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Migration assistant can't find external hard drive

I bought a Macbook Air and I can't move my files from the Time Machine created by my previous MacBook. Specifically, migration assistant can't find the external disk. I can see the external disc on the desktop, it's just the migration assistant that can't find it. I've done software update, I've attached and detached the external disk and restarted the Air in all imaginable combinations, migration assistant still can't see the external disk. Anyone know how to fix this problem?

MacBook Air, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Just bought this Air last week

Posted on Jul 21, 2011 1:20 AM

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franz1 Author

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Posted on Jul 21, 2011 2:01 AM

Got ahold of someone at Apple. You can't migrate using Time Machine if the computers have different versions of the OS.

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47 replies

Pondini

Level 8

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Jul 31, 2011 9:44 AM in response to franz1

You can start setting-up a full restore, to see if it appears, with the list of backups. As long as you don't continue, and issue the final confirmation, nothing on your internal HD will be touched. Just power off and reboot normally.

Or, check the exclusion list in TM Prefs > Options.

And/or, repair the backups.

joniver

Level 1

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Apr 3, 2014 1:38 PM in response to Pondini

Hi!

I´m having problems that are similar to what´s going on in this thread.

Here´s a synopsis from my boring story:

1. Backed up using Time Machine, excluded Applications, downloads etc to save space/time, but included all Systemfiles.

2. I upgraded from Snow Leopard to Mavericks, but didn´t use setup assistant for transfer.
3. Tried to use migrant assistant, but Mac didnt find external drive.
4. Reinstalled Mavericks - same problem.
5. Downgraded to Mountain Lion - forgot to use setup assistant (d´oh). Tried MA, but didnt find external drive.

6. Reinstalled Mountain Lion - ran setup assistant, didnt find external drive.

7. Used Disk Utility to repair permissions on external drive, but said t was broken beyond repair.

Moved all files from external drive to internal drive, formatted external drive, and moved everything back. Forgot to check and repair permissions before moving files, but a later check said it was ok.

8. After several attempts of reinstalling Mountain Lion, SA cant find the external drive, but I can open the drive from the desktop.

Any ideas?

I think that´s all I´ve done so far, but I may have forgotten something.

I´ve got backups from 2 computers on the same drive. Will that confuse the computer?

Migration assistant can't find external hard drive