The new MacBookPro C2D, long but please READ!!

Question

Hi all,
I recently purchased the MBP C2D ( 2.33 GHZ which has 2GB RAM stock) and used the Target Disk Mode in my PB G4 to transfer everything over to the C2D. While the idea seems convenient and everything did transfer over, I do not recommend this method.
1) Firstly, a few unnecessary apps and files got transferred over, things such as "PB Battery updater" and Virex anti-virus software, both of which are not compatible. Also, I looked in my APP folder, and saw THREE files from iwork: 1) Iwork 06 from old powerbook 2) Iwork 06 3) iwork (30 day trial) folder. It seems that in making the transfer, the computer was not smart enough to delete the Trial version of the iwork and not make a redundant iwork folder.
2)My Microsoft Office transferred over fully, not requiring the serial numbers to be inputed again, as did all passwords, network settings, keychain items, even my customized dashboard widgets.
However, I am just not sure if this is the way to go. Do programs that run natively on intel, all of a sudden, are going to run using Rosetta because the apps were installed on a PowerPC machine? You will also need to update most software to get "universal binary" versions on the C2D. But, how about the many Apple security software updates that I did on my PB G4 that were made for "PowerPC"? Is that going to transfer over to the intel machine and just waste space??
The C2D was running a bit sluggishly from the first moment I started using it, the fan working extra fast and loud. Even my keynote transitions were "stuttering" and not smooth at all. These issues were not blatantly obvious, but rather very subtle. As it turned out, within 1 day I got a Kernel Panic forcing a manual shutdown. (I was working on Imovie and decided to open my Keynote app and it wouldn't open). . Maybe I had a defective machine or maybe it was due to a number of compatibiliy issues with the transfer from G4 to C2D. Anyhow, I decided to exchange it with a new machine and give it another try.
This time, I decided to bypass the transfer data and just turned on the machine and started with a clean machine. I manually moved over my iphoto, itunes, safari, addresbook, and mail accounts and preferences. After every one of these transfers, I did a repair disk permission, and believe me it is necessary as permissions and privileges were altered EVERYTIME. I did a clean install of the iwork from the CD and now I do not have the redundant iwork folders.
This machine is AWESOME!!!
The speed on the C2D is faster than my Power Mac G5 dual 2.5 with 1.5 GB RAM. I even did some intense imovieHD editting with the battery setting to maximum and did not hear the lould fan that I did with the old C2D. The battery consumption on this machine is simply AWESOME
The moral of the story is take the long road, if you want to transfer from a PB to a MBP. As tempting as it is to just connect the two machine to make the trasnfer, you will undoubtedly hit a glitch somewhere, sometime. Do a clean install and move things over manually. It takes a bit longer, but will save you alot of aggravation.
I did read alot of negative experiences from others and their macintels, and was a bit hesitant in making the switch....but now that I did, I am extremely glad I did. Just make sure you follow the points I stated above.
Good luck

Answer 1

1) Firstly, a few unnecessary apps and files got
transferred over, things such as "PB Battery updater"
and Virex anti-virus software, both of which are not
compatible. Also, I looked in my APP folder, and saw
THREE files from iwork:
Yes,it's better to get rid of unnecessary stuff before the transfer, but you can also delete that junk after.
2)My Microsoft Office transferred over fully...
And so does the Adobe stuff, including the important things in /Library. The Migration Assistant is quite good.
Do programs that run natively on intel, all of a
sudden, are going to run using Rosetta because the
apps were installed on a PowerPC machine?
The Migration Assistant only transfers apps not already on the new machine. Thus, old versions of, say, iTunes, are not transferred. You retain the version that's preinstalled on the new machine (the Intel version.)
You will also need to update most software to get "universal
binary" versions on the C2D
Yup. I've been doing that for a couple of months, so my transition next week will be very smooth.
many Apple security software updates that I did on
my PB G4 that were made for "PowerPC"? Is that going
to transfer over to the intel machine
Nope. Those updates affected the kernel, various apps (e.g. Safari), and software Frameworks. None of that stuff transfers.
The C2D was running a bit sluggishly from the first
moment I started using it, the fan working extra fast
Could've been some odd software problem, something sucking up lots of CPU time. If it persisted past a shutdown/restart, then it might be a hardware problem. More likely it was some Login Item having problems.
Anyhow, I decided to exchange it with a new machine...
Though this may not have been necessary, it is one way to skin the cat.
I decided to bypass the transfer...and started with a clean machine
That took more work on your part, but it works.
Did you copy (home)/Library in its entirety, or did you just bring bits and pieces of it?