can't get migration assistant to find the other computer

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can't get migration assistant to find the other computer

Tried to use Migration Assistant, but its help is pretty skimpy. Regardless of options chosen, neither computer could find the other. Should both computers be on with MA, or first one then the other? Really couldn't find any protocol.

They do have different account names and passwords, is that the issue?

G5 to G5 connected by firewire, tried working from either end, old to new, new to old neither way does the other computer get "found".

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.11), iPhoto 6.0.6, iDVD 6.0.4, iMovie HD 6.0.3

Posted on Apr 12, 2009 1:23 PM

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Answer 1

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Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Apr 12, 2009 1:59 PM in response to dajhnsn

After connecting the two computers by FireWire cable you must boot one (the old one) into Target Disk Mode. Then boot the other normally. The "old" computer's disk drive should appear on the "new" computer's Desktop. You may then us Migration Assistant to transfer from old to new.

Your new computer's user account that you created will need to have a different short name than the one you plan to import via MA as MA will not overwrite an existing account. If this is no longer feasible then consider moving your data manually.

Folders You Can Move to Your new Mac

From the Home folder copy the contents of Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites.

In your /Home/Library/ folder:

/Home/Library/Application Support/AddressBook (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Application Support/iCal (copy the whole folder)

Also in /Home/Library/Application Support (copy whatever else you need including folders for any third-party applications)

/Home/Library/Keychains (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Mail (copy the whole folder)
/Home/Library/Preferences/ (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/iTunes (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Safari (copy the whole folder)
/Home /Library/Calendars (copy the whole folder)

If you want cookies:

/Home/Library/Cookies/Cookies.plist
/Home/Library/Application Support/WebFoundation/HTTPCookies.plist

For Entourage users:

Entourage is in /Home/Documents/Microsoft User Data
Also in /Home/Library/Preferences/Microsoft

For FireFox:

/Home/Library/Applications Support/FireFox
/Home/Library/Preferences/org.mozilla.firefox.plist

Credit goes Macjack for this information.

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Answer 2

Apr 26, 2009 2:32 PM in response to Kappy

Hi,
so what if things aren't quite going according to plan?

You do not need Migration Assistant on both computers! This utility has only been included since 10.3.9 and the instructions are if you don't have it on your "old" computer, you need to install it. Well, I couldn't......it wouldn't, oh well.

I did a few "target mode" upgrades without that MA utility over the last few years and it's a guessing game which files need to be copied over (library email settings and archive for example). So it is nice that this little program would make that somewhat easier. But sometimes it's just not going to happen automatically.

Like when I set up the new Intel iMac to talk to the old PowerMac G4, using a 400 to 800 Firewire adapter cable because the new iMac no longer has a port for FW 400, I could not see that the G4 booted up in Target Mode, the monitor remained black - nothing! ...nada!

BUT, when I started Migration Assistant on the iMac, it acknowledged that the cable link to the G4 was in place, prompted me if I wanted to copy FROM another computer and then proceeded to connect and "mount" the drive of the G4 on the iMac desktop. HA!

So it was a matter of a couple of hours until the old accounts were migrated. And it worked!!

It's nice to know that you can still try different things without fear that it blows up on you. That's why we used to buy Macs and still do!

Nice job Apple!

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