Transfer info to new iMac?

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Level 2

196 points

Transfer info to new iMac?

I just purchased a new 27" iMac, which I will get in January. How do I transfer over all the information from my present iMac to the new one?

20" Intel Core 2 Duo; iBook G4; iMac-flat, Mac OS X (10.6.2), Duo 2GB ram; HP 7410 wireless AIO printer

Posted on Dec 24, 2009 9:00 AM

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Answer 1

dagored

Level 1

105 points

Dec 24, 2009 9:37 AM in response to Joanne Walen

During setup, you will be given a chance to move data from another source using Migration Assistant. Your choices vary and I suggest you have a firewire cable for this process. I did not have any luck trying to use ethernet.

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Answer 2

ScotMij

Level 7

21,913 points

Dec 24, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Although I am on record of being nervous of Migration Assistant (nervousness especially if migrating from other than Intel), here is the relevant Article. I migrated from a 24" 2.8 Intel iMac to my i7 using Ethernet. Something went wrong with iTunes but that was fixed easily by downloading iTunes. My modest amount of music was unharmed.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3322

Edit: Firewire should be faster but at the time of migration it was easier for me to use Ethernet.

Message was edited by: ScotMij

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Answer 3

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Dec 24, 2009 9:46 AM in response to ScotMij

I'll be transferring from an Intel iMac with 10.6.2. I'll hold on to this article. I keep all of my applications up-to-date, so they ought to transfer OK.
Thanks.

Edit: I have an ethernet cable already, but not firewire. Since I just spent a bunch on cables to attach to my HDTV, I may not want to buy more.

Message was edited by: Joanne Walen

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Answer 4

a brody

Level 10

85,366 points

Dec 24, 2009 9:47 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Are you transfering from your G4, or your 20" iMac?

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Answer 5

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Dec 24, 2009 9:59 AM in response to a brody

See my earlier post: from the intel iMac.

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Answer 6

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Dec 26, 2009 8:45 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Once I have transferred to the new iMac, can I simply plug in the external hard drive where my time machine backups are stored?

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Answer 7

Dec 26, 2009 10:55 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Actually if you have a Time Machine backup as far as I know you can migrate from that to your new machine.

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Answer 8

Dec 26, 2009 11:37 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Joanne Walen wrote:
I just purchased a new 27" iMac, which I will get in January. How do I transfer over all the information from my present iMac to the new one?

Rather than use migration assistant, another approach is to manually transfer just what you need (from your identity on your preexisting mac) and then reinstall your applications. That way, you don't inadvertently transfer corrupted files and you start with a fresh slate on your new Mac.

You can start up your old mac with the T pushed down, engaging Target Mode, and plug it into your new mac with a Firewire cable. To your new mac, your old mac will just look like a hard drive. Then, you select the folders on your old computer you'd like to be on your new one, and simply slide them over.

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Answer 9

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Dec 26, 2009 11:46 AM in response to MattiMattMatt

MattiMattMatt,
Oh, I really like that idea of starting with a "clean slate"; now, I'll just have to find all my applications. What do I do about those I have no CDs for, that I downloaded? Also, will I be able to migrate my Stickies file? Seems to me I had trouble with that once before--and I can't really afford to lose the information I store there. And can I then just plug in my external hard drive where my Time machine files are?

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Answer 10

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Jan 7, 2010 7:05 AM in response to Joanne Walen

Well, I'm writing this from the new i7.
everything went well in the transfer, except I had to buy a connection for my external hard drive that I hadn't expected. But that was OK. I had been reduced to transferring via wireless, and with the new connection, I coud use firewire; cut the time to 50 minutes.

Thanks for all the suggestions earlier.

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Answer 11

Jan 7, 2010 7:19 AM in response to Joanne Walen

I did my transfer via mobile me. Powered up signed in, set mobile me up and the key stuff came straight over. Reinstalled the apps and that was it. Nice shiny new i7 working perfectly!!

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Answer 12

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Jan 8, 2010 3:23 PM in response to steve copeland

I just realized that after I made the transfer, I now have a modem icon in my menu bar. I don't use dial-up, so how can I get rid of it? It only bothers me because it's not supposed to be there. I can't do anything through Network Preferences, at least as far as I can see.

Anyone have a suggestion?

Edit: I have had a bit of trouble with my i7 recognizing my external hard drive every time I turn on the machine. When I try to back up, I get an error message, then have to go through the process off identifying the hard drive again. Anyone else have this problem?

Message was edited by: Joanne Walen

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Answer 13

Jan 9, 2010 5:14 AM in response to Joanne Walen

If you right click on the modem icon in the menu bar, it should bring up the modem preferences and there should be an option checked to show in the menu bar.

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Answer 14

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Jan 9, 2010 7:48 AM in response to D'Fish'N'Seas

I use a trackball (to which I'm addicted, so I'm not using the Magic Mouse yet) which I've customized to right click = one click, left click = double click. So when you say right click, what are you thinking my click will do?

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Answer 15

Joanne Walen Author

Level 2

196 points

Jan 9, 2010 8:20 AM in response to Joanne Walen

OK. When I checked "help," it said to hold down the Command key and then drag the icon out of the menu bar. That worked.

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