Bought a 500GB HD for $70, Now What? (How To Transfer Stuff?)

[HappyDude20]

My White Macbook has always had the same 60GB hard drive that it originally came with...

...I'm tired of having to roam with under 10GB's so I bit the bullet and bought a 500 GB Western Digital Hard Drive on eBay using Live.com's 30% discount and combining it with eBay's 10% holiday discount.

So, the new hard drive arrived today and i'm not too sure as to how I'm going to transfer all of the information on my 60GB HD to the new 500GB HD.

Any insight on the matter and/or tools needed would be great. Thanks!

(I know swapping the old drive out of the macbook and popping in the new one won't be too tough since I knew it rests just after the battery...i'm solely befuddled as to how i'll get the stuff from the old drive to the new one.)

[Sky Blue]

If you have another Mac or an external HD, use Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper to clone your drive, swap the drives over and clone it back.

[The General]

If you have another Mac or an external HD, use Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper to clone your drive, swap the drives over and clone it back.

Alternatively one could make a Time Machine backup if they have an external harddrive and restore from that backup onto the new 500GB drive.

Either way you'll need an external drive or an enclosure for 2.5" SATA drives.

I would just use Time Machine.

[Sky Blue]

Yup, that'd work too.

[skorpien]

I'd suggest an external hard drive caddy (preferably with firewire) and SuperDuper! Seat the 500GB into the caddy, connect it to the MB, and use SuperDuper! to clone the internal HDD. Pop them both out, switch, and reboot.

Also, http://support.apple.com/manuals#macbook

There should be a manual on replacing the hard drive in the specific model MB you own.

[HappyDude20]

Hmmm' I have the only computer here at home.

I life near a FRY's electronic store and an Apple Store isn't too far away, perhaps they could do it for me for free? I do have AppleCare.

THOUGH!

I'd really rather do it myself.

The General: What do you mean by an enclosure? I've heard OF this before but haven't a clue as to what it is. I'm guessing this can help me accomplish what I want?

skorpien: A caddy? Is this the same thing as an enclosure? These things sound like more cash needs to be spent. Also, i gotta reboot? I don't think i've ever rebooted...so i'm a bit confused.

Also, when I do trasnfer the stuff from my 60GB to the new 500GB, will EVERYTHING be transferred just the way it is?

[Sky Blue]

A caddy or enclosure are the same thing.

You've never restarted your Mac?

[silverblack]

Go to Fry's, get one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090092%201053807124%201054107131&name=SATA). Put you new drive in it, and it connects to your MB via USB.

Now use an app like Carbon Copy Cloner to clone everything over. Shut down, swap the drives and restart.

What you do with the enclosure after is up to you.

[hellfire88]

This is a pretty good guide of the hard drive upgrade process for Macbooks:

http://www.macinstruct.com/node/130

[Cave Man]

Go to Fry's, get one of these (http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010090092%201053807124&name=2.5%22). Put you new drive in it, and it connects to your MB via USB.

You need to be more careful when giving advice. Many of those enclosures have PATA interfaces that will not work with the OP's hard drive.

[skorpien]

As others have mentioned, what you need is a 2.5" SATA hard disk enclosure/caddy that connects via USB and you need to install the hard drive yourself. I bought this one (http://shop4.frys.com/product/5374928?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG) from a local store.

Also, forgive me for asking such a question, but the hard drive you purchased IS a 2.5" SATA HDD correct? You didn't specify, so if you bought a 3.5" HDD, it's not going to fit.

Edit: By reboot I meant to restart your system.

[HappyDude20]

2.5 sata for my macbook.

i just downloaded carbon copy/cloner and superduper. gonna read up on which one to use and then go for it. i bought a 2.5 sata enclosure, 480mps for $12 with a $10 mail in rebate so not bad. i'll be doing all this today in the coming hours so i'll post if i have any questions or concerns.

[skorpien]

That's a pretty good deal. Piece of advice, pick up a Torx-6 screwdriver to transfer the mounting screws on the internal HDD. I used SuperDuper! personally and it was very straight forward. I can't say anything about Carbon Copy since I haven't used it, but if it's anything like SuperDuper! it should be fairly easy. Also, I kept my old HDD in the enclosure to make an external HDD that I can use for media. Good luck with the setup!

[silverblack]

Don't forget to format your new drive with Disk Utility - Mac OS Extended (Journaled) before cloning.

