Migration Assistant and user permissions broken

I just used Migration Assistant to my old early 2008 unibody 15" MBP to import stuff to my brand new 15" quad core i7. The old machine was connected through FW800 in target disk mode.
Somehow this process failed and it left me to an odd result which I cannot figure out how or why such things would happen. I have used migration assistant often successfully, if not exactly this way.
I already decided to start things from scratch, but I would appreciate any insight that somebody might have. Like what just happened? Do you have similar experiences?
The process:
- In my old machine I had two users, for the sake of argument, "MainUser" and "OldUser".
- In my new machine I had two users made right after a clean install, "Admin" and "MainUser". I usually work with "MainUser" so I made one without thinking about it much.
- I connected the old machine in Target Disk mode and started Migration Assistant under Admin of the new machine. First question I answered to migrate from another disk, as the other machine was in Target Disk mode. Next one asked to pick the disk and that is followed by a selection "What to migrate". I wanted to install applications from scratch, so I checked everything except applications. I do not know if this is relevant, but I would imagine it is not.
- A pop-up appeared, which correctly told that there already is MainUser on the new machine. The dialog gave me three options: 1. Rename the account that I am transferring, two with the same name could not exist 2. Replace the existing account with the one I am transferring 3. Do not transfer this account.
- I chose 2, because there was nothing worth saving in the MainUser account on the new machine. Continue.
- Watch a few hours of progress bar
- After the migration process the machine was in very odd state. I logged in as MainUser and it oddly looked like default Snow Leopard state, not like the desktop of the migrated account. No folder items that I had on the desktop previously were visible, language was default English and desktop background was the Snow Leopard nebula. I tried, but could not change that in the system preferences.
- Closer inspection revealed that I did not have permissions to access any of the folders under my username, like Documents, Music, Movies etc. This also explained the desktop problems. It meant that none of the programs were allowed to read or write any data under Library folder so everything was and stayed as default. For instance, any settings that I tried to change and which might even apparently change, would reset back on logout. Programs settings were empty, like no bookmarks on Safari or Apple Mail did not show the mail accounts.
- I checked with Terminal what was on with permissions, and for some odd reason, all the folder owners under MainUser belonged to OldUser(!).
- There is no reason that I can think of why that user account would have anything to do with this migration -- after all, the whole deal was supposed to be to migrate (or overwrite) MainUser, not to mess with OldUser in any way, except bring that over as a separate item.
- For the sake of argument, I also logged to OldUser account and that seemed to be transferred correctly. No issues with file permissions or the desktop. Only MainUser was messed.
- I decided to take the ownership of all files under MainUser account back. I did "sudo chmod -R MainUser *" to grab everything. Immediately the stuff on desktop appeared. After logout and login rest of things seemed to return (mostly) to those places that the migrated MainUser should have had, like the desktop background, dock position and even Apple Mail now showed my old emails.
Even if I sort of fixed things, I have iffy feeling about the whole process.
I decided to start over. This time I will not have MainUser account on the new machine to avoid any further hassle. While I suggest everyone to avoid this situation and not to have users with same name or let Migration Assistant to run this overwrite -option, I would like to hear any speculation why or how this might have happened.
If Apple is listening, you might check the latest Migration Assistant in the above case. There might be a bug. Thank you for listening.

I think it is inadvisable to have the same user account on the target machine when using Migration Assistant - just from recollection this is known to cause problems.
However, in my experience (and I have used MA many times across many machines), even when apparently completing successfully, MA simply does not work properly when it comes to permissions.
For example, after using MA to import my previous user account to my new MBP 2.3 i7, I cannot drag anything out of the dock - it just doesn't work.
Also, content of my desktop folder does NOT display on the desktop itself.
I have tried applying specific permissions to this folder, for my user account AND "Everyone" - it makes no difference.
I do not regard Migration Assistant as fit for purpose.

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Migration Assistant and User Names

I'm about to take delivery of a new Mac Pro to replace the G5. I intend to just migrate my user data and install all apps from scratch so they're all Intel where possible. However, from memory, when you get a new machine and switch it on for the first time, you have to set up a user before you're asked if you want to transfer data. If I use the user name I'm used to from the previous machine, it won't migrate a user with that same name. I know I can set up a dummy user, migrate my data then delete the dummy but is there another way?

