Can I move files from one hard drive to another without replacing/duplicating existing files?

Long story short, my work purchased a Macbook Pro and copied all of my files from my iMac to my new Macbook Pro. I've had to work on my iMac before my laptop was fully ready and now I need to transfer more files over to my Macbook Pro.
Is there a way that I can drag contents from my profile folder (documents, downloads, etc.) to my Macbook without have to moving 100+ gbs of information. Basically, is there a way that the computer can recognize that "Folder A" already exists on my Macbook Pro and it will not ask to replace that folder?
I am sorry of my question is vague; I'll rephrase if necessary.

Well, if you drag the contents of your "Documents" folder (on iMac) into your new "Documents" folder (on MacBook Pro) for instance, and choose "Do Not Replace" while checking the "Apply to All" box, it will only transfer new items (this does not include updated items). Now if the new items are in folders that exist under "Documents", then you may need to go into individual folders and repeat this process. That's the only way I can think of doing it. I'd hold off to see if anyone else has a better answer. Good luck!

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Can I move system from one hard drive to another?

I am using 10.6.8 on a Mac Pro dual quad core. My hard drive is failing and I want to put the contents including applications and system components on the new drive. I think I have Lepord disks and thought I had Snow lepard disk, but cannot find those. What do I need to do???

Clean install? you need the DVD.
Clone the system: you are fine and you can break it up like most here - system on one drive, data on 2nd
And... you need backups. Clone the system. Use TimeMachine. Have a strategy and redundancy so more than one place and copy. And rotate and buy new drives before they go and have backup and spare on hand.
Consider an SSD for the system, best $104 investment with return on performance.
Clone
Disk utility has RESTORE which will also clone your system but not the Lion Recovery partition. Oddly Apple did not 'endorse' making bootable clone of the system which works too but most choose Carbon Copy Cloner - it works more consistently; it allows for smart update of the backup volume. Both can backup to a sparse disk image if desired.
Using Cloning as a Backup Strategy
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.bombich.com/software/updates/ccc-3.5.html
Create an OS X Lion Install disc
OS X Lion Install to Different Drive
How to create an OS X Lion installation disc MacFixIt
Migration Assistant Update for Mac OS X Snow Leopard
http://www.apple.com/support/lion/installrecovery/
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20080989-263/how-to-create-an-os-x-lion-ins tallation-disc
http://www.coolestguyplanettech.com/how-to-make-a-bootable-osx-10-8-mountain-lio n-disc-or-drive-from-the-downloaded-mountain-lion-app/
How to clone your system:
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone-backup.html
http://macperformanceguide.com/Mac-HowToClone.html
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/7032/carbon-copy-cloner
http://www.macperformanceguide.com/blog/2012/20120711_2-MacPro-internal-clone-ba ckup.html
Before you clone, install TRIM Enabler!
And after you clone, run Disk Utility's REPAIR DISK on the SSD -- just to be on the safest side.
http://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/37852/trim-enabler
SSD Maintenance
Problems after using Migration Assistant
How to relocate system and user data to another drive:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4337
http://chris.pirillo.com/how-to-move-the-home-folder-in-os-x-and-why/
Japamac's Blog: Make room for Performance -- Moving the Home Folder
To successfully relocate your operating system, user accounts and data from one storage device to another, meet the following conditions:
The destination storage device (SSD drive or hard drive) you are migrating to should be physically located in the same computer. Moving operating system files from one computer to another computer using software not specifically designed for that computer can cause issues due to software, hardware, and firmware version mismatches.
Always back up your storage device with Time Machine or Disk Utility before you start.
Using Disk Utility
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1782
To Resolve Startup Issues:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1417
Format and Partition:
http://macs.about.com/od/applications/ss/diskutilformat.htm
http://macs.about.com/od/applications/ss/diskutilitypart_3.htm
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/partitioning_tiger.html
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-partition-your-hard-drive-on-mac-os -x-snow-.html
http://pondini.org/OSX/DU.html

How to move photos from one hard drive to another without losing data?

I have lightroom latest version. I have an in-computer hard drive full of photos. It is clogging the machine and I am running out of storage space. To make room, I would like to transfer most photos to an outboard portable hard drive. How do I do that without losing all the hard earned flags, stars, tweaks, and other data currently stored regarding those moved photos and confirm I can still locate them again when using Lightroom (which will remain on the main hard drve)?

This describes the procedure: Adobe Lightroom - Find moved or missing files and folders

I can not transfer date from one hard drive to another, I keep getting an error because I have two of the same file names and one file name is in caps and I cant change the file name

can not transfer date from one hard drive to another, I keep getting an error because I have two of the same file names and one file name is in caps and I cant change the file name. My original external has an error and needs to be reformatted but I dont want to lose this informations its my entire Itunes library.