[HappyDude20]

I;m having trouble,

thought id ask u guys .

http://www.kingwin.com/product_pages/kh200ubk.asp < Link of the enclosure i got. Closest I could find on their site but the connection to connect the HD is the same with the long rectangular thing with all those small squares.

http://www.kingwin.com/product_pages/images/KH_series/kh_200ubk/enlarge/KH200U-BK_D.jpg

[skorpien]

You bought the IDE enclosure. It will only work with IDE HDDs. You need the SATA enclosure.

http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/cooldrives/sata-firewire-case-3.jpg

The connection should look like the one on the top of this picture.

[HappyDude20]

dammit, dammit, dammit. guess i''ll head to Fry's later tonight to make the switch but since I now have a few hours to ask:

Anything in particular I gotta do with SuperDuper or is it pretty straight forward? As in, will it copy everything on my current HD onto the new one and all I have to do is pop in the new one into the mac, reboot and do the disk utility thing? Or is there some work required?

[skorpien]

You need to do the Disk Utility thing before you even attempt to clone your drive. Once your new drive is seated in the enclosure, connect it to your computer and use Disk Utility to format it, making sure that it's Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Once it formats it, then you use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy and tell it to back up your internal drive to the external drive. Once that is done (be patient, this will take a while), you do the swap and just turn your computer on. It will have copied everything you need to be up and running immediately after the swap.

[HappyDude20]

You need to do the Disk Utility thing before you even attempt to clone your drive. Once your new drive is seated in the enclosure, connect it to your computer and use Disk Utility to format it, making sure that it's Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Once it formats it, then you use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy and tell it to back up your internal drive to the external drive. Once that is done (be patient, this will take a while), you do the swap and just turn your computer on. It will have copied everything you need to be up and running immediately after the swap.

thanks a lot skorpien, so i just got back from frys and picked up this one instead.

http://shop4.frys.com/product/5681241?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

About to start the process you described but just to be clear in layman's terms since i dont wanna ***** anything up:

1. First and foremost open up disk utility to do _________ to my current 60GB HD? Format it? Verify it?

2. Pop in the new 500GB into the enclosure i just bought from fry's and connect it to my macbook via the usb connection and using disk utility format this new HD, making sure it's Mac OS X Enabled (Journaled) as you say.

3. After it's done formatting I use SuperDuper and back up everything on the 60GB HD to the new 500GB HD. (I can imagine this will take time as you mentioned, kinda curious though as to how long, an hour? 6 hours? 22 years?:eek:)

4. after this is done, take out the battery and take out the old 60GB HD and push in the new one and simply turn on the computer. . . . . . .And i'm good to go & done?

5. Anything else? Restart? Restore? Anything w/ disk utility or well, anything?

[silverblack]

1. You don't need to do your Step 1.
2 - 4. (proceed as stated)
5. Just start up and should work.

[HappyDude20]

im about to format the new 500gb HD but am freaking out thinking i may be doing something wrong here.

i've clicked on the 500gb Western Digital HD and clicked the Erase tab. On Volume format selected Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and named it too. For security options i've clicked Zero Out Data but after i click ok and then click erase, it says, "Erasing a disk will destroy all information on the disk...are you sure you want to erase the disk.."

Do i?

EDIT: NVM. Got it and i'm now using superDuper to transfer everything to the new one.

[Cave Man]

Did you initialize the drive with a GUID partition table? The default on an external with Disk Utility is APM. If it's APM, then it won't boot.

[HappyDude20]

Did you initialize the drive with a GUID partition table? The default on an external with Disk Utility is APM. If it's APM, then it won't boot.

dammit really?

how can i check within disk utility to see if i used GUID or APM? GUID sounds/looks familiar and i've never even heard of APM but honestly i dont know how it went. We're talking about when I formatted the new HD right?

What happens if I did indeed do it with APM? What would i need to do to correct it?

[HappyDude20]

When i click on the original HD on Disk Utility, i'm talking about the new 500GB one within the Enclosure, "465.45GB WD 5000BEV...etc" on the bottom is states:

Partition Map Scheme: GUID Partition Table...

but under the one i created titled Macbook HD it just lists the HD's info like the amount of space, format, etc.

[Cave Man]

If the new drive won't boot, then you know it does not have a GUID partition map (for Intel macs), it likely has Apple Partition Map (for PowerPC Macs). See this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=457605) for getting GUID.

[skorpien]

Couldn't he see if it will boot by selecting it as a startup disk in System Preferences > Startup Disk?

I can't remember which walkthrough I used when I replaced my hard drive, but it said to select your external as the startup disk and restart your system. If it boots into OS X, then it is ready to be placed inside the computer. Afterward, you select the internal drive as your startup disk once again and do the swap.

[HappyDude20]

Glad to announce I made sure the new HD was GUID doing the partition 1 thing. I'm now running on 400 extra gig's as opposed to a low 6GB's.

