Transferring HD backup to another computer running different OS X

[Bonstrick]

My 2009 27" IMac running OSX El Capitan started frequently shutting off. I took it to Apple Repair Center and was told that the LCD back light was broken. To repair would cost $450. Since I also have the rotating Beach Ball frequently I asked if this was the HD but was told it probably is due to having on 4 gigs of RAM. To increase that to 8 is $119. I am thinking that the cost is too much for the age of my computer.

So my main question is that computer was backed up to an external HD. Can I install that back up copy to an even older MACBOOK 2006 running version 10.75 LION Mac OS X? If I could access my pictures and many other files for now, it would give me time to save for a new computer.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mrplow]

RAM upgrades are something you can easily do yourself on that model. Crucial do a 4gb kit (2x2gb) for $30 and an 8gb kit (2x4gb) for $50 so it's worth considering that. Only you can decide if the $450 repair is worth it.

Whether you can recover your files to an older system very much depends on how the backup was taken. What tool was used to take the backup?

 

[Bonstrick]

Thank you for your reply. I have a Western Digital External Hard Drive and I backed the 27" IMAC up frequently with Time Machine. Until I decide what I am going to do I would like to have access to my files and photos which are on the WD hard drive. I hope!


I'm thinking about adding Ram myself as you suggested. I even found a sight that gave detailed instrucyions on replacing the LCD screen but that makes me a little nervous. I repair things around the house but I have never repaired my computers.

My lap top is a MACBOOK late 2006 running Mountain Lion 10.7.5 and it looks as though I cannot upgrade the OS X to El Capitan.

 

[pigoo3]

I even found a sight that gave detailed instrucyions on replacing the LCD screen but that makes me a little nervous. I repair things around the house but I have never repaired my computers.

Could this website be ifixit.com? If not…ifixit.com is a very good site for this sort of thing.

Just an idea... If the iMac's builtin display is messed up. You could try using an external display.

My lap top is a MACBOOK late 2006 running Mountain Lion 10.7.5 and it looks as though I cannot upgrade the OS X to El Capitan.

Just a technical thing. OS 10.7.5 is "Lion" like you mentioned in post #1 (you mentioned "Mountain Lion" in your later post).

Yes…no El Capitan for a 2006 MacBook. Probably no Mountain Lion 10.8, Mavericks 10.9, or Yosemite 10.10…either.

- Nick

 

[Bonstrick]

I did see the replacement of an LCD Screen on ifixit. Very clear and step by step. But because of the cost of the LCD Screen I am still hesitant. My error my Macbook is running Lion not Mountain Lion.nal screen

If I were to choose to use an external screen for my computer what type should I buy?

 

[pigoo3]

If I were to choose to use an external screen for my computer what type should I buy?

Kind of hard to say. Depends on your needs & budget. But a similar 27" external display (similar to the 27" iMac's internal display) will be pricey.

I was simply suggesting using an external display with your 27" iMac as a way to be able to use it (since at the moment it is not useable at all). You could get something simple…like a lower cost 22"-24" display. Even something used would work & cost less.

- Nick

 

[Bonstrick]

I'm just on my way over to the Apple authorized repair shop to pick up my unrepaired computer and take a look at some repaired ones he has for sale.

I have also been looking on Apple site at new and refurbished IMacs. The nice thing about buying from Apple is that I can pay interest free through Barclay Card for 18 months. That makes a new or refurbished one more appealing. If I spend money $450 to repair mine that is 2009 model, the HD or Mother Board or something else could go next. Since I am not accustomed to repairing computers myself I think I should go with the new one. But if this repairman has something at a good price I may buy from him. He was asking $949 for a 27" 2010 model he had on display. That seems way too high. I hate decisions but I hate not having access to my files even more.

 

[pigoo3]

But if this repairman has something at a good price I may buy from him. He was asking $949 for a 27" 2010 model he had on display. That seems way too high. I hate decisions but I hate not having access to my files even more.

Make sure you check out the refurbished models at Apple online store. Lowest cost at the moment is a 2013 27" iMac model for $1439. To me…paying close to $1000 for a 2010 27" iMac is a bit much. And remember. With an Apple refurbished unit…you get 12 months of included Applecare (which can be extended to 3 years).

I hate decisions but I hate not having access to my files even more.

At this point all you need is get a cheap used 19" monitor for $25 via Craig's List. Or pull the hard drive out of the iMac…put it into an external HD case…and plug this into a 2nd computer to get access to your files.

- Nick

 

[harryb2448]

And Bonstick you could always advetise the iMac on eBay and Craigslist as defective. Folks are always on the lookout for older models to tinker with. Ask Nick!

Buy a refurb from Apple, get the 12 month warranty, and the option to increase this to 36 months for a couple of hundred with AppleCare. Remember from 2012 onwards, the 21.5" model is not memory upgradeable whereas the 27" is.

 

[Bonstrick]

I picked up my computer from repair shop this afternoon and paid $50 for him to diagnose but decided his prices were too high on used ones. Then I went to an Apple store where they looked at it and said the display is not working. So I am going to choose a refurbished one as they are discounted as both pigoo3 and Harryb2448 suggested. The idea of selling the machine for parts is not something I had though of before. It's a great idea but a little scary as I know of two cases here in the Atlanta area where deals were made and the sellers were killed. So I have to decide if it's work the risk. If I did that, and cannot start my computer is there a way to clean the hard drive first? I have another non working IMac that may also be of value for parts. I also have an Apple IPhone 4s that works. All of these are sitting around because I don't know what to do with them.

 

[chscag]

When you sell something that you advertised on Craig's list or elsewhere, tell the interested buyer to meet you in a public place such as Starbucks. Starbucks is good because they also have free Wifi. I sold my last MacBook I had at a Chinese restaurant. Good food and good sale.

 

[Bonstrick]

That's a great idea. As long as I don't have to buy the buyer a dinner. ;D