Mavericks won't use Migration Assistant from 10.7.5

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Level 1

110 points

Mavericks won't use Migration Assistant from 10.7.5

Just got the new Mac Pro and trying to use Migration Assistant from my 2007 Mac Pro which will only run 10.7.5. When I try to use Migration Assistant, it tells me to "update" the software on the other computer — but it is as updated as it will ever be.

If I try to use Migration Assistant from the old Mac Pro — it doesn't even see the newer machine. Also, the new Mac Pro (Mavericks) sees the old Mac Pro (Lion) in the Sidebar and lets me connect to it, but it doesn't work the other way around — the old Mac Pro does not show the new one in the Sidebar and I can't connect to it via network (they are plugged into the same router). I also tried plugging the old Mac Pro directly into the second Ethernet on the new one.

Can I fix this or would I be better off using Carbon Copy Cloner: which means I would lose the new software that comes installed on the new Mac Pro (Pages, etc). What's my best option?

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4), The new Mac Pro

Posted on Aug 8, 2014 4:03 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 8, 2014 4:28 PM in response to triglyph

What is it you are migrating? From where to where? If you are migrating to your new machine, then you must run Migration Assistant on the new machine. If you want to run Migration Assistant from the old machine then you need to upgrade it to Mavericks, first.

Are you connecting the computers using a Firewire cable? If you are using the network then you need to enable File Sharing on the computer you will be transferring FROM. Then on the other computer you will log into the main admin account on the FROM computer so you can copy using Migration Assistant.

How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac

Migration Assistant tips and tricks

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Answer 2

triglyph Author

Level 1

110 points

Aug 8, 2014 4:36 PM in response to Kappy

I am attempting to transfer all files (except system files) from an older Mac Pro that can only run 10.7.5 to a brand new Mac Pro with the latest Mavericks. I have attempted to start Migration Assistant from both machines.

The new Migration Assistant in Mavericks tells me it can't work unless I update the older machine to "latest software" but that older Mac will not run anything newer than 10.7.5.

When I attempt to use Migration Assistant on the older Mac Pro (using in "transfer to") it doesn't see the new Mac at all.

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 8, 2014 4:46 PM in response to triglyph

Connect the two computers using a Firewire cable. Boot the old computer into Target Disk Mode. Boot the new computer normally. You should find the hard drive of the old computer on the Desktop of the new computer. Now open Migration Assistant on the new computer. Select the option for migrating from another computer or disk drive. When you see the drive for the old computer select it and continue. MA will migrate the Home folder from the old computer, third-party applications and support files, and system preferences. Depending upon how much data are involved the transfer can take a long time.

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Answer 4

triglyph Author

Level 1

110 points

Aug 8, 2014 7:22 PM in response to Kappy

Good thought, but the new Mac Pro has no firewire ports.

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Answer 5

Kappy

Level 10

362,017 points

Aug 8, 2014 11:18 PM in response to triglyph

It does have Thunderbolt ports and Apple does have a Thunderbolt to Firewire adaptor. Otherwise, you will have to use File Sharing over Ethernet, which will be much slower especially with Migration Assistant.

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Answer 6

Aug 9, 2014 4:11 AM in response to triglyph

Double check to make sure your OSX is up to date by logging

into the MacApp Store and check updates. There was a supplemental

10.7.5 update at one point.

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Answer 7

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Aug 9, 2014 7:17 AM in response to triglyph

Did you run the Lion Migration Assistant Update, on the older Mac?

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1695

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