MacBook Pro - Hard drive replacement advice

B. Shakey · B. Shakey #1 (**permalink**)

09-02-2008, 04:33 PM

Which of these options would be the best way to upgrade the hard drive in my Macbook?

1. Put the new drive in an external enclosure, clone my original drive with SuperDuper!, install the new drive.

2. Install the new drive, install OS X, use migration assistant to transfer programs/files.

3. Put the new drive in an enclosure, boot to that drive, install OS X, use migration assistant, then swap the drives.

Option 1 seems the easiest, but is there an advantage to doing a clean install of OS X?

louishen · louishen #2 (**permalink**)

09-02-2008, 04:44 PM

If you are happy with your present set-up 1 is the quickest way

If you feel you need a fresh install of the OS then 2 would be a good choice

Vettefellow · Vettefellow #3 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 12:08 AM

I just used an external dock to install the OS on before dropping it in the system, and it worked out great. The best advice I can give is to make sure you have a T6 Torx on hand... I got all the way to the drive, and didn't have a T6 on me

They can be pretty hard to find, but your local computer shop or Sears should have one.

Noxian · Noxian #4 (**permalink**)

09-03-2008, 03:52 PM

I did option 1 on mine 2 months ago, Worked very well.

ImBatman · ImBatman #5 (**permalink**)

09-04-2008, 02:55 AM

I was wondering what software would you use to clone your drive in option #1?

...wait my bad, I guess I wasn't paying attention

wezman2k · wezman2k #6 (**permalink**)

09-04-2008, 02:12 PM

i just used time machine, i have an external too.

install the new drive, boot up with os x disc in the drive, then load your machine from a backup using time machine.

ImBatman #5 (permalink)
Member Since: May 13, 2008 Posts: 33	09-04-2008, 02:55 AM I was wondering what software would you use to clone your drive in option #1? ...wait my bad, I guess I wasn't paying attention MacBook Pro 2.2Mhz, 100GB HD, 2G RAM...First Mac Sprint HTC 6800 Mogul--------> to ------->ATT iPhone 3G 16GB (Black)
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B. Shakey #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 29, 2008 Posts: 2	09-02-2008, 04:33 PM Which of these options would be the best way to upgrade the hard drive in my Macbook? 1. Put the new drive in an external enclosure, clone my original drive with SuperDuper!, install the new drive. 2. Install the new drive, install OS X, use migration assistant to transfer programs/files. 3. Put the new drive in an enclosure, boot to that drive, install OS X, use migration assistant, then swap the drives. Option 1 seems the easiest, but is there an advantage to doing a clean install of OS X?
	QUOTE Thanks

louishen #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 22, 2007 Location: London Posts: 8,957 Mac Specs: Mac Mini Core i7 2012 \| White 2009 MacBook 2 Ghz \| 733 Mhz G4 Quicksilver	09-02-2008, 04:44 PM If you are happy with your present set-up 1 is the quickest way If you feel you need a fresh install of the OS then 2 would be a good choice
	QUOTE Thanks

Noxian #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 17, 2006 Posts: 542 Mac Specs: MacBook Pro 2.2ghz, 3GB, 250GB - 16GB White iPhone 3G - 2nd Gen 1GB Shuffle	09-03-2008, 03:52 PM I did option 1 on mine 2 months ago, Worked very well.
	QUOTE Thanks

wezman2k #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jun 12, 2007 Posts: 81	09-04-2008, 02:12 PM i just used time machine, i have an external too. install the new drive, boot up with os x disc in the drive, then load your machine from a backup using time machine.
	QUOTE Thanks

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