J_M2
Level 1 (33 points)
Mac OS X

Q: Would a startup drive on a MP 3,1 work on a MP 5,1?

I currently have a Mac Pro early 2008 it is running 10.6.8, but I'm working towards upgrading the OS to Mountain Lion 10.8.x.

 

After I have a successful startup drive on this older MacPro, would that startup drive work on a newer Mac Pro 5,1?   Are there any drivers etc that load specific to the version of Mac Pro or would it load all the necessary files?

 

This would save me an enormous amount of time to just drop this drive into a new computer without having to reload everything or go through the migrate and testing.

 

thanks in advance!

 

j

Mac OS X (10.6.8), 8800gt eSata nec2490WUXI

Posted on Jun 15, 2013 5:27 PM

by Niel,Solvedanswer
Niel Niel
Level 10 (312,806 points)
Mac OS X
A:

If the OS on it is newer than the MacPro5,1, it'll work. A few programs, typically commercial ones, may refuse to run on the newer computer.

 

(84328)

Posted on Jun 15, 2013 5:29 PM

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J_M2

Q: Would a startup drive on a MP 3,1 work on a MP 5,1?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Niel,Solvedanswer

    Niel Niel Jun 15, 2013 5:29 PM in response to J_M2
    Level 10 (312,806 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2013 5:29 PM in response to J_M2

    If the OS on it is newer than the MacPro5,1, it'll work. A few programs, typically commercial ones, may refuse to run on the newer computer.

     

    (84328)

  • by Kappy,

    Kappy Kappy Jun 15, 2013 5:32 PM in response to Niel
    Level 10 (271,101 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2013 5:32 PM in response to Niel

    My personal congratulations on your latest major achievement - 200,000 points!! Remarkable!!

     

    Kappy

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 15, 2013 5:54 PM in response to J_M2
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2013 5:54 PM in response to J_M2
    Mac Pro
    Date introduced

     

    Original Mac OS X included
    (see Tips 1 and 3)

    Later Mac OS X included
    (see Tip 1)

    Mac OS X Build(s)
    (see Tip 2)

    Mac Pro (Mid 2012)Jun 201210.7.310.8, 10.8.311D2001, 12A269, 12D78
    Mac Pro (Mid 2010)Aug 201010.6.410.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.310F2521, 10F2554, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001
    Mac Pro with Mac OS X Server (Mid 2010)Aug 201010.6.410.7, 10.7.2, 10.7.3 (Server)10F2522, 11A511a, 11C74, 11D2001 (Server)
    Mac Pro (Early 2009)Mar 200910.5.610.69G3553, 10A432
    Mac Pro (Early 2008)

    Jan 2008

    10.5.1

    10.5.2, 10.5.4

    		9B2117, 9C2031, 9E25
    Mac Pro

    Aug 2006

    10.4.7

    10.4.8, 10.4.9, 10.4.10, 10.5

    		8K1079, 8N1430, 8N1250, 8K1124, 8P4037, 8R3032, 8R3041, 9A581, 9A3129

     

    table from:

     

    Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers

     

    --------

     

    "A version of Mac OS X that shipped with a particular computer is model-specific.

    A version that you BUY includes drivers for every appropriate Mac model."

     

    This old truism started with DVDs and continues with downloaded Mac OS X software to this day.

     

    .

  • by J_M2,

    J_M2 J_M2 Jun 15, 2013 5:52 PM in response to Niel
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2013 5:52 PM in response to Niel

    >typically commercial ones, may refuse to run on the newer computer.

     

    that brings up a point. Are many applications registering to the computer id/SN, might need to be reinstalled or re-registered. I actually own all the apps, but would rather be up and running asap.

     

    thanks

  • by J_M2,

    J_M2 J_M2 Jun 15, 2013 6:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2013 6:01 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

     

    "A version of Mac OS X that shipped with a particular computer is model-specific.

    A version that you BUY includes drivers for every appropriate Mac model."

     

    Does an OS upgrade that is purchased install all of the drivers needed for all Mac models? or does it just have the ability to custom install for every model?

  • by The hatter,Helpful

    The hatter The hatter Jun 15, 2013 6:02 PM in response to J_M2
    Level 9 (60,935 points)
    Jun 15, 2013 6:02 PM in response to J_M2

    10.6.8 still works on all Mac Pro incl 5,1 "2012"

     

    When the 6,1 2013 comes out, that will force a new build of either the new 10.9 OS or maybe (maybe) 10.8.x beyond what there is now.

     

    There is no customizing of the install, but OEM DVDs have only worked on specific Mac shipped with and there is no retail 10.6.5, and all Mac Pro 5,1 and later require a custom 10.6.4+/10.6.5 build (support for ATI 5x70)

     

    If you have 10.6.8 and above you are fine. Use to be 'for good luck' folks would install the last combo and security update.

     

    A clean install is always wiser with a new OS. And clone the system it ships with before making changes. If it does not have OEM DVD, get one if you want to have access to Apple Hardware Test.

  • by J_M2,

    J_M2 J_M2 Jun 15, 2013 6:03 PM in response to The hatter
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2013 6:03 PM in response to The hatter

    >There is no customizing of the install,

     

    thanks!  I think that is what I was looking for.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 15, 2013 7:13 PM in response to J_M2
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2013 7:13 PM in response to J_M2

    When you install a purchased version of Mac OS X, it installs "drivers for every appropriate Mac model".

     

    With over 250,000 files in Mac OS X alone, it no longer makes sense to selectively install. Instead, they are selectively loaded at Startup.

     

    --------

     

    OS 9 was the last to selectively Install, but Retail discs included an Option to "Install drivers for every appropriate Mac" if you knew to look for it.

  • by FatMac>MacPro,

    FatMac>MacPro FatMac>MacPro Jun 15, 2013 7:33 PM in response to J_M2
    Level 5 (4,815 points)
    Jun 15, 2013 7:33 PM in response to J_M2

    J_M2 wrote:

     

    >typically commercial ones, may refuse to run on the newer computer.

     

    that brings up a point. Are many applications registering to the computer id/SN, might need to be reinstalled or re-registered. I actually own all the apps, but would rather be up and running asap...

    If you run the 10.6.8 combo updater on the drive you've transferred and there's any tweaking of the OS that would be needed to make the old boot drive totally compatible with the new Mac Pro, that'll do it.

     

    And while some applications are fussier than others about being on a different computer, at least in my experience the method you're using should reduce that hassle to a minimum.

  • by J_M2,

    J_M2 J_M2 Jun 15, 2013 7:39 PM in response to FatMac>MacPro
    Level 1 (33 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 15, 2013 7:39 PM in response to FatMac>MacPro

    I very much appreciate everyones help!  thank you.

  • by Grant Bennet-Alder,

    Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder Jun 15, 2013 8:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder
    Level 9 (60,931 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 15, 2013 8:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

    .