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Migration Assistant- Panther-->Snow Leopard

I'm trying to use migration assistant to transfer files from my girlfriend's old iBook G4 to her new Macbook Pro. The old computer running 10.3.9 has Setup Assistant. The old iBook G4 keeps asking for the old computer to connect to it. It doesn't know, it IS the old computer. Am I doing something wrong? I'm using an ethernet cable to connect the two Macs.

When I spoke with the Apple guy in the store he said I could use an ethernet cable, it would just take longer. Is this the case?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1), Time Capsule, Airport Express

Posted on Sep 20, 2009 7:54 PM

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18 replies

Sep 20, 2009 9:00 PM in response to NittanyAgent

If you are migrating from the iBook to the MBP, then you need to use the MA on the MBP, not the iBook which is what it sounds like you are doing.

You can migrate faster if you use Target Disk Mode instead of an Ethernet connection. If you use Ethernet then you need to enable File Sharing on the iBook not on the MBP.

Before you attempt to use Migration Assistant see the following:

A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs

If you are migrating a PowerPC system (G3, G4, or G5) to an Intel-Mac be careful what you migrate. Keep in mind that some items that may get transferred will not work on Intel machines and may end up causing your computer's operating system to malfunction.

Rosetta supports "software that runs on the PowerPC G3, G4, or G5 processor that are built for Mac OS X". This excludes the items that are not universal binaries or simply will not work in Rosetta:

Classic Environment, and subsequently any Mac OS 9 or earlier applications
Screensavers written for the PowerPC
System Preference add-ons
All Unsanity Haxies
Browser and other plug-ins
Contextual Menu Items
Applications which specifically require the PowerPC G5
Kernel extensions
Java applications with JNI (PowerPC) libraries


See also What Can Be Translated by Rosetta.

In addition to the above you could also have problems with migrated cache files and/or cache files containing code that is incompatible.

If you migrate a user folder that contains any of these items, you may find that your Intel-Mac is malfunctioning. It would be wise to take care when migrating your systems from a PowerPC platform to an Intel-Mac platform to assure that you do not migrate these incompatible items.

If you have problems with applications not working, then completely uninstall said application and reinstall it from scratch. Take great care with Java applications and Java-based Peer-to-Peer applications. Many Java apps will not work on Intel-Macs as they are currently compiled. As of this time Limewire, Cabos, and Acquisition are available as universal binaries. Do not install browser plug-ins such as Flash or Shockwave from downloaded installers unless they are universal binaries. The version of OS X installed on your Intel-Mac comes with special compatible versions of Flash and Shockwave plug-ins for use with your browser.

The same problem will exist for any hardware drivers such as mouse software unless the drivers have been compiled as universal binaries. For third-party mice the current choices are USB Overdrive or SteerMouse. Contact the developer or manufacturer of your third-party mouse software to find out when a universal binary version will be available.

Also be careful with some backup utilities and third-party disk repair utilities. Disk Warrior 4.1, TechTool Pro 4.6.1, SuperDuper 2.5, and Drive Genius 2.0.2 work properly on Intel-Macs with Leopard. The same caution may apply to the many "maintenance" utilities that have not yet been converted to universal binaries. Leopard Cache Cleaner, Onyx, TinkerTool System, and Cocktail are now compatible with Leopard.

Before migrating or installing software on your Intel-Mac check MacFixit's Rosetta Compatibility Index.

Additional links that will be helpful to new Intel-Mac users:

Intel In Macs
Apple Guide to Universal Applications
MacInTouch List of Compatible Universal Binaries
MacInTouch List of Rosetta Compatible Applications
MacUpdate List of Intel-Compatible Software
Transferring data with Setup Assistant - Migration Assistant FAQ


Because Migration Assistant isn't the ideal way to migrate from PowerPC to Intel Macs, using Target Disk Mode, copying the critical contents to CD and DVD, an external hard drive, or networking
will work better when moving from PowerPC to Intel Macs. The initial section below discusses Target Disk Mode. It is then followed by a section which discusses networking with Macs that lack Firewire.


If both computers support the use of Firewire then you can use the following instructions:

1. Repair the hard drive and permissions using Disk Utility.

2. Backup your data. This is vitally important in case you make a mistake or there's some other problem.

3. Connect a Firewire cable between your old Mac and your new Intel Mac.

4. Startup your old Mac in Target Disk Mode.

5. Startup your new Mac for the first time, go through the setup and registration screens, but do NOT migrate data over. Get to your desktop on the new Mac without migrating any new data over.

