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Before my old iMac died I used FireWire to transfer some files between my old laptop and it. I’ve just bought the new iMac M3 and unfortunately it has limited types of ports. How can I connect with something besides FireWire or is there an adapter to use for that, or maybe usb? I also have some files on an older external hd, and the cable issues are the same as I was connecting with FireWire.


I’m trying to get all sorts of documents, photos, etc, but right now my focus is my old iTunes library that has an old id I think, so it is not a available any other way that I can see.


Thanks!

iMac 24″, macOS 13.5

Posted on Dec 18, 2023 12:15 PM

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Dec 18, 2023 8:04 PM in response to mayling

mayling wrote:

Before my old iMac died I used FireWire to transfer some files between my old laptop and it. I’ve just bought the new iMac M3 and unfortunately it has limited types of ports. How can I connect with something besides FireWire or is there an adapter to use for that, or maybe usb? I also have some files on an older external hd, and the cable issues are the same as I was connecting with FireWire.


What interfaces does your external hard drive – the one containing the Time Machine backup, or bootable clone backup – have?


Just Firewire? Or USB + FireWire?


If it has USB + FireWire, use the USB port to connect it to the new computer for the migration. (You may need a USB-C to USB adapter.)


If it is a SATA drive in a Firewire-only enclosure, you can buy new USB / SATA enclosures (from several places) or USB + Firewire / SATA enclosures (from Other World Computing).

Dec 18, 2023 1:16 PM in response to mayling

When you buy a new Mac the easiest, quickest and most reliable method to migrate from the old Mac to the new Mac is to simply connect the old Mac's Time Machine External Hard Disk to the new Mac using a USB cable before you turn on the new Mac. You will likely need a USB A to USB C adapter, you can find them on Amazon for $10 or less. When you start the new Mac for the first time it will startup Setup Assistant (SA), SA will get to a point where it asks if you are migrating from another computer, select Yes  and follow the on-screen prompts and it's done! It is THAT simple.

 

If you have already done SA on the new computer then simply connect the Time Machine External Hard Disk using a USB cable and launch Migration Assistant (MA) which is located in Applications - Utilities - MA. Then follow the on-screen prompts. 

 

The ONLY difference between MA and SA is MA will create a new user account that you need to log into.

 

Both SA and MA migrate applications (not 32 bit apps), data files & settings. They do not migrate Mac OS itself. Some professional apps such as Adobe and Microsoft apps may require re-installing their apps as they will not allow them to be migrated. As long as you kept the security keys for installing their apps, it is not an issue. 

 

Finally, never EVER use Wi-Fi when doing Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant. Why, it simply fails in most cases. Please read and follow the directions in Setup Assistant and Migration Assistant. If you do not have a Time Machine backup of the older Mac then create one! If you are not aware of Time Machine, please read Back up your Mac with Time Machine and finally if you need an External Hard Disk to use as a Time Machine External Hard Disk then many experience users on these forums prefer the OWC Mercury Elite Pro due to it's reasonable price, high level of quality and ease of use. 


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