New iMac, used Time Machine to Copy Settings from Laptop, Having Trouble

Sorry if this is a common question, but I couldn't find an answer after searching the boards.
My new MacBook arrived three weeks ago. Like a good girl, I've been backing up with Time Machine and an external hard drive. No problems.
My new iMac arrived yesterday. While setting it up, it asked if I wanted to copy settings from a Time Machine backup. I said "yes" (should have said "no") and told Time Machine to copy my laptop settings to my iMac. I did not copy Applications or Documents--just account information.
My new iMac is now a bit confused. It thinks it is a copy of my MacBook (the backup of the iMac is called 'MacBook 2'), and it also thinks I have software installed on it that I don't have installed. Specifically, it is refusing to install a statistical program, stating that "Install has detected the presence of SPSS 16.0 for Mac. Please uninstall the existing version before installing this version of the product."
Here's my question: is there a way I can "undo" the migration that I did yesterday? I certainly wouldn't be losing any files or anything of importance if I could just take it all back.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Chaya

it's probably some preference file in the transfered home directory that was put there when you installed that program on the macbook. You can try looking for that preference file in library folder in your home directory or you can create a new user account and install the software from there.

Similar Messages

  • Photo transfer and update from 5-year-old Macbook to new iMac using Time Machine resulted in half of 2014's photos being un-viewable (only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows).  How do I fix it?

    I turned on my new iMac for the first time today and set it up using a backup on Time Machine from my old Macbook, which is running OS X 10.9.5 and has iPhoto version 8.1.2.  When I went to open iPhoto on the new computer, it said I had to update the photos to work with the new version.  Now, my photos from part of July 26, 2014 and onwards do not show up in the new iPhoto.  The albums and spaces for the photos are there, but only a gray triangle with exclamation point shows in their place.  Every other photo from 2003 to half of July 26, 2014 appears to have updated without issue.  None of the fixes/rebuilds I tried worked.  When I open up TimeMachine, it has no backups that I can use for the new computer (perhaps, because I wanted to still have access to use my old backups for my old laptop so told it not to use them for the new computer).  My most recent half a year's photos are the ones I need the most.  How do I make them appear on my new iMac?

    Do you still have the old Mac? Then check, if the iPhoto Library has the newer events from July 26 onwards.
    If yes, copy the iPhoto library from the old Mac to the new mac by connecting both computers. And then try to upgrade the copied library.
    If you no longer have access to the old mac, you could try to inherit the backup of the old Mac and try to restore the iPhoto Library from it.
    See Pondini's FAQ:   http://pondini.org/TM/B6.html

  • Transferring data from old imac to new imac using Time Machine.

    Old imac is a 2006 that does not take Lion.  New Mac just purchased this month is a 27in imac.  I tried to set it up using firewire, but old imac wont join new imac to to the different versions of Snow Leopard and Lion.  I wnt back in and used the Time machine to start my back up.  New imac keeps going to sleep, bu I think it is stilll trasferring.  Old imac shows msg that Time Machine is unable to complet this task, but after clicking OK.  It continues to march.  I think I have 10 hours left on the transfer.  Is there an easier way to do this?

    you are welcome. and here is a link to a pic of firewire connectors. the one on the left is FW800 and on the right is FW400
    http://www.smelectronics.com/images2/FIREWIRE96.jpg

  • How do i set up a new lion imac from a snow leopard imac using time machine?

    How do i set up a new lion imac from a snow leopard imac using time machine?

    Connect the two via Firewire cable - Transferring files between two computers using FireWire. Boot the old iMac into Target Disk Mode. Boot the new iMac normally.
    If you are starting the new iMac for the first time then do the above before you turn on the new iMac. After you turn on the new iMac you will begin in the Setup Assistant. When you complete the registration screens you will be offered an opportunity to migrate your data from another Mac. Follow the instructions to migrate your old Home folder, third-party applications and support files, and system preferences to the new iMac.
    If you have already gone through the Setup Assistant and created an initial admin user account, then you do the connection step but will use Migration Assistant in the Utilities folder of the new iMac.

  • New to Using Time Machine, Should I Even Use It in This Case?

