Transferring Hard Drive

McClassic · Jan 6, 2013, 01:06 PM

I'm thinking of buy a Mac Mini and I'd like to re-use the 1TB in my 2009 MBP running OS X 10.8.2. I understand the classic way to do this would be to migrate the data to the Mac Mini and the clone that drive. However, I thought I had read that with ML it may be possible to simply stick the 1TB straight in to the Mac Mini or am I dreaming?

ezramoore · Jan 6, 2013, 01:21 PM

You could very well reuse your old drive, but the Mac mini will of course come with a new one.

It is true that with the later minis you can install dual hard drive, though this would require you to purchase parts and install them (and the hard drive) install the mini. The work isn't that hard, but you would want to be comfortable working inside your computers.

One last thing, if you use Migration Assistant to copy your data over, there is no need to clone the drive. After successfully migrating your data using Migration Assistant, you could then use Disk Utility to format the old drive for reuse.

Tomorrow · Jan 6, 2013, 02:03 PM

Are you talking about physically swapping the drive from your MBP into your Mini? I wouldn't do that, if I were you. Keep in mind the hardware is completely different; the configuration of the OS on your MBP drive is expecting things like a built-in camera, etc. I would definitely keep a backup of the drive, but just do a data transfer to the new drive.

McClassic · Jan 6, 2013, 02:56 PM

Thanks for the replies.

One more question, when I upgraded my harddrive on the MBP I used TimeMachine. When launching MS Office again I had to re-enter my serial number - I presume this would also be the case using Migration assistant? I ask, as the licence I have is limited to 2 installs.

mobilehaathi · Jan 6, 2013, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McClassic

Thanks for the replies.

One more question, when I upgraded my harddrive on the MBP I used TimeMachine. When launching MS Office again I had to re-enter my serial number - I presume this would also be the case using Migration assistant? I ask, as the licence I have is limited to 2 installs.

Probably, but you can call MS and explain to them the situation; they'll let you register it again. As long as you don't have it currently on more than 2 computers you're ok.

Fishrrman · Jan 7, 2013, 09:35 AM

My suggestion is to leave the Mini alone, and just use the old drive as an external.

Either put it into an external enclosure, or, consider a USB3/SATA docking station.

The docking station concept works well, as you can buy additional bare drives and "swap them out" as needed.

Jan 6, 2013, 01:06 PM	#1
McClassic macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	Transferring Hard Drive I'm thinking of buy a Mac Mini and I'd like to re-use the 1TB in my 2009 MBP running OS X 10.8.2. I understand the classic way to do this would be to migrate the data to the Mac Mini and the clone that drive. However, I thought I had read that with ML it may be possible to simply stick the 1TB straight in to the Mac Mini or am I dreaming? __________________ 2009 13" MBP
	0

Jan 6, 2013, 02:03 PM	#3
Tomorrow macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Always a day away	Are you talking about physically swapping the drive from your MBP into your Mini? I wouldn't do that, if I were you. Keep in mind the hardware is completely different; the configuration of the OS on your MBP drive is expecting things like a built-in camera, etc. I would definitely keep a backup of the drive, but just do a data transfer to the new drive. __________________ I would scream just to be heard, as if yelling at the stars - I was bleeding just to feel. You would never say a word, kept me reaching in the dark - always something to conceal.
	0

Jan 6, 2013, 02:56 PM	#4
McClassic Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	Thanks for the replies. One more question, when I upgraded my harddrive on the MBP I used TimeMachine. When launching MS Office again I had to re-enter my serial number - I presume this would also be the case using Migration assistant? I ask, as the licence I have is limited to 2 installs. __________________ 2009 13" MBP
	0

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Jan 6, 2013, 01:21 PM	#2
ezramoore macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Washington State	You could very well reuse your old drive, but the Mac mini will of course come with a new one. It is true that with the later minis you can install dual hard drive, though this would require you to purchase parts and install them (and the hard drive) install the mini. The work isn't that hard, but you would want to be comfortable working inside your computers. One last thing, if you use Migration Assistant to copy your data over, there is no need to clone the drive. After successfully migrating your data using Migration Assistant, you could then use Disk Utility to format the old drive for reuse.
	0

Jan 7, 2013, 09:35 AM	#6
Fishrrman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2009	My suggestion is to leave the Mini alone, and just use the old drive as an external. Either put it into an external enclosure, or, consider a USB3/SATA docking station. The docking station concept works well, as you can buy additional bare drives and "swap them out" as needed.
	0


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