Sounds like the source drive is formatted as case sensitive and the destination drive is not. The preferred format for OS X is case insensitive unless there is a compelling reason to go case sensitive.
Why can't you change the filename? Is it because the source drive is having problems? If so is this happening with only one or two or a few files? If so the best thing would be to copy those over individually and then rename them on the destination drive.
If it is more then you can do manually and you can't change the name on the source you will have to reformat the destination as case sensitive.
Btw this group is for discussion of the Support Communities itself, you;d do better posting to Lion group. I'll see if a host will move it.

How do I move my files from one Hard Drive to another?

I have all of my music and podcast files on one hard drive (my external hard drive). My "Library" files are on my internal hard drive.
How can I move my external hard drive files to my internal hard drive files without having to manually find all of them? I have some 12,000 songs, and so dont' want to do it manually.
Please advise -
Thank you!
chris

First off, are your song files in .WAV format? If they are not, then these directions should work.
Secondly, it assumes you are OK with the iTunes Way of organizing files. Which means artist folders with album sub-folders.
If you have some other special setup in the way you organize your folders that I don't know about, now would be the time to mention it ; )
Basically, you use a special itunes "consolidate library" command to move everything over, as explained in this article:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1364
Post back if you have any questions!

How to move image from one hard drive to another - T41

Hi All
I have a T41 which has a 30GB hard drive, over the time I have installed quite a few programs which I don't have the cd's for to reinstall. Now that I am almost out of space I need to swap my present Hard Drive with another one. I already bought a 60GB HD for the laptop but I don't want to just swap it, what I want to do is make an image of the existing HD and past it in the new HD and then swap the HD so that I have everything from my previous HD.
Can I do this with Ghost 2003 or maybe with anyother ghost app. Also what if I just make a backup of the registry and system state through windows backup tools then install windows XP in the new HD and then restore the restore the system state and registry from the backup. In this wall I will loose the hidden partition.
Please advice whether I can image of the current HD and then move it to the new HD.
Thanks in advance

Thanks for the responses for far, I really appriciate it.
Ok, I have two question for two response I received:
To infocatchjp:
1. I didn't find any connector for "ThinkPad 2nd HDD Adapter for Ultrabay Slim".
2. Rescue and recovey is a windows tool or built in IBM tool.
3. Would it tranfer the program as well and also the hidden partition for the laptop.
To stbigham:
I went to the website for the given software and checked out its feature. My only question is would the software transfer the existing and hidden partition when it is moved to the new HD.
thank you both for your support. Hope to hear from you soon.
Haydes

How can I copy file/folders from and to hard drives? How can I have two or more windows of explorer so that I can drag and drop from one hard drive to another?

Hi,
I am a new customer (purchased last week) of MacBookPro (latest) and its my first ever Apple laptop.
I am almost lost to find the operating tools.
1. How can I copy files from hard drive to computer and vis-a-versa?
2. Only can browse one but how can I have two or more browses at the same time like in MS windows?
3. No right click works on track pad?
4. Is there application/ program compatible to MS office? If so how much and how can I purchase?
5. Is there AutoCAD program that is compatible to MS Window AutoCAD? and if yes how much and how can I purchase?
I will very much appreciate if you could email me the with the solution/answers please.
Regards,
Khagendra Limbu

1) For some reason this happens once in a while with FAT32 enabled external harddrives. I have no idea why this happens but it most easily solved by reformatting the drive. First make sure you've copied everything from the external drive to your internal harddrive. You've done this earlier so I assume you know how to do this.
Now the reformatting part. Open Finder and go to Applications. Look for the folder called "Utilities". Click on it. In it you find a program called "Disk Utility". Click on it. Now look for the external drive. You probably see two entries for the disk. Click on the one that contains the name of the drive NOT the one that describes the disk (Like for example 320.07 GB Samsung S2 Portable Media).
Now you see four tabs in the righthand part of the window. They're called "First Aid", "Erase", "RAID" and "Restore". Click on "Erase". This opens the tab with (amongst others) a dropdownbox (Format) and a textbox (Name) . In the dropdownbox select "Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Take note! This selection disables usage of the drive with Windows PC's. If your goal is to share the drive with Windows PC's select the MS-DOS FAT option.
Enter a label for the drive in the textbox Name. Now click on the button "Erase". This will format the drive.
Now when it's done you can copy back all the items you've copied to your internal harddrive earlier.
2) Opening two windows like Explorer on Windows is opening two Finder windows on the Mac. Simply click on the background. In the menubar you items like 'Finder", "File", "Edit", "View", et cetera. Click on "File" and "New Finder Window". Do this two times. Alternatively you can click on the background and press CMD-N two times.
3) You can right click on the trackpad. This however depends on if you've enabled the feature in System Preferences. In the topmenubar click on the Apple icon and select "System Preferences". Now look for Trackpad in Hardware. Click on it. You see three tabs with the names "Point & Click", "Scroll & Zoom" and "More Gestures". Select "Point & Click" and look for "Secondary Click'. Make sure it is checked and make sure it has written "Click or tap with two fingers" written beneath "Secondary Click". When you're done exit System Preferences. Now select the background and tap with two fingers on the trackpad. This should open the contextuel menu with options like "New Folder", "Get Info" et cetera.

