swapping harddrives between macs

[morrisman1]

im looking at buying a new macbook. i currently have a 2.2 C2D model with 10.5.5. will i be able to swap the harddrives with the one in the new macbook? i know they will physically work but will OSX throw a hissy-fit being in a different machine than what it has been updated for etc?

thanks

 

[ltldrummerboy]

It will throw a fit. The new MacBooks are running a different build of OS X. Stuff for the trackpad and GPU I think. Your best bet is to do a Time Machine backup and then transfer all your stuff to your new machine from that.

 

[morrisman1]

if i wait till both systems are running the same build, will that help?

 

[ltldrummerboy]

I don't think so. I don't think your current MacBook will ever have drivers for the new MacBooks, so when you install the hard drive in your new computer, it'll cause problems.

 

[Mal]

You can swap the drives, then use the install disks to do an upgrade or Archive and Install of Leopard. Should eliminate any problems, though keep in mind it may introduce new ones. Easier than a Time Machine backup though, although I would recommend doing that anyways.

jW

 

[MysterMac]

The same thing is/was being discussed on this thread :
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/592150/

I havent even opened the box of my new Macbook yet, Im waiting for 10.5.6 (and praying for a universal drivers base).

 

[MysterMac]

Success ! I installed the combo update, rebooted then shut down. Took out the hd and put it into the new macbook. Booted, for the first time in my life saw a mac's black boot screen (scary, reminded me of windows !) and success !
All I've had to do so for was re-calibrate the screen colorwise.

Although it may now be academic as Ive just noticed the top row of keys (brightness/volume etc) on this new macbook are slanted. Looks like its going back, sigh - I just became a statistic.