Q: mail migration from 10.7.5 to 10.10
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Oct 16, 2015 7:24 AMby eljonco,HelpfulHi Boyd, this answer probably doesn't help you much but you need the intermediate OS version as a stepping stone. So migrate 10.7.5 to 10.8 (or 10.9, either will do) and then to 10.10. The conversion of the mail box structure will then be accomplished by the intermediate step IF you launch mail in each version. I've migrated several macs this way, all the way from 10.5 (migrating from PPC to Intel, through 10.6 and 10,7, then 10.8/9 and 10.10). Migrate one stone up, launch mail, migrate to the next version.
An alternative might be in Thunderbird e-mail application. I haven't examined its import possibilities (yet).
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Oct 16, 2015 7:39 AMby Boyd,Thanks, elljonco. The problem is her old mac will not upgrade beyond 10.7.5 - I don't know why, but the software upgrade check says it is "up to date". Probably a hardware limitation.
It was a month ago when I started this process, and I think I was able finally to export/import everything, although not with the same organization. But anyway I think she has all her old mail in the new mac.
I still have not migrated my own mail from a Mac mini (3-4 yrs old on 10.9.5) to the new macbook pro because of her problems, which made me hesitate to do so. Your explanation tells me that I should not fear that migration.
Thanks.
Boyd
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Oct 16, 2015 9:01 AMby eljonco,HelpfulIn that case, Boyd, you give another option in your reply; if you have space to spare on your mini that runs 10.9.5, you can use Migration Assistant on her old mac and on your mini to migrate her user account to your mini. After that, her 10.7.5 mail will be on the 10.9.5 machine. Open mail and it will convert to 10.9.5 mail format. Then migrate the same way from your mini to her new computer and you are all set. BTW, my MBP from 2008 runs 10.10, so your wife may be able to just download 10.10 and install it on her computer. What type? Any core2duo would work...
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Oct 16, 2015 9:18 AMby Boyd,I like that idea macbook 10.7 -> Mac mini 10.9 -> macbook 10.10. I will try that.
Her old macbook is not a pro, and it is a 13-inch, late 2009. I'm running Software Update on it now: it only shows printer updates.
However, I see from searching google that I should be able to upgrade all the way to Yosemite if I add RAM - she only has 4 GB.
That would be good if it is true.
Thanks for the hint.
Boyd
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Oct 16, 2015 9:27 AMby Boyd,Oh - now I remember... going from Lion to Mountain Lion cost money (and it still does). I can't remember when Apple started giving free upgrades, but at the time, with our budget always stretched (both retired) we decided not to upgrade back then.
So what do you suggest? If I jump right from Lion to the first free OS, if that is possible, what should be the sequence of upgrades and retain the mail structure?
Thanks for you time and helpfulness.
Boyd
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Oct 16, 2015 12:40 PMby eljonco,To start with, my 2008 MBP only runs on 4 GB with a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo (cheat: I run a self-installed fusion drive). So it isn't unlikely that the MacBook of your wife should be able to jump the chasm of 10.8/10.9. Although I seem to remember as well that you can have your account on five computers, so you pay for 10.8/10.9 only once in a family environment.
Otherwise I guess it is illegal to have 10.8/9 on a computer without paying, but that is not what you do. You migrate her user account to your legit 10.9 mac mini and launch Mail. 10.10 for her computer is free, as far as I remember (or 10.11 is, if she can run 10.10, she can run 10.11). Once her computer is on the free 10.10/10.11, you delete her account on the macbook and migrate her mini account to the macbook, now on 10.10/10.11. Oh, did I mention BACK UP her user folder (Carbon Copy Cloner or Time Machine) first before any migration? Be warned that if you have iPhoto, you will want to make a copy of the Pictures folder too, before migrating. 10.10.3 will force Photos upon you and ruin iPhoto, if you let it have its way. Photos is a lesser product imho, so be warned. Start another thread on that subject though.
The only speed bump she might desire is an SSD instead of an HD. Alternatively replace the optical drive by a drive caddy, move the HD to the drive caddy and insert an SSD into the previous HD space. Then set up a fusion drive. But that might be a bridge too far.
