Use 2nd internal HDD as main OSx drive in MacbookPro

theMouthPiece · 11-14-2012, 06:40 AM

Hi All

I seem to be fast running out of internal HDD space on my 350GB internal Macbookpro drive. So recently I installed a 2nd internal 750GB HDD in place of the optical drive.

What I am wondering is how I can simply swap their uses? I want to have the 750GB HDD as the main drive from which the MacbookPro starts up, contains all the apps etc, and then use the internal 350GB HDD as the file storage area etc.

Can anyone advise me of the best way to go about doing this please? Thanks

acme.mail.order · 11-14-2012, 06:58 AM

The Mac really doesn't care where the operating system is. Clone the OS, then choose that drive as the startup disk in System Preferences. Where you store your files is also up to you.

I assume most of your data is photos, music and movies? the iApps let you pick almost any storage location you want.

theMouthPiece · 11-14-2012, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by acme.mail.order


	The Mac really doesn't care where the operating system is. Clone the OS, then choose that drive as the startup disk in System Preferences. Where you store your files is also up to you. I assume most of your data is photos, music and movies? the iApps let you pick almost any storage location you want.

That's just it... when I install a new app, the installer always has an exclamation mark in the 750GB HDD meaning I cannot install the app on that drive.

agentx · 11-14-2012, 07:27 AM

That is because it is not the boot drive yet. Some program installers require you to install on the boot drive hence the exclamation mark.

As always make sure you have a good backup of all your data.
If the 750GB is empty just clone ( carbon copy cloner) the 350GB to 750GB and then set the 750Gb as boot drive. Once happy that all is well.....Wipe the 350GB and start using for file storage.

theMouthPiece · 11-14-2012, 07:32 AM

Thanks agentx.

I have already been using the 750GB HDD for a month or so and there's already plenty of stuff on it so I'm afraid it's not empty.

Is there an alternative method then for this?

agentx · 11-14-2012, 07:33 AM

Many power users just move their home folder onto the secondary drive. 350Gb is usually big enough for most users needs as far as program storage etc. Personally i would get a 256GB SSD drive as your boot drive(£140) and use the 750GB as your file storage and home folder.

agentx · 11-14-2012, 07:35 AM

You can still do a clone and make it bootable but you must be careful with the "delete" options when cloning.

ie. you want to clone the 350 to 750 without deleting any files from the 750.

agentx · 11-14-2012, 07:36 AM

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7...older-in-os-x/

I tend to move Pictures/Movies/Music to external and use symbolic links for most users.

11-14-2012, 06:40 AM	#1
theMouthPiece All Star Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 572	Use 2nd internal HDD as main OSx drive in MacbookPro Hi All I seem to be fast running out of internal HDD space on my 350GB internal Macbookpro drive. So recently I installed a 2nd internal 750GB HDD in place of the optical drive. What I am wondering is how I can simply swap their uses? I want to have the 750GB HDD as the main drive from which the MacbookPro starts up, contains all the apps etc, and then use the internal 350GB HDD as the file storage area etc. Can anyone advise me of the best way to go about doing this please? Thanks __________________ Macbook \| Synth freak \| Amateur Photographer

11-14-2012, 07:32 AM	#5
theMouthPiece All Star Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wales Posts: 572	Thanks agentx. I have already been using the 750GB HDD for a month or so and there's already plenty of stuff on it so I'm afraid it's not empty. Is there an alternative method then for this? __________________ Macbook \| Synth freak \| Amateur Photographer

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11-14-2012, 06:58 AM	#2
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,050	The Mac really doesn't care where the operating system is. Clone the OS, then choose that drive as the startup disk in System Preferences. Where you store your files is also up to you. I assume most of your data is photos, music and movies? the iApps let you pick almost any storage location you want.

11-14-2012, 07:27 AM	#4
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	That is because it is not the boot drive yet. Some program installers require you to install on the boot drive hence the exclamation mark. As always make sure you have a good backup of all your data. If the 750GB is empty just clone ( carbon copy cloner) the 350GB to 750GB and then set the 750Gb as boot drive. Once happy that all is well.....Wipe the 350GB and start using for file storage.

11-14-2012, 07:33 AM	#6
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	Many power users just move their home folder onto the secondary drive. 350Gb is usually big enough for most users needs as far as program storage etc. Personally i would get a 256GB SSD drive as your boot drive(£140) and use the 750GB as your file storage and home folder.

11-14-2012, 07:35 AM	#7
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	You can still do a clone and make it bootable but you must be careful with the "delete" options when cloning. ie. you want to clone the 350 to 750 without deleting any files from the 750.

11-14-2012, 07:36 AM	#8
agentx Hall of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brighton, UK Posts: 3,811	http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7...older-in-os-x/ I tend to move Pictures/Movies/Music to external and use symbolic links for most users.