Best Method to Transfer from one Mac to another

I have a first gen Macbook (white plastic, Core Duo (not Core2Duo)) that the best I can update to is SNow Leopard (whcih I'm on).  I just bought a MacBook Pro with retina display with 512GB of storage, more than enough to store eveything from the old machine to the new. 
The problem I'm having is that the migration of the user and apps seems to be incomplete (might have to do with the old system using case sensitive HFS, something I'll never do again).  I have noticed several files missing.   I've also noticed some erratic behavior with the Retina machine since porting my data over that has me worried that I don't really have all of my data or worse, the configuration settings are causing issues with the new machine and OS.   Specifically I've had some issues where the system fans kick on and the system gets really hot, even though the activity monitor isn't showing much activity.  It's like a problem with the video cards switching, but I'm not even using a graphically intensive app (unless screen sharing causes it to turn on).  I'll try to take some video if it happens again.
Is there a best or better practice for migrating systems with different operating system levels?   I'm not a slouch with command line or scripting if anyone has some more technical recommendations I'm all for any ideas.   Thanks. 

On your Mac, go to Finder>Music. You will see a folder called iTunes (It includes apps, music library, movies etc.). Copy that to a USB stick.
On your granddaughter's mom Mac, install iTunes. Then after you've installed it, go to Finder>Music and paste the iTunes folder from your USB stick. Overwrite all the files if asked.
Afterwards, open iTunes and it will be there. All of your library transfered to another Mac.
(Tested)

Similar Messages

  • Transfer from one mac to another mac

    i am trying to transfer all itunes files from one mac to another one via a hard disk
    found this information:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/hT1751
    but does not seem to work for me.
    has anyone more information?
    Mark

    try this script:
    iTunes Track CPR v1.3 
    This script attempts to locate the files of so-called "dead tracks"--iTunes tracks designated with (!)--that you assume are not actually missing but are still located in the iTunes Music folder in their "iTunes File Order" (Music -> Artist -> Album -> file.xxx)."

  • Transfer from one mac to another..HELP

    I transfered my info from one mac to my new mac book pro and ka-boom, the old i photo library has replaced the new one. The 300 photos I had already added to this new mac book pro are gone...where did they go? can I recover them?

    If you used the Migration Assistant, your original iPhoto library is in another account's home folder; see this article for instructions on creating a single iPhoto library. To access the other account, choose Log Out from the Apple menu, and then provide the other account's username and password.
    (21666)

  • Could not transfer from one Mac to another with external hard drive

    Hello,
    I have a mid-2010 MBP 13". I just got a new external hard drive (seagate back up plus slim, 1TB). When it asked me, I chose to have it compatible with both Macs and PCs when I first got it and plugged it in.
    I was able to put my own file on it, give the hard drive to a friend who has a new Macbook Air (relatively new, not sure which edition), and she could transfer it onto her Mac, but could not put anything from her Mac to the hard drive.
    Any help?

    Exactly what is the format and how did you format it?  Did you use Disk Utility or did you format it on a PC?
    Ciao.

  • Transfer from one Mac to another

    I'll be buying a MacBook Pro in a few weeks, and will transfer the data from my Black Book to that when I initially connect the machines (I assume via Firewire with a 6-pin-to-9-pin cable).
    But I'm going to give my Black Book to my daughter, who'll be migrating her hard disc's contents to the Black Book, and I'm not sure if her system has Migration Assistant (though of course my Mac--being the target computer in this case--does).
    How is the best and easiest way to handle this?

    before going thru with everything, make sure to repair permissions on all of the machines & verify the disk to make sure there aren't any directory errors (open Disk Utility from Mac HD/Applications/Utilities, select Mac HD from the list on the left, click the First Aid tab. click the repair permissions button. then click verify disk, only one of these can run at a time).
    yes, pretty much boot the older Mac(s) holding T, plug them in via firewire, & open the assistant (or you can also select "import from another mac or hard drive" when you first bootup the new Mac) & select the option that imports from another hard drive or time machine disk.

  • What is the best way to transfer from one computer to another?

