Copying Contents From one Macbook to Another

RhodesianHunter · RhodesianHunter #1 (**permalink**)

03-17-2010, 10:25 PM

Hello everyone!

I apologize if this was supposed to go in the OS thread but I figured it fits in both.

I was wondering if it is possible to copy the entire contents of one macbook to another.

I have an older macbook that can boot both windows and snow leopard and has all kinds of neat software, much of which I have lost the discs to.

I also have a brand new macbook that has nothing but leopard on it.

Is there a way to wipe my new macbook and copy or clone everything from the old one onto it so that both os are bootable and the software is all usable?

A big thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction on this.

6string · 6string #2 (**permalink**)

03-17-2010, 11:02 PM

Welcome to Mac Forums
I've never had to clone both OS X and Windows.
I believe what you would need to use is Carbon Copy Cloner to clone over your OS X partition, and use WinClone to copy over the windows partition.
I don't want to give you incorrect instructions on how as I've only cloned OS X partitions, but I'm certain that someone will be along shortly to give you clear instructions on the process.

McYukon · McYukon #3 (**permalink**)

03-17-2010, 11:07 PM

Would it be an option to just exchange the harddrive?
If it is the same size and not to old it would be the easiest way to move the harddrive contents.

6string · 6string #4 (**permalink**)

03-17-2010, 11:14 PM

It would, but I think the OP wants 2 identical setups!

chas_m · chas_m #5 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 01:22 AM

I'm beginning to think that "lost the discs" is code for "pirated software." Either that, or we have a huge number of ridiculously irresponsible software buyers on this forum.

6string · 6string #6 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 01:29 AM

Yes, that thought constantly crosses my mind too!

RhodesianHunter · RhodesianHunter #7 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 02:03 AM

No, no pirated software.

The old macbook is one loaned to me from my school, and it comes with all kinds of code editing software, compilers, etc. All of which I may legally have on my personal computer (the new one). I just need to know how to move it over.

I have to give the loaned macbook back so switching the drives is not a possibility.

Oneironaut · Oneironaut #8 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 11:38 AM

Usually, you can only legally have software on one computer at a time, I believe. If you are trying to install software and you don't have the original install disks, it's probably not kosher.

SweetCosmicPope · SweetCosmicPope #9 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 12:43 PM

Agreed. If it's a loaned computer and your taking software off of it for you personal computer, that's the same thing as pirating. Just a different method than torrents,etc;

osxx · osxx #10 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 12:59 PM

If its legal for you to have on your personal computer would not the school offer you the
disc to load.

Chud · Chud #11 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 03:02 PM

I'll bet if he asked for it they would give it. My school does that for most applications that we use in the course of our education... That is part of what our technology fee pays for.

But yes, simply copying one drive onto another drive from a computer you don't actually own, and licenses you haven't paid for is pirating.

RhodesianHunter · RhodesianHunter #12 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 11:42 PM

Jesus Christ people... all of the software is FREE **** like JGRASP and compilers and putty... If I wanted to download all of it off of the net I could but it would take forever and I would lose all of my settings. I posted on here asking for help and all I get is a bunch of people accusing me of illegal activity. I guess that just goes to show what kind of trolls comment on these forums. I'll just take my problem in to the mac store and PAY someone to help me. Thanks for nothing.

Chud · Chud #13 (**permalink**)

03-18-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhodesianHunter

Jesus Christ people... all of the software is FREE **** like JGRASP and compilers and putty... If I wanted to download all of it off of the net I could but it would take forever and I would lose all of my settings. I posted on here asking for help and all I get is a bunch of people accusing me of illegal activity. I guess that just goes to show what kind of trolls comment on these forums. I'll just take my problem in to the mac store and PAY someone to help me. Thanks for nothing.

Just keep in mind when reading all of these comments that Big Brother is watching and has an IP tracker...

In other words, even though this is a Mac forum it is still heavily PC...

chas_m #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 22, 2010 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 13,803 Mac Specs: 2009 MacBook Pro, Black speakers, Black Benq second monitor, black iPhone 4, Black 2012 iPad, etc.	03-18-2010, 01:22 AM I'm beginning to think that "lost the discs" is code for "pirated software." Either that, or we have a huge number of ridiculously irresponsible software buyers on this forum. Cheers, chas_m -- My essay for switchers and newbies
	QUOTE Thanks

SweetCosmicPope #9 (permalink)
Member Since: Dec 16, 2009 Location: Baytown, Tx Posts: 365 Mac Specs: Late 2009 Macbook Pro 2.26, 160gb HD, 2gb RAM, OSX 10.6; Emac 1.42ghz 80gb HD 2gb RAM OSX 10.5	03-18-2010, 12:43 PM Agreed. If it's a loaned computer and your taking software off of it for you personal computer, that's the same thing as pirating. Just a different method than torrents,etc; "That's Peter Graves scat! I'd know it anywhere!"
	QUOTE Thanks

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RhodesianHunter #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2010 Posts: 3	03-17-2010, 10:25 PM Hello everyone! I apologize if this was supposed to go in the OS thread but I figured it fits in both. I was wondering if it is possible to copy the entire contents of one macbook to another. I have an older macbook that can boot both windows and snow leopard and has all kinds of neat software, much of which I have lost the discs to. I also have a brand new macbook that has nothing but leopard on it. Is there a way to wipe my new macbook and copy or clone everything from the old one onto it so that both os are bootable and the software is all usable? A big thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction on this.
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	03-17-2010, 11:02 PM Welcome to Mac Forums I've never had to clone both OS X and Windows. I believe what you would need to use is Carbon Copy Cloner to clone over your OS X partition, and use WinClone to copy over the windows partition. I don't want to give you incorrect instructions on how as I've only cloned OS X partitions, but I'm certain that someone will be along shortly to give you clear instructions on the process.
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	03-17-2010, 11:14 PM It would, but I think the OP wants 2 identical setups!
	QUOTE Thanks

6string #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 09, 2009 Location: Down Under :D Posts: 5,484 Mac Specs: Back to my old 2.2GHz C2D MB after selling my MBP and wondering what my next Mac will be :)	03-18-2010, 01:29 AM Yes, that thought constantly crosses my mind too!
	QUOTE Thanks

RhodesianHunter #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2010 Posts: 3	03-18-2010, 02:03 AM No, no pirated software. The old macbook is one loaned to me from my school, and it comes with all kinds of code editing software, compilers, etc. All of which I may legally have on my personal computer (the new one). I just need to know how to move it over. I have to give the loaned macbook back so switching the drives is not a possibility.
	QUOTE Thanks

Oneironaut #8 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 23, 2009 Posts: 1,262 Mac Specs: 21" iMac * 2.8 Ghz Intel Core i7 * 16GB 1333 Mhz DDR3 * 1TB HD *AMD Radeon HD 6770M 512 MB	03-18-2010, 11:38 AM Usually, you can only legally have software on one computer at a time, I believe. If you are trying to install software and you don't have the original install disks, it's probably not kosher.
	QUOTE Thanks

osxx #10 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 19, 2008 Location: houston texas Posts: 3,949 Mac Specs: 15 MacBook Pro 2009 32GB iPad 4 32GB iPhone 5 Apple TV 3 AEBS/AE	03-18-2010, 12:59 PM If its legal for you to have on your personal computer would not the school offer you the disc to load.
	QUOTE Thanks

Chud #11 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 24, 2010 Location: NYC Posts: 95 Mac Specs: 15" MBP 2.5Ghz C2D 4GB 500GB Seagate 7200RPM / 15" Powerbook G4 1.5Ghz 2GB 160GB Seagate 5400rpm	03-18-2010, 03:02 PM I'll bet if he asked for it they would give it. My school does that for most applications that we use in the course of our education... That is part of what our technology fee pays for. But yes, simply copying one drive onto another drive from a computer you don't actually own, and licenses you haven't paid for is pirating.
	QUOTE Thanks

RhodesianHunter #12 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2010 Posts: 3	03-18-2010, 11:42 PM Jesus Christ people... all of the software is FREE **** like JGRASP and compilers and putty... If I wanted to download all of it off of the net I could but it would take forever and I would lose all of my settings. I posted on here asking for help and all I get is a bunch of people accusing me of illegal activity. I guess that just goes to show what kind of trolls comment on these forums. I'll just take my problem in to the mac store and PAY someone to help me. Thanks for nothing.
	QUOTE Thanks

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