HT4500: Mac OS X v10.6: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from a Time Machine backup

Learn about Mac OS X v10.6: How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from a Time Machine backup
michaelhunter7
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: Ok, so now where are my files?

I followed each of these steps to transfer all my files from my MacBook to new MacBook Air. I can't find any of my files, even though the migration seems to have worked because I now have 83GB less space available. The files are NOT in what seems to be a newly created Guest User profile, which I don't want anyway. In reading thru other forums I understand that it's a common problem. Thank you!

MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion (10.8)

Posted on Nov 17, 2012 2:24 PM

by tzbikowski,Solvedanswer
tzbikowski tzbikowski
Level 4 (1,956 points)
A:

Hi Mike,

 

1. iWeb should work just fine in Mountain Lion but there will be no new functionality - if I understood your question correctly.

 

2.

- You will not be able to remove Guest user but you can and should disable it.

- I was not aware you had other users on the new Mac. Unless they were migrated over and you removed them afterwards.


3. Reinstall MS Office 2011 and if you have problem with authorising you can do it over the phone and tell Microsoft that you use only three copies (made one redundant). They are OK with this.

 

Space wise you did mention in one of your posts that you put some files into shared folder. Perhaps this is where your missing HD space is used. Otherwise you may have to do CMD+I to get info on users' home folders, compare with the old Mac and work out where it is gone to.

 

 

Let m eknow if you have any questions.

 

TZ

Posted on Nov 18, 2012 10:08 AM

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michaelhunter7

Q: Ok, so now where are my files?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by tzbikowski,

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 17, 2012 2:29 PM in response to michaelhunter7
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 2:29 PM in response to michaelhunter7

    Michael,

     

    Guest account is a default system account.

    Best to disable it unless you know how to use it safely.

     

    Your files should be under the user you migrated. if it is not in System Preferences / Users - the migration may not have gone as smoothly as it seems.

     

     

    You need to provide more details starting with how many users you can see in System preferences?
    did you run the migration on initial system setup or later using migration assistan?.
    If so what is the username of the user you freshly created on the new mac and what is the username of the old Mac you trying to migrate?

     

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 17, 2012 2:35 PM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 2:35 PM in response to tzbikowski

    Thanks, TZ.

     

    1) I can see two users in SysPrefs: 1) My name (which is the only on I want), and 2) Guest User, which I'm pretty sure wasn't there before my attempted migration, but I could be imagining things.

    2) I ran the migration not on setup but later, as I wanted to back-up my old Mac one last time so as to port over all the latest files.

    3) User Name is "Michael Hunter" on both my new Air and my old MacBook.

     

    Thoughts?

  • by tzbikowski,

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 17, 2012 2:49 PM in response to michaelhunter7
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 2:49 PM in response to michaelhunter7

    Thanks,

     

    if you attempt to move data from a user account on the old Mac with the same name as an existing user account on the new Mac—your user name is Michael Hunter on each, you should be told that you must create a new user name to transfer the data to.
    Perhaps you missed it?

     

    What I would suggest doing is:
    i presume you have ALL your data safly on the old machine.

    1. On the new mac create a user called Temp with Admin rights

    log off from Michael and log in as Temp
    Remove user Michael with all the data. (Make sure you have no data on the new Mac that is not on the old one)

    Start migration assistant.

    This should import your Michael user from the old Mac.

     

    Once done lLog off Temp user and login as Michael on the new computer. You should see all you data as it was on the old one.

    If that's the case Make sure you have admin rights and remove Temp user.

     

    Let me know your feedback.

     

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 17, 2012 4:40 PM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 4:40 PM in response to tzbikowski

    TZ, perhaps I did miss it, though I don't recall any such warning.

     

    Yes, my data is safely on my old Mac and the external drive w/ Time Machine back-up. I've done all that you suggest up until the point of clicking "Continue" to proceed with Migration Assistant to the Temp account.

     

    It shows that my selected items (to migrate over) total 90GB, evenly split between Users (whatever data comprises that) and Other files and folders..., with Applications and Settings taking up only about 340MB. Catch is, it shows Remaining Space of 83GB, which on a brand new Air with 256GB free space sounds very low.

     

    Am I not at risk of migrating my info over twice, and in the process trading one problem for another? I'll await your response before pulling the trigger.

     

    Regards,

    -MH

  • by tzbikowski,

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 17, 2012 4:56 PM in response to michaelhunter7
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 17, 2012 4:56 PM in response to michaelhunter7

    Michael,

    when you logged off and logged back in as the Temp user you should delete Michael Hunter user (on the new mac). This should clear the space which you do need. Also in users all you should have is temp user with admin rights and guest user.

    please. Do not skip any steps in my original post as all are important.

    now start the migration and you should have enough space for the new data.

    also the data will not be imported into your temp account but a new user will be created with your name as it stands on the old mac.

     

    any questions let me know.

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 18, 2012 7:37 AM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 7:37 AM in response to tzbikowski

    TZ, I did delete Michael Hunter on my new Mac, and I think I've followed your instructions to a T. My users are now only Temp and Guest, as you say.