If you are not able to use a Firewire connection (for example you have a Late 2008 MacBook that only supports USB:)

1. Set up a local home network: Creating a small Ethernet Network.

2. If you have a MacBook Air or Late 2008 MacBook see the following:
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook (13-inch, Aluminum, Late 2008) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)- What to do if migration is unsuccessful;
MacBook Air- Migration Tips and Tricks;
MacBook Air- Remote Disc, Migration, or Remote Install Mac OS X and wireless 802.11n networks.


Copy the following items from your old Mac to the new Mac:

In your /Home/ folder: Documents, Movies, Music, Pictures, and Sites folders.

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

Credit goes to Macjack for this information.


If you need to transfer data for other applications please ask the vendor or ask in the Discussions where specific applications store their data.

5. Once you have transferred what you need restart the new Mac and test to make sure the contents are there for each of the applications.

Written by Kappy with additional contributions from a brody.
Revised 1/6/2009

Sep 21, 2009 6:55 AM in response to NittanyAgent

I have no idea how to identify that type of wire, but I'll have to look into price.

Should be marked on the wire. Cost, not very much: [search results|http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=ethernet crossovercable&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid =6570661537493986553&ei=pYS3Stb7MJWCMbHYsNoO&sa=X&oi=product catalogresult&ct=result&resnum=10#ps-sellers]
I'm thinking firewire will cost 20 bucks? I'll probably also need a converter from Firewire 400--> Firewire 800 for the new Macbook Pro.

I've seen some online for about $20 that have 400 on one end and 800 on the other.
Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you know how it works out!

Please do!

Sep 21, 2009 8:46 PM in response to Kappy

I'd like to try the firewire route but am unsure of which wire to buy. I would prefer NOT to go with the Apple option of $15+, and seem to have found some cheap ones on newegg.com

Here's the listing. Will any of these work? If so, could I have some advise?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH &Description=firewire&x=0&y=0

I'm told that I'll need an adaptor since I have a Firewire 800 with the new Macbook Pro, and Firewire 400 with the old.

Thanks ladies and gents.

Sep 22, 2009 7:57 AM in response to Kappy

Aren't Firewire cables directional though? I see some 9 pin to 6 pin Firewires on the Apple site, but none that go 6--> 9. Would it make more sense to get a 6-->6 and get an adaptor, or a 9-->9 and get an adaptor?

Its funny, I consider myself to be very good with technology, and I believe I am. Its when I get down to the wiring of devices its where I run into problems. Talking directional wires makes me crazy!

Thanks for the continued assistance. Do you think the best idea might just be to go down to the Apple store and have them do it for me? They'd probably have everything on site ready to go correct? It would be a 4 mile bike ride...which I guess wouldn't be a bad thing though right?

Sep 22, 2009 8:08 AM in response to NittanyAgent

They are the same. You can get a standard 6-pin cable and an adaptor or you can get a 6 to 9-pin cable. Either way it's the same.

Why pay the Apple Store $75 or $85 an hour to do something you can do yourself. That's even assuming the Apple Store will do it for you when you aren't purchasing a disk drive replacement. And, they won't do it while you wait.

Sep 22, 2009 8:53 AM in response to Kappy

Oh, I thought I'd be able to simply schedule an appt with the genius bar, tell them what I need, start the process, then be on my own business downtown for about an hour while the files transfer.

I do have Apple Care. Doesn't that cover appts with the genius bar?

You're right though, I'd much rather do it myself.

Do you have any suggestions about where to buy the cable besides Apple? Seems like I could potentially save a nice chunk of change if I buy elsewhere.

Once again, thanks.

Sep 22, 2009 9:08 AM in response to NittanyAgent

AppleCare does not cover non-warranty related "convenience" data transfers for customers. An Apple Store will transfer data from an old hard drive that is being replaced by the customer due to a warranty replacement of the old drive (and provided the old drive is accessible.) But scheduling an appointment to have the Apple Store service people transfer data for you as a simple service activity is not covered under the warranty. Some Apple Stores won't even do this even for a charge because it is not an activity covered under Apple Authorized Service. Now, you may find an Apple technician willing to do this for you as a separate activity, but it's not likely they would do it without charge.

You can buy such cables at Best Buy, Walmart, Office Depot, and many other computer stores or electronics outlets such as Radio Shack. Or you can order them from any number of online vendors by searching with Google.

Sep 22, 2009 9:20 AM in response to Kappy

Looks like I've found a wire thats under 8 bucks. Can you verify this is the one I need? I thought I needed 1394A, but am not certain. To me, it looks like this should be the one:

FIREWIRE 800 400 IEEE 1394B Cable 9 Pin to 6 Pin

http://cgi.ebay.com/FIREWIRE-800-400-IEEE-1394B-Cable-9-Pin-to-6-PinW0QQitemZ230354379697QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Cables_Adapters?hash=item35a230e3b1&trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Thanks!

Migration Assistant- Panther-->Snow Leopard

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