migrating Power PC (10.5) to new iMac

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Level 1

11 points

migrating Power PC (10.5) to new iMac

I bought a new iMac to repalce an old Power PC Mac (running 10.5.8). The migraton Assitant is not allowing me to reproduce the setup. It tells me that the Power PC needs to have a software update first. But I there are no sftware updates available for the Power PC. I know that the applciaitosn are not compatible but I want the same accounts and email configurations.

I can transfer files later but I really want to have the same user accounts. What can I do?

BTW - when I urchased the iMac, the peopel in the Apple Store told me that there would be no problem doing a migration from a Power PC.

PowerMac, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Apr 18, 2014 8:41 AM

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Answer 1

BDAqua

Level 10

238,925 points

Apr 18, 2014 9:37 AM in response to Big Bopper2

Hello,

There are caveats migrating from PPC to Intel, I had no problems, but that was to 10.6.8 using Target Disk Mode on the PPC Macs, see Kappy's fine/detailed "A Basic Guide for Migrating to Intel-Macs"...

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2295

I'm not sure 10.9 can Migrate from 10.5.8, but to bypass needing a non-existant update for 10.5.8, you need a Firewire cable, likely a Thunderbolt to FW adapter, & boot the 10.5.8 Mac holding the t key, so it appears as a FW Hard Drive to the new one.

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Answer 2

a brody

Level 10

82,835 points

Apr 18, 2014 11:44 AM in response to Big Bopper2

Whichever Apple Store said there would be no problem, has never had to deal with the lack of Appleworks compatibility. It also has never had to deal with the many games that are now outdated that have no counterpart in Intel Mac world. The link BDAqua gave you will explain those and more. Of course you'll get a whole new set of compatible things. And you may need to buy a new printer.

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Answer 3

Big Bopper2 Author

Level 1

11 points

Apr 18, 2014 1:01 PM in response to BDAqua

Application compatibility is not a big concern. I know about the PPC to Intel disconnect. And I have installation media for the few apps that I will need to re-insatll. It is the user accounts, files, email settings and preferences that I want to migrate.

Unfortunately, the Migration Guide that was mentioned is good, but it starts with 10.6. But 10.5.8 is the latest that I can install on a PPC mac.

I would prefer to not wait until I can go to a store that would carry a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter.

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

238,925 points

Apr 18, 2014 1:39 PM in response to Big Bopper2

Well, Migration Assistant in 10.5.8 doesn't understand how to talk to MA on the newer OS, so it's either FWTDM or manually exporting, copying, & setting things up.

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