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Snooz48

Q: What happens if I am transferring data from an old iMac with 1 Gig hard drive that is almost full to a Macbook with 256 flash drive.

I have an iMac with 1 G hard drive that is almost maxed out.  What happens if I purchase an Mac Book Pro with 256 flash drive.  How would I transfer data to my new system ?

OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2), null

Posted on Jul 31, 2016 3:58 PM

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Q: What happens if I am transferring data from an old iMac with 1 Gig hard drive that is almost full to a Macbook with 256 flash driv ... more

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  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 31, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Snooz48
    Level 7 (31,878 points)
    iPad
    Jul 31, 2016 4:16 PM in response to Snooz48

    Well, since the new one would be 25% of the size of the old one, you'd better do some picking and choosing to only transfer the most wanted/necessary files/apps.

     

    Remember that the OS needs enough space to operate - it needs about 10 GB for the install and you should always maintain at least 10 - 15 GB additional empty space. You can get an external drive and park some space hogging files such as movies, videos, pics, etc. on the external drive.

  • by Glenn Leblanc,

    Glenn Leblanc Glenn Leblanc Jul 31, 2016 4:21 PM in response to Snooz48
    Level 6 (11,011 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2016 4:21 PM in response to Snooz48

    Depending on what OS you are running on the old system might help determine the best way for people to answer you.  If your old computer is a really old outdated system, then it might be better for you to copy your files to an external drive where you can retrieve them manually afterwards.

    An iMac with a 1 gig hard drive has to be ancient. I assume the new one is a 256 Gig SSD drive.

     

    Otherwise, give a bit more detail on what system you are running on the old computer and connections capabilities from old to new. If you are going to use Setup Assistant or Migration Assistant, you will either need to connect the computers together by cable or network, or clone the old system to an external drive which can be accessed by the new computer.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 31, 2016 4:28 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc
    Level 7 (31,878 points)
    iPad
    Jul 31, 2016 4:28 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

    Ahh, didn't think the OP really meant 1 GB - I was assuming a typo and really meant 1 TB.....

  • by Snooz48,

    Snooz48 Snooz48 Jul 31, 2016 4:29 PM in response to babowa
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Accessibility
    Jul 31, 2016 4:29 PM in response to babowa

    Sorry I meant 1 TB.

  • by babowa,

    babowa babowa Jul 31, 2016 4:31 PM in response to Snooz48
    Level 7 (31,878 points)
    iPad
    Jul 31, 2016 4:31 PM in response to Snooz48

    That's what I was assuming...

  • by Glenn Leblanc,

    Glenn Leblanc Glenn Leblanc Jul 31, 2016 4:32 PM in response to Snooz48
    Level 6 (11,011 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2016 4:32 PM in response to Snooz48

    I thought that was odd. So how much are you using on the old drive? What OS on the old drive? You might need to store some data on an external drive.

  • by Snooz48,

    Snooz48 Snooz48 Jul 31, 2016 4:45 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc
    Level 1 (11 points)
    Accessibility
    Jul 31, 2016 4:45 PM in response to Glenn Leblanc

    I'm running El Capitan.  Using about 80 % of the drive..images and videos taking up most of the space.   I have an external 2TB drive that I am backing up with Time Capsule.

     

    So before I make the switch can I just drag and drop my picture and documents folder to the external to make room?

  • by Glenn Leblanc,Apple recommended

    Glenn Leblanc Glenn Leblanc Jul 31, 2016 5:11 PM in response to Snooz48
    Level 6 (11,011 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 31, 2016 5:11 PM in response to Snooz48

    If you intend to use SetUp Assistant or Migration Assistant, then you will have to do exactly that first. Depending on how much music you have stored, you may need to move the music library also. There are procedures for storing iTunes libraries and Photo Libraries (depending on the applications used) on an external drive. Be sure to do those correctly.