Move drive to another machine

[pc_taz]

Sorry, may be dumb question but mainly a PC guy.
I searched for transfer HDD, but mostly just returned stuff about transferring files.
I have a dead iMac24, won't boot, had it looked at said P/S was good so must be main bd.
anyway, if I get another imac24 of similar year can I just get the old HDD swapped into the other one and be good?
(or if I put the old drive in an external can I get everything on the other drive?)

Thanks.

 

[CoastalOR]

What year is the iMac?

As a general rule of thumb, I would recommend putting the old iMac drive in an external drive and copy the files or clone the contents to the new iMac internal drive so you do not have to open the new iMac.

 

[pc_taz]

yeah, I was thinking better not to open if I don't have to. is there an easy way to clone macs?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

https://bombich.com - assuming you can access the 'dead' one via Target Disk Mode.

 

[CoastalOR]

+1 for Carbon Copy Clone - Bombich. That is my preference.

SuperDuper is also popular.
https://www.shirt-pocket.com/SuperDuper/SuperDuperDescription.html

 

[pc_taz]

ok, i'll try one of those methods. Thanks

 

[hobowankenobi]

If you need to get into the iMac to grab the HD, use the guides from ifixit. Will probably need a small star screwdriver (varies by model).

Not too hard depending on the model...and you don't need it to run once the surgery is done.