I need help, and I'm definitely panicking. I need clear concise answers to things. I'm willing to try things on my own, but I don't want to keep getting deeper and deeper and it be spring, and I still haven't fully loaded my brand new i5 imac, and not be dong fun stuff. Between the flicker, migration assistant woes, and duplicate email issues, I'm 75% to being at 'wit's end' and taking the whole **** thing back.
I did not migrate when first using set-up asst, and registered same user name on new i5 as I have on macbook (or close enough, I thought caps were diffferent in one place, but apparently not). So... later, when I went to migrate, it asked for different user name. I 1) picked a slightly diff name, and 2) migrated every thing (apps, network, etc). approx 35 gigs & 90 minutes. I go to look, nothing's there, obviously, and I have exactly my old macbook on a new user name. I don't want this.
a) how do I get everything I need/want from old macbook (iphoto/movies, docs, etc) to my ORIGINAL user acct on new i5?
a2) WHAT, exactly, of the 4 clickable buttons (user, apps, network, ?,) when I'm migrating, do I need to actually move?
b) a friend said I can move these files/whatever to a shared folder from the addl user account to the original, then delete old one (or keep it as back up). Is this true?
b2) I moved one pic this way, and it works I had to ("authenticate"), but let's say I move the "picture" folder (which includes 4,000 pics) this way, will there be any problems? in other words, will the iphoto or pictures folder that migrated to the user name I did not want, 'merge,' or 'replace' (or something else?) the handful of iPhotos and files I already have on my original/proper user name? are there any issues w/ doing this? keep in mind, when the old iPhoto6 migrated from macbook to username I had to create on new 'puter, it was upgraded, after promp, to iPhoto9, which is fine; just want to make sure that will be fine, moving this way (as well as iMovie, everything else.). And I guess, I need to keep 'authenticating.'
c) also, one of the 4 buttons when migrating is "user accounts." that's different than the 'user' folder? Please tell me which 4 buttons I need to have clicked when I migrate from a 4-yr old macbook w/ ilife06, to a brand new quadcore i5. and again, please explain what 'applications' are again. I used to know, but my head is so wrapped around all this BS now....
d) can I just migrate again, but the proper stuff, TO my orginal user account on the new i5, or no?
e) If I eventually get all my stuff - whichever way - to the one and original user, can I simply delete the other user from this 'puter?
Thanks for the help. Mac sellers REALLY should tell customers this, about doing it upon setting up. Or apple should simply rewrite the program to include just being able to do what you do at set up, anytime.

I just ran migration assistant, and now I have two accounts on my new iMac...how do I merge my iPhoto libraries?

I just ran migration assistant, and now I have two accounts on my new iMac...how do I merge my iPhoto libraries? Is there anyway to do it without using an external hard drive?

Yes there is.
1: Log out and into the account you later want to remove.
2: Open your Pictures folder and look for the iPhoto Library.
3: Right or control click on it, a menu appears and choose the option "Show Package Contents", it's really a folder.
4: Find the folder called "Originals", select it and use the Finder menu to Duplicate it.
5: Move the Copy of Originals to the Desktop. Close the window.
6: From the Finder menu, select Go Computer.
7: A window appears with your boot drive, double click it and on the Users folder inside.
8: Select the OTHER users folder and open the folder called Public, inside is a folder called "DropBox"
9: Drag the Copy of Originals to that DropBox folder, it will copy it.
10. Log out and into the other account and access the DropBox folder, your files can then be imported into that iPhoto user Library from within the program itself.

HT2518 I am a new Mac owner trying to transfer files from my pc. When I go to migration assistant, and hit "continue, a screen comes up that says "Mig Assistant wants to make changes. Type your password to allow this. What is my "password"? Or how do I ge

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When you set up your Mac you had to enter a admin password to set up your user account.
If you did not enter one then try using the "blank window" as your password. ie Just hit return with nothing entered.
If that does not work try this reference:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20087723-263/how-to-run-the-password-reset- utility-in-os-x-10.7-lion/?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=MacFixIt

Migration Assistant and Adobe License Not working

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I believe Migration Assistant was upgraded for Lion early in the week. Do you have the latest? Should be Version 4.
Look here http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1420
Phil
Message was edited by: w7ox

TimeMachine / Migration Assistant and a different UID, but same username

Hello there,
I am going to do a clean reinstall of my Macs with Mountain Lion (no need to discuss clean install vs. upgrade, please). During this shift the goal is to transfer all accounts into Open Directory. While keeping the account names, the UIDs will be different.
Doing a clean install, I can see no use in restoring all stuff in a users profile, for some is old, useless and maybe the related application is long gone. But there are a couple of items worth to be saved, for sure: emails, contacts, calendar, favorites, iTunes library, the users documents and very important: purchased Items from iTunes or App Store and the keychain of cause. Users agreed, that they can rebuild settings of other applications, not listed before.
Will the Migration Assistant the right path to go? Can I use a TimeMachine Backup and restore it for a user with the same name, but a different UID using the Migration Assistant? Will there be any pitfall for purchased items or the keychain?
Thanx for your help
COWegner

