[rnp614]

Is there a way to transfer all my files and programs to this new harddrive and then swap and boot up just like it was before? I did buy one of those small un-powered mobile hard drive enclosures...i just dont know how to go about the copy. Anyone have any tips? Tricks? Links? Guides?

[turnedge762]

I would put the hard drive you currently have in the Macbook in the external enclosure. Then put the new drive in the Macbook. Install OS X on the new internal drive. Then, when you start up for the first time and it asks you if you want to migrate your data from a previous mac, say yes. Connect the external drive to the Macbook through USB or firewire, and it'll put everything where it's suppose to go.

I hope that makes sense.

[Guy Kuo]

Alternatively,

1. Put new drive in External case

2. Clone old drive to new drive using SuperDuper. This creates a bootable new drive image with all your old files and setttings on the new drive.

3. Swap the old and new drives physically.

You can save one step by puttin the old drive into the external case, the new drive in the MacBook and then booting from the external. Once booted, clone from the old (in the external case) to the new drive (in the MacBook).

[turnedge762]

Originally Posted by Guy Kuo 

Alternatively,

1. Put new drive in External case

2. Clone old drive to new drive using SuperDuper. This creates a bootable new drive image with all your old files and setttings on the new drive.

3. Swap the old and new drives physically.

You can save one step by puttin the old drive into the external case, the new drive in the MacBook and then booting from the external. Once booted, clone from the old (in the external case) to the new drive (in the MacBook).

Nice I've never heard of SuperDuper. That's a trick I'll use someday.