Can I remove a HDD, put it in a different Mac then still use the CS6 Master Collection software?

[Chris_HB]

I’m wondering if my CS6 Master Collection is registered to the HDD or the Mac I’m using it on?

The reason I ask is, I was wondering if I physically removed the HDD it’s on and then put the HDD in a different Mac (a desktop rather than my laptop) would it still be all ok and work? Or do I need to go through the deactivation process first?

[Lumigraphics]

Try using Target Disk Mode to boot the second computer and see. No need to do any hardware changes for testing.

[Peru Bob]

I didn't think you could move a hard drive to another computer and have it boot properly if the hardware isn't identical.

[Chris_HB]

It’s from a mid-2012 laptop to a 2010 MacPro, so I would imagine that aspect is fine?

[Lumigraphics]

Generally with macOS you can move a drive to another Mac which can use that OS version. And yes you can boot from an external drive unless firmware security is set to not allow.

[Ben M]

CS6 allowed you to install and use the application on 2 computers. You can chat with support and request a reset of the activation count if you used up your licenses and did not deactivate them first. But as others have said, if you simply move a HDD it won't just startup the other computer. Plus most Macs don't have removable hard drives anymore and the newer Mac operating systems will not support CS6 as they are all 64-bit now and I only recall Photoshop being 64-bit back during CS6.

[Chris_HB]

Yeah, should have said, it’s from a mid-2012 laptop to a 2010 MacPro, so not anything current!

[kglad]

@Chris_HB 

you just need an os that supports both 32 bit and 64 bit software.  ie, it's your os that matters the most.

[Chris_HB]

Yeah, the last OS I have found that works with everything reliably is OSX Sierra 10.12.6

[kglad]

@Chris_HB 

have you started the installation and activation?

[Chris_HB]

not yet, I’m working remote at the mo, so will need to get back first…

[kglad]

ok.  keep us updated.

[Ben M]

Yeah, should have said, it’s from a mid-2012 laptop to a 2010 MacPro, so not anything current!

By @Chris_HB

On that note, a laptop hard drive will not just fit into a desktop system. It's possible you will need to buy other pieces to mount the smaller 2.5" laptop drive into a 3.5" desktop slot. Depending on the model you either have a slower 5400RPM SATA drive or potentially an SSD to then move over. But why are you moving from a 2012 mac laptop to a 2010 Mac Pro? 

[kglad]

moving a hdd will accomplish nothing useful vis-a-vis adobe.

[Lumigraphics]

A 2012 MacBook Pro has a SATA drive. The Mac Pro is probably quite a bit faster. But both are obsolete or mostly. A 2012 MBP can run Catalina and its certainly usable. 

[Chris_HB]

The MBP has a 4TB SSD, the MacPro has a mix of SATA, SSD and NVME drives installed.
When you say ‘obsolete’ in what way? They run CS6 Master Collection, Affinity Suite and DaVinci Resolve all without issue 🙂

Not fussed by the whole FOMO thing regarding the OS – that is just a means to an end, it’s not something I’m fussed by, it's the software and what you do with it that counts.

[Chris_HB]

easy enough to fit, add or potentially move a 2.5" SSD in either laptop or MacPro of this era

[kglad]

cs6 installations are activated to the host computer hardware (which includes more than the hdd).  ie, you can't migrate and yes, you need to secure your serial number, deactivate (if you've already used two activations) and then install and activate.

[Chris_HB]

I thought that might be the case

[kglad]

keep us updated. the process for activation has recently been complicated (now requiring a signin, in addition to the previous requirements) by adobe.

[Chris_HB]

Think I'll chat with Adobe first to talk through the process just to be 100%

[kglad]

there's a chance they will help, but it's small because older versions are unsupported.

[Chris_HB]

yeah, they’re not the biggest fans of ’legacy’ software unfortunately!