How do I move firefox from one hard drive to another with all of its preferences with it ( bookmarks, Facebooks, Menu bar, ect. )?

I put in a bigger hard drive and want to move fire fox to the new drive. Both drives are now in the computer. The computer is a Mac Pro (early one ).

Thanks for the responses for far, I really appriciate it.
Ok, I have two question for two response I received:
To infocatchjp:
1. I didn't find any connector for "ThinkPad 2nd HDD Adapter for Ultrabay Slim".
2. Rescue and recovey is a windows tool or built in IBM tool.
3. Would it tranfer the program as well and also the hidden partition for the laptop.
To stbigham:
I went to the website for the given software and checked out its feature. My only question is would the software transfer the existing and hidden partition when it is moved to the new HD.
thank you both for your support. Hope to hear from you soon.
Haydes

How to transfer or reassociate iTunes files from one external drive to another without reimporting?

Hello,
Hope someone can tell me an easy way to do this.
I have a massive itunes library which is presently split between my macbook and my external Lacie. I would like to transfer the files from the Lacie to a new external drive without reimporting all the files into itunes. I essentially would like itunes to recognise the path of the new drive instead of the files on the Lacie.
Any ideas?

I moved some movies and some seldom listened music (coped the files) into a folder on the Lacie drive. Then I reimported them to the main itunes library while holding down "option". This created a link to those files to the external. the files show up in my itunes but cannot be played unless i have the Lacie connected to them.
See this link.
http://www.maclife.com/article/howtos/how_split_your_itunes_library_across_multi ple_locations

HT201250 can I back up files from one hard drive to the other hd using time machine?

I would like to back up my files automatically from one hard drive to another skipping the computer backup. If anyone knows anything on how to set it up, I would like your help
Thanks!
Ruta

If you want to copy one external disk to another external disk, and you want an exact copy, then you might consider Carbon Copy Cloner or SuperDuper. Either of which will make an exact duplicate of the disk.
If you wish to have Time Machine include an external disk as part of your normal Time Machine backups, that means just including the external disk as part of your Time Machine backups.
If you mean run a One-Off backup of the external drive to another external drive using Time Machine, I would go with CCC or SuperDuper.
If you could give some more details about what you are trying to do, how often you want to do this, what kind of information is on the drive being backed up, how often the data is being changed and thus how often you want to do this disk to disk backup, whether you want to have the incremental backups offered by Time Machine, or if you just want a copy, and anything else you can think to tell us about your situation and the problem you are trying to solve.

In Final Cut Pro I was trying to move an Event Library from one hard drive to another as explained in the Help section. After doing so, I received a message that my event is already open with the same identifier as the new one I just creat

In Final Cut Pro I was trying to move an Event Library from one hard drive to another as explained in the Help section. After doing so, I received a message that my event is already open with the same identifier as the new one I just created on the new disk. It says the second document cannot be opened and to move one of these documents out of your Final Cut Events folder. It also says to avoid this problem, copy events from within Final Cut Pro, but that is what I did in the first place. What should I do to avoid the double opening conflict?

What exactly are you doing and what version are you using with OS X 10.8?

How can I move music from a hard drive to iphone

How can I move music from a hard drive to iphone?

Import it into an iTunes library and then sync the iPhone with that library. If desired, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down and create or choose an iTunes library on that drive.
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HT2518 how do i or can i drag and drop files from one external drive to another ???HOW

how do i drag and drop files from one external drive to another, i cannt get both drives to open up. only one at a time.. i have alot to learn i know but that is where i am at the time...

You posted here so would assume you are also talking about running Windows.
Are the drives NTFS and use on Windows?
Are they Mac HFS formatted?
You likely will need NTFS for OS X in one case. to mount PC and use under Mac OS Lion
MacDrive to mount and WRITE to HFS drives under Windows

Itunes library tranfer from one hard drive to another on the same computer

Hello I have two hard drives on my mac g4 and the first has 80gig and i only have 10 gig of memory left to fill in my ipod library so... I want to move the itunes library/song data from one hard drive to another, how do I do this? the ipod has the ability to hold 40gig of songs etc. so I know the main hard drive will be full before my ipod will be... I'm new to apple and have had a pc for several years but had too many problems with viruses and like what I've learned so far on my mac thanks for your help out there... you can email me at [email protected] thanks again for any help out there

For the record, hard drives don't hav ememory it is just storage space.
Anyway, in your user folder you would want to drag the Music folder to the other hard drive. Once that is finsihed copying in the iTunes preferences you would want to point iTunes to the new drive and folder for the music folder it should be using.

Moving LR files from one external drive to another

How do I move LR image files from one external drive to another external drive?

Move the photos using your operating system and then re-connect in Lightroom following these instructions: Adobe Lightroom - Find moved or missing files and folders
Do not use this as an opportunity to re-arrange folders or move photos from folder to folder. Just move the entire "tree" of folders.

Can I move files from one hard drive to another without replacing/duplicating existing files?

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