Hi, i'm new here, first off my name is Greg, I have a macbook A1181 2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 1GB of ram. I've just gotten an upgraded hdd for it which is a 250gb one. Right what i want to do is get everything off of my old hard drive onto my new one but i haven't got a time thingy the only thing i've really got is a ex hard drive, plus my pc, which is win7. Anyone know how i can do this so i can keep all my files how they are and my dock, apps ect.
Also another thing. As i didn't buy my Macbook new would i still be able to go into the Apple store and try and get my keyboard repaired? as i did see when i was reading on here yesterday that it is a common fault where the plastic breaks off and they fix it for free, would i be able to do this? and also if it makes a difference i've had a new install of snow leopard put on my macbook since i brought it.
Also could anyone tell me what year it is aswell.
Thanks for anyone who and give some advice.
OK, I'll throw in my two cents.
1. The easiest way to get the new HDD in and maintain your system the way you want (i.e. window positions, dock, application behavior, etc) is to use a cloning application. Try either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper. Both are shareware, but let you use it for free (limited abilities, but for what you need it'll work). Buy and external HDD case for the current HDD in the Macbook (you'll need a 2.5" SATA external case). I recommend the
Macally PHR-S250CC. Install the new HDD into the case, run CCC or SD to clone the existing HDD onto the new one. Re-boot using the external HDD (hold the option key on reboot) to check to see if it works. If all is good, then swap the HDDs. Wait a week or two to make sure everything works fine before wiping the old HDD ... or better yet, use the old HDD as a backup drive (may not work too well if it's too small).
2. As for the keyboard, yes, the cracking palmrests are very common. I've heard stories where if you walk in with a cracked palmrest, the Genius will just swap it out, no questions asked. Takes 15 minutes. The fact that your MB is 2nd hand, shouldn't matter. Even if it they don't fix it for you, it's not that big of a deal. It's just cosmetic ... at least until you drop something small through the hole(s) in the keyboard.
3. I know you didn't ask, but get more RAM as soon as you can. 1GB is quite limiting. Make sure you figure out exactly what model you have. The best way to check is to see what video card you have and cross check with Lowendmac.com .
4. As for using Time Machine ... that only works if you're running 10.5 or higher. You haven't mentioned what system you're running.
5. As for your current NTFS external HDD ... I wouldn't mess with it. Just plug it into the MB (using USB or FW ... but probably USB). Copy all of the files you want/need onto the MB (as mentioned above, Macs can read NTFS). Then just leave that HDD alone. If you want, and there are no other files on that HDD, you could reformat that drive as HFS+ or FAT32. FAT32 will allow you to use the drive with Windows and Mac. HFS will only allow the Mac to use it, unless you want to install software on every Windows PC that you plan to use that HDD with.
> About This Mac > More Info > Hardware Overview) and press Enter.
