Adding old master HD to new Mac - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

powerclown · 08-16-2006, 10:38 AM

New Mac entering the stable here. I was looking to put the HD from my old mac into the new mac, so 2 drives total in the new mac. Will be running OSX 10.4.5.

The concern is what do I do about the OSX system software and settings on the old HD that I am bringing into the new mac? Do I need to erase OSX off the old drive? Will setting the jumpers to master on the new HD and slave on the old HD solve the problem of 2 system software folders on each HD? Also, what about Preferences (application, display, etc.)? I'm assuming these need to be in the new HD system folder? 1st time working with multiple HDs in a Mac system...confused.

Any help appreciated.

exizldelfuego · 08-19-2006, 11:50 AM

If both HDs have their own systems installed, your Mac can boot off either. The computer's preference for HD/System is stored in the Open Firmware (kinda like a PC BIOS) and is edited through Mac OS X's Startup Disk system preference.

Your Mac should already be set up to prefer its current system, so when you add the new HD and startup, it'll still boot in the existing system. It'll continue to boot in the existing system until you tell it otherwise through the Startup Disk preference.

08-16-2006, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
powerclown Junkie Location: Detroit, MI	Adding old master HD to new Mac New Mac entering the stable here. I was looking to put the HD from my old mac into the new mac, so 2 drives total in the new mac. Will be running OSX 10.4.5. The concern is what do I do about the OSX system software and settings on the old HD that I am bringing into the new mac? Do I need to erase OSX off the old drive? Will setting the jumpers to master on the new HD and slave on the old HD solve the problem of 2 system software folders on each HD? Also, what about Preferences (application, display, etc.)? I'm assuming these need to be in the new HD system folder? 1st time working with multiple HDs in a Mac system...confused. Any help appreciated.

08-19-2006, 11:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
exizldelfuego Crazy Location: Seattle, WA	If both HDs have their own systems installed, your Mac can boot off either. The computer's preference for HD/System is stored in the Open Firmware (kinda like a PC BIOS) and is edited through Mac OS X's Startup Disk system preference. Your Mac should already be set up to prefer its current system, so when you add the new HD and startup, it'll still boot in the existing system. It'll continue to boot in the existing system until you tell it otherwise through the Startup Disk preference.