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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
Can I make a second mac into a true clone of my present one?
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<blockquote data-quote="AndrewDun" data-source="post: 1947386" data-attributes="member: 404249"><p>O dear. I was afraid that it might be as cut-and-dried as that. My hope, rather than expectation, was that someone would point to some little not-too-multi-legged flashed-memory component somewhere on the main board which Apple has flashed with a unique code for the machine. If so, it could be a matter of unsoldering it from one machine and putting it into another, or for someone with a certain amount of knowledge, reading its memory and writing it into a new un-flashed device to install in another computer. </p><p>Another approach, evidently familiar to certain knowledgeable people, would be to explore the code of the un-cooperative software (via Open Package Contents?) and look for some code controlling the activation. But I am a mechanical engineer with some knowledge of electronics, and while to employ the first remedy (unsoldering and replacing an existing identity-defining device) would be quite possible for me, reading and writing flash memory would involve some new learning, and the software 'hacking' approach would be quite beyond me.</p><p>I appreciate greatly the advice on making sure that all my data remains accessible. I have several vital databases in Filemaker Pro and I would probably do well to import them into Libre Office as a sort of data bank from which they could be recovered by something modern in an emergency. Many thousands of photos are in iPhoto. I have made a few half-hearted attempts at migrating to Photos, but so far getting the 'descriptions' to move over with the photographs has defeated me. But at least iPhoto itself seems to be happy to move to different machines (as does Fitemaker, I realise). It is the wretched 'activation' programmes which cause me the worry, not so much as regards loss of data — most of their output exists as pdfs — but I would be hampered by being unable to open earlier work in their original programmes for re-use, or by being unable to continue using familiar and entirely adequate software on a daily basis.</p><p>The precautions I take at the moment are: never letting the Snow Leopard machines come in contact with the Internet, in case some unwanted software update from one of the 'activation' programme suppliers causes them to require re-activation (I have read this this has happened to some unfortunate people); and treating them gently (no unnecessary long-term hard work, keeping the innards dust-free, etc). Finally, remain prepared to attempt component-level repairs.</p><p>But if anyone does know how to clone a computer, it would be a great help to many possibly eccentric users.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="AndrewDun, post: 1947386, member: 404249"] O dear. I was afraid that it might be as cut-and-dried as that. My hope, rather than expectation, was that someone would point to some little not-too-multi-legged flashed-memory component somewhere on the main board which Apple has flashed with a unique code for the machine. If so, it could be a matter of unsoldering it from one machine and putting it into another, or for someone with a certain amount of knowledge, reading its memory and writing it into a new un-flashed device to install in another computer. Another approach, evidently familiar to certain knowledgeable people, would be to explore the code of the un-cooperative software (via Open Package Contents?) and look for some code controlling the activation. But I am a mechanical engineer with some knowledge of electronics, and while to employ the first remedy (unsoldering and replacing an existing identity-defining device) would be quite possible for me, reading and writing flash memory would involve some new learning, and the software 'hacking' approach would be quite beyond me. I appreciate greatly the advice on making sure that all my data remains accessible. I have several vital databases in Filemaker Pro and I would probably do well to import them into Libre Office as a sort of data bank from which they could be recovered by something modern in an emergency. Many thousands of photos are in iPhoto. I have made a few half-hearted attempts at migrating to Photos, but so far getting the 'descriptions' to move over with the photographs has defeated me. But at least iPhoto itself seems to be happy to move to different machines (as does Fitemaker, I realise). It is the wretched 'activation' programmes which cause me the worry, not so much as regards loss of data — most of their output exists as pdfs — but I would be hampered by being unable to open earlier work in their original programmes for re-use, or by being unable to continue using familiar and entirely adequate software on a daily basis. The precautions I take at the moment are: never letting the Snow Leopard machines come in contact with the Internet, in case some unwanted software update from one of the 'activation' programme suppliers causes them to require re-activation (I have read this this has happened to some unfortunate people); and treating them gently (no unnecessary long-term hard work, keeping the innards dust-free, etc). Finally, remain prepared to attempt component-level repairs. But if anyone does know how to clone a computer, it would be a great help to many possibly eccentric users. [/QUOTE]
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Apple Computing Products:
macOS - Desktop Hardware
Can I make a second mac into a true clone of my present one?
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