Boot drive swap-out

Everythingisnt · Feb 22, 2008, 10:38 PM

Just a quick question here..

If I removed the boot drive from my macpro and, say, replaced it with the boot drive from a comparable computer running XP, and then turned it on, would I have a fully-functional windows PC?

Also, if I wanted to migrate my OS and apps etc., would it be possible to simple remove the boot drive (with all my apps, etc.) from one macpro and put it onto the other?

I don't see why this wouldn't be possible unless there are some issues with firmware/drivers... Any help would be appreciated!

JNB · Feb 23, 2008, 12:08 AM

For the first question, mostly no if you're looking for a Plug 'n Play solution. The hardware in the MP doesn't match what's in the registry of the Windows install, plus drivers, activation issues, etc, etc. It could be made to work after a while once you got those little issues out of the way, but practice your cussing skills first.

As to the second question, are you moving completely to the second machine, duplicating things, what? There's Migration Assistant that will bring everything over, plus both SuperDuper! and Carbon Copy Cloner that do the job as well.

Everythingisnt · Feb 23, 2008, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnNotBeatle

As to the second question, are you moving completely to the second machine, duplicating things, what? There's Migration Assistant that will bring everything over, plus both SuperDuper! and Carbon Copy Cloner that do the job as well.

It would really be for the capability to take my "machine" with me to an office (or back home) and still have the power of a macpro wherever I went. If they were both the same model ('06 quad Macpro), do you think there would be a major issue? Or would I be better off with an external HD and my core items...

MikeL · Feb 23, 2008, 11:23 AM

With few exceptions, OS X installs are universal. Pop the HD out of one MP and stick it in another and you'll be fine. Put it in an external case and use it with a MacBook if you want, for example.

I wouldn't want to swap out drives on a regular basis. The physical connectors on SATA drives aren't intended for that.

Everythingisnt · Feb 23, 2008, 01:47 PM

Thanks for your help, MikeL! Hopefully I won't need to swap out my drives more then a few times, anyway... And I guess that I can use an external if need be

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Feb 22, 2008, 10:38 PM	#1
Everythingisnt macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver	Boot drive swap-out Just a quick question here.. If I removed the boot drive from my macpro and, say, replaced it with the boot drive from a comparable computer running XP, and then turned it on, would I have a fully-functional windows PC? Also, if I wanted to migrate my OS and apps etc., would it be possible to simple remove the boot drive (with all my apps, etc.) from one macpro and put it onto the other? I don't see why this wouldn't be possible unless there are some issues with firmware/drivers... Any help would be appreciated! __________________ My Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/oryxe/ Oryxe's Photos

Feb 23, 2008, 01:47 PM	#5
Everythingisnt Thread Starter macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Vancouver	Thanks for your help, MikeL! Hopefully I won't need to swap out my drives more then a few times, anyway... And I guess that I can use an external if need be . __________________ My Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/oryxe/ Oryxe's Photos

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Feb 23, 2008, 12:08 AM	#2
JNB macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Oct 2004	For the first question, mostly no if you're looking for a Plug 'n Play solution. The hardware in the MP doesn't match what's in the registry of the Windows install, plus drivers, activation issues, etc, etc. It could be made to work after a while once you got those little issues out of the way, but practice your cussing skills first. As to the second question, are you moving completely to the second machine, duplicating things, what? There's Migration Assistant that will bring everything over, plus both SuperDuper! and Carbon Copy Cloner that do the job as well.

Feb 23, 2008, 11:23 AM	#4
MikeL macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Bloomington, MN	With few exceptions, OS X installs are universal. Pop the HD out of one MP and stick it in another and you'll be fine. Put it in an external case and use it with a MacBook if you want, for example. I wouldn't want to swap out drives on a regular basis. The physical connectors on SATA drives aren't intended for that.