How do I transfer data from old laptop to new one without using time machine?

I just bought a new Macbook and want to transfer everything over and wipe my old Macbook so the kids can have it.  I have an external hard drive, that has photos etc. on it already.  When I try to do a Time Machine back up, it tells me the drive is not formatted correctly and that to complete the back up, it will have to erase everything.  I can't move the photos back on to the old Macbook because there isn't enough free disc space.  So, I don't think I can do this with Time Machine.  How would you recommend I transfer the data over?  Thanks!

Use Migration Assistant during the setup of the new machine. Connect both machines up to a wired network if possible and follow the instructions. It's worth running software update on the old MacBook first as there was an update to Migration assistant for OS X 10.5 and 10.6 published recently.

Similar Messages

  • I have chosen to fil migrate from old ibook to new MacBook Pro using Time Machine after establishing admin account. I now have two admin. accounts and wish to delete the later one and transfer files manually. I am worried I will loose both accounts. ??

    I have chosen to fil migrate from old ibook to new MacBook Pro using Time Machine after establishing admin account. I now have two admin. accounts and wish to delete the later one and transfer files manually. I am worried I will loose both accounts. ??

    Use the Office for Mac and ignore using Parallels for that. If you have PC only apps you have to run that are MS Windows only then consider Parallels. Just transfer your main PC, using Migration Assistant.  If you don't know how then simply read over Pondini's article called Lion or Mountain Lion Setup Assistant tips and look for the section on migrating from a PC. Millions have done what you are about to, it's far from leading edge these days, if you go to an Apple Store to purchase they will offer this as a service, something you might be interested in.

  • How do i transfer data from old HP to new iMac?

    I want to buy an iMac from Apple online and the nearest Apple store in 3 hrs. away.  Is it hard to transfer data from my old computer to the new iMac?

    Not hard at all http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4796

  • How do I transfer music from old iPhone to new iPhone without pc

    I have an iPhone 4 and have just got an iPhone 5. I need to transfer everything including music to my new iPhone but the laptop that has my iTunes on is no longer working. Is there anyway to move everything over without syncing my new phone to iTunes on my laptop ? Thank you

    Purchased content you can re-download for free:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2519

  • Just got new iPad trying to transfer info from old iPad onto new one without losing stuff, Just got new iPad trying to transfer info from old iPad onto new one without losing stuff

    Just bought new iPad trying to transfer everything I have on the old one over to the new is there anyway I can do this without losing stuff

    In most countries, music and apps can be downloaded for free in the iTunes/App stores if you log into the new iPad using the Apple ID with which you used to purchase them. The same goes for most films. You can also sync the old iPad with a computer and then sync the new one with the same computer, and restore it from the backup you made of the old iPad.
    If you have notes and emails on the old iPad, go into 'System Preferences' and make sure they are saved into the iCloud. You can then retrieve them from the cloud by logging in to the same email/iTunes accounts on the new iPad.

  • How to i transfer actions from old computer to new one?

    Hi!
    I bought a new computer and installed Adobe Photosho 4 on it. But as i had tons of actions on my old computer, is it maybe possible to transfer those to my new comp?
    Regards,
    Hanno

    I presume you mean Photoshop CS4?
    Save the actions in sets (very important) on the old computer and then copy the saved *.atn files across to the new computer.
    They belong in C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS4\Presets\Actions

  • How do you transfer data from old iPad to a new iPad?

    How do you transfer data from old iPad to a new iPad?

    iOS- Transferring information from your current iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to a new device
    How to Transfer Everything from an Old iPad to New iPad
    iTunes Store- Transferring purchases from iOS device or iPod to a computer

  • How do you transfer playlists from old PC to  new MacBook Pro or iPod or Itouch?

    How do you transfer playlists from old PC to new Mac and/or Itouch/Ipod?

    Hi Cher A!
    I think the answer you are looking for can be found in this article:
    OS X: How to migrate data from another Mac using Mavericks
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5872
    Specifically, see the information under the heading, “Time Machine or other disk migration.” Take care, and thanks for visiting the Apple Support Communities.
    Cheers,
    Braden

  • Recently bought a new ipod, but would like to transfer my game data from old ipod onto new one. can i do this without losing any information?

    recently bought a new ipod, but would like to transfer my game data from old ipod onto new one. can i do this without losing any information?

    Are you sure? I restored my new iPod from the backup of my iPad and all app data was restored to the new iPod..  App data is part of the backup.
    iPhone and iPod touch: About backups

  • How do you transfer contents from old ipad to new?

    How do you transfer contents from old iPad to new?

    Caesar1948-
    I'm not using iCloud, so do not know for sure.  I feel as if I have more control by using iTunes on my computer, to determine what is on my iPad, and what gets deleted.
    If your wife will share the same Apple ID with you, you do not need to remove everything from the old iPad.  She can share your purchased Apps, music, et cetera.
    In iTunes, you can have several iOS devices sharing Apps under a common Apple ID, but you can also "uncheck" specific Apps you do not want on one of your devices.  Each device has an identity so iTunes should remember which App goes on which device during future syncs.
    If your wife will have her own individual Apple ID, you need to go to Settings-General-Reset-Erase All Content and Settings.  This will return the iPad to factory defaults, except it will retain the latest iOS version installed.
    Fred

  • How to transfer music from old shuffle to new one

    Old shuffle was defective...apple sent a new one...now need to transfer music from old shuffle to new one. Please help. Apple support says.....can't be done....but...go to apple community and ask for help.    HELP!!!!!!!

    See this older post from another forum member Zevoneer covering the different methods and software available to assist you with the task of copying content from your iPod back to your PC and into iTunes.
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2452022?start=0&tstart=0
    B-rock

  • Secondly, i used migration assistant to move everything from old laptop to new. when i used pages on new machine, 10.8.5 operating system, there is no click for file save as in the menu, only flle save. why?

    secondly, i used migration assistant to move everything from old laptop to new. when i used pages on new machine, 10.8.5 operating system, there is no click for file save as in the menu, only flle save. why?

    Hold down Option key while clicking on menu bar and Save as will appear.

  • Please how can I transfer data from my laptop to my ipad

    Please how can i transfer data from my Hp laptop windows 8 to my ipad 2 iOS 8.1

    Launch iTunes on the PC with the iPad connected, click on the iPad icon in iTunes, and you will see the different kinds of data that can be synced.
    Matt

  • TS4124 how do I transfer my library from old laptop to new one

    I am having a problem understanding how to transfer my library from old laptop to new, can anyone tell me - simply - how to do it?

    Type "move itunes library" into the google search bar

  • How can i transfer everything from old iphone4s to new iphone5?

    just bought new iphone5, how do i transfer all the apps/contacts/etc from olf iphone4s?

    The easiest way is to back up old phone to icloud and then restore new phone from that old phone backup. Any purchased content such as apps and songs from the itunes and apps stores can be downloaded again.
    These directions are for an ipad, but the method is the same.
    How to transfer everything from old iPad to new
    http://osxdaily.com/2012/03/16/transfer-old-ipad-to-new-ipad/

Maybe you are looking for