How will an int. converted to an ext. hard drive work?

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MacBook Pro 15" Core 2 Duo Models A1226 & A1260

2.2, 2.4, 2.5, or 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo processor

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sksloveridge @sksloveridge

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Posted: Mar 20, 2015

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How will an int. converted to an ext. hard drive work?

I have a dead logic board on my old macbook pro a1226. I have access to a working used a1226 but it has a more updated OS than my old one. if i convert my old hard drive to an external hd will it run just like an internal hard drive with the older versions of the OS and applications on that external hard drive. Or would i have to trade out the internal hard drive with my old hard drive to be able to run the older versions of the OS and older applications?

I'd like to know it will work before spending money on a external hard drive enclosure.

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If you give us both your old systems and new systems last three digits of there serial numbers we can double check if the systems HD's are compatible.

Mar 21, 2015 by Dan

Thank you so much for your response.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, if I use the old HD as an external HD, the files will use the OS and applications of the internal HD? And, if the files are not compatible, I would have to install the old HD internally to enable it to run it's own OS and applications?

I thought I located a used, same model, computer that I could use for either scenario. But, didn't realize that it still might be incompatible. Well, I'll cross my fingers til I get it. The last three of my old computer are X91. Do I need an exact match?

Mar 23, 2015 by sksloveridge

Well... Yes & no. Mounting your old systems HD in an external case allows you to access the files off of it. As to the applications if you alter the boot disk setting you can in fact boot up under your old drive so you then could use the apps as if it were your old system.

Mar 23, 2015 by Dan

The incompatibility issue is strickly related to the difference between your old system and your new one. We'll need the serial number of the new system to see if the HD's are swappable.

Mar 23, 2015 by Dan

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If you give us both your old systems and new systems last three digits of there serial numbers we can double check if the systems HD's are compatible. — Dan
Thank you so much for your response.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, if I use the old HD as an external HD, the files will use the OS and applications of the internal HD? And, if the files are not compatible, I would have to install the old HD internally to enable it to run it's own OS and applications?

I thought I located a used, same model, computer that I could use for either scenario. But, didn't realize that it still might be incompatible. Well, I'll cross my fingers til I get it. The last three of my old computer are X91. Do I need an exact match? — sksloveridge
Well... Yes & no. Mounting your old systems HD in an external case allows you to access the files off of it. As to the applications if you alter the boot disk setting you can in fact boot up under your old drive so you then could use the apps as if it were your old system. — Dan
The incompatibility issue is strickly related to the difference between your old system and your new one. We'll need the serial number of the new system to see if the HD's are swappable. — Dan

Dan @danj Rep: 479.9k Self employed contract worker 35 329 971 · Answer 1 · 2015-03-21T04:09:18-07:00

The simplest way here is to swap out the drives between the two systems but that is assuming the two systems are the same models and the drives are compatible (SATA speed). The last factor here is which HD is the largest as that is likely the better one to hang onto.

If the systems are not a match you may need to update the OS on your drive for the swap-out. Do you have access to the grey recovery CD/DVD disk that came with the newer system? If not you could try ordering it from Apple (or get the retail version of the OS - I.e. Snow Leopard CD/DVD). Then you can update your drive after you have swapped it. The other issue here is the OS version needed for the newer system may prevent some of your older apps from working they may need updating.

The other direction here is to get an external case (FireWire being the best) to house your old HD, Then if the OS on it is compatible with your newer system you can just boot up under it. If the new system has a bigger HD you may want to then copy or clone your old disks files over to the new systems drive. This gets into the question on what the new system has that you may want to hang on to.