Moving data from OS X 10.6.8 to newer computer

Question

Level 1

4 points

Moving data from OS X 10.6.8 to newer computer

I have a 2009 iMac that is still running on OS X, 10.6.8. I'd been using an external drive for TimeMachine backups, but recently the computer stopped being able to read/recognize that drive. It doesn't seem to be totally dead (still has a light on), but my data isn't being backed up so I've got to do something.

I am going to go ahead and buy a newer MacBook Pro that's running El Capitan, but need a way to transfer my data over. Is it still possible to buy an external drive that can be read by 10.6.8? If so, could it also be read by a computer with El Capitan? All the drives I've seen so far on Amazon only work for OS newer than 10.6.8.

Thanks for any input/advice!

iMac (24-inch Early 2009), Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on May 9, 2017 3:16 PM

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Answer 1

OldToad

Level 2

445 points

May 9, 2017 4:28 PM in response to asourceofjoy

Connect the old iMac to your new one in Target Disk Mode, Transferring files between two computers using FireWire, and use Migration Assistant to copy your files to the new Mac.

There's only one area where you'll have to be careful and that's your iPhoto library. Sometimes it gets damaged via the migration process. Before upgrading launch iPhoto with the Option+Command keys depressed and run the "Repair Library Permissions" and "Rebuild Database" First Aid options.

When on the new computer open it with Photos and let it migrate to a new Photos library. If there's any problem manually copy the library from the old iMac to the new one.

Other that than it's pretty straightforward.

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Answer 2

asourceofjoy Author

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2017 4:29 PM in response to OldToad

Thanks so much for the quick reply - this was really helpful! I've never used the Firewire port before so I imagine I'll need to buy a cable for that, but if the data transfer is that easy it'll be totally worth it. Thank you!

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Answer 3

asourceofjoy Author

Level 1

4 points

May 17, 2017 11:57 AM in response to OldToad

I have my new-to-me laptop in hand now, and see that it does not have a Firewire port (it looks like this: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=doCo2pHQ&id=AAE5EC696E3432 A174361989A65A9B4B66E758D7&thid=OIP.doCo…)

And my iMac does not have a Thunderbolt port (it looks like this: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=nxRR0VCL&id=06837E02C5B33E 7F3A143CB736B082B4EECFDC68&thid=OIP.nxRR…).

What would be the best type of connector to purchase? I'm looking at options on Amazon (here: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Delectronics&field-key words=firewire+thunderbolt+cable&rh=n%3A…_) and am very confused because I don't know if I have Firewire 400 or 800, or if it is a mini, or what. 😟 If anyone can help, I'd be super grateful!

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Answer 4

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

May 17, 2017 12:05 PM in response to asourceofjoy

Wikipedia has images to clarify what each connector looks like…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_1394

You need a Thunderbolt to Firewire 800 looking at the images you posted.

7th port on the iMac image.

2nd & 3rd port on the Macbook image.

The Apple Thunderbolt to FW800 converter should work…

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Thunderbolt-to-Firewire-Adapter/dp/B00SQ2CJUS/ref=s r_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=14950477…

However that converts to a female Firewire connector. You still need to use a male to male Firewire 800 connector between that & the iMac, something like this…

https://www.amazon.com/Bizlander-Firewire-Premium-cable-IEEE1394B/dp/B01JLNLXSY/ ref=pd_sim_147_4?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=…

p.s I'm not recommending those products, just showing then as examples of what could be used.

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Answer 5

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

May 17, 2017 12:12 PM in response to Drew Reece

Also you can migrate or move data via Ethernet (a local network connection). You still need a dongle for Thunderbolt to ethernet on the Macbook but that seems more useful than buying lots of connectors for the limited use case of moving data.

You could even use Wi-Fi if you are patient but that can take days or even weeks on slower Wi-Fi types with lots of data.

To be honest I would contemplate buying a new HD to backup up your iMac. I'm assuming you are going to continue to use that? The disk format has not changed, so 10.6 Macs can use the same disks as newer models provided the connectors can connect to the Macs in question.

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Answer 6

asourceofjoy Author

Level 1

4 points

May 21, 2017 1:35 PM in response to asourceofjoy

Okay, next phase in the saga:

I bought the Firewire cable and a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter, started up the laptop in Target Disk mode - and got the message that the disk (i.e., the laptop) can only be read by a computer running iOS 10.7 or later. Grrr.

Would ethernet cables work even with this old iOS? I hate to spend MORE money on cables (these were $40!), but I have lots of big files to transfer over so don't want to try doing it all via wifi.

Would it be possible to buy a backup drive that is compatible with both iOS versions? When I was looking on Amazon I couldn't find any that would work with 10.6.8, much less with that AND elCapitan.

Uggh. I just need to find a way to get this data secure, plus a way to move the most important stuff over to the laptop. Makes me really nervous not being able to back it up at all right now.

Thank you for the help here - so grateful!

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Answer 7

Drew Reece

Level 6

10,684 points

May 22, 2017 11:37 AM in response to asourceofjoy

Try it the other way around - the iMac goes into target disk mode & the new laptop should read that disk.

10.12 has new disk formatting that is not backwards compatible, however the Macbook Pro should still read the old Apple Partition Map formatted disk in the iMac.

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