THANKS EVERYONE!

[ref26]

That's a pretty good deal. Piece of advice, pick up a Torx-6 screwdriver to transfer the mounting screws on the internal HDD. I used SuperDuper! personally and it was very straight forward. I can't say anything about Carbon Copy since I haven't used it, but if it's anything like SuperDuper! it should be fairly easy. Also, I kept my old HDD in the enclosure to make an external HDD that I can use for media. Good luck with the setup!

I'm planning to upgrade my blackbok HDD to a 320gb 7200rpm drive, so is a T6 torx what I need? The guide here on MR says T9 and I've heard people in the forums saying T8 so I'm a bit unsure...

[bozz2006]

just get a computer tool kit and you'll be all set. they can be had for $20 or less. check it out (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/TOOLKIT11/)

[Ozzymandos]

I just ordered the 4 gig memory kit and a DIY KIT: 500GB Western Digital Scorpio for MacBook, MacBook Pro (or PC) + OWC On-The-Go USB 2.0 Kit.

It should all be here in a few days. Which screwdrivers do I need, and just to double check -- this doesn't void my warranty, correct?

[aznguyen316]

makes me want to upgrade my HDD haha hmm Christmas present to self?

[Revelation78]

Personally I would rather have a 320GB drive @ 7200 RPM with 16MB cache versus a 500GB @5400 RPM and 8MB cache.

To each their own though.

[Bengt77]

Personally I would rather have a 320GB drive @ 7200 RPM with 16MB cache versus a 500GB @5400 RPM and 8MB cache.

To each their own though.
Or wait some time and get this drive (http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3a07bfafecadd110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&locale=en-US). That's what I'm doing.

[Cave Man]

Personally I would rather have a 320GB drive @ 7200 RPM with 16MB cache versus a 500GB @5400 RPM and 8MB cache.

I guess you never plan to exceed 250 gb capacity or have no need for sustained read/writes.

[HappyDude20]

i gotta tell you guys, i'm loving having 500 gigs.

[Bengt77]

I still think waiting two weeks for the new Seagate 7200.4 Momentus drives is the best thing to do, right now.

[skorpien]

I'm planning to upgrade my blackbok HDD to a 320gb 7200rpm drive, so is a T6 torx what I need? The guide here on MR says T9 and I've heard people in the forums saying T8 so I'm a bit unsure...

I'm not sure about the blackbook. I was referring to the Unibody MacBook that was just released. I've been hearing a T-8 for the older models of MacBook, but again I'm not sure as I don't have one myself. Have you tried looking at this? (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf)

[ref26]

I'm not sure about the blackbook. I was referring to the Unibody MacBook that was just released. I've been hearing a T-8 for the older models of MacBook, but again I'm not sure as I don't have one myself. Have you tried looking at this? (http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MacBook_13inch_HardDrive_DIY.pdf)

That doesn't talk about removing the hard drive from the enclosure, which is what the torx is needed for. Thanks though!

[skorpien]

Oh, my bad. I didn't realize there were additional steps. But this guide at ifixit.com says it's a Torx-8 (check out the second page).

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-2-Duo/Hard-Drive-Replacement/116/5/Page-1

[goldfronts]

Or wait some time and get this drive (http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=3a07bfafecadd110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&locale=en-US). That's what I'm doing.

same. i'm really excited for it

[questmcoupe]

Anyone know what that new Seagate is going to be priced at? I'm thinking I'm gonna wait for it too for my white Macbook.

[goldfronts]

i saw $140 on one website. sounds reasonable

[naid]

Glad it all worked out.

If anyone else is planning to do the same thing, you can pick up something like this:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/drives/a7ea/

Connect it, clone the drive, then swap the drives in your laptop and use your old laptop drive as an external one with the SATA dock.

[fleshman03]

I still think waiting two weeks for the new Seagate 7200.4 Momentus drives is the best thing to do, right now.

Let us know if it destroys battery life, alright? I'm thinking about that one myself and I'm curious to know what happens to the battery with it.

[Bengt77]

Let us know if it destroys battery life, alright? I'm thinking about that one myself and I'm curious to know what happens to the battery with it.
:D Good question. We'll see, we'll see...

Anyone know what that new Seagate is going to be priced at? I'm thinking I'm gonna wait for it too for my white Macbook.
In Europe I'm seeing them pre-listed for about €120, including shipping. Pretty reasonable. (Although definitely pricier than the $140 price tag I saw at MacMall and other online stores.)

[fleshman03]

:D Good question. We'll see, we'll see...


Let me know, alright? Lots of times people will forget to post that follow up.