What's the best method for transferring a brand new Mac OS to a new hard drive?
Asked by
andrew (
16543
)
April 2nd, 2009
My mom got a brand new Macbook (she has my very old one). I’m upgrading her HD. I have an enclosure for the old HD, and another external HD (that I’d rather not use).
I need to:
1. Get the OS on the new hard drive.
2. Transfer her files from her old mac to the new one.
I want to make sure to get all the new apps that came with her new Mac (like iLife ‘09).
Here’s my plan:
* Install the new HD into the macbook
* Put the old new HD into the enclosure and boot off it
* Use superduper to transfer everything from the old new HD to the new new HD.
* Use apple’s data migration software to get her stuff from the old old HD to the new new HD.
Is there an easier way to do this?
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12 Answers
That seems to be the safest way. The one thing you’ll need for sure is a 00 Torx screwdriver if you don’t have one. They’re kind of a pain in the ass to find, but I found one at Ace Hardware.
Will it not let you directly install the OS and iLife on the new new HD? Then you could just do data migration.
@kevbo Oh, does the install disc have iLife on it? That’d be the easiest way. I have a torx 00 AND an 06—this is my third HD replacement.
I have two install discs for Tiger and no iLife disc, so I think that’s correct.
I think you’re right @kevbo. Should just be able to install the new drive, install the new OS from the discs (iLife is usually included on the installer or as an additional disc), then do the migration from the old machine.
In my experience, no Os X install discs contain iLife. iLife is usually installed on a brand new machine but lost when upgrading. Check that out further before proceeding, I’d say!
Ok, the new macs come with an applications DVD with iLife, etc.
However, wouldn’t it be faster to transfer everything via USB 2.0 rather than install via CD?
I’d assume it’s just the same via USB, but I’d personally chose to do the DVD and make it a completely “clean” install. Just my preference though.
Don’t use time machine. That thing is most certainly not as reliable as something like Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper.
I’ve used Time Machine a lot and transfered data between computers a lot of times. It works like a charm and i don’t really notice I’m on a different computer.
Superduper is great. So is Netrestore. BUT, for some reason I couldn’t dupe my old OEM drive to a new larger one. No matter what I did it just wouldn’t work. Eventually I just put a new install of Leo on the new one and started over. Then put the old one in an enclosure.
Come to find out, there were some major file system issues with the drive. I was able to repair these and then transfer it to a larger external drive. I basically use it for my emergency boot/repair and backup drive now.
So, make sure that the drive is free of poop before attempting the dupe.
I love how everything with computers is simple and straightforward.
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