can I replace the hard drive on a mid 2012 MacBook Pro?

The new MBPs are user upgradable in memory and mass storage, except the Retina models. One question, why do you want to switch out the hard drive that came in your new MBP for the hard drive from a two year old MBP? The newer drive should be larger capacity.

The old drive should work, others on here have used drives from other MBPs in their machines successfully. When you downloaded the Mac OS X installer, did you simply copy the installer to the new drive and then run it there? That should build a clean version of the operating system the same as you are allowed to do on multiple machines.

There is something missing in this discussion, could you backup and list the steps you followed sequentially and see if that helps?

Hi did you get this to work?

I am trying to swap my 1tb hard drive from my old laptop to my new MBP 2012 but got the same "⊘" when I threw it in.. How did you get this to work? The new MBP did not come with any install cd's and the only cds I do have are leopard meaning I would need to go through leopard>snow leopard>lion> Stupid "Mid 2012 MBP update".

Any tips to get this thing installed?!

Have you considered Migration Assistant?

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4889

From Mac HELP:

Transferring information using Migration Assistant
You can use Migration Assistant to transfer important information, such as user accounts, applications, network and computer settings, and files, from one Mac computer to another. You can also transfer information to a Mac from an external disk. Your information can be transferred using a FireWire cable or over a wired or wireless network.
NOTE:If you’re transferring information over a wired or wireless network, make sure your computers are connected to the same network.
To transfer information from a Mac:
Open Migration Assistant (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), and then follow the onscreen instructions.
When you’re asked how you want to transfer your information, select the “From another Mac” button, and then select the method by which you want to transfer.
To transfer files using a FireWire cable connected to your computers, click Use FireWire. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to restart your other Mac while holding down the T key.
To transfer files using a network, click Use Network. Then, follow the onscreen instructions to open Migration Assistant on your other computer. When you’re asked how you want to transfer your information, select the “To another Mac” button.
To transfer information to a Mac:
Open Migration Assistant (located in the Utilities folder in the Applications folder), and then follow the onscreen instructions.
When you’re asked how you want to transfer your information, select the “To another Mac” button.
On the other computer, open Migration Assistant, and then follow the onscreen instructions. When you’re asked how you want to transfer your information, select the “From another Mac” button.

Ciao.

Thanks OGELTHORPE

My issue is not transfering the data as I use time machine to back up everything and can restore it that way, but in that I wish to "Physically" swap both hard drives from one mac to another.

It might be a new MBP thing? I have searched for the last few days and cannot find anything about it successfully being done or the steps involved other that this thread.

I do not have Lion so I am at a bit of a disadvantage here. My thinking is as follows:

In order to install Lion on a MBP with an existing OS, it must have 10.6.8. as a prerequisite Therefore the only option I can see is to erase the disk and install Lion and then replace the data from your backup. If there is an easier way, I am not aware of it.

Here are some links that you might find of interest, for making a Lion USB installation drive.:

osxdaily.com/2011/07/08/make-a-bootable-mac-os-x-10-7-lion-installer-from-a-usb- flash-drive/http://

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4848

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1433

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4718

Ciao.

You're not the only one suffering, David. Took my SSD Hybrid from my working MBP17 and put it in my new MBP13. Circle/slash. Option and select boot, circle/slash. Option and select recovery, circle/slash.

Create a Lion DVD and boot, circle/slash. Create a Lion USB from the MBP17 - you guessed it! Same again.

Forced an Internet recovery, it goes through the recovery, reboot... Tries to boot and guess what? Circle/slash.

There's something seriously amiss here!

Same problem, cirlcle slash.

Took SSD and 750 Gb Hybrid from 2/2100 15 MBP. Setup had been working great for a year.

Moved to 2012 non retina MBP 15 circle slash.

Reinstalled Lion via Target drive, removed drive, created SSD install disks, and on and on and always circle slash.

Took to Apple Genius he said oh that's your memory.

Wrong!

Put back original memory.

Circle slash.

DIdn't clone the original drive and so have no way back.

When I try the recovery disk i get the same circle slash.

Taking it bakc to Apple Genius today. Have wasted 2 days with what should have been a 20 minute job!!!

OK I've made a slight progression, but also a step back.

If I create the Lion USB from the 750GB drive that came originally with the MBP13, I get a working USB recovery stick. To me, there are some additional drivers missing from the other installs - a very unusual situation!

However, the forced recovery has created an issue. I've booted the drive from my MBP17 with the MBP13 in target mode and connected over FW800, it completed the recovery install back to 10.7.3, however you can't now apply the 10.7.4 update as it says it doesn't meet the prerequisites!

The issue here (for you, the other "me too" replys, and for myself) is that these new MBPs utilize a new architecture (Ivy Bridge vs.Sandy Bridge) and graphics system (Intel HD4000 vs. Intel HD3000) and thus run a specialized version of Lion (10.7.3) with the drivers it needs to operate. Until Apple releases 10.7.5 and/or Mountain Lion, we're all SOL.

I ran into the same problem when I tried to move my SSD and OWC Data Doubler that contained my old MBP's hard drive into a new 13" MBP. Physically, they are in place in the new MBP, but they won't boot. Until Apple releases a universal installer/updater, I have to run this new MBP from an external FireWire 800 case that's holding the 750GB drive that came with the laptop. Yep, it blows.

Do you think they know how theve hosed us?

THe apple store has no clue.

I took in the machine and it woudln't boot from any of their fail proof images.

The key is saving the original hard drive without messing with it. .

I didn't.

A suggestion: maybe it might or might not work for you guys.

If you don't need the files in your old drive and want it to work on you 2012 MB Pro.

Ever tried consider cloning it via external USB enclosure?

Leave your new drive in your MB, put your other drive in a external enclosure, format/erase via disk utility then clone it via carbon copy.

See if that works out for some of you guys out there.

Good luck.