Steve Jolly
Level 1 (35 points)

Q: Help with migrating from PPC G5 to MacBook Pro 2012

I haven't even booted up my new MacBook Pro, because a lot of postings in Discussions and elsewhere warn me of problems if I try to use Migration Assistant to bring my user data and files across from a PPC Mac to a new MacBook Pro running Lion.

 

BORING DETAILS:  I'm jumping from a dual G5 Dual Power Mac (PPC, running Leopard 10.5.8) over to a 2012 MacBook Pro, (a 15" fast i7 quad non-retina, with 1 GB GPU and 16 GB RAM, running latest Lion). I have a lot of data and apps, including "pro apps" like Final Cut and lots of photo- and video-production software.

 

I know that I'll need to reinstall all my apps from scratch, even Universals, especially all my Pro apps. But, I have read some positive guidance about possibly using Migration Assistant to move only my User identity and related files across to the MBP. Then, reinstalling / upgrading apps. And, afterwards, using Firewire (target mode) to move various data folders and docs.

 

I'm confused. I like the idea of moving myself as User/admin across, relatively intact -- IF that's a good idea -- then reinstalling apps. Then, moving various files (docs andand data) across. Hopefully, this route wind up with minimal or zero PERMISSIONS  problems. Guidance or links, pretty please...?

 

I've read the great postings from Kappy and some others, in Discussions, but most don't address the issue of moving User identity and data from the PPC Mac over to the Intel. Maybe it's a "big" issue only in my mind?

Posted on Jul 15, 2012 1:33 PM

by MlchaelLAX,Solvedanswer
MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX
Level 4 (2,256 points)
A:

Hey Steve: Congrats on the plunge!

 

I believe you can migrate your account and everything over as you first set up your new MBP.

 

If, however, like me, you did not and have set up a new account and now want to migrate the old one over in favor of the new one, it is doable: requires some steps like going into the root account.

 

I did it on my mid-2011 Mac Mini last year: I was hesitant to use Migration Assistant from my dead iMac G5, so I set up a new account.  I then migrated the old one over, but I had to change the name slightly (since I had already named the new account with the same name).  I renamed the new one to a temporary name and then renamed the migrated one back over to my classic account name.  I then deleted the new, temporary account.

 

I have not run into any problems from having migrated a Leopard G5 on top of the new Mac Mini Lion (except for the lack of Rosetta, but YOU know the result of those frustrations! hahahahaha )

 

Check out this source:

 

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

Posted on Jul 15, 2012 10:33 PM

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Steve Jolly

Q: Help with migrating from PPC G5 to MacBook Pro 2012

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  • by sig,Helpful

    sig sig Jul 15, 2012 1:35 PM in response to Steve Jolly
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 15, 2012 1:35 PM in response to Steve Jolly

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2295

  • by Limnos,Helpful

    Limnos Limnos Jul 15, 2012 1:42 PM in response to Steve Jolly
    Level 9 (54,635 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 15, 2012 1:42 PM in response to Steve Jolly

    My experience is with older Macs.  I don't know if with newer Macs you can move an entire user over just by copying that folder.  Usually users have to be created and there's a lot more going on behind the scenes than just a new user folder appearing in the user directory.  I think you'd be better off creating your old user ID on the new computer, then copying the directories as indicated in Kappy's guidelines.

  • by Steve Jolly,

    Steve Jolly Steve Jolly Jul 15, 2012 1:59 PM in response to Limnos
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Jul 15, 2012 1:59 PM in response to Limnos

    Thanks to Limnos & Sig (and Kappy).

     

    Great link to the Kappy posting. I've been here before, with Macs in previous generations. And, I have several Intel Macs, but the PPC G5 is my workhorse for the projects that count, and it's finally come to the moment where there's no choice: I must move to a new horse and let the Power Mac do light duty.

     

    There's still some disagreement out there in Discussions and in other forums about the best approach for -- or wisdom of -- migrating my User/Admin account and user info and settings across. And a lot of warnings about the risks and complications resulting from doing it the "wrong" way. That's my main concern.

     

    I didn't see that particular issue of User account addressed directly by Kappy in the great compendium post that you linked me to. I'm hoping that I can get some more guidance from him, and possibly from others, today; then, tonight I'll punch the Power button and jump in,

  • by MlchaelLAX,Solvedanswer

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Jul 15, 2012 10:33 PM in response to Steve Jolly
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Jul 15, 2012 10:33 PM in response to Steve Jolly

    Hey Steve: Congrats on the plunge!

     

    I believe you can migrate your account and everything over as you first set up your new MBP.

     

    If, however, like me, you did not and have set up a new account and now want to migrate the old one over in favor of the new one, it is doable: requires some steps like going into the root account.

