Q: Migrating from a 2008 Mac Pro to a 2013 mac pro

I just got a 2013 Mac Pro with a 256 SSD. My old Mac had a 1 TB drive. What are the essential folders that I need to copy over to the new Mac that contain all of my passwords, authorizations, mail, etc. Also, is it possible without too much of a potential headache, to just have my new mac look to my old mac hard drive, which will be mounted via a Thunderbolt enclosure, for the library, apps, app support, etc? So basically, the new mac SSD will just be a boot drive, but all of the essential OS stuff it can find on the external.

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), Early 2008

Posted on Apr 13, 2016 1:13 PM

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Q: Migrating from a 2008 Mac Pro to a 2013 mac pro

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by lllaass,

lllaass Apr 13, 2016 1:26 PM in response to SteveB0916
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Apr 13, 2016 1:26 PM in response to SteveB0916

See:
User Tip: Creating a lean, fast Boot Drive

Also see:
Move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support

Note that John Appleseed is the Home folder. That can be moved to other than the startup disk if necessary
Note that some many apps can only be installed on the Startup drive.
You can have libraries like Photos/iPhoto library and iTunes library on other than the startup disk
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by SteveB0916,

SteveB0916 Apr 13, 2016 1:31 PM in response to lllaass
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Apr 13, 2016 1:31 PM in response to lllaass

If I move my Home folder to another disk other than the startup, how will I get my new computer to recognize it as the Home folder? Also, will the method of just copying the old library onto the new computer work as well?
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by lllaass,

lllaass Apr 13, 2016 1:45 PM in response to SteveB0916
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Apr 13, 2016 1:45 PM in response to SteveB0916

When you move a library you also have to edit the setting or similar for the apps that uses the library to point to the correct location. Y can Google for instructions for moving libraries.

To move Home Folder. Not you have to point to the new external location. It would be best to first copy the Home folder to the startup disk and then move it. using the instructions below or in the lean-drive link I my previous reply
https://discussions.apple.com/message/23346536#23346536
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by SteveB0916,

SteveB0916 Apr 13, 2016 1:46 PM in response to lllaass
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Apr 13, 2016 1:46 PM in response to lllaass

I replied too soon. I just looked at the articles. So I can set my home folder to a different locale, and just copy over my mail, etc.
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by SteveB0916,

SteveB0916 Apr 13, 2016 2:40 PM in response to lllaass
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Apr 13, 2016 2:40 PM in response to lllaass

Thanks again for your help. One last question. Is there anyway to point to the main library, not the one in the home folder, but the one that is right on the main drive with the system folder, Users, Applications, etc., do an external drive as well?
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by Grant Bennet-Alder,

Grant Bennet-Alder Apr 13, 2016 2:59 PM in response to SteveB0916
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Apr 13, 2016 2:59 PM in response to SteveB0916

the /Library should stay on the Boot Drive, if at all possible. It is very busy, and the System uses it heavily.
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Q: Migrating from a 2008 Mac Pro to a 2013 mac pro

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by lllaass,

by SteveB0916,

by lllaass,

by SteveB0916,

by SteveB0916,

by Grant Bennet-Alder,

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