Copy old Macbook Pro to new MBP

Question

Level 1

2 points

Copy old Macbook Pro to new MBP

I recently purchased a new Macbook Pro and I would like to copy all of the files, settings, user accounts, and preferences over from my old Macbook Pro, while still maintaining everything on the old one as well.

I've tried using both Migration Assistant and the initial setup wizard and, each time, the process hangs up with "less than a minute" left and will go no farther. Any tips on how to complete this?

I am attempting to install to the new MBP from an external HD that I have used to do a complete backup of the old MBP, hard wired via ethernet cable.

Posted on Mar 30, 2013 2:41 PM

Reply

Answer 1

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 2:47 PM in response to robcar

Copy files from your old MBP to an external hard drive, and from the external hard drive transfer to the new MBP. You can also copy directly files from your old MBP to your new one:

1-Turn off both computers

2-Connect them via FireWire.

3-Turn on the newer one while holding T until the FireWire logo shows up

4-Turn on the older one, and you will see the hard drive from your new one in the computer

5-Transfer data to your new MBP

6-Shut down both computers, unplug the FW cable and turn back the new computer.

Enjoy! Hope this helps.

Reply

Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Mar 30, 2013 2:52 PM in response to robcar

If you can it would be far better to use Firewire. If the new computer does not have Firewire, then get a Thunderbolt cable and Apple's Thunderbolt to Firewire adaptor. Firewire is not only faster than Ethernet it is more reliable.

Getting your migration to work may require that you repair the disk and partitions on the Source (old computer.) Be sure the old computer is running Snow Leopard or later. Use Migration Assistant from the new computer (Destination.) You will be transferring FROM the old computer TO the new one.

Because you've had at least one failed migration attempt you may want to check if you haven't a largely successful data transfer. You may be able to complete it manually by dragging whatever is missing from the old computer. Remember that Migration Assistant has created one or more new user accounts from the user accounts on the old computer. To get to your old account you need to log out of the initial account you are using, then log into the main user account transferred to the new machine. There you will find all the transferred data. You can then delete the initial account on the new computer.

Reply

Answer 3

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 3:19 PM in response to Kappy

Actually, I never thought about using Thunderbolt. I am so concerned about old Macs so I totally forgot about that. Thunderbolt is faster, you should use that instead.

Reply

Answer 4

Kappy

Level 10

362,023 points

Mar 30, 2013 3:29 PM in response to garirry

Only if the old computer has a Thunderbolt port. Otherwise, he has to use the Firewire adaptor. In your procedure you have him using a Firewire cable, but the new models don't have Firewire - only Thunderbolt. 🙂

Reply

Answer 5

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 3:32 PM in response to Kappy

Only the Retina MBP doesn't have FireWire, however there is an adaptor, and also most of the older Apple computers have FireWire.

Reply

Answer 6

robcar Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 30, 2013 5:36 PM in response to Kappy

Thanks much. Still confused though. I don't think I need to use migration assistant because the new MBP (it is the retina display model) has not been set up yet. My initial attempt to set up from the external hard drive never completed, so as far as the new MBP is concerned, it's fresh out of the box. Can't I just use the Set Up Assistant instead of Migration Assistant?

Second, should I set up from the external hard drive that contains all of my files copied from the old MBP (which is running Snow Leopard)? Or should I connect the two MBPs directly via Firewire and set up that way without bothering with the external HD? (I do have a firewire to thunderbolt adapter cable).

I'll go ahead an repair the disk on the old MBP right now. Thanks again in advance.

Reply

Answer 7

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 5:44 PM in response to robcar

What do you mean by: ''set up from external hard drive never completed''?

And for the second question, if you have a FireWire800 cable plus an Thunderbolt to FireWire adapter, use FireWire. If your old MBP have a Thunderbolt port, buy a Thunderbolt cable and transfer directly. Just know that I'm not an Thunderbolt expert. If you haven't set up your new MBP, connect them via FW, turn the new one in Target Disk Mode, transfer your files from your old one to your new one, setup your new Mac, and your files will be all ready!😉

Reply

Answer 8

robcar Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 30, 2013 5:54 PM in response to garirry

As I said at the outset, I tried to copy files wirelessly from the old MBP to the new MBP first using Migration Assistant (after I had initially set up the new MBP without copying any files over). That process never completed. I then restored the new MBP to factory settings and tried to copy the old MBP files over to the new MBP using Setup Assistant, this time from the external HD via ethernet rather than directly from the old MBP. This process, too, never completed.

So now when I turn on the new MBP, it's as if it has never been turned on. It goes straight to Setup Assistant. There are no users set up on the new MBP. So it would seem that I could just click on the "set up from old Mac" button in Setup Assistant once I have the two computers connected via firewire/thunderbolt (old MBP does not have TB port).

Reply

Answer 9

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 5:58 PM in response to robcar

Just remember this thing: DO NOT USE MIGRATION ASSISTANT IF IT DOESN'T WORK! Just copy directly your files via FW, Thunderbolt or an external drive!

Reply

Answer 10

robcar Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:06 PM in response to garirry

Okay, well maybe I'll give setup assistant one more try. If it doesn't work this time, I'll try the manual approach as you suggest. Am verifying the old MBP disk now and will repair it if necessary. After that, I'll connect the two via Firewire/TB cables and will try Setup Assistant.

Reply

Answer 11

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:09 PM in response to robcar

Ok, if you really want to use Setup Assistant, I'm not going to prevent you. But I'm sure it will not work another time. And the FireWire/Thunderbolt way is a good choice, it will save you a lot of time and space on hard drives.

Reply

Answer 12

robcar Author

Level 1

2 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:14 PM in response to garirry

Just curious -- is this because there is a fundamental flaw with Setup Assistant? It simply doesn't do what it is supposed to do?

My concern about copying everything manually is that some of the settings (mainly for my work e-mail and server connections) may not copy over. I want to copy the users from the old computer to the new one (including the usernames, passwords, and all of the files and settings associated with each of the user accounts on the old MBP), not simply the files. Setup Assistant seems to be the most straightforward way of doing this, assuming it actually works.

Reply

Answer 13

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Mar 30, 2013 6:17 PM in response to robcar

Create all the accounts manually, with the same settings, and copy the files to the users.

Reply

Answer 14

Kiran AK

Level 1

10 points

Dec 11, 2013 5:43 PM in response to Kappy

Hi Kappy,

My MBP which was running on Maverick is now water damaged and I'm terribly confused with regards to my options on getting the data back on a new mac book pro or mac book air

I did time machine back up using AirPort Extreme on my damaged machine, could you pleases give your advise on my options here ? I'm not a geek a step by step guidance will be highly appreciated.

Reply

Answer 15

garirry

Level 1

40 points

Dec 11, 2013 6:26 PM in response to Kiran AK

I heard that you can leave your computer for about a day in rice and it may work after.

If it doesn't work, you can use the migration assistant to connect to the AirPort and the other computer to restore data. First, you said you have an AirPort Extreme. Please tell if you have backed up on an external device connected to it.

1.Connect to the AirPort internet, or connect the drive to the computer.

2.Go to Applications>Utilities>Migration assistant.

3.Follow the on-screen instructions.

That's pretty simple, if you have any problems, please tell me them.

I have never done this before, so I don't know everything about how to do it.

Reply