    In the next couple weeks, I'm going to be buying a MacBook Pro. I want to transfer my whole library (with all rolls, albums, slideshows, etc) intact. What is the best way to do this? I assume it's as easy as copying the whole iPhoto Library Folder, correct? Should I copy the iPhoto .plist files as well?
    Thanks

    Daniel:
    You're right about what to copy. Just the entire iPhoto Library folder into the Pictures folder on the new MBP. I'd also download and run BatChmod on the iPhoto Library folder with the settings shown here, substituting your account name for mine. You can either type in the path to the folder or just drag the folder into that field. This is just a little insurance that the ownership and permissions are set correctly after the transfer. INo need copy the preference file as one will be generated when you first open iPhoto on the MPB and the file paths in it will be unique to the current Mac. Best to start with a new one.
    Do you Twango?

  • ITunes full transfer from one Mac to another - Help Please

    Good morning, I have searched for this answer prior to this post however I have not found the specific scenario that I am asking a question about and would like some direction if possible, so any assistance is greatly appreciated and I thank all who can help ahead of time.
    I have a Macbook Pro laptop that I currently have my entire music library loaded on, iPhone, iPad, and iPod synced to.  I have all of my purchases, downloads, etc. for these devices all synced up to this laptop.  I have a second MacBook Pro (newer) that I have been using side by side but have never transferred any of my library, iOS device syncs, etc. to it.  I have literally never used iTunes on my newer Macbook Pro.  I am going to be getting rid of my old laptop and want to make sure that everything gets transferred over to the new laptop.
    The 3 main things that I need to do properly are as follows.
    1) Transfer all music/videos/playlists from my old mac to new Mac.
    2) Make sure that my iOS devices sync properly and recognize the new Mac as their "owner" or "main computer" for syncing.
    3) Deactivate old Mac iTunes or iOS devices in iTunes or whatever I need to do before wiping this computer out and rebuilding it to "decommission" it.
    I just want to make sure that if iTunes takes a "seat" for my username, that this Mac's "seat" is freed up for use by my new Mac and I want to make sure that my iOS devices are going to sync up properly with the new Mac as they did with my old.
    I am very sorry if these have been covered before (they likely have I'm sure) however as I said, I wasn't able to find the information specific to my needs, so even if you just point me in the right direction, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you again.

    3) Downloaded all purchassed items on destination computer.
    Don't need this as your purchases are in the iTunes folder you copy across in step 4.
    4) Replaced entire Music folder on destination computer with source computer's Music folder
    This copied over the files you downloaded step 3.

  • Unfinished website - want to transfer from one Mac to another to finish it

    I started building a website using iWeb on one laptop, but now I want to complete it using another laptop (both Macs).
    I have kept all files (photos, video, etc.) used to build the site on an external hard drive, so when I move the iWeb program to the other computer (if it's even possible), I'll be able to retain all the images.
    Is there a way to do this???

    I have an existing mobileme web page. Unfortunately I've lost the original iweb file since my hard drive broke. Is there anyway of downloading the information from the existing website so I can continue editing it?
    Message was edited by: refurb

  • What is the best way to transfer home videos from one mac to another?

    What is the best way to transfer home videos from one mac to another?

    hustonsmom wrote:
    the commercial is deceiving to me. i am not the most techy person and i thought that you could share full song playlist which to me meant the songs also. that is all, it wasnt anything you had said but i am really thankful you enlightened me because i would still be racking my brain trying to figure out how to do it.
    You can share songs, but if there is DRM protection on the song, it will not play on the other device unless you also transfer the rights to the other device. You are getting into the problem of music piracy.

  • How can I transfer entire contents of Mail mailbox from one Mac to another?

    I've long wondered how to do this:
    I have two Macs - an iMac and a MacBook Pro.
    I have categorized several hundred emails on the MacBook into a separate "mailbox" by itself. Let's just call it "Project XYZ emails" for the sake of discussion.
    I need to transfer ALL of those emails +en masse+, hopefully still categorized together into a separate "Project XYZ emails" mailbox file, from the MacBook to the iMac. How is this done?
    In the old days, when I used to use Eudora, this was quite simple -- one could physically locate the separate desired "mailbox" file in the Finder and just copy it from one hard drive to the other, and then place the mailbox into the appropriate place of Eudora's file structure on the second computer. Relaunch Eudora and voila, the new mailbox is there for viewing, etc.
    But in Mail, I can't find any tangible "file" on my hard drive that represents a "mailbox" in the Mail program. And that includes control-clicking the application file itself and choosing "Show Package Contents." When I do that, I can see, after burrowing into the folders, a single large file called "Mail" which I think contains ALL mailboxes lumped together. But I can't see a way to separate them for individual manipulation.
    Any suggestions or ideas on how to copy entire mailboxes in Mail from one Mac to another?

