out the CORRECT drive - that's the bottom line for this whole procedure
Cheers,
Jim

Do I need startup discs to upgrade hardware on MacBook Pro or can I restore the hard drive from from a Time Machine backup?

do I need startup discs to upgrade hardware on MacBook Pro or can I restore the hard drive from from a Time Machine backup?

Ok, well go and grab a small 2.5" hard drive enclosure so you can put the new drive in & temporarily use it like an external hard drive.
Download Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper and make a bootable clone of your current HDD on the new HDD.
Once that's done you can test the clone by booting from it. To do this hold Optioni while booting to select the external (new) drive. If everything looks ok, you can go ahead and swap over the HDD's.
So much easier.

Installing hard drive from Macbook into Macbook Pro. Do I have to reformat?

I've got a work macbook (250GB hard drive) that has all my work apps and documents on the hard drive. I just purchased a used Macbook pro (120GB hard drive) that I want to take the hard drive from the old Macbook and place it into my new Macbook Pro (and take the Macbook Pro drive and place it into the Macbook). Basically I'd just be swapping drives.
Can I get away with not doing any data transfers? Will the computers simply just work with the drive from the other laptop? Both are 2006-2007 models. Are all the drivers simply built into the OS and will work universally between mac laptops?
Thanks.

Are all the drivers simply built into the OS and will work universally between mac laptops?
Yes, unless the computer is newer than the OS installed on the drive. A very small number of preferences may need to be reentered.
(48609)

Play external hard drive from iPad

Can anyone tell me how to play a external hard drive from my ipad

There are some wireless external hard drives that can be used with the iPad.
Best iPad External Hard Drive Storage Options
http://www.unlocktips.com/2012/11/best-ipad-mini-external-hard-drive-memory-stor age-options/
iPad Storage Solutions
http://www.ipadstoragesolutions.com/iPadWirelessStorage.php
SanDisk Connect Wireless Media Drive http://www.sandisk.com/products/wireless/media-drive/
Another option:
Expand your iPad's storage capacity with HyperDrive
http://www.macworld.com/article/1153935/hyperdrive.html
On the road with a camera, an iPad, and a Hyperdrive
http://www.macworld.com/article/1160231/ipadhyperdrive.html
 Cheers, Tom

Can I put the hard drive from my unrepairable iMac into another equivalent iMac?

THE LOGIC BOARD IN MY OLDER IMAC IS KAPUT. CAN I SIMPLY PUT THE HARD DRIVE FROM MY FAILED IMAC INTO A WORKING EQUIVALENT IMAC? ( I SEE PEOPLE SELLING THE SAME IMAC ON CRAIG'S LIST FOR $150.)

Hi.
Yes, you can install the drive from the old iMac into another same-model iMac and it should have no problem booting.
Optionally, I would suggest you search online for a FireWire external drive enclosure. Take the drive out of your old iMac and install it into the FireWire drive enclosure. Now you can use your old drive as an external, bootable hd on your replacement iMac, or on any other Mac that you might purchase in the future.
Of course, you could swap the drive from your failed iMac into the one you buy on Craig's List... then put the drive you take from that into the external drive enclosure.
I suggest a FireWire enclosure because the older iMacs, the PPC models, can boot from an external FireWire drive, but I believe not from a USB drive.

Access Time Capsule's Hard Drive from Windows Vista

Hi, I have a Time Capsule connected to my network.... It works beautifully with with my Mac mini and Macbook Pro on wired and wireless... I can easily connect to TC's hard drive and share files between the two.... I was wondering if I can access the hard drive from my Windows Vista PC that is also connected... I tried to access (The device is classified as unknown by windows) it but it I get an error message (the properties cannot not be found) from the network setup center ... Is there an easy way so I can access TC hard drive from my PC???? Thanks...

I don;t know about Vista, but I have no trouble with the several flavors of XP that are in the house.
In the Airport Utility _> Manual Setup -> Disks ->File Sharing, I have entered the Workgroup name that is used by the Windows machines, and the Time Capsule password is the same as that of the Admin user on the XP machines.
If you haven't set the workgroup maybe that will help.

Swapping a hard drive from my mini

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