248      iPhone_iPad_Mac_apple

Mac OS on external hard drive for start up disk?

My iMac mid 2011 21 in.  is diagnosed with "failing hard drive" per genius bar.  Since it is aging and I need a reliable Mac, I bought a new one.

However, the old one can be fixed by Apple Store for about $200, in event I want to use as a spare or second TV - all other features work just fine; but not ready to do so yet.  So, I wonder if I could install a copy of OS onto an external hard drive ( I have a couple), connect it to the old mac and operate it that way. I'm not well versed in this and the old one is boxed up for now; just doing  this preliminary research to determine if there is a possibility.

Thanks.

Yes, you can. Install or clone the OS onto it normally.

(153571)

Thanks.  And one more thought - Once connected to the "new" hard drive, then powered on, how does the old iMac "know" to look to the new external hard drive for the start up disk?

A setting in the NVRAM. If needed, restart with the Option key held down, click on it, and then choose it in the Startup Disk pane of System Preferences.

(153589)

Once you get it running, you do:

preferences > startup disk

pick the disk you want.

R

最后更新：2017-10-16 09:09:25

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