mrshmaster

Q: how do i copy a hard drive to another mac

i took the hard drive out of my dead mac book pro and want to put it in my new mac book pro using a cable adapter. how di i do this?

iPad 2

Posted on May 12, 2016 12:34 AM

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Q: how do i copy a hard drive to another mac

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  • by K Shaffer,Helpful

    K Shaffer K Shaffer May 12, 2016 6:59 AM in response to mrshmaster
    Level 6 (14,279 points)
    Desktops
    May 12, 2016 6:59 AM in response to mrshmaster

    If the hard drive was part of the failure in one computer, it may not be possible to retrieve data

    from the one and use it in another. The old drive, when either in an enclosure or using a USB

    wire kit (universal wire kit, such as macsales.com shows) usually will appear on the desktop of

    the computer as a storage drive. You may be able to use 'migration assistant' or other methods

    to try & get your old files from that drive for use in another computer.

     

    If you have a universal drive adapter such as the NewerTech model at macsales, they have

    a manual for download in the page where the product is listed for sale; I don't see a free

    video there, but one may exist. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/U3NVSPATA/

     

    Their instructions for adapter:

     

    If you are setting up a replacement or new computer, with new system, that can require other

    efforts; but you don't say. If so...

     

    You may consider unless the computers are identical, you may wish to instead

    migrate only those items that could work in the new computer, from the old HDD.

     

    • Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

     

    • How to Migrate all of your Important Data to your New Mac:

    http://computers.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-migrate-all-of-your-important-dat a-to-your-new-mac--mac-46

     

    The migration assistant can be used after the new computer has already been set

    up and running; otherwise you may want to make the old hard disk drive available

    to the new computer, when first being set up, from the new state.

     

    • OS X: Manually migrating data from another Mac - Apple Support

     

    • Apple OS X and Time Machine Tips (see clones, OS X Recovery, & other tips)

    http://pondini.org/OSX/Home.html

     

    Sometimes, a bunch of old junk in the other drive, when migrated on a first-run

    basis (from new state) or a pile of stuff that has nothing to do with a new Mac,

    randomly allowed to be included in the new computer's drive, can cause several

    problems because the incompatible software (including applications, utilities, etc)

    can be a lot of trouble; it is best to avoid that kind of migration.

     

    There may be a method to try migrate using other computer's Time Machine files.

    Or use clones of an older Mac, as a source to get copies of older user-created

    content that you may wish to access in your new Mac. There are several possible

    things, and they do not need to be moved into the new computer hard drive.

     

    • Use Time Machine to back up or restore your Mac - Apple Support

    • Time Machine: How to transfer backups from a current backup drive to a new backup drive - Apple Support

     

    Other than old 3rd party software & associated passwords to allow licensed one to run

    there is little reason to copy anything over from an old computer drive to a new one.

    In fact those may not work, an update or upgrade could be required.

     

    A problem can arise with licensed software (non-Apple) and the maker's passwords

    when trying to use older versions in a newer OS X. You may have to buy an upgrade

    of third-party software for it to run in OS X 10.11.4; or in a different computer than it

    was originally installed in. This is written in a vague sense, because you do not say

    why you are trying to do this. Hopefully I haven't written too much, trying to cover

    any eventuality where none was exactly specified. Too many possibilities...

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

     

    edited 2x

  • by Leopardus,Helpful

    Leopardus Leopardus May 12, 2016 6:59 AM in response to mrshmaster
    Level 4 (1,087 points)
    Desktops
    May 12, 2016 6:59 AM in response to mrshmaster

    Boot from an external device, like a thumb drive, or a suitable USB Flash drive.

    Use disk utility to make an exact copy of your old HD to the new. Note the new HD will be completely erased.

    Or do you merely want to transfer the data? If so, you can mount it a suitable external housing which you can then connect via USB or Thunderbird to your Mac.

     

    Leo

  • by mrshmaster,

    mrshmaster mrshmaster May 12, 2016 7:08 AM in response to K Shaffer
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    May 12, 2016 7:08 AM in response to K Shaffer

    Thank you,  the old mac book got damaged, broke screen, won't start. There are many photos and e mails etc on it that I would like to transfer. Some work files etc. there is another Mac that got wet, same thing. Work files, photes etc.  is it possible to transfer?