Migration Assistant 10.5 to target running 10.6

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Level 1

30 points

Migration Assistant 10.5 to target running 10.6

Hi everyone,

I've been scouring the internet for information as to what exactly the problem is to an issue. I've tried downloading updated to MA, but nothing yet.

I've got 1 Mac with (likely) a broken screen power inverter running 106. So it is mostly dim all of the time. I have another Mac with a smaller drive running 10.5, with less RAM. Each Mac is only really used by one different user each. My plan has been to migrate the user on smaller HD to the larger, and switch out the necessary RAM and drive.

My problem is that when using Migration Assistant, I follow all of the instructions, and both computers get stuck on "Looking for Other Computers". They are definite;y connected on a network, as I am currently using screen sharing to access the assistant on the Mac with the dim screen.

I've tried:

Downloading the Migration Assistant update for Leopard (for using it with Lion)
Disabling Firewall (or allowing all incoming connections)
Sharing the Internet via Ethernet

Nothing yet has worked. Is there something categorically wrong with migrating a user from a Leopard Mac to Snow Leopard? I can't see anything wrong as far as only migrating a user.

Any suggestions, or workarounds?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jul 6, 2013 1:50 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

239,453 points

Jul 6, 2013 9:53 AM in response to iTravel

Hello,

Is the newer one set "From Another Mac", & the older one "To another Mac"?

Is it Wifi or Ethernet? Wifi will need the Passcode entered...

For possible clarity, MA can't migrate "from" an older OSX "to" a newer OSX, only the other way. 10.6 using FROM, 10.5 using TO.

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Answer 2

iTravel Author

Level 1

30 points

Jul 6, 2013 10:07 AM in response to BDAqua

I'm running Ethernet as the connection.

Yes, the 10.6 is set to look for connections to it, and the 10.5 is going from it. In other words I have the older as the source, and the newer as the target.

So older to newer doesn't work, but newer to older does? Everything I'd read said the opposite.

If that's the case, I may just have to upgrade the mac I'm on now to 10.6.

I may also try to run it from time machine/ bootable backup. Reckon that'd run any better?

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Answer 3

BDAqua

Level 10

239,453 points

Jul 6, 2013 2:01 PM in response to iTravel

TM should work, but are you sure ou still don't have it opposite? MA in 10.6 should get from older 10.5 just fine.

PS. I'm not sure I'm not the one confused here, but 10.6 should get 10.5 😕

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Answer 4

iTravel Author

Level 1

30 points

Jul 6, 2013 3:22 PM in response to BDAqua

Yep, I've tried it many times now, source mac is 10.5, and the target mac (the one I am trying to migrate to) is 10.6.

If you think using time machine would be worth a try, I can certainly do so. It was my next plan of action anyway.

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Answer 5

BDAqua

Level 10

239,453 points

Jul 6, 2013 5:17 PM in response to iTravel

Yes, try TM for sure.

If both these Macs have Firewire, we could use Target Mode on the old one to just make it look like a Hard drive to the new one, & only would need MA on the new one.

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Answer 6

iTravel Author

Level 1

30 points

Jul 30, 2013 9:45 AM in response to BDAqua

Worked with no issues when attempting migration from Time machine! Thanks!

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Answer 7

BDAqua

Level 10

239,453 points

Jul 30, 2013 9:47 AM in response to iTravel

Good news, thanks for the report, & good luck! 🙂

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