migration assistant yet a little different

Question

migration assistant yet a little different

I keep backups (carbon copy cloner) of my Power PC G4 (10.3.9) on an external HD.
Just got a new iMac (10.5.5, 2.8 Ghz Intel Core2 Duo, 2 GB etc.) and was considering using Migration Assistant. My external HD is connected to new iMac via FW. Is this a reasonable method to use MA ?
Also can I bring over only let's say my AppleWorks folder in Applications, user account, and pictures folder and bring other things over later if wanted to needed ? I like this new, clean environment and would like to keep it that way. Sort of 'dejunking'.

Thanks
Patty Brown

iMac 2.8 Ghz Intel Core2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.5.5), 24 in.

Posted on Dec 5, 2008 9:16 AM

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Answer 1

Niel

Level 10

727,307 points

Dec 5, 2008 9:21 AM in response to Patricia Brown

Is this a reasonable method to use MA ?

Migrate only home folders, and drag AppleWorks over manually. If you run the Migration Assistant a second time or after the initial setup, it will create a new account instead of adding content to an existing account.

(38497)

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Answer 2

AxL

Level 6

11,435 points

Dec 5, 2008 9:36 AM in response to Patricia Brown

Excellent reply by Niel as always.

So yes,
you can move or copy your old files onto your new Mac, one by one whenever you wish, for example your subfolders of pictures located in Pictures folder.
Just plug the external HD and use for example two Finder windows plus mouse?

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2008 12:10 PM in response to Niel

Thank you both Niel & AxL ! You know I could drag this out (no pun intended) piece by piece but maybe it might be better to just use MA and move it all over and be done with it ! What do you think of 'MY PLAN':
Erase and install again with my two new CDs. During this process when asked about migrating,
turn on my external FW HD and point to latest backup of old iMac there and indicate to migrate all of it. Hopefully the questions I'm asked during this install will make sense to me !

If this doesn't work, my husband is just dying to get his hands on my new machine.
'HIS PLAN'
Using DU, take the latest backup of old iMac on external HD and restore on my new iMac
Use my 2 new install discs to install over old system
He claims to have used 'his plan' millions times successfully !

Please comment on 'my plan and 'his plan' or on anything else.
Thanks for your expertise, time, and patience !

Patty Brown

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Answer 4

AxL

Level 6

11,435 points

Dec 6, 2008 8:55 AM in response to Patricia Brown

If it was me I would go for your husband's option, not that your idea is wrong, but I don't trust Migration Assistant as much.

Enjoy your new Mac!

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Answer 5

Dec 9, 2008 6:03 AM in response to Niel

I had to leave town and am back to my new iMac and migration issues. I'm being warned about losing 'hidden files'. So one more question (final) . . . I really only have some iPhoto pics, some purchased iTunes, an Appleworks DB file and Apple mail - so - if I use MA and migrate only my USERS and APPLICATION folders to my new machine - isn't this like all I really need ? - is there some mysterious 'hidden file' problem here ?

Thank you again,
Patricia Brown

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Answer 6

Niel

Level 10

727,307 points

Dec 9, 2008 8:58 AM in response to Patricia Brown

Don't migrate applications from a PowerPC Mac to an Intel Mac; instead, reinstall or manually drag over everything. You shouldn't experience any issues with hidden files.

(38617)

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Answer 7

baltwo

Level 9

62,362 points

Dec 9, 2008 2:50 PM in response to Patricia Brown

See this WRT migrating from PPC to ICBM (Intel-chip-based Mac): http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1872713

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