    Thanks! Seems to have worked.
    Once I imported tham, I had to fiddle around renaming mailboxes and "moving" the emails to the desired locations, but that only took a minute. So overall, seems like that's the solution! I only wish that the steps to do this were made clearer by Apple in the Mail "help" menu -- where I couldn't find any mention of how to do this.
    A happy ending, in any event.
    In case anyone reads this in the future, let me add in the missing steps, to make it perfectly clear:
    In Mail, choose 'archive mailbox' from the mailbox menu.
    +Copy the newly created archived mailbox file, which will probably be a file with the suffix ".mbox," from the original machine to the second machine.+
    On the second machine: In Mail choose 'import mailbox' from the file menu.
    +The emails will now appear in a new mailbox in Mail listed under the name "imported" or "import." If desired, either rename the mailbox, or create a new mailbox with the correct name, and "move" all the emails into it.+
    Done!

  • How do i transfer files from one mac to another?

    how do i transfer my files from one mac to another mac?

    I normally use an External Hard Drive or Flash Drive for moving files from both Mac's and PC's, but if you want to move from an old Mac to a new one see > How to use Migration Assistant to transfer files from another Mac

  • How to transfer printer settings from one Mac to another (both OSX)?

    Hello, I have not found a detailed description on how to transfer printer settings from one Mac to another.
    My issue is that I have a Mac G5 with 3 different settings saved as "presets" for the same printer. This works great, since the posters I print (on the large format printer) need different margins and different paper at times.
    This G5 is basically retired and only used for printing. G5 has OSX 10.3.9
    I have a MacPro as its replacement (OSX 10.4.11).
    The MacPro has all my apps and other settings setup to my liking.
    I found several links via Google saying copy this folder or directory, but I am not sure I did it correctly. I don't see the "presets".
    I tried launching the Migration Assistant (I hope that's the correct name), but was concerned the settings on the new MacPro would be overwritten with ALL the old stuff on the older G5. I did not start the transfer process because of this.
    If someone would list the steps needed to accomplish the transfer of printer settings or advise if this is possible, then I would be very grateful! The previous user of the G5 I am using was a "Genius" and I don't know how he created these "preset" choices.
    Thanks!

    Hi SCChelpdesk, and a warm welcome to the forums!
    I found several links via Google saying copy this folder or directory, but I am not sure I did it correctly. I don't see the "presets".
    This is the File that holds that info on Tiger, not certain on Panther...
    /Users/YourUserName/Library/Preferences/com.apple.print.custompresets.plist
    After moving, you very well might have to change the Owner's Permissions within Get Info window, then log out/in.
    I tried launching the Migration Assistant (I hope that's the correct name), but was concerned the settings on the new MacPro would be overwritten with ALL the old stuff on the older G5. I did not start the transfer process because of this.
    MA would transfer the info, but/and, if the user that had that info had the same Shortname as on the new one, it'll demand you give it a new Shortname to use... but then those settings would be transferred to that new user on the new machine. I think the 1st one will work though.
    The previous user of the G5 I am using was a "Genius" and I don't know how he created these "preset" choices.
    We can go through that way if you like... not all that hard.

  • Can I transfer the outlook pst file from one mac to another

    Can I transfer the outlook pst file from one mac to another?

    sure you can
    also to a windows pc and import it in a windows outlook

  • How do you transfer your itunes account from one mac to another

    hi guys just wondering how to transfer my itunes library from one mac to another. i have a connecter cord but one of the computers isnt reading it. any help?

    Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
    Backup iTunes to an External Drive
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
    An Added Bonus is that you will have a Backup of iTunes.

  • How to transfer Signatures from one Mac to another

    In Mail, if I go to Preferences > Signatures, I see in the left column *All Signatures*, and signatures for various accounts.
    How would I transfer the signatures in *All Signatures* from one Mac to another?
    The names of files in the folder ~/Library/Mail/Signatures are all cryptic.
    Moreover, since each signature is tied to a certain account, I don't think that I can just copy these files into the Signature folder of the 2nd Mac.

    Simply moving these cryptic files did not work, in the sense that these signatures did not show up in the right-most column of the Signatures pane.
    I made sure that I did not move the SignaturesByAccount.plist file in the ~/Library/Mail/Signatures folder.
    So, would someone please share with me how to transfer signatures from one Mac to another, with both running Mail?

Maybe you are looking for