NEW MAC: Swap HD as is OR erase/reinstall

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Level 1

2 points

NEW MAC: Swap HD as is OR erase/reinstall

Hi,

I have both the white unibody Mac and the MacBook Pro. I wanted to swap the MBP's HD with the white's 7200 rpm Hard Drive as the latter has all my files.

Is it ok to plainly swap Hard Drives so that the new MacBook Pro wakes up on the 7200 rpm drive retaining all my files and settings just I see it on the white Mac? or Should I erase and do clean install of the 7200 rpm drive using the new MacBook Pro's installation CDs?

Thank you.

13" MacBook 2.4 GHz Unibody, Mac OS X (10.6.4), iPhone 4 (iOS 4.1)

Posted on Nov 2, 2010 3:30 PM

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Answer 1

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Nov 2, 2010 5:38 PM in response to joselskipper

You'll want to reinstall and then update the OS on the 7200RPM drive after moving it into the new MBP. Even if the MacBook's OS installation is able to start the MBP, you're likely to encounter unpredictable problems using it unless you install an OS from the discs that came with the MBP.

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Answer 2

joselskipper Author

Level 1

2 points

Nov 2, 2010 8:49 PM in response to eww

eww wrote:
Even if the MacBook's OS installation is able to start the MBP, you're likely to encounter unpredictable problems using it unless you install an OS from the discs that came with the MBP.

Thank you. I will do that, even if I have to go through the settings again.

Another question, so that basically discards my Time Machine backup? I mean with regards to documents it is easy copying folders and downloaded apps, but what about the rest?

Thanks again.

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Answer 3

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Nov 3, 2010 5:04 AM in response to eww

I would just *Archive & Install* the OS from the MBP's installer disks, right over the OS that's already on the drive. Don't erase anything. This should preserve all your user files (documents, photos, music, etc.) and settings.

Remember to apply all available updates afterward.

Message was edited by: eww

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