New iMac....

Question

Level 1

9 points

New iMac....

Alright we have a late 2006 20" iMac running Lion (OS X 10.7.5) that we are replacing with a new late 2012 27" iMac. This is the first Mac upgrade we've done (the white one was our first) and I'm wondering what is the best way to get all my information onto the new computer. Obviously the old one is running Lion while the new one will be running mountian lion and I didn't know if that would effect things at all too. Any helpful hints would be great. The new iMac is coming tomorrow....

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.5), Late 2006 20" White

Posted on Dec 19, 2012 2:31 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 19, 2012 2:35 PM in response to wumpnutt

Here is one of our Expert User's excellent articles to help you:

http://pondini.org/OSX/Setup.html

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Answer 2

Shootist007

Level 6

16,703 points

Dec 19, 2012 2:50 PM in response to wumpnutt

I suggest you setup the new computer up as a Stand alone system. Do all the Users, password and the like to get the system started then COPY over your Data files and Clean Re-install the program you use.

In all honesty the Setup assistant, and especially the Migration assistant, don't work that well and when they do LOOK like they worked they usually leave you with Unintended Consequences.

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Answer 3

yackem

Level 1

5 points

Dec 19, 2012 2:51 PM in response to wumpnutt

I have new late 2012 27" and I did what was on Radiation Mac's response

I picked the transfer over my wireless connection and worked brilliantly. Hope you are as happy with yours as I am with mine! I ordered 8GB ram and installed 16 GB myself for a total of 24GB, saving $140AUD.

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Answer 4

pkjok3r

Level 1

30 points

Dec 19, 2012 4:11 PM in response to wumpnutt

Hello,

In order to transfer your information from computer to computer you can use the built in tool "Migration Assistant." This allows you to transfer data from computer to computer. This will transfer your your personal files and additional applications (I.E. photos, documents, videos, etc) All somewhat current operating systems are compatible with this operation. 10.7 Lion has this utillity built in. Simply connect your two computers from within migration assistant via WiFi, Ethernet, Firewire, etc. Ethernet is the best and fastest way to transfer in order to avoid interuption. Keep in mind that migration assistant takes time, alot of it, so do not initiate a transfer if you're going to need your computer right away. In short, yes the two are more than capable of transfering information, If you have any questions or need assistance give Apple Care a call at 1-800-MY-Apple

Cheers,

Patrick

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Answer 5

wumpnutt Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 19, 2012 7:51 PM in response to Shootist007

Shootist007, Thought about doing it this way, my only concern is the iPhoto library and our iTunes library. We have a lot of media in both and I would want to make sure they get over to the new computer completely. IS there an easy way to do this? Concerned about playlists too since my wife has a bunch she has spent time making and she would kill me if I didn't get them put on the new computer completely. The applications would be easy to redownload since I have all the serials for the ones not purchased from the mac appstore.

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Answer 6

mcsound

Level 2

304 points

Dec 19, 2012 8:55 PM in response to wumpnutt

One thing that I always do is Uncheck the check box in Migration Assistant that transfers any System Settings. So you are migrating the User folders and Applications. I have used Migration Assistant dozens of times and never had any "unintended consequences". You are not making a huge leap in operating systems moving to the new machine, Lion to Mountain Lion, so Migration Assistant should work fine.

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Answer 7

wumpnutt Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 27, 2012 10:51 PM in response to wumpnutt

OK everything went OK after finally getting the computer to my house. Migration Assitant was the route I took and it worked almost flawlessly. There were a few minor things that just needed to be tweaked but after searching the internet everything was fixed. The new iMac seems to be runnign everything OK. Thanks a bunch for everyones input. I appreciated it!

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