PPC to Mountain Lion

Question

Level 1

29 points

PPC to Mountain Lion

Since incompatible software will not open on a new imac I will be buying, would I be causing myself and the computer problems by simply transferring a clone of my PPC HD, OS 10.4.11, to the new iMac with the Setup Assistant?

I'm thinking it would be easier to delete the old operating system and apps that have no updates after the transfer.

Do all the incompatible software and system files get deposited into one folder; if not, is there an easy way to look for them? And are there any files/folders from the PPC that might not be in an incompatible folder that I should delete?

Posted on Feb 18, 2013 12:46 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 18, 2013 12:48 PM in response to Paul Elson

Won't work.

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Answer 2

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 18, 2013 12:53 PM in response to Keith Doherty3

Do you a suggestion what files/folders I should eliminate? Or where I could find this info if you don't know?

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Answer 3

Eric Root

Level 10

684,015 points

Feb 18, 2013 12:53 PM in response to Paul Elson

If you do as I suggested in this thread, you can copy the desired files over.

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4819887?answerId=21282277022#21282277022

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Answer 4

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 18, 2013 1:03 PM in response to Eric Root

I'm more concerned about copying files and folders, not apps, to the iMac that are going to cause problems. Is there a list or a site where I can find that info?

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Answer 5

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Feb 18, 2013 1:20 PM in response to Paul Elson

Paul Elson wrote:

I'm more concerned about copying files and folders, not apps, to the iMac that are going to cause problems. Is there a list or a site where I can find that info?

RoaringApps

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Answer 6

Feb 18, 2013 1:24 PM in response to Paul Elson

Files and folders will copy over fine as long as you have a compatible (not Power PC) application to open files of that type.

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Answer 7

MlchaelLAX

Level 4

2,286 points

Feb 18, 2013 11:08 PM in response to Paul Elson

Could you tell us the most important applications you used on your PowerPC Mac and that you will want to continue to use on your new Mac?

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Answer 8

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 19, 2013 6:47 AM in response to MlchaelLAX

Michael,

The apps are related to my photography, LR, PS, Painter, X-rite, Epson printers, some Nik software. Plus a few maint/repair apps and iWork, etc.

As I mentioned before, I'm not too concerned about the apps, I don't have that many and know what I need to do to update them. I am more concerned about hidden files and system files getting transferred and bloating/slowing down the HD, and possibly causing problems down the road.

If I could get a list of system folders/files, and any other files, that I definitely should not be copying, that would be a big help.

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Answer 9

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Feb 19, 2013 6:50 AM in response to Paul Elson

Leave the system alone, install ML and then use Migration assistant to bring the data over. Install new apps as needed.

Do not get stuck in time by trying to make SL run in an (unsupported) VM.

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Answer 10

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 19, 2013 7:14 AM in response to Csound1

Leave the system alone

I had no intention of doing anything with the ML system---or am I misunderstanding your meaning here? Above, it was suggested I copy my entire PPC HD to the new iMac and delete from the iMac what was unnecessary. I take it that is not your advice?

Do not get stuck in time by trying to make SL run in an (unsupported) VM. What is SL and VM?

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Answer 11

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Feb 19, 2013 7:19 AM in response to Paul Elson

Paul Elson wrote:

Leave the system alone

I had no intention of doing anything with the ML system---or am I misunderstanding your meaning here? Above, it was suggested I copy my entire PPC HD to the new iMac and delete from the iMac what was unnecessary. I take it that is not your advice?

No it is not, use Migration Assistant (better yet Setup Assistant) to bring data over, reinstall compatible programs, replace incompatible ones.

When you get the advice to install SL (Snow Leopard) in a (VM) Virtual Machine ignore it.

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Answer 12

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 19, 2013 7:35 AM in response to Csound1

Csound1,

Please excuse if I'm being obtuse here!!

You're saying don't copy the entire Hd to the iMac, just the data via Set Up Assisitant, correct?

ML is installed on the iMac, why would anyone suggest installing SL in a VM---are there still problems with ML?

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Answer 13

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Feb 19, 2013 7:38 AM in response to Paul Elson

Correct, just transfer data.

Paul Elson wrote:

ML is installed on the iMac, why would anyone suggest installing SL in a VM---are there still problems with ML?

You may be advised to install SL (for the PPC compatibility) in a Virtual Machine, some posters here think that it is the way to solve every upgrade issue (by immediately downgrading) I strongly advise against that route.

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Answer 14

Feb 19, 2013 7:40 AM in response to Paul Elson

Maybe I can clear up the confusion. Yes, Csound is recommending using Setup Assistant. MichaelLAX has recommended using Snow Leopard in a virtual machine (VM) in the past, in order to run Power PC applications. I assume Csound figured he would do the same here.

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Answer 15

Paul Elson Author

Level 1

29 points

Feb 19, 2013 7:45 AM in response to Csound1

Csound1,

OK!! Thanks.

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