Backup for MacBook Pro - use on new Mini?

swissbird · 01-15-2011, 10:45 AM

My 3 yr old MacBook Pro suddenly wouldn't start up yesterday. No problems leading up to that (my Quicksilver 2002 did the same thing a few months ago!). Just a black screen, but I could feel the HD spinning. It has important files like iTunes, CS 3, all files for 3 websites, and Freehand files.

Took it to Apple, after doing all the troubleshooting from the Apple pages (they did the same things at the Apple store). They are sending it to Apple for repair - they repair/replace everything that's wrong (whether a power supply or a missing screw) for a flat $310, labor included, with a 90 day warranty - pretty good deal.

I don't think it's the hard drive, but if it is, I will get a new one and can restore by using Time Machine & the backup which is on an iOmega (500gb, I think).

My question for YOU: In the meanwhile, can I take the backup I used for that portable, attach it to the Mini and add that information to the Mini? I bought it in late 2010, have only turned it on a couple of times, so have added nothing to it yet. The Mini has Snow Leo, I think (whatever came on latest), while the laptop just has Leopard.

Would I need to first upload the programs to the Mini, before attaching the external hard drive?

Lots of questions, now that I think about it. In my distress, I didn't even think to ask Apple about it. I've never had to restore anything before by myself (and I've used their products since the old Mac ll in 1988 - still in use!). I have been MUCH better in the past about backing up every day, but got lazy since semi-retiring. Now have learned my lesson. Unless the HD is ok, I will lose at least 15 days worth of work. Shiver.

soho · 01-15-2011, 05:08 PM

Easiest method...remove the HD (which is easy) and pop it into a external enclosure ($8) then attach the external to the MiniMac and hold down the option key on boot, select the attached HD as the boot drive and hopefully the MiniMac will boot from it. If it does not then there is something wrong with the copied system but it still may mount on the desktop to allow you to try some diagnostics.

mclbruce · 01-15-2011, 09:48 PM

What you want to do should work. Connect the backup drive, make sure it mounts on the desktop, and then fire up Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder. I believe Migration Assistant will walk you through the process of restoring the Time Machine backup to the mini.

swissbird · 01-16-2011, 11:39 AM

But Soho, it's too late - I left computer w/hard drive at the Apple counter Friday. I asked for them to return the old hard drive, but he said "impossible"........??

mclbruce, I will try that. Should work, but if not, I shall return....the only thing that worries me is the proprietary stuff "for use only on one computer".

Thanks to both soho and mclbruce!

01-15-2011, 10:45 AM	#1
swissbird Prospect Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 8	Backup for MacBook Pro - use on new Mini? My 3 yr old MacBook Pro suddenly wouldn't start up yesterday. No problems leading up to that (my Quicksilver 2002 did the same thing a few months ago!). Just a black screen, but I could feel the HD spinning. It has important files like iTunes, CS 3, all files for 3 websites, and Freehand files. Took it to Apple, after doing all the troubleshooting from the Apple pages (they did the same things at the Apple store). They are sending it to Apple for repair - they repair/replace everything that's wrong (whether a power supply or a missing screw) for a flat $310, labor included, with a 90 day warranty - pretty good deal. I don't think it's the hard drive, but if it is, I will get a new one and can restore by using Time Machine & the backup which is on an iOmega (500gb, I think). My question for YOU: In the meanwhile, can I take the backup I used for that portable, attach it to the Mini and add that information to the Mini? I bought it in late 2010, have only turned it on a couple of times, so have added nothing to it yet. The Mini has Snow Leo, I think (whatever came on latest), while the laptop just has Leopard. Would I need to first upload the programs to the Mini, before attaching the external hard drive? Lots of questions, now that I think about it. In my distress, I didn't even think to ask Apple about it. I've never had to restore anything before by myself (and I've used their products since the old Mac ll in 1988 - still in use!). I have been MUCH better in the past about backing up every day, but got lazy since semi-retiring. Now have learned my lesson. Unless the HD is ok, I will lose at least 15 days worth of work. Shiver.

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01-15-2011, 05:08 PM	#2
soho Major Leaguer Join Date: May 2004 Location: Oxford Posts: 489	Easiest method...remove the HD (which is easy) and pop it into a external enclosure ($8) then attach the external to the MiniMac and hold down the option key on boot, select the attached HD as the boot drive and hopefully the MiniMac will boot from it. If it does not then there is something wrong with the copied system but it still may mount on the desktop to allow you to try some diagnostics.

01-15-2011, 09:48 PM	#3
mclbruce Hall of Famer Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 3,870	What you want to do should work. Connect the backup drive, make sure it mounts on the desktop, and then fire up Migration Assistant, which is in the Utilities folder. I believe Migration Assistant will walk you through the process of restoring the Time Machine backup to the mini.

01-16-2011, 11:39 AM	#4
swissbird Prospect Join Date: May 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 8	But Soho, it's too late - I left computer w/hard drive at the Apple counter Friday. I asked for them to return the old hard drive, but he said "impossible"........?? mclbruce, I will try that. Should work, but if not, I shall return....the only thing that worries me is the proprietary stuff "for use only on one computer". Thanks to both soho and mclbruce!