MP All Models Old HDD to new Mac

[casper69]

Hi all

so my faithful 17inch MacBook Pro has finally come to its end after 12 years. The logic boards gone and probably too much bother and waste of money to repair.

so wanted to see if I can hook up the 17inch Mac HDD to a new MacBook so I can get all my stuff off but also use it as a separate computer for old skool games and not effect the new MacBook?

thanks

 

[velocityg4]

Yes you can hook it up and get files off of it. As for using it as a boot drive. It depends which OS version is on it. It would need to be high enough to be bootable on a new Macbook. Which it likely isn't.

 

[casper69]

Yes you can hook it up and get files off of it. As for using it as a boot drive. It depends which OS version is on it. It would need to be high enough to be bootable on a new Macbook. Which it likely isn't.

Thanks, great I can get the files damn it I can’t use it as a boot drive as it’s El Cap OS.

 

[joevt]

What model of MacBook Pro 17 inch? What is the model of the new MacBook?

Take the SATA drive out of the 17 inch and place it in an external USB enclosure. If it has an old OS then it probably won't be bootable on a new MacBook. You could install a new OS to the drive. The drive is probably old, so you should restore it to a new SSD, then install an OS to that.

 

[casper69]

What model of MacBook Pro 17 inch? What is the model of the new MacBook?

Take the SATA drive out of the 17 inch and place it in an external USB enclosure. If it has an old OS then it probably won't be bootable on a new MacBook. You could install a new OS to the drive. The drive is probably old, so you should restore it to a new SSD, then install an OS to that.

How would I install a new OS on it?

 

[joevt]

Download macOS, then select it as the destination. It will not erase your apps or docs or settings.

 

[velocityg4]

How would I install a new OS on it?

I wouldn't bother. I don't think any of the current models can do Mojave. So, you'd be stuck with a 64 bit only OS. Which would be dog slow on an external HDD and wouldn't help with your game issue.

Perhaps get an old iMac with a discrete GPU for those old games. The large screen is nicer for gaming anyways. Then you can go down the rabbit hole of getting a PowerPC, 68K and Apple II. For the full range of old Apple gaming.

 

[casper69]

Download macOS, then select it as the destination. It will not erase your apps or docs or settings.

Thanks will give it a go

 

[casper69]

I wouldn't bother. I don't think any of the current models can do Mojave. So, you'd be stuck with a 64 bit only OS. Which would be dog slow on an external HDD and wouldn't help with your game issue.

Perhaps get an old iMac with a discrete GPU for those old games. The large screen is nicer for gaming anyways. Then you can go down the rabbit hole of getting a PowerPC, 68K and Apple II. For the full range of old Apple gaming.

You maybe right about an old iMac/MacBook would save time.

Def won’t be going down that rabbit hole lol the Mrs would kill me