Changing Hard Drive Help

[teerexx52]

Can anyone tell me if I can put a Hard drive from a 2008 15" MacBook Pro directly into a new June 2009 13" MacBook pro without erasing the drive and reinstalling OSX

 

[lavinci]

If they are the same size (2.5" which is common amongst all laptops), then yes. I'm not so sure about the non-reinstallation though.

 

[jmann]

You can. I moved my hard drive straight from my white MacBook to the Unibody one, and it was fine. I do suggest to do reinstall and the restore from a time machine backup anyway. Because you want to have all the correct drivers and stuff for the new machine that might not already be included because the hard drive was used in a different computer.

 

[r.j.s]

It should be fine as long as OS X is up to date.

 

[teerexx52]

OK. Thanks for the replies everyone. So, if I am understanding correctly just make the switch. OSX is up to date. Should I do a full time machine install? Thoughts?

 

[teerexx52]

You can. I moved my hard drive straight from my white MacBook to the Unibody one, and it was fine. I do suggest to do reinstall and the restore from a time machine backup anyway. Because you want to have all the correct drivers and stuff for the new machine that might not already be included because the hard drive was used in a different computer.

I think you may be right on this. It could be missing some drivers possibly?

 

[jmann]

I think you may be right on this. It could be missing some drivers possibly?

Yes, especially with things like the new trackpad and different ports etc.

 

[spaceballl]

OK. Thanks for the replies everyone. So, if I am understanding correctly just make the switch. OSX is up to date. Should I do a full time machine install? Thoughts?

Your initial question was whether or not you could just pull your drive and put it in the new machine - to that question, yes you can. You could also do a time machine restore as well. Time Machine would be easier and require less "surgery." I'd probably try the Time Machine approach, and if I encountered any errors, I'd just swap drives.

 

[teerexx52]

Your initial question was whether or not you could just pull your drive and put it in the new machine - to that question, yes you can. You could also do a time machine restore as well. Time Machine would be easier and require less "surgery." I'd probably try the Time Machine approach, and if I encountered any errors, I'd just swap drives.

Thanks everyone

 

[Z06jerry]

I do suggest to do reinstall and the restore from a time machine backup anyway. Because you want to have all the correct drivers and stuff for the new machine that might not already be included because the hard drive was used in a different computer.

jmann is correct, You have to re-install the OS from the new disks that came with your new computer or you will have problems because you will be missing drivers. You can only swap the hard drive between machines that are identical hardware. If you have already swapped the drive just re-install the OS from the new disk that came with your new computer.