     

    Would you still go ahead with another migration, even though Migration Assistant says my remaining space is only 83GB? Shouldn't it be closer to 160GB if the Michael Hunter user acct was properly deleted? Am reluctant to pull the trigger, though I suppose there's always a fix to wipe clean and start over just in case.

     

    Thanks!

  • by tzbikowski,Helpful

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 18, 2012 7:46 AM in response to michaelhunter7
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 7:46 AM in response to michaelhunter7

    Hi,

     

    Well,

    i would not start the migration just yet. Let's try to work out what happens with your free space on the hard drive.

     

    While removing the user Michael on the new Mac there was an option to remove Home folder.

    This is not ticked by default and you may have left it.

     

    Can you do two three things please:

    1. Empty Trash

     

    2. In Finder please go to Computer (SHIFT+CMD+C) highlight your hard drive - whatever you call it - and get info (CMD+I)

     

    Please let me know the two entries Capacity and Available which are in General

     

    3. Double click on your hard drive and go to folder called Users.

    Please let m ekmow the list of users you have on there.

     

    We are almost there.

     

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 18, 2012 8:08 AM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 8:08 AM in response to tzbikowski

    OK, no worries. I appreciate you sticking with me on this.

     

    1) Trash was empty.

    2) Hard drive capacity says 250GB; Available 169GB; therefore Used 81GB

    3) Users are Guest, Shared, and temp. Ahhhh... I seem to recall setting up a Shared folder for accessing pictures among each of the 4 users in my family on my old Mac. Hmmm...

  • by tzbikowski,Helpful

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 18, 2012 8:14 AM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 8:14 AM in response to tzbikowski

    well,


    seems like you can hit the migration button.

    Once it is done.

    log off Temp user

    and log in as Michael.

    Then make sure Michael has admin rights, you have all the documents you had previously on old computer

    and then remove Temp user.

     

    Let me know if you are up and running.

     

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 18, 2012 9:51 AM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 9:51 AM in response to tzbikowski

    OK, I sense we're about 80% there! My old Michael Hunter user migrated to the new Air verbatim... right down to the appearance and programs on my desktop. It's great that the iWeb program I use to update my website is now on my Air, as I was told it's been eliminated from more recent Mac software suites. So does that mean I have the best of the old and new worlds, or is there some new functionality I'm missing because I have merely "the old stuff" ported over?

     

    I deleted not only the Temp user, but my wife's, son's, and daughter's too. Should I delete the Guest user also, or is that useful?

     

    I guess I have to re-install MS Office 2011, because the old Word/Excel/PPT icons migrated intact. Hopefully doing so won't count as a 4th download?, as MS allows me to put it on only 3 computers, and I need the software on our other two Macs. I believe it's computer-specific and I should be OK, but I'll find out shortly.

     

    Do you find it odd that my new Air is showing 168GB out of 250GB as used, when my old Mac shows 112GB used out of 148GB? What might account for the extra 56GB of usage?

     

    Thanks!

  • by tzbikowski,Solvedanswer

    tzbikowski tzbikowski Nov 18, 2012 10:08 AM in response to michaelhunter7
    Level 4 (1,956 points)
    Nov 18, 2012 10:08 AM in response to michaelhunter7

    Hi Mike,

     

    1. iWeb should work just fine in Mountain Lion but there will be no new functionality - if I understood your question correctly.

     

    2.

    - You will not be able to remove Guest user but you can and should disable it.

    - I was not aware you had other users on the new Mac. Unless they were migrated over and you removed them afterwards.


    3. Reinstall MS Office 2011 and if you have problem with authorising you can do it over the phone and tell Microsoft that you use only three copies (made one redundant). They are OK with this.

     

    Space wise you did mention in one of your posts that you put some files into shared folder. Perhaps this is where your missing HD space is used. Otherwise you may have to do CMD+I to get info on users' home folders, compare with the old Mac and work out where it is gone to.

     

     

    Let m eknow if you have any questions.

     

    TZ

  • by michaelhunter7,

    michaelhunter7 michaelhunter7 Nov 19, 2012 6:58 AM in response to tzbikowski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 19, 2012 6:58 AM in response to tzbikowski

    1) Yes, great to know that I have iWeb still. I'm OK with it being unsupported from here on in.

     

    2a) I disabled Guest per your suggestion.

    2b) Yes, apparently neither was Apple aware of my multiple users. LOL! It'd be helpful for them to include as a migration option "Migrate all users or just these ones..."

     

    3) MS Office worked fine, as you suggested. I merely had to remove the old Word/Excel/PPT icons from the bottom tray once the new ones popped up.

     

    4) So I guess I'm done, save for the fact that I can't find the missing 56GB. Couldn't find the Shared folder in a way that allowed me to access it. That's no biggie. I'll stop by the Genius Bar in the next couple weeks.

     

    I'm up and running and floating on Air! Thanks again for your help and patience. MUCH appreciated!

     

    -Mike