Replace failing hard drive 2009 Imac

Question

Level 1

0 points

Replace failing hard drive 2009 Imac

I'm ok with the physical replacement of my Imac hard drive, but can anyone tell me how I transfer the contents of my failing disk, onto my new disk?

My failing disk is still functional. It runs Lion, but does not have a Recovery partition. I have a fully up to date Time Machine backup, but I don't have a recovery thumb drive, and my system won't allow me to create one.

My question is, once I fit my new HDD, can I copy my system across using TM only? Or is it crucial that I create a recovery thumb drive first (apparently this will involve me re-installing Lion first).

A step by step guide would be very much appreciated. Thanks very much in advance.

Imac

Posted on Dec 3, 2012 11:11 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Dec 3, 2012 11:32 AM in response to michaelcraig

Time Machine will restore the backup with all your data. When you turn on the computer with the new hard disk, Setup Assistant will ask you to restore your backup, so connect the external disk and restore the backup

Reply

Answer 2

michaelcraig Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 3, 2012 11:44 AM in response to mende1

Thanks for the reply. So is it definitely the case that Setup Assistant will activate on startup once a new HDD is installed?

Reply

Answer 3

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Dec 3, 2012 11:49 AM in response to michaelcraig

If you use Lion or Mountain Lion, Apple will reinstall Mac OS X in the hard disk, so you have to turn on the Mac and you'll see Setup Assistant

Reply

Answer 4

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 3, 2012 12:12 PM in response to michaelcraig

If you're depending on TM to do the restore w/o testing it, you're putting all of your eggs in that one basket. Better, IMO, is to get another ext HD and put a bootable backup/clone onto the it and ensure that it boots the machine and works like the original. Alternatively, install the OS onto it and try using the TM restoration process.

For more info, see https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4451828?tstart=0

Reply

Answer 5

michaelcraig Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 3, 2012 12:49 PM in response to michaelcraig

Ok, I'm cloning my failing HDD right now, via Sper Duper, onto a spare HDD, just to be on the safe side.

Once I've made this clone, can anyone tel me which is the best option for setting up my new hard drive - should I use my Time Machine backup, or should I use Super Duper again to make a clone from my failing disk, onto my new disk. Or should I do something else?

Thanks people, your help and advice is very much appreciated

Reply

Answer 6

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Dec 3, 2012 12:51 PM in response to michaelcraig

Both are the same, but it's better to restore your clone. See > https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-4481

Reply

Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 3, 2012 1:07 PM in response to michaelcraig

Adding to mende1's comment. Ensure the machine boots from the SD! backup and runs like the original.When you're ready to take it in, update the backup and erase and zero out the data on the int HD before you take it in. Then, when you get it back, boot with the backup, erase the new int HD, partition it to suit your needs, and reverse the process, restoring the backup to the int HD. That leaves you where you were before taking it in.

Reply

Answer 8

michaelcraig Author

Level 1

0 points

Dec 3, 2012 1:22 PM in response to baltwo

Sorry to ask, but how do I test to make sure my system boots from my SD backup?

Reply

Answer 9

mende1

Level 10

93,538 points

Dec 3, 2012 1:25 PM in response to michaelcraig

Connect the external disk, press Option key after the startup sound and select your external disk. If it works correctly, your computer will start from the clone

Reply

Answer 10

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 3, 2012 1:48 PM in response to mende1

Alternatively, if booted with the int HD and the ext HD's connected and mounted, System Preferences->Startup Disk, select the ext HD, and click Restart button.

Reply