COWegner wrote:
Can I use a TimeMachine Backup and restore it for a user with the same name, but a different UID using the Migration Assistant?
No. Migration Assistant restores user accounts and data (although you can omit some broad categories). It won't "merge" data into an existing home folder.
When it does that, it will preserve the UID on the backups if it can; if the same UID already exists, it will use a different one.
If a user account of the same name already exists, it will require you to rename one of them, or skip it.
Note that, if you use it when OSX first starts up on a new Mac, or after installation on an empty volume, it's called Setup Assistant. The windows are a bit different, but the only significant difference is, since there aren't any user accounts already, it can preserve all UIDs and user names from the backups.
See How do I set up a new Mac from an old one, its backups, or a PC?

I recently bought a new macbook pro and set it up using the migration assistant and my mac mini. I can't get the text message forwarding feature to work with both computers.

I recently bought a new macbook pro and set it up using the migration assistant from my mac mini. I can't get the text message forwarding feature to work with both computers. It keeps saying that I only have 2 devices setup, my iPad and my macbook pro. When I mess with the setting on my mac mini, it goes from saying that that is one of the devices to my macbook pro being the 2nd device. I think that something happened as a result of my using the migration assistant and now it thinks that my macbook pro and my mac mini are one and the same computer. Any ideas?

Thanks, Sig.
The old computer is a 2.6 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
The new one is a 2.3 GHz intel core i7
In going over this, thanks to "tallking it out" with you, I did discover the Text Edit problem. Because I've still been unable to get the new computer text size (fonts or whatever) to match the old computer, I did not notice that the curser is now different--the line midway down the curser has to be placed on the line I am working upon, otherwise the edits go elsewhere on the page. Now, with a bit of difficulty, I am able to get Text Edit to work correctly.
If you have any ideas as to why my menu bar and Text Edit type are still so slow, I'd love to have them.
(I went through the process you suggested earlier, re my Trackpad preferences, and found no improvement.)

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Got an email that my apple ID was used to sign into iCloud....
Then now rMBP Mail can't access ANY of my email accounts....
What in the world happened? I just wanted to copy over my Music and now it's a BIG headache.....
I knew I should have avoided Migration Assistant and should have transferred over Music upon initial setup of the rMBP....
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So uninstalled Mavericks and reinstalling....1 hour wait to download...
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On the bright side, I got a Samsung display and so I'm happy with that...the display is sharp, evenly bright, and no creaking case

Hey hp12c,
Thanks for the question. The following article may provide the information you are looking for:
Mac Basics: Time Machine
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1427
Restoring specific files or folders
Choose Enter Time Machine from the Time Machine menu and the restore interface appears. You can literally see your windows as they appeared "back in time."
You can use the timeline on the right side of the window to reach a certain point back in time (the timeline shows the times of all backups on your backup drive). If you don’t know exactly when you deleted or changed a file, you can use the back arrow to let Time Machine automatically travel through time to show you when that folder last changed.
Note: Dates in pink indicate the data resides on your Time Machine backup device. Dates in white indicate the data resides on your Mac. In OS X Mountain Lion and Lion, portable Macs have the feature of local snapshots. See this article for details.
You can also perform a Spotlight search in the Time Machine Finder Window search field to find a file. Simply type the Spotlight search field and use the back arrow to have Time Machine search through your backups to find what you are looking for.
Before you restore a file, you can also use Quick Look to preview a file to make sure its the one you want. Highlight the file and press the Space Bar to bring up a quick look.
To restore, select the file/folder and click the "Restore" button. The file will automatically be copied to the desktop or appropriate folder. If the file you are restoring has another file in the same location with the same name, you will be prompted to choose which file to keep or keep both.
Thanks,
Matt M.

I used migration assistant and my ethernet cable to move data and apps from my 5-yr old Intel-based iMac to my brand new Intel-based iMac running OS Lion. The old machine was running OS 10.5.8. Not all my files transferred (or I can't find them). Help

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IMO, wrong choice. Start over, using a FireWire cable and following the steps in Pondini's Setup New Mac guide.

