Transfer all content to another iMac?

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Level 1

16 points

Transfer all content to another iMac?

I have an older iMac that I was using that I would like to give to my wife as a replacement for her even older iMac. I have used firewire disk mode and even Time Machine to set up a New iMac, but I have never attempted to set up an existing iMac with all new content from another iMac. I am sure I could just wipe my old iMac and reinstall the system software (so essentially a new iMac) and then just use set-up assistant to transfer everything from her Time Machine.

But is there maybe an easier way to just get all her files and system to transfer over and just replace (overwrite) my excisting files?

iMac, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jan 26, 2013 3:14 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

361,741 points

Jan 26, 2013 3:22 PM in response to flashgj

Why can't you use Target Disk Mode? Connect the two via Firewire. Use Migration Assistant to migrate her Home folder, third-party applications, and system preferences. When that is done be sure the migrated account has admin status. Login to her migrated account from which you now delete your old account.
Of course if you prefer erasing the drive first and reinstalling OS X, then you can do that after which you can use the Setup Assistant to migrate from her old computer.

I don't know any easier ways than these.

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