    Hey everyone
    So I just started a full Time Machine backup on my Macbook Pro to my Seagate 2TB External Hard drive. I make music, so I have a lot of projects and sounds, which I would like to have backed up just incase something happens to my Macbook. I have around 250GB of stuff on my computer, and it says that's it's going to take around 12 hours to back everything up. I'm new to using Time Machine, so I have a few questions:
    Will this occur all the time if Time Machine is running? Like, will it keep updating the data I already have and replacing it, or will it just backup new changes/files after this first backup is complete? Is there an option/preference I can change so it only backs up new changes/files instead fully backing up every day?
    Does Time Machine store the files/folders onto the external hard drive, or is it just like a backup file that you run which backs up everything?
    Thank you guys in advance, really need help with this!

    You should not use a Time Machine backup drive for permanent data storage. Use a separate drive for that purpose. It's much safer. Time Machine will over time delete files if they are deleted from the source drive which makes Time Machine a poor long term storage option. If you want a permanent storage option buy a separate drive for that purpose, but do not use Time Machine. User other backup software:
    Suggested Backup Software
      1. Carbon Copy Cloner
      2. Get Backup
      3. Deja Vu
      4. SuperDuper!
      5. Synk Pro
      6. Tri-Backup
    Others may be found at VersionTracker or MacUpdate.
    Visit The XLab FAQs and read the FAQ on backup and restore.  Also read How to Back Up and Restore Your Files.

  • HT201250 What is Airport Utility and why do I need to access this in order to backup my iMac using Time Machine...PLEASE??

    What is Airport Utility and why do I need to access Airport witeless devices in order to backup my iMac using Time Machine...HELP!!! PLEASE??

    AirPort Utility is required to configure an Apple AirPort Base Station or Time Capsule.
    Time Machine can use a Time Capsule or a locally connected volume. You only need to use AirPort Utility if you are using a Time Capsule.

  • I was transferring data from my old iMac to my new iMac via Time Machine. After about 4 hours, the electrical power fluctuated and turned off my wi-fi. Now most of my necessary programs are useless. How do I erase and start over?

    I was transferring data from my old iMac to my new iMac via Time Machine. After about 4 hours, the electrical power fluctuated and turned off my wi-fi. Now most of my necessary programs are useless. How do I erase that mess and start over?

    Hello there, LynnS.
    The following Knowledge Base article and it's referenced link should get you started with the Erase and Install of Mavericks:
    OS X Mavericks: Erase and reinstall OS X
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14243
    Once you've gone through those 2 articles, this article should help you with restoring from your Time Machine Backup:
    OS X Mavericks: Recover your entire system
    http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14185
    Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.
    Cheers,
    Pedro.

  • Migration: Can I use Time Machine to move apps from MacBookPro to MacPro?

    I've outgrown my laptop and have "graduated" to a MacPro <insert big smile>. I know I can use Time Machine to bring everything from an old laptop to a new one, but can I do the same to bring files from the laptop to the MacPro?
    Sure would be lot easier than re-installing everything.
    I have the original discs for all the important stuff, but wondered if I could bring over those myriad apps that I've downloaded.
    The laptop is being "retired" - the screen is getting darker and darker - soon will be unusable...

    The first time you boot your new Mac is the best time to migrate everything in "Setup Assistant".
    If it's not the first boot, funny things happen. For just the applications I'd use Migration Manager to get them from the TM disk, or from your connected laptop. Since you've already booted up I wouldn't try to migrate in your Home folder that way.
    For your own data you can drag to copy, or for application support data here's a user tip for that.
    -mj
    Message was edited by: macjack

  • Transferring to new iMac via time machine - how to use Ethernet?

    Hi, I am setting up a new iMac and transferring my files from my MacBook (2007) using time machine. I started the transfer wirelessly (foolishly) but it predicted it would take 36 hours. With the transfer still happening I have now attached an Ethernet cable but the countdown is the same, presumably because the wireless transfer is still taking priority.
    Is it risky to abandon the transfer midway through? If not, once I have stopped it, how do I ensure the ethernet takes priority, considering that I am still at the very early stages of iMac setup (so have not gone through to the normal home screen etc)?
    Another issue is that the screen seems to sleep every 30 mins, so I am not sure the wireless transfer will keep progressing overnight...?
    Many thanks in advance for any pointers.

    Receiving Code 150:30 lead me to the following Adobe link...
    http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/error-licensing-stopped-mac-os.html
    This Adobe page provides an app (LicenseRecovery 11.6.1), supposedly designed to reinstate a licensing issue. When I opened the file, and tried to open the app that's suggested on this page, the program hung. I assumed the app hadn't been updated for Mountain Lion.
    Wouldthis app address the issue if it had worked?