HT4796 on my windows XP pro PC i opened windows migration assistant and the first message is: "Cannot start Outlook Express. The application can not initialize the storage. The computer doesn't have enough memory or your disk is full. (0x80007114)"

on my windows XP pro PC i opened windows migration assistant and the first message is: "Cannot start Outlook Express. The application can not initialize the storage. The computer doesn't have enough memory or your disk is full. (0x80007114)"
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I want to use my new Imac.....

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Migration Assistant and permissions issues with new Mac Pro

Hi There,
I've not had any significant issues with Migration Assistant in the past but I can't create a reliable system with my new Mac Pro.
After using Migration Assistant during the initial setup, my user account wasn't even transferred. I tried restarting but in the end, I followed these instructions to reset and run the assitant again: http://stationinthemetro.com/2013/11/10/make-mavericks-re-run-the-setup-assistan t
I've just finished running it for a second time, and while the user account is now on my new system, there are so many permissions issues that the system is unusable (I can't even run Safari). Creative cloud, 1Password, safari, Dropbox are all apps that give me Disk i/o or permissions errors.
If I look in the user folder, many directories within it have a red minus icon. I've tried fixing permissions using Disk Utility but something is not right.
In the past, the new system just boots like the old one but this time round, it asked me to create an account after Migration Assistant had finished - is this normal? I used the same username and password as before but I'm not sure Migration Assistantis working properly.
Does anyone know a full-proof way of fixing and transferring my account without having to spend hours downloading OSX for a full erase and install?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Ben

Thanks for the reply,
I didn't understand exactly what to put into AppleScript sorry (never used it before) - so I just ran the following from the Terminal:
$ echo $UID
$ sudo chown -R 503 ~
And restarted - everything works now - thanks heaps.
What had happened and is this something I did or did Migration Assistant just get confused?
I have 3 new Mc Pros to setup on Monday so just want to ensure those are hassle free.
Cheers
Ben

Migration assistant and 2nd user account

Yesterday I set up my new Mac Mini and used Migration Assistant to transfer files from my PC to my new Mac.
I can't now access the files as a 2nd user, as I am being prompted for a password. I can't remember setting a password for a 2nd user account. If I did it would be the same as my Administrators account.
Any suggestions on how I can access the 2nd user account?
I presume I will later on be able to transfer files from 2nd user account to my Mac account and then delete the 2nd user account.
I am a new Mac user.

From the main account on your Mac, the one you are now signed into, open a Finder window and go to the Users folder and right click on that second user account. Select Get Info from the list that comes up. When that opens scroll down to the bottom and click the small Lock icon and type in your Admin password. Once the lock icon is open click on the Plus ( + ) sign and add your current username, the one you are now logged into to the list for Sharing & Permissions and then give it both Read & Write access. Then on the icon with the little gear and downward facing triangle click that and select Apply to Enclosed items. That will propagate those permission down to all folders and files in that second user account.
you should then be able to access all the folders in that second user account and copy those files over to your main account. Once you have done that you can go into User & Groups in System Preferences and delete, remove, that second account.

User Not Found Using Migration Assistant and Time Machine

My iMac running Leopard kernel panicked which forced me to do a hard reset. After rebooting, the account I was logged in as disappeared. Fortunately, that wasn't the admin account. I logged into my admin account and thought I would use Migration Assistant to recreate the missing account (I did run Disk First Aid first to ensure the hard drive was in good working order). However, Migration Assistant does not list the missing user account when reading my Time Machine backup. I do see the user if I go directly into into Time Machine. I'm guessing that Migration Assistant may only be looking at the most recent backup which obviously doesn't contain the missing user.
Suggestions on how to restore the missing user or how to get Migration Assistant to read all of the users in my Time Machine backups?

BobParr wrote:
I'm guessing that Migration Assistant may only be looking at the most recent backup which obviously doesn't contain the missing user.
Correct.
Suggestions on how to restore the missing user or how to get Migration Assistant to read all of the users in my Time Machine backups?
How many backups were done after the problem occurred? One possibility would be to delete those backups (see #12 in the Frequently Asked Questions *User Tip,* also at the top of this forum), so the last one has the missing user's data, and Migration Assistant can find it. If you do that, once everything's properly restored, boot up from your Leopard Install disk, then reboot normally. That will trigger a "deep traversal" in the next backup, where TM will compare everything on your system to it's backups, thus assuring that nothing was lost via the earlier deletions.
Another would be to do a full restore from Time Machine, per #14 in the FAQ.

Migration Assistant and user permissions broken

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