I am trying to transfer the data on my Time Machine to a new 2020 iMac. It is now churning away for six and one-half hours, and the indicated time remaining keeps fluctuating wildly. What gives? It seems that there must be something wrong.
depends on the external drive -- I have done 500+Gb (from USB 3 drive TimeMachine) to PCI-e SSD for 7+ hours about (more or less). The similar amount with USB 2.0 Time Machine would take 15+ hours for 500Gb.
I did remember the fluctuation in terms of estimate remaining time.
My suggestion: be patient.
depends on the external drive -- I have done 500+Gb (from USB 3 drive TimeMachine) to PCI-e SSD for 7+ hours about (more or less). The similar amount with USB 2.0 Time Machine would take 15+ hours for 500Gb.
I did remember the fluctuation in terms of estimate remaining time.
My suggestion: be patient.
Please describe exactly how the Time Machine External Hard Disk is connected to the 2020 iMac? Remember we cannot look over shoulder so we rely on you to write a good description. For example, "My Time Machine External Hard Disk is connected to my wireless router using a USB cable and I am attempting to use Migration Assistant to migrate from the Time Machine External Hard Disk to my new 27" 2020 iMac. "
The fastest and most reliable method is to connect the old Mac's Time Machine (or bootable clone External Hard Disk) to the new Mac using a USB Cable directly connected to one of the iMacs USB ports, launch Migration Assistant and your migration should be done within a couple of hours. When I set up my new 2020 iMac (actually I bought 2, one for me and one for my wife) I used this method and had them both set up an running within 3 hours from taking them out of the box. Any other method is unreliable and prone to failure.
Thanks for your response. I have a LaCie Porsche 5TB external drive with a USB-C port connected to the USB-C port on my iMac. Ultimately I successfully migrated all my data, after 7 hours. But Time Machine is ultra slow in encrypting, now on its 5th day (26% as of today, 09/23/2020). Trying to update my classic iPod is a nightmare, using the USB-C port. Every time I connect it the Music program it restores the entire iPod, does not update it, restores. Consequently THAT has been restoring since last night, still at it. I have 64GB RAM installed. I really don't know what else I can do to speed the process.
Transferring data on Time Machine to new iMac
