Same Account/Username on two Macs

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Level 1

23 points

Same Account/Username on two Macs

My wife and I have an iMac, the Account name is different than the User Name-(home folder) and that's fine, we like that.
My wife just bought a new MBP 2.53 Unibody.

When we set it up I'm wondering:
I would like to use the same Account name/password and User Name-(home folder) that is on the iMac.
Are there any advantages or disadvantages to this?
Would this cause confusion in any way?
I hope I'm asking this correctly.

We will more than likely want to have the same music and photos on each computer the rest will remain different...if possible.
Should I use Migration Assistant to do this or is there another way that's not too complicated or long?

I admit that I haven't looked to deeply into it, not sure where to start. So, if anyone can get me in the right direction or provide some info that would be great.

Message was edited by: McKinney777

iMac 2.8 Core 2 Duo 2GB; MBP Unibody 15" 2.53 4GB 250 HD @7200RMP; iPhone 3G, Mac OS X (10.5.5), G-Drive Q 500GB on Time Machine; Logitec Z2300

Posted on Oct 22, 2008 5:41 PM

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Answer 1

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 22, 2008 5:47 PM in response to McKinney777

The best time to run Migration Manager is when you first boot your new Mac, before an account has been created in Setup Assistant. OK, you're past that:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428
You must import to the same user name.
Let us know.

-mj

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Answer 2

McKinney777 Author

Level 1

23 points

Oct 22, 2008 5:51 PM in response to macjack

So...
Do not set up an account on the new computer before running MM?
Then go through all the name changing stuff?

Or..

Set up the account, then move the iTunes/iPhoto stuff using??? Disk Mode???

Not sure what you mean, "Must import to the same user name."

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Answer 3

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:13 PM in response to McKinney777

McKinney777 wrote:
So...
Do not set up an account on the new computer before running MM?
Then go through all the name changing stuff?

Yes, then, you wouldn't have to change the name. Or, if you wanted to change the name it would have been easier to do it on the old Mac, first.

McKinney777 wrote:
Set up the account, then move the iTunes/iPhoto stuff using??? Disk Mode???
Not sure what you mean, "Must import to the same user name."

Follow the directions for renaming the accounts on the old Mac to whatever you like then run Migration Manager via Firewire Target Disk mode. Or, if you have a backup on another drive that is up to date you can import from that disk without Target Disk Mode.
Does that answer your question?

-mj

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Answer 4

McKinney777 Author

Level 1

23 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:14 PM in response to McKinney777

...Also, should the Account and Home Folder names be the same?

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Answer 5

macjack

Level 10

111,242 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:18 PM in response to McKinney777

The Home folder name is the important one. See this article It's old but still the most comprehensive one I've found.

-mj

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Answer 6

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Oct 22, 2008 6:22 PM in response to McKinney777

I have the same account/username on my two MBPs in addition to other accounts. No problem at all.
If the two computers have the same name, however, the first time you network the second computer to join the network will change its name to "Henry Baker's Computer (2)" or some such thing with the (2). I left mine that way and have had no problems with those names.
It's best to get all these things done before starting to use TM.

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Answer 7

McKinney777 Author

Level 1

23 points

Oct 22, 2008 7:07 PM in response to macjack

The Account name and Home Folder name on the iMac are different from each other and we're ok with that. I have read that they should be the same and I have read that it doesn't matter...anyway.

I'm understanding that when we use MM it will name the MBP Account and Folder name the same as the iMac (which we are ok with) unless we set up the MBP with a different Account and Folder name.
Then, we will have to transfer files using something other than MM.
Is this correct?

With the understanding that the Account and Home Folder name on the two computers will be the same, is this going to cause any problems or confusion using the two computers in the same house?
Incidently, the iMac has a external HD, 70% partition for TM and 30% for video storage.

Or, should each computer have at least a different Folder name?

Also, my wife would like both computers to have the same info and be kept up to date with each other, but that's probably a different post.

I'm learning this mac stuff and learning rather quickly. Just need a push in the right direction.

Thanks.

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Answer 8

nerowolfe

Level 6

13,090 points

Oct 22, 2008 8:14 PM in response to McKinney777

McKinney777 wrote:
The Account name and Home Folder name on the iMac are different from each other and we're ok with that. I have read that they should be the same and I have read that it doesn't matter...anyway.

I'm understanding that when we use MM it will name the MBP Account and Folder name the same as the iMac (which we are ok with) unless we set up the MBP with a different Account and Folder name.
Then, we will have to transfer files using something other than MM.
Is this correct?

With the understanding that the Account and Home Folder name on the two computers will be the same, is this going to cause any problems or confusion using the two computers in the same house?
Incidently, the iMac has a external HD, 70% partition for TM and 30% for video storage.

No problem

Or, should each computer have at least a different Folder name?

Not necessary.

Also, my wife would like both computers to have the same info and be kept up to date with each other, but that's probably a different post.

If you subscribe to MobileMe, syncing is simple.

I'm learning this mac stuff and learning rather quickly. Just need a push in the right direction.

Macs are very user-friendly and fun

Thanks.

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