  • Transfer CS4 to new iMac via Time Machine

    I used Time Machine to rebuild my drive onto my new iMac 27" (Intel Core i7) running OS version 10.8.2. I got "Code 150:30" when I tried to open my Photoshop (CS4). I downloaded LicenseRecovery 11.6.1, but the app failed to open. What next?

    Receiving Code 150:30 lead me to the following Adobe link...
    http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/global/error-licensing-stopped-mac-os.html
    This Adobe page provides an app (LicenseRecovery 11.6.1), supposedly designed to reinstate a licensing issue. When I opened the file, and tried to open the app that's suggested on this page, the program hung. I assumed the app hadn't been updated for Mountain Lion.
    Wouldthis app address the issue if it had worked?

  • How do I restore the iMac using Time Machine?, How do I restore the iMac using Time Machine?

    My Outlook 2011 shows no messages which started right after I ran  SyncMate.  I decided to restore  my system using Time Machine, but that did not make Outlook show my emails.  Outlook indicates that I have several messages, but none appear.  Suggestions please.
    CH

    Thanks den.thed,
    Apologies for not replying back sooner - I've been away.
    Although your suggestion helped me in getting a copy of Lion that I could use, it didn't help with the restore from Time Capsule issue.  I had to download the Lion app onto my MacBook & then transfer it across but it wouldn't let me upgrade my OS for some reason, so I ended up wiping the iMac completely and restoring via my Snow Leopard install disk.  For some reason, this time, it let me have the option of using Setup Assistant to access the Time Capsule for a complete restore.
    Now, over a week later, with various bits of tweaking and reinstalling some apps that didn't seem to come across, I have my system back.
    Thanks for the help anyway.
    Cheers,
    Paul

  • Migrating to new Mac using Time Machine

    Hi,
    I will be getting a new Mac soon and I want to take all of my apps with me in their current state so I will be using Time Machine to migrate to the new machine.
    I was wondering what are the essential files that I need to transfer over so that all the apps stay in the same state as they were on my current Mac. (Without the need for me to re-enter licence codes and go hunting for libraries etc.)
    The main applications this is a worry for are:
    Photoshop CS4 (and its affiliated apps)
    Aperture 2
    iWork '09
    various other applications that have licence codes attached to them

    it's more to do with the preferences being saved intact on my new Mac, I need to know what essential files to choose off my Time Machine backup when I Sync it with my new Mac. I don't want the whole drive migrated because it is full of rubbish I want to get rid of.
    If you have any idea of what preferences and other library files are essential then that will be a great help.

  • HT3275 I am backing up my iMac using TIME MACHINE and red FAILED occured stating "unable to complete back up. an error acccured while creating back up folder" can anybody help me pls. =Mochincess

    Backing up Problem: Using time Machine to back up my iMac, and failed occured stating" unable to complete backup. An error occured while creating backup folder. Pls. help....using reformatted WD 2TB Passport

    Hello...
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4413173?start=0&tstart=0

  • HT201250 using time machine to transfer files from mac to mac

    i just bought the new iMac 27inch.  My previous Mac was Mac OSX Version 10.6.8.  I want to transfer files from my old mac to my new mac.  I learned Migration Assistant does not support this transfer because my old Mac is too old. 
    I want to transfer photos that are on my old mac --- such as my itunes, photos that are in iPhoto and CS 5.0, and a few other files on desk top and in documents.
    What do i do? 

    What if you won't have both computers at the same time. In my situation I'm selling my machine and using the money to purchase a new machine. If I backup with time machine and then run migration assistant on the new machine can't I copy everything over to the new computer with time machine?

  • Using Time Machine to backup data FROM external disk to ANOTHER external

    i have my itunes library and my iphoto library on an external WD disk connected to my MacBook Pro. So, i have a lot of nice data on that disk that i want protected... but Time Machine is not playing nice with the external hard drive. It's not listed on the list of items "Not to backup", yet when I go into the Time Machine interface, i can't go more than 1 level deep in Finder when selecting the external disk.
    has anyone seen this behavior? it's supposed to work.
    thanks!

    Did you backup your data from that external disk using some other backup software before?
    I am also trying to figure out problems with external HD using time machine to back it up. Am not quite sure yet why it is not working right.

Maybe you are looking for