     

    I did it on my mid-2011 Mac Mini last year: I was hesitant to use Migration Assistant from my dead iMac G5, so I set up a new account.  I then migrated the old one over, but I had to change the name slightly (since I had already named the new account with the same name).  I renamed the new one to a temporary name and then renamed the migrated one back over to my classic account name.  I then deleted the new, temporary account.

     

    I have not run into any problems from having migrated a Leopard G5 on top of the new Mac Mini Lion (except for the lack of Rosetta, but YOU know the result of those frustrations! hahahahaha )

     

    Check out this source:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1428?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US

  • by Steve Jolly,

    Steve Jolly Steve Jolly Jul 16, 2012 6:32 AM in response to MlchaelLAX
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Jul 16, 2012 6:32 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

    >...but YOU know the result of those frustrations! hahahahaha )

     

    Easy response:  Yep!

     

    And thanks! I'll detail how I solved my problems with a posting here, shortly.

  • by joshuacuk,

    joshuacuk joshuacuk Jul 16, 2012 6:58 AM in response to Steve Jolly
    Level 2 (197 points)
    Jul 16, 2012 6:58 AM in response to Steve Jolly

    The easiest way:

    Seeing as your old Mac is a PowerMac, you can easily remove the hard drive.

    Buy a IDE/SATA -> USB adapter, like the one that Newertech make.

     

    Hook up your drive to your new Mac using this adapter. It will appear as a removable volume.

     

    Then its a case of dragging your files off. You're much better off starting from scratch. You don't know what PPC-related files ancient software might have planted in your user folder on the old machine. Ideally, you want to keep this stuff off your new Mac.

     

    That's how I'd do it anyway. I'm currently waiting on a new mid 2012 MBP to arrive, and I'll need to transfer all my stuff from my old iMac to it. Fortunately I have a backup drive in an external usb enclosure so I'll be doing it that way, starting fresh.

  • by sig,

    sig sig Jul 16, 2012 7:52 AM in response to joshuacuk
    Level 8 (35,798 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 16, 2012 7:52 AM in response to joshuacuk

    https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2295

     

    Should be used for user settings and files not applications. I would install all programs fresh from their CD's.

  • by MlchaelLAX,

    MlchaelLAX MlchaelLAX Jul 16, 2012 2:30 PM in response to joshuacuk
    Level 4 (2,256 points)
    Jul 16, 2012 2:30 PM in response to joshuacuk

    Joshua Coventry wrote:

     

    The easiest way:

    Seeing as your old Mac is a PowerMac, you can easily remove the hard drive.

    Buy a IDE/SATA -> USB adapter, like the one that Newertech make...

    It seems to me that the easier approach would be to boot the PowerMac into "Firewire target disk Mode" by holding down the T key while booting.  Then connect the PowerMac to the newer computer by Firewire cable and its internal hard drive will appear on the newer Mac's desktop:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661

     

    This approach is covered in Kappy's Guide, but I thought it should be specifically noted here, too.

  • by Steve Jolly,

    Steve Jolly Steve Jolly Jul 16, 2012 2:37 PM in response to joshuacuk
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Jul 16, 2012 2:37 PM in response to joshuacuk

    Joshua Coventry and sig and others:

     

    Thanks!

     

    If you combine those last two pieces of advice and mix in the best of the earlier suggestions, that's pretty much what I wound up doing:

     

    I used Setup Assistant to create a "NewGuest" account on the MacBook Pro, with minimal information submitted to Apple (basically, only my correct name and address, etc.). Then I immediately used the Migration Assistant to bring over ONLY 1) my main User admin account and its Home folder and 2) the computer settings from the G5 Power Mac.

     

    Finally, I changed the "NewGuest" to a regular account (non-admin), rebooted the MPB, and deleted NewGuest and its home folder. Then began the long job of feeding appropriate software into my new MBP: installing or reinstalling the latest Intel versions of all of my key productivity apps and utilities.

     

    So far, I'm getting very good results. No MBP indigestion, but it's daunting to look at a new Dock that's now almost totally populated by question marks (the G5's Dock had almost fifty apps)! There's one major benefit: a chance to reconsider whether I really needed all of that stuff to begin with, and if I need it now!

     

    The need-it-now vital stuff is being pulled over via Firewire, and I've just bought an external USB 3 enclosure for the G5's main boot drive, and it will now be available as a handy source for various files, docs, settings as I need them, and for any "second thoughts" that I might have about what really belongs on the MacBook Pro's boot disk. All is well, and it looks like it will STAY well (but stay tuned!).

     

    Thanks, y'all! Hope this helps someone else facing a similar challenge.