Putting old MB hard drive in a new one?

Catie · Catie #1 (**permalink**)

05-21-2011, 11:59 PM

Hi all,
My old Macbook recently died on me and I can't power it on at all. I know it will cost a lot for me to get it fixed so I just decided that I would sell it on eBay. I have two questions before I do it though.

1. If I remove the hard drive and sell it as is, the person buying it won't be able to retrieve any of my personal info right? Like in the log in screen, my log in icon and name won't appear?

2. If I purchase a Macbook the same model as my last would I be able to just put in my old hard drive and retrieve all of my files(iPhoto and Photobooth photos especially!) Is it an easy process?

I don't know much about these things please bare with me lol!
Thanks in advance

technologist · technologist #2 (**permalink**)

05-22-2011, 01:29 AM

What you probably want to do is put the old HD in a USB enclosure. That way, you won't have to open up your new Mac, and you can keep using the old HD.

Do a Google search for "USB hard drive enclosure", but be sure to look for a 2.5" (laptop-sized) SATA enclosure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catie

please bare with me lol!

Sorry, nudity is prohibited on this forum

Slydude · Slydude #3 (**permalink**)

05-22-2011, 11:06 AM

I'll second putting the old drive in an enclosure. The advantage here is that you are not limited to purchasing the same model MacBook as you had before. You could go for a newer one if the budget permits and still use the data from your old drive.

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #4 (**permalink**)

05-22-2011, 11:26 AM

Yep, if you put it in an enclosure.. when you get your new mac, use the migration assistant to copy everything over (it'll ask when you first turn it on). Then you have an external drive for other usage.

thurstmw · thurstmw #5 (**permalink**)

05-22-2011, 02:09 PM

If you pop it in the new computer it will load up just like it was your old computer and you wouldn't have to bother migrating anything. Enclosures work too though but they cost money. If you already have a 2.5inch external drive you can usually take them apart and replace the drive.

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #6 (**permalink**)

05-22-2011, 02:46 PM

Yes, but chances are the new hard drive will be larger. There's always a trade-off. Oh and the last enclosure I bought ran me about $20.. tops

Dysfunction #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,588 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	05-22-2011, 11:26 AM Yep, if you put it in an enclosure.. when you get your new mac, use the migration assistant to copy everything over (it'll ask when you first turn it on). Then you have an external drive for other usage. mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
	QUOTE Thanks

thurstmw #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Sep 29, 2010 Location: BoCo Posts: 295 Mac Specs: 13inch 2.3 i5 MBP 64gb SSD 320gb HD 8gb 1333	05-22-2011, 02:09 PM If you pop it in the new computer it will load up just like it was your old computer and you wouldn't have to bother migrating anything. Enclosures work too though but they cost money. If you already have a 2.5inch external drive you can usually take them apart and replace the drive. Yes that is a grizzlycorn
	QUOTE Thanks

Dysfunction #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,588 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	05-22-2011, 02:46 PM Yes, but chances are the new hard drive will be larger. There's always a trade-off. Oh and the last enclosure I bought ran me about $20.. tops mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
	QUOTE Thanks

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Catie #1 (permalink)
Member Since: May 21, 2011 Posts: 1	05-21-2011, 11:59 PM Hi all, My old Macbook recently died on me and I can't power it on at all. I know it will cost a lot for me to get it fixed so I just decided that I would sell it on eBay. I have two questions before I do it though. 1. If I remove the hard drive and sell it as is, the person buying it won't be able to retrieve any of my personal info right? Like in the log in screen, my log in icon and name won't appear? 2. If I purchase a Macbook the same model as my last would I be able to just put in my old hard drive and retrieve all of my files(iPhoto and Photobooth photos especially!) Is it an easy process? I don't know much about these things please bare with me lol! Thanks in advance
	